An idea to help control the trolls

1. 60

   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   I have no idea it would work, but would it be possible to put a 24 hour forum hold on new accounts?  They can read the forums and have full functionality of hubs and such, but they aren't able to post for 24 hours after account creation?

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      SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Just get a bunch of Hobbits (or Gandalf) to turn them into stone!

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      Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think I've seen this suggestion before, and the answer is that it would discourage genuine Hubbers from participating as most people would be too impatient to wait for that period of time.
      
      The other suggestion, which I think is much better, is that new Hubbers should only be able to post in the Hub-related threads.  They have to have at least one Hub published before they can post in the general topic-related forums.
      
      That way, new Hubbers could still seek help to get started, but trolls would be discouraged because they would have to have one genuine Hub.

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      relacheposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So, you'd like to prevent new valid users from getting help and just delay trolls from doing their thing?
      
      I don't see how this is actually going to be helpful or actually prevent forum misuse.

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         MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         *smiles* You're a few posts too late, I've already been shown the error of my ways.

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      2. 90

         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         We've been down that road before and the suggestion was to let them post in "Need Help" and "Extreme Hub Makeover".
         
         It could work.  My bet is that HP *like*s these trolls as they generate activity in the forums.

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   skyfireposted 12 years ago

   I guess then he'll create bunch of accounts so that they pass 24 or more hours limit and then he'll use it again for the same trolling.

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3. 60

   Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years ago

   I think the probationary period should be longer-maybe 30 days.

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      Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Five years.
      
      Yes, I know I'd be hurting myself, but it really would cut down, wouldn't it?

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         50 years.  They say some of your best work comes toward the end of your life.

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            Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Considering that I'll be 64 in a few months, 50 years might not work for me..

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               habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               

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4. 93

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   Let's take a minute to consider the word "control." The prefix "con" means "against." The base word "trol" is the Old English spelling for the modern word "troll," meaning a nasty little creature that lives under a bridge and steals goats. Hence, the word "control" literally means "against trolls."

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      Only you Habee would bring that to attention.

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         habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Goes with the English teacher thingie. ("Thingie" here is a very technical and academic term, BTW.)

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            Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            And here I was thinking that it came for arrogance?
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            

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               habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               You do realize I just made up the etymology, right?

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                  Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Yeah, how does that change what I said?

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                     habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     

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      Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, you have the origin wrong.  The word "Cont" (edited for family friendliness) and roll combined means that we should roll the little conts off a cliff...

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         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         

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5. 90

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   But seriously: yes, we have asked for this before. HP seems uninterested.

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6. 61

   Hollie Thomasposted 12 years ago

   I think the best way to control trolls is to completely ignore them. If they receive no attention whatsoever, and they do like attention, posting becomes worthless and unrewarding to them. They'll move on.

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7. 87

   Will Apseposted 12 years ago

   Some people don't even realise that they are trolls.

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8. 0

   Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

   I have no patience for the trolls who join HubPages, then post in the Forum with questions about their failing love life.  This recent girl posted in three different Forum places, but I'm glad I haven't seen more from her.  Of course she didn't get the answers she wanted.  The ones who make the rudest comments don't even have one Hub published.  If it's someone who wants advice for romance or a failed relationship, what would her one Hub be about?  Her "love" problem!  Enough, already!  Leave the clown!

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9. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   A posting hold would be a bit of a cold welcome to the new members who are mostly not trolls.  I remember a writer's group I went to where you weren't allowed to talk for your first meeting--I never went back.

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10. 0

    Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

    If you are serious about writing and putting your work out there, a posting hold would not stop you from waiting it out, then publishing your work.  Writers are an odd lot.  I dumped my writers' group months ago.  Some people can't write their way out of a paper bag, and there are the wannabes who have money to throw around to attend conferences.  Of course, that makes them writers.  If you are serious about the craft, you'll do whatever it takes to get published or find work.  Including writing for HubPages.  You can't control these trolls, so instead of extending the attention to their behavior, either flag their work or let it go.  That was one long thread devoted to the last Dude.  I would not analyze why he behaves this way or why he behaves the way he does.  I'm not being paid to be his psychiatrist or his therapist.  Flag him and set him free.

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11. 83

    psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

    I don't know about you, but I am not really serious about writing Hubs--I do it for fun. One of the reasons I stayed and wrote so many was because I enjoyed the forum.

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12. 77

    Shadesbreathposted 12 years ago

    Trolls are like bears, they find a way into places where there is food. If people don't feed them, they go away.

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    MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

    You guys are probably right.  It was just a random idea I had.  I was thinking about the "lewie vatton" spam monsters too.
    
    I like Marisa's idea, but then again I can see the hub threads pounded by spam and some really low quality "write something quick so I can post" hubs.
    
    *shrugs*  I'm still working on the invention that lets you punch people in the face over the internet... when I get that done I promise hub forums will be a much nice place

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       wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hmmm.  I'm not sure I like the sound of that.  Can I program the screen to display a mirror image?  So that I can turn it backwards and read it in a mirror? 

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    Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

    I know! How about a giant electric fence to keep them out!
    Oh wait, this isn't the political forum, is it?
    Sorry.
    

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       Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       

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       habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Trolls are immune to electric shocks...and to electric socks!

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15. 57

    Albert Geniusposted 12 years ago

    Hubpages is not serious about website abuse (by the way, no one is abusing them right away ).
    
    If they are really serious, then implement these-
    
    1) Make it mandatory for everyone to have published at least 10 'quality' hubs, to participate in these forums. Will hubpages do that? Why will they? Most people come here for fun; they will not disappoint them with a task of 10 hubs.
    
    2) Make it strictly compulsory to have SMS-verification completed, for anyone willing to join these forum. It's just what Google does before you can create a GMAIL account. Implementing this will totally eradicate all abusers. Will hubpages implement this one. To begin with, they perhaps lack funds to make it a reality. .
    
    HubPages will always have.

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