Archived and Closed
This conversation is no longer open for comments or replies and is no longer visible to community members.
Is there anything that can be done about trolls and abusive posters?
Over on the Haven (TV) forum, we have a serious issue with 2 troll/bullies who get every thread where an opinion that differs from theirs is posted. The forum has become a JOKE. There are serious fans of the show who wan to to have active, enlightened, intelligent discussions, and we cannot because of 2 people. We have reposted them, but in turn, they have reported every thread we differ in opinion from theirs. From what we can conclude, the deletions are automated. Nobody bothers to read the topics or the posts. Is there any way to get these 2 users permanently banned so that the forum can be a place for fans (not trolls) who actually wish to discuss the show?
Over on the Haven (TV) forum, we have a serious issue with 2 troll/bullies who get every thread where an opinion that differs from theirs is posted. The forum has become a JOKE. There are serious fans of the show who wan to to have active, enlightened, intelligent discussions, and we cannot because of 2 people. We have reposted them, but in turn, they have reported every thread we differ in opinion from theirs. From what we can conclude, the deletions are automated. Nobody bothers to read the topics or the posts. Is there any way to get these 2 users permanently banned so that the forum can be a place for fans (not trolls) who actually wish to discuss the show?
Posted 7 years ago
Emperor, Champion
As far as I can see, the system is broken. Why can't they recruit volunteer mods from within the forums themselves? People who have the "pulse" of what is really going on. I myself would be happy to volunteer a few hours a day to the forums I belong to.
bluesmanSF, Champion
Probably because there are literally millions of boards. They'd need to have millions of volunteers and policing these volunteers would be extremely difficult.
It's not like anything is "broken." It's just difficult to babysit millions of idiots at once and the boards are a minor part of the site. Very few clicks on the site, relatively speaking, end up with message board visits. The site's recommendation is, sadly, that if you have problems on the boards, use the core features of the site, and skip the boards. But, there is, as Emperor mentioned, a system for dealing with abusive users. So,, just have patience and let it work. In the mean time, don't give them any power by posting things that could be deleted for just cause. It will empower their accounts and adversely affect yours.
It's not like anything is "broken." It's just difficult to babysit millions of idiots at once and the boards are a minor part of the site. Very few clicks on the site, relatively speaking, end up with message board visits. The site's recommendation is, sadly, that if you have problems on the boards, use the core features of the site, and skip the boards. But, there is, as Emperor mentioned, a system for dealing with abusive users. So,, just have patience and let it work. In the mean time, don't give them any power by posting things that could be deleted for just cause. It will empower their accounts and adversely affect yours.
Here is something everyone on IMDB should know. When you have a complaint about trolls and get a response from BluesmanSF it's because he is one of the trolls and spends hours each day watching the complaint threads for new posts just waiting for an opportunity to defend and protect his fellow trolls.
Emperor, Champion
Ironic that you are going through the forum spamming the same message - someone is a troll here, but it ain't BMSF.
Except that he's already proven to be either a troll or a troll enabler. But tell yourself whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Please return from under the rock from whence you came, 'Jim'
bluesmanSF, Champion
Allowing people to delete their own posts opens opportunities for a lot of hit-and-run trolling. I don't like seeing posts that are deleted by the user or even edited after someone has replied. Sockpuppet creation is also abetted by this liberal self-delete policy. If people want to delete their own posts they should have grounds for reporting their own abuse.
bluesmanSF, Champion
I agree. This site is better, blocking editing or deleting once there is a reply.
At least, though, if a bookmark to the deleted posts or thread can be supplied, staff can still see deleted content (at least for a period of time) by which they can determine if abuse was committed.
At least, though, if a bookmark to the deleted posts or thread can be supplied, staff can still see deleted content (at least for a period of time) by which they can determine if abuse was committed.
Even the ordinary user can see deleted posts when they have a bookmark. I have and it led to a troll deleting his own account.
bluesmanSF, Champion
Nice. And, I hope he moved on to other hobbies!
