'Trolls' on the Religion board.

Discerningly_Tasteful
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur36744647/
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur36744647/b...

This user is not an IMDb admin and has had his posting history deleted.
He also tends to either vote 1 (42%) or 10 (41%) on titles.

Board: Religion, Faith, and Spirituality
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000108/t...

It appears that this has become a rather unpleasant board. Since it looks like the IMDb staff is aware of this problem, it would be a good idea to place those you consider trolls on your ignore list. It probably would be better to simply avoid this board.

When users report, then ignore, two things happen. The site uses authentication and the progressive disciplinary steps. Eventually, posts get deleted, posting quotas raised, then authentication revoked. The trolls will keep needing to re-authenticate with new cell phone number or credit card or tire of doing so and stop trolling or move along. There is no good way to block someone from a site.

Also, ignoring trolls is the only proven method for dealing with them, so if everyone reports them, then ignores them, you've all done your best.

That said, round up and exterminate all the trolls and I guarantee a new infestation starts in the next day. There is a reason they say, "three topics you never discuss at a party are sex, politics and religion."

IMDb is primarily a film information database. The message boards are a low priority feature and off topic boards even lower. That's why the site recommends if you're having problems there, you should stick to the core features of the site and avoid the message boards.

They don't likely want a petition on the subject. It might not be a great customer service issue in general, but they have millions of hits monthly to the site...very few, relatively speaking to the message boards...fewer still to that off topic board, which will likely always be a problem area. They'd prefer we use the system in place.

1) You're right. It does not. But the system addresses that. Abusing the report system results in their future reports being ignored. It can be reported by choosing one of the posts they've made and explain it in the "none of the above" reason (or let the system catch up with them). You can also post, then bookmark your post and if deleted, include a link to the post/thread in your report-but make sure there was nothing wrong with the post or it could backfire).

2) IP blocking does not work. If you block me, I'd change my IP address and be back in seconds. Second problem with that, is IP addresses rotate or get re-used (or get shared) and the result could be innocent folks being blocked. IMDb used to use that but only do so in the most extreme of cases because it simply is not too useful.

3) Well, if you can do better than your best, knock yourself out (though, that's not possible, right?).

4) Since that board started, people have come complaining about trolling to the Help Board.

5) No comment.

6) I was not "trying" but letting you know what the site's line on the matter is. If I state something it's based on prior knowledge or posted comments/policies.

See:

I want to complain about the way the message boards are moderated!
We are sorry to hear that. However, if you disagree with the policies outlined in our Terms & Conditions of Use document or are otherwise dissatisfied with the contents or operation of our message boards, we suggest that you stick to the core functions of the site and stay away from the boards.

On:

http://www.imdb.com/help/search?domai...

http://www.imdb.com/help/search?domai...

7) What I meant when I said, "They don't likely want a petition on the subject." was, simply, "They don't likely want a petition on the subject."

If you disagree and want to create one, that's up to you. I implied nothing other than what I said.

If your theory is that site staff is trolling their own message boards to make customers go away, go with it, pal. Good luck to you.

You realize, don't you, that the two of us who've replied are site users. We are not staff, in collusion with trolls. We, like you, don't like trolls/trolling activity. Further, we don't have a dog in the fight or anything at stake as far as dvd sales (nor does IMDb, by the way, for that matter).

But, I do wish you well. And hope that you don't lose sleep over an internet troll. Because, if you do, he wins.

I'll briefly take this up, one last time.

Yes, I believe it's "implausible" that a staffer is trolling on a board. Actually, I think it's a completely ridiculous thing to accuse.

The reason it's important to use the automated portion of the system is because it tracks reports. Both the reports against the "troll" and the accuracy of reports by the reporter. If you're always reporting him and when it's reviewed, you're found to be right, it improves your standing and starts progressive steps against the "troll." So, you're right, there is some review...that's not the point though.

Now, you're calling me a liar. So, who do you think, in my opinion, the troll and real problem user is?

The site's mission, by the way...and again, has nothing to do with selling stuff on Amazon. So, throw out the, "you're losing sales" (which I don't for a minute believe, anyway, and doubt they do) threat. It just makes you look a bit silly. You either want the damn video or not. The site gives you billions of details about films to assist you and Amazon in your consumer/retailer relationship. A few message board trolls don't really affect that. If you've found that you need to take the discussions somewhere else, you're still going to buy the dvd's where they're available and cheapest or most convenient. If you're taking your business somewhere else because of an internet troll, that's a sad, sad excuse.

Good luck.