lawrence

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Subject: 4.9 Disrupting usenet

Usenet and its procedures were designed in the days when
usenet was a group of likeminded organisations and
individuals, working together to create a worthwhile whole.
It was not designed to withstand sustained attack by those
intent on destroying usenet. [Jabriol/Zod/Gantz-Antinio L.
Santana]

The Trolls disrupting usenet by using the holes in existing
rules to harm usenet. This is normally done in the
*.config and *.management newsgroups.

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Subject: 4.11 They read newsgroups

That they read newsgroups is on the face of it obvious.
They are thus privy to any discussions about
countermeasures. It is clear that they adjust what they do
to reduce the effect of countermeasures, and further their
general aims. [Pondmeister-Jabriol/Zod/Gantz-Antonio L. Santana]

Subject: 4.12 Generate splits among subscribers.

Any tensions within a newsgroup are deliberately increased.

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Subject: 4.13 Bullying

The Trolls often demand the right to post anything and
everything to a newsgroup. If anyone or any group opposes
them they threaten to continue, for longer. [Jabriol/Zod/Gantz-
Antonio L. Santana]

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Subject: 5. What can be done about them?

The actions taken by a person, or a group, against Trolls
depends on many factors, technical expertise, personality,
equipment available to name but a few.

Listed are listed some possible actions with advantages
(Pro) and disadvantages (Con) given for each.

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Subject: 5.1 Ignore them and they will go away.

This is the traditional usenet method of dealing with
Trolls, and is regularly suggested.

It is similar to the method use to train dogs, and very
young children, ignore bad behaviour and reward good
behaviour. Thus it is only likely to work if the, The Infant
or Attention Seeker theory, is true

Pro:

If you are subscribed to a Sub Target newsgroup this is
quite a reasonable method. The normal change of Sub
Targets will ensure that they do "go away", convincing you
that this is an effective way of dealing with the problem.
It however leaves the Target newsgroup in exactly the same
mess as it was before.

If you are confronted with a minor attack by merely
Irritating Trolls, or inexperienced and disorganized Trolls,
this may also work.

Con:

If you are subscribed to a Target newsgroup, this is
impossible, as up to 90% of posts may be trolls. As the
Intension is to destroy the Target Newsgroup, they will
*never* go away. [Antonio L. Santana-Jabriol/Zod/Gantz]

On any newsgroup there are a mixture of subscribers, non of
whom has any ability to control the postings of other
subscribers. Human nature dictates that someone will
*always* reply to a good troll. [~Roy~] Arguably this section
should be headed "If *everyone* ignores them and they will
go away." which is arguably impossible to attain.

In the case of uly after a full week of almost total
ignoring of a specific troll made him so angry that he
invited in other trolls. After that a massive and damaging
attack began. [Jabriol/Zod/Gantz-Antonio L. Santana]

uk.local.yorkshire contained this telling sentence.

Lawrence

adavisus

There is not much point wasting time on boards with such inadequate
moderation, here's some more reliable special interest places, feel
free to add others to the list.

http://www.awgs.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php

koivet.com

koiphen.com

Regards, andy
http://www.members.aol.com/abdavisnc/swglist.html