Troll Amnesty?

[shin]

Here's a thought:

What if someone wants to joke around with a fake profile yet not cause any actual harm (even if they "bomb" a board)?

I suggest that we allow people to make it clear to strat-o and the community at large who they are and what fake profile they're making so that anyone who needs to know beforehand can know. For instance, if I want to create a fake profile called, uh, The_Governator, and do the whole Arnold bit, but keep it as a non-malicious code based bit, just doing sarcastic posts at hilariously ironic times, shouldn't I be able to do that? A fake profile doesn't necessarily mean someone's created a fake persona and passed it off as a real person.

Just because it walks like a duck and talks like a duck doesn't mean it's a duck. Sometimes it's just a guy in a duck suit making quacking noises.

[JesusLooksLikeMe]

Yeah, John Oates Dog must be allowed to sniff the collective Castaway arse occasionally.

[Kensterberg]

Ya know something ... Shin has a really good point here. I mean, we all love John Oates Dog, right? So if someone wants to adopt a different persona in the interests of satire and a better boards experience, then why shouldn't they? But if that person then abuses the new persona (troll posts, bombings, what have you), they should be executed, erm, banned.

Just my two cents ...

[KayJay]

That's a good thought, fellas, and a good question. The only thing is that strat started this board so he, too, would have a place to post. As it is now, he hasn't had time to do anything but be "Sheriff Strat" because of trying to keep up with keeping the place organized and trying to make everybody happy with their requests. What's wrong with one profile per person and when someone wants to "become" someone else, change the Subject like I just did? Then everyone can see what it's supposed to be, everyone can have a good laugh, and everyone will still be able to be covering their own asses without being accused of being a troll.

Just a thought. The question needs to go to strat, of course, because he's the one with the headaches.

[shin]

Well, I didn't even notice the subject until you pointed it out

I think having the name, avatar, signature and quote is somewhat integral to the point of having a new profile. Going all the way with the character adds to the humor. On the old boards, we'd fill out the music favorites in character to add to the laughs.

I mean, you guys know who's who anyways, it's not like anyone can get this stuff by you...it's just a matter of people not reporting someone who's just having a larf.

[the*bear]

Personally, I don't care how many profiles an individual establishes. The problems I have are posters who disrupt the boards either with code bombs or abusive posts (maybe even hiding behind various profiles). If I understand this correctly, and we have the ability to ban posters and their ISPs, then it doesn't matter what profile they use. Just be aware that one abusive profile will get a poster and ALL of his profiles banned. banned.

And I don't think that bad attempts at humor (riley) constitute abuse.

[KayJay]

I understand exactly where you're coming from. I don't have a problem with it, except for the fact that it would just make it that much harder on Strat to be able to be part of this place, and that's what he wants - to have a place to post just like the rest of the members here, without a bunch of unnecessary problems. The only thing I would suggest is to ask him about it.

BTW - if anyone emails strat's email address listed here, you'll get a spamblocker email back saying you're not on his allowed list (the first time email, that is), but he will add you as soon as he can after he gets home from work and can check that email account. After all... from the lyrics of Sweet Jane - "people like us, we gotta work..."[/i]

Good luck! He's pretty reasonable, and he loves to be able to have fun... time permitting. He's definitely not an ogre... like ME!

[ClubberLang]

KayJay said:

BTW - if anyone emails strat's email address listed here, you'll get a spamblocker email back saying you're not on his allowed list (the first time email, that is), but he will add you as soon as he can after he gets home from work and can check that email account. After all... from the lyrics of Sweet Jane - "people like us, we gotta work..."

[/i]

[/quote]

Knight told me he tried to email strat-o a couple of times but he got that blocker message. Just thought i'd add that info

[KayJay]

He did? Good. Maybe things can calm down soon and get back to what should be "normal lunacy."

[chrisfan]

I see both sides to the multiple poster issue. When it's something like John Oates Dog, it's funny, people know it's fake, know who is doing it, and it's no big deal. But we all know that on RS, there were also people who were creating new personnas, and not being honest about it. Those get annoying, fake, dishonest, and I wouldn't look at those and say "Yeah, they should be allowed". If you want one, you have to take the other I guess. But I think that as honest as most people around here are, I have a problem with those who don't have the balls to be honest.

[riley]

Erm...JohnOatesDog already made an appearance on the weekend... not that I know exactly who created the profile ... erm

I don't have a tribunal in me. Just make it swift and as painless as possible, and let the record show I'm a better hockey fighter than Clubber...

[strat-0]

Oh, I don't think anyone has a problem with people creating another profile if it's pretty clear it's in fun - a small hint of who it really is would make it all the more funny. But even if "anonymous" (it wouldn't be to me, but I can keep a secret), it wouldn't be a problem, when kept harmless. Believe it or not, I do have a sense of humor. Also, if someone alerts me to a potential troll, I can see their ISP# and find out who else they are here, in moments (hopefully, if a troll, nobody).

Knight emailed me? I'll have to check the blocked message log in Outlook when I get home. Anyhow, since he's back on with another ISP, he could always use the instant email service here. All you have to do is click on a member's name or go to Memebers to get their profile, and you have an option to send a private message to them.

Hey, Clubber, Kathman told me all about your wild Vegas visit when I met her and the fam there. You party animal! Sure miss her - I don't know how we'll ever catch up with her now. I think all of her contact info has changed.

[Kensterberg]

So we've all agreed that John Oates Dog is cool, but that starting another persona just to harrass others and be a jerk isn't?

Gotta love democracy/concensus building in action ...

Though I think we should still smack John Oates Dog, erm, Riley, whoever!, on the tail, just for the hell of it! (He is a banker, after all).

[ClubberLang]

I think I have kath's email address somewhere around here. She's the best. I even think I might have a cell phone number of hers. maybe that will lead to somewhere. Let the search begin!

[The_Governator]

For dee sake uv konseetancee, I ahm here tu say...

YOU ARE TERMUNATED!