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Forum netiquette
Sir Edward:
I went over to the HES (Historical European Swordsmanship) forum on SFI (http://forums.swordforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15), and read some of the recent threads concerning the problems that have been plaguing that board recently.
I first wanted to applaud those folks here who were present for that, for the way they handled the situation. It's always difficult dealing with trolls, but this was perhaps one of the most insidious forms of trolling. For those who didn't see those threads, the trolling in question was a form of polite badgering. It skirted around the rules of the forum, and was disguised as inquisitive discussion, but was still antagonistic harassment.
I'm glad to see that some steps were taken, and I hope the board resumes its former courteous atmosphere. Trolling in general has been a problem ever since electronic communication began (predating the modern web). I had to deal with it once or twice when I ran my dial-up bulletin board system in the early 90's (circa 1991). Bannings and private warnings are never fun, but sometimes must be done to maintain a positive and friendly environment with mature and rational discussion. My BBS back then wasn't one of the more popular (in terms of population size), but those who participated knew it was a safe haven, because I enforced the rules.
I wanted to bring this up because I want to make it clear from the start that I want this forum to remain a place for mature and friendly discussion, free from that sort of abusive behavior. So I've updated the "forum rules" to include some of that, and I'd love to hear additional suggestions for rules to add to it.
As this forum grows, I know there's the risk that I (or another moderator, as we appoint some new ones) at some point will likely have to step in.
So please take a moment to look at the forum rules (sticky thread here in the Round Table section) and let me know if there's anything you'd like to see added.
Sword Chick:
Bravo, Ed! Exactly what I would expect at a forum called ModernChivalry. :)
tristam:
The rules sound good to me. And since you included #1, there really is no way for some troll with a great deal of finesse to get around the rules here. Grind their bones to make your bread.
Sir Griff:
This forum seems low-risk to me currently because it has very few members. As it expands, however, the potential for trolls increases with it.
If you don't mind me asking, how exactly was this trolling polite badgering but at the same time antagonistic harassment?
Sir Edward:
It's hard to explain. It took on the guise of trying to understand what people were saying, but then nit-picking their choice of wording... implying that the word "extant" was evasive for instance. And asking the same question again and again and again in the same thread, despite the crystal clarity of the answers received. It was as if the person wanted to start a semantics argument. And that was just one thread.
You're right, there's little risk now, but no forum is immune.
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