Don't feed the trolls :)

[uteng]

Sadly, feeding the trolls is a mistake I keep making, but I'll try to stop.

It seems like some trolls are feeling threatened by the attention another troll is getting and they're competing.

As someone pointed out, there's no point trying to rationalize with a troll or replying to the person making disruptive or rude remarks. They need attention and are just looking for responses. If there are no responses to them, they might just get bored and have to find another way to entertain themselves.

Fortunately this doesn't seem to happen often, I didn't even know what a troll was until a couple days ago.

[physiology]

Agreed.

It's tough - I know, but just ignore them (UWOmalestudent and Linkinpark). Don't insult them back - the most heartbreaking thing for them is when they log back in, and the number of replies to their posts is a big ZERO.

[stepstofollow]

Here here.
I am always surprised how often people bite.

When these two respond again, just ignore -- no matter what sort of topic they post.

[richmond604]

kinda tragic in a way

[Jochi1543]

LOL. I`m sure it`s one person, not two.

[PanjabiMD]

LOL. I`m sure it`s one person, not two.
I sort of think that too. Or maybe they are working together to form some sort of 'super troll' I mean, every time one of them says something, the other quickly chimes in. It is quite sad that they have nothing better to do. UWOmalestudent went from being somewhat modest to becoming what he is now. I find that quite strange. Anyways...just thought I'd give my input.

PMD

-DON'T FEED THE TROLLS-

[Arcados]

Any way one of the mods can place a temporary ban on them?
I realize this is a community open to all, but not only are they (or him/her) not contributing, they are a detriment to the board.

[wattyjl]

problem is they can easily make new names (i also think it's one guy, with at least 3 or 4 log-in's; i also think they have little-to-no interest in actually going into med). the only way to extinguish them is to:

a) never reply to their posts no matter how inflammatory they are

b) any time the mod's see a post by one of them, edit it to contain nothing. or, since they have the power to move and i assume remove entire threads, when they start a thread, remove it. that would be a lot of work for the moderators though so a) is probably the best we can do.

[stepstofollow]

Punjabi -- I read your post and laughed out loud. V. funny> "supertroll"
:rollin

[UWOMED2005]

Yes, the problem with banning trolls are:

a) they often come back anyway with a new name
b) if you ban the IP address there's a chance they're posting from a public terminal and then you ban that terminal (ie banning the entire U of T library system!)
c) sometimes banning them just feeds their ego

Better to ignore, but banning is an option.

[UWOmalestudent]

I am insulted that you call me a troll.

I assure you, all my posts are to increase the learning and knowledge of all my fellow pre-medical colleagues.

[UWOMED2005]

Don't like troll, eh?

I can think of some other things to call 'em. . . :rollin

But really, Linkinpark/UWOmalestudent/cod/whatever is best ignored. (apologies for this feeding session)

[CalicoKal]

is there any way that some of the very combative and offensive threads they/he/she have started can be deleted? While it may feed into their/his/her/its ego, I worry that someone who has never been to the site before will come read it and get the wrong idea about the culture and environment of this board...

[UWOMED2005]

Excellent point. . . we're working on it.

[UWOmalestudent]

OH NO.

UWOMED2005 is coming after me.

I am shaking in my gay boots.

UWOMED2005, are you Chinese or Indian?

If so, gtfo of my country and go back and pick rice.

You don't belong here.

[s sadry]

its kind of disappointing.

i really found these forums useful initially...now these "trolls" make these threads lose all accountability, especially when their comments influence younger students who may take their words very seriously.

comments like "this country doesnt' need more immigrant doctors" etc....that isn't even worth responding to. i completely agree. stop feeding the trolls..they are feeding themselves right now, and even then, that will grow tiresome for them at some point.

[UWOMED2005]

lol :lol

I'm about as white as white bread. . . the only thing non-european in me is a bit of South African. White South African.

The funny thing is even with my United Empire Loyalist and French Canadian Background, I can't really claim to be "native" to Canada as even those family roots date back only to the 1600s and 1700s.

It won't be that long before the descendents of those East Asian and East Indian have roots as far as mine. In reality, some of them already have roots more established than some of my ancestors who came to Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries! Personally, I've always considered my Swedish and German roots as Canadian as my English, Scot and French - that's just the way Canada is. But one time bigots might have answered differently (there is a reason the spelling of my last name was changed!)

We're all relative newcomers to Canada. Unless you're Native Canadian.* I'm not going to ask if you're first nations - for risk of offending our native peoples!

I know not to feed the trolls but sometimes it's such fun!

[UWOmalestudent]

^ LOL.

Dude, you suck at life. Deal with it.

In 10 years, I will be your boss fag.

[mephistopheles0003]

you might think you're being funny but what you're doing is jeopardizing your future.

you are not in medical school and some of us, who are in medical school, know who you are. be careful, little sapling.

[iownhonda]

"Dude you suck at life???" LOLOL

Punk A** F*ck

[UWOmalestudent]

^ WHO AM I?

I am a male student who goes to UWO as my name says.

[TimmyMax]

Hey,

I'd love to see UWOMalestudent and UWOMED2005 go one on one on the lawn outside of University College- I'll bet any money that UWOMED2005 doesn't come out of that second best!

Timmy

[Arcados]

^
Instead, I'd like to see that arranged, and instead of a fight coming to meet him, hundreds of cameras capture his picture and ban him from medical schools in Canada. :)

Bit much? Maybe. But it would be funny.

[UWOmalestudent]

^ I am standing there as we speak Timmy.

I am waiting for UWOMED to come so I can f*ck him up.

[TimmyMax]

Yeah, that would be funny, Arcados- UWOfemalestudent gets f*cked up AND banned from all the medical schools from Canada- I'd definitely tune in for that one! :lol

[UWOmalestudent]

^ I would then sue for prejudice/discrimination for imposing your views on me. Medical schools cannot deny admissions based on rumors. Oh and you suck at life

[kaymcee]

I'm still trying to understand what part of "DON'T FEED THE TROLL" people are having difficulty comprehending.

Stop responding to his comments.

Every thread that he starts should have "0" in the "Replies" field.

Any post by him in any thread should be ignored.

If, for some reason beyond me, you feel compelled to respond, keep it in a thread that has already been created rather than allowing this pestilence to spread.

[UWOMED2005]

I'd love to see UWOMalestudent and UWOMED2005 go one on one on the lawn outside of University College- I'll bet any money that UWOMED2005 doesn't come out of that second best!

lol Timmymax. While I don't condone such a scenario (like I'd waste that kind of time and energy on some yahoo posting on the internet :lol ) I love the support!

[leviathan]

Yes, the problem with banning trolls are:

a) they often come back anyway with a new name
b) if you ban the IP address there's a chance they're posting from a public terminal and then you ban that terminal (ie banning the entire U of T library system!)
c) sometimes banning them just feeds their ego

Better to ignore, but banning is an option.

Hey UWOMED2005,

You can always resolve the IP to a hostname, and if it's a name like *.utoronto.ca, then obviously don't ban it..but if it's a DSL, cable, or other hostname, you know they're posting from home and can can their ass.

[Avi44]

UWOMed2005, if you're a mod/admin on the board, you can ban their ip(s).
To check whether they're using a residential internet connection or public line, just enter their ip into the whois box located at: www.arin.net/whois/ (http://www.arin.net/whois/) . As leviathan said, if it shows up to be a residential connection (rogers/bell/cogeco etc...) ban their ass.

[marbledust]

You can always resolve the IP to a hostname, and if it's a name like *.utoronto.ca, then obviously don't ban it..but if it's a DSL, cable, or other hostname, you know they're posting from home and can can their ass.

The only problem with that is some ISPs use a single IP address for a given geographical area. AOL is the most notorious for this, but other companies do it as well. The result is everybody from that area is banned.

[physiology]

^ I would then sue for prejudice/discrimination for imposing your views on me. Medical schools cannot deny admissions based on rumors. Oh and you suck at life

I think UWOMed2005 had a great post about a year ago about the different types of trolls.

It's kinda sad when one individual (not to be named...), logs in time and time again, only to waste internet space, and more importantly my time, in creating pointless posts.

The weather is great (all over Canada) - someone needs to get outside more.

[UWOMED2005]

Guys - all I can say is that this problem will be resolved shortly.

It's only been a problem for the last 48 hrs. It WILL be resolved. :)

[wattyjl]

yea, no kidding, it's basically been, a weekend. it's amazing how the 'immediateness' of the internet changes perception of time, and for me too.

i guess now i just expect everything to happen instantly.

glad to know the 'issue' is being dealt with.

[Gexar]

He is just here to annoy people. If you don't respond to him he will leave like every other internet troll lol

[marbledust]

yea, no kidding, it's basically been, a weekend. it's amazing how the 'immediateness' of the internet changes perception of time, and for me too.

i guess now i just expect everything to happen instantly.

Interesting you would say that...

I was just reading an article in a business magazine this weekend about how the internet has caused society to expect and to want things to be done quicker, and the negative consequences this has on a whole range of things.

Another evil of the internet age....lol

[joonboy]

I sort of think that too. Or maybe they are working together to form some sort of 'super troll'
Ha ha~. super troll-really funny:lol

the most heartbreaking thing for them is when they log back in, and the number of replies to their posts is a big ZERO.

I agree.

[brownthug]

i removed this message because it was inappropriate.
however, the offer is still on the table for the trolls =)

Apologies to those who were offended by my eloquent yet vulgar message.

Cheers

[booty911]

like really, who does this person (the troll or trolls) think they are!?!?

[iownhonda]

lol, brown thug, No need to apologize as it was heart-touching. Your message was like a poetry, just like the tupac's lyrics

:)

[UWOMED2005]

Ok, let's stop responding to these threads. . .

littlebrownthug - that post was inappropriate (a little extreme) but understandable considering some of the @#%$ we saw posted here this past weekend. And the fact you recognized it and changed your posts shows character.

It is interesting to note one handle has gone and deleted all his/her posts. If (s)he'd delete the other posts with a different handle, then maybe we could put this incident behind us. . .