"Dan Grey" <dangrey(a)gmail.com> wrote: Indeed, one recently prolific poster to this list has earned the distinction of being the first person added to my blocked user list -- it'd just too tedious sifting through the drek. Bkonrad

On 7/2/05, Dan Grey &lt;dangrey(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: Keep in mind, however, that this is probably the rudest possible thing you can do. It's really important to apply this only to the very worst of trolls. In my observation, most mailing list trolls become trolls on the basis of a real concern, the anger over which is greatly inflated by repeated dismissal or ignorance of their concerns by those they perceive to be in power. Frequently, this starts as a tiny little issue, but inflates even more rapidly as insults and accusations (of being a troll, sockpuppet, etc.) are applied. If we explain patiently why the concerns are being dismissed or ignored, <i>without ever insulting the questioner</i>, even if it takes four or five times, far fewer would become trolls in the first place. -- Michael Turley User:Unfocused

On 7/3/05, Dan Grey &lt;dangrey(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: Inciting trollish behavior results results in far more time consumed in the administrative overhead of dealing with the trolls, leaving less time for writing and editing. If attacks and trolls roll off like water off a duck's back, then are followed with polite responses, things never escalate. Fewer will come to admins (and to this list) for redress if they're always treated with courtesy and respect, even if such is undeserved. If we bury them in courtesy and respect, most will come to see a better way. Attacks and counter-attacks on even terms creates hard feelings and squabble. Attacks and counter-attacks where one person holds disproportionate power over the other creates resentment, revolt, and subversion. Avoid the cycles of emotional conflict and we'll all have more time for writing and editing. -- Michael Turley User:Unfocused Apologies to Dan Grey, as I've also hit "reply" instead of "reply to all".