Do you belong to any other forums?

My own definition is somebody who goes on line simply to cause trouble, but other people might have their own views. It isn't somebody who just happens to have strong views on certain subjects and chooses to express them.

Could somebody tell me exactly what a troll is supposed to be.

I thought I knew but it's not what nelliemoser is seeming to suggest.

Thanks, jingle - much appreciated.

Greatnan (( hugs ))

I don't think there is any difference between members who were in at the beginning or new members, but I think it is a good idea for people to observe 'from the sidelines' for a while until they get the general tone of the forum.
I don't think men are badly treated unless they break the rules, and women members would be banned for the same reasons. Feetle seems quite happy to post his intelligent remarks and his gender is not relevant.

It is quite possible to post something you think is entirely innocuous and have it totally misinterpreted - I am thinking of my threads about the Stupid Footballer and the Belgrano, where I was forced to defend myself against grossly unfair comments.

I joined the Sainsbury forums to fight their "Take an Old Bag Shopping" campaign, but after a while they banned me.

I have just had a quick Google of that. It sounds like Hell indeed!
Trolls trolling each other!
Which sounds to me like a pointless exercise! As all the trolls would be winding each other up and not upsetting anyone who might get upset. They would probably not even notice that it is not working.

I suspect Trolls, being the sort of people they are would not even notice the irony of it.

Isn't there a Swiftian scenario like that or is is in Alice in Wonderland.

Yes, I've mentioned this before!

I think it makes a lot of sense. I NEVER go to hell, purgatory is where you find robust, intelligent debate (plenty of atheists there to tangle with), heaven is for fun and All Saints for support.

There's also private forums for LGTB, those with mental health problems and so on. You have to have made a number posts before you can apply to join those.

This forum is 'hosted' completely by volunteers. It's not a business, and they read eery post. Every so often, members can volunteer to send one of them a small gift to show appeciation. It's not atask I would take on.

At Pharyngula, P Z Myers has different comments sections - the Lounge is where you are free to discuss anything - but 'kindly', and the Thunderdome which is only 'lightly moderated' - where the flame wars take place!

Yes, Ariadne not for me, but some Gransetters seem to prefer this style of posting and could be catered for without causing the constant complaints we have all been enduring for a long time.

Now THAT really is aggressive!

Maybe that's the answer, Petallus? An 'anything goes' section where all the vitriol and provocation can be posted in the certainty that it will be thrashed out without upsetting other Gransnetters who don't want to see it going on. It would suit me to have such a section where I could choose not to go, instead of hoping to enter a general discussion that is sabotaged with such comments.

Here's the section that Ship of Fools has:

forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3

There's a site that has a special section where anything goes. I think it is Ship of Fools.

I use about three expat forums, but tbh they have got pretty boring with about six regular posters. They were useful when we first arrived and needed to know things, but now they seem to have a lot of boring threads and bad-tempered exchanges. I like Mumsnet; clearly I don't read or relate to all the threads, but I do find quite a lot of interest. There are, for example, far more posts on the book threads and I find out about new authors. It can be rude, aggressive and sweary, but also very caring and supportive. Best thing is that there are masses of people on it so you don't feel that it is the same people saying the same things all the time.
Hope this helps.

LizG, thank you, i do like that . Mustn't turn into a Kevin though

I would say you, like me, are a 'teenage poster' Anniebach

May I ask as a new poster? How long does one need to post here to become an old poster? Is there a date set? all posting before 00/00/0000 are old
Posters - not in age - and all after are newer posters

One needs to know where one is in this pecking order! thanks

Or was that what you were saying?

Can't be the same one Glamma because a 'pleasant chat' part of that Forum exists too. It is effectively split into two parts.

Aka I think I am a member of the same Forum,a sort of warning just in case you are looking for a light chat well you won't find it there.

I belong to several other sites of interest to me, some are specific in content and a couple of others are just meeting places for like minded women. I once made the mistake of introducing someone to a very small forum I've belonged to for years and boy was that a big mistake , she caused so much trouble they banned her . So I'll enjoy my few other forums but I'm afraid I'll keep them to myself.

Well said, glam. That's my feeling too. Plus, there were what might be called robust exchanges early on anyhow. There will be more now because there are more members.

I also second ariadne's point about support when needed.

The OP asked about other forums. The only other one I visit has an area dedicated to contentious topics with a sort of 'enter if you dare' flavour to it. This helps to separate out those who simply want to vent.