want to know if something is against the rules

Is the comment "Don't feed the trolls." Against any rules? Almost posted it, then thought I'd ask first.

I would say that it depends on where you post it.....
While the statement itself isn't against the rules, per se, it would be off topic in a BOI thread...and if it inspired more troll comments, or an off topic response from the target, then it would certainly be disruptive. (Disruptive off topic posting = 4 point infraction).

(One could also argue for it being "borderline abusive", which is the one used for name calling, but I think the situation would have to tick one of us off to earn that one.)

Oh....and if you were inclined to post a picture with the statement on the BOI

that hasn't been acceptable for at least a few years. That sort of thing is definitely considered disruptive.

Regarding the BOI, I personally do feel it is name calling if someone specifically calls another member a 'troll'.

I think a good rule of thumb is to think about how YOU would react being called such a name. If it tweaks your nose a bit, then probably the recipient will feel the same way. As such, a moderator reading it would likely come to the same conclusion and issue an infraction for it.

But "trolling" is a gray area with no strict boundaries defined. People DO troll, and are thereby acting as a troll. But that is a subjective call that might be best left to the moderators to handle by reporting such a post for them to take a look at.

Originally Posted by WebSlave

But "trolling" is a gray area with no strict boundaries defined. People DO troll, and are thereby acting as a troll. But that is a subjective call that might be best left to the moderators to handle by reporting such a post for them to take a look at.

That's basically what I was talking about....if the person is clearly being a troll, I wouldn't generally have much of a problem with somebody identifying it. (Person after person commenting to that effect falls under disruptive off topic posting)
On the other hand - which I had overlooked earlier - if somebody is calling another member a troll simply because that person doesn't agree with them, and is presenting another theory/possibility/fact (as has happened a few times that I can think of) it can be a different matter.

The BOI is not where I was going to post that. I know better than that.

It was in reference to Rich's post Ancient civilizations and reptilegeek181's comment about aliens, and subsequent racism comment. In that situation Eddie was being a troll.

Guess I'll go take a look...

I'm not seeing it, sorry. That was pretty mild for him, and was likely just a matter of some thin skin.

But how many people have been prevented from "feeding the trolls" simply be seeing a post that tells them not to. Most forum users are familiar with what a troll is and they have their own views on how to deal with them. If I am going to respond to one I'm not going to change my mind just because someone else tells me not to. All your "don't feed the trolls" posts does is add another post to the thread and bump it up. 100% ignoring is the best way to deal with trolls. If they get no responses they will eventually quit.

I suppose if a troll is getting responses that would indicate people are thinking he is serious a "don't feed" post might serve to remind them that it is a troll but I would contend that in that case, as long as the discourse was civil it might actually serve a purpose. Sort of like a Devil's advocate type thing, and therefor not be consider a troll in the traditional sense.

Still, ignoring them is the best way.