How to counter the "troll" menace? Best answer gets 11 points :)?

Question

Hi. I know lots of people here have been harassed by the trolls who seem to be hellbent on getting answers censored/deleted. Its really becoming a menace. It seems that if your answer is not good enough for them, they'll get it deleted making this place look like a virtual dictatorship.

What steps do you think, should be taken to counter this troll menace?

I propose making fake accs like they do and reporting them and getting their answers deleted. What is your proposition?

The Best Answer will get 11 points. So lets get started.

So we do have the first troll posting in this topic. Give it up for "Tropical Weasal".

Dude, your being reported right away !!!

Sorry "Tropical Weasel". I wrote the wrong name. It should have been "BobTheBrowser". I deeply regret my mistake.

Answer 1

I was actually going to bypass this question, but decided to contribute the following:
_________________
Hello dee s:

You have posted content to Yahoo! Answers in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. As a result, your content has been deleted. Community Guidelines help to keep Yahoo! Answers a safe and useful community, so we appreciate your consideration of its rules.

Question: If God exists, why doesn't he come by just to say hello?

Deleted Answer: Because the churches would be out of business...

Yahoo! Answers is a service provided to all of our Yahoo! users and we reserve the right to remove your content at any time for any reason.
_________________

That is an email I received not long ago. I was docked 10 pts. I reread the Community Guidelines and could not find where I was in violation. So, I challenged it. I was refunded my points with an apology.

The answer in question was made in jest. I can only assume that I offended someone with it. Deleting my answer is a direct violation of my right to free speech. It was not a purposeful derogatory statement. There was no malice behind it.

My best advice is to challenge any violations you receive.
This was my response email:
To Whom It May Concern:

I recently received a violation and was docked ten points for the following entry:

Question: If God exists, why doesn't he come by just to say hello?
Deleted Answer: Because the churches would be out of business...

I would like someone to explain to me how and why this is a violation that merited a 10 point deduction.

I do feel this was deleted in error, and would like my points back.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

dee s.

And this is what I got back:
Hello Dee,

Thank you for writing to Yahoo! Answers.

We have reviewed your request, and have restored your points on Yahoo! Answers. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you again for contacting Yahoo! Customer Care.

Regards,

Sara

Yahoo! Customer Care
http://www.yahoo.com/

35851700

It is possible to get possitive results after a violation notice. I hope others are as fortuante as I in seeking a "reversal decision."

=)

Answer 2

I think that the more the "thumbs-down", the better the answer. Thats because there are some jobless @$$'s called TROLLS who are on a mission to conceal whatever you say, even if common sense says your answer is true. You cite links, you cite experience, you cite whatever for your answer and you'll be amazed to see the negative ratings you generated only coz you didnt give an answer they expect of you, making this forum a virtual dictatorship.

So I have decided to look at their trolling as something positive as it generates more interest in the answers.

And yea, I agree with you that we should make fake accs and report them just like they report us. Lets give them a taste of their own medicine.

Answer 3

The worst part is any troll can get some nice persons account suspended with repetitive violations reports. Its time for Yahoo not to allow automatic violations and suspensions based on troll's recommendations. They need to apply some intelligence to the violation system, and then we can ignore most of the trolls do.

Answer 4

These people are a problem, so you have to be very careful in how you ask and answer questions. Do not use bad language and avoid indentifying groups that you have a negative opinon of. For example, why are illegal aliens so dirty? Instead ask, Does it seem to you that illegal aliens have bad hygenie? It is best to ignore these trolls or answer their questons in a non-aggressive manner. Report trolls who ask questions that insult groups.

Answer 5

Hmm...I have answerd 14,700 questions. I have been reported only three times...probably because I try to ignore trolls, follow the community guidelines and not insult the questioner -- I said try I will admit to the occaisonal insult. However, name calling is something I seldom do.

Answer 6

My maximum prized possession is the photos that we took via the years. If i could lose them i could lose lots using fact that's functional. I also have a minimum of 25 albums of photos.

Answer 7

Unless you can get the mentally retarded children who run this board fired and get adults in charge, it will never improve. The entire concept/format of this board is to entertain and encourage a third grade mentality. If you are matured past that level you will always run into trouble.

Now go play nice kiddies and I'll put a shinny star on your nose! Te-He......isn't this fun?

Who are you going to report me to? How is stating the truth being a troll? Do you even have a clue?

Answer 8

very easy. ignore them. If they ask their stupid questions and no one answers then they will stop eventually. If you don't acknowledge their answers they will stop. They only troll to get a rise our of other people and if that stops, they will stop. The problem is getting everyone to ignore them, because if one person acknowledges them its over.

Answer 9

all sounds a bit serious for my fun loving mind