On Tue, Nov 28, 2006 at 11:22:14PM +1300, Rik Tindall wrote:
> FWIW, I never knew the term 'troll' until I read about it here. Over 
> time, I took it to mean 'an M$ user who acts on-list to rubbish 
> gnu/Linux, so has double reason not to be here'. Think about it.

You're ascribing the actions of a troll to malice; specifically malice
to a specific small set of people - GNU/Linux users. There's nothing so
specific about trolls on the Internet, they do not exist specifically to
denigrate your personal beliefs and values. Trolls are generally less
directed; they are just annoying people, because it's "fun". Juvenile
behaviour, not malicious.

> Do we have a better definition?

In any case, instead of trying to intuit a meaning for a difficult piece
of jargon, do a little research :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29
http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/T/troll.html

> How about this for a basic (unstated) rule: 'if you don't know the 
> subject under examination, please keep quiet'? - I'm sure that's most of 
> what other people are doing.

How can you ask questions about things you don't know, then?

> So yes. Tedious OT drivel is a pain. - Get rid of it / show restraint.

Great advice :-)

-jim

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