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Thank you to Moderator for deleting posts.of troll.
giantsfan20
Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭✭
So fast. Thanks for keeping the forum somewhat troll free 
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What did I miss?
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I never figured out if the poster was a troll or just super excited. I just saw a lot of posts, but didn't get into reading them.
A new member posted a large number of new threads and polls on what many would consider trivial issues.
One example I recall is a poll "Do you have a 1912-D Lincoln Cent?
The others faded into memory in about 10 minutes. Was happy to see things cleaned up this morning.
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I think it is the same person/s. Whatever, .....it's all doing harm to this forum. Of COURSE that's their point. We have had a drop-off of some old timers posting around here. Not due to banning. Other knowledgeable members are not posting as much or not at all because, I think, there are so many nonsensical posts. It's taken a toll. Heather is on it. It's a problem.
I would like to make a suggestion(s) for a rule(s) change. Maybe they are workable, maybe not. First; any new member cannot start a thread until that new member has contributed to a certain number of existing threads. Second; any new member is only allowed to start only one new thread per week, after meeting the first rule change, until a certain time period has been met. Third; no new member is allowed to post any images of coins until a certain time period has been met. The pattern of the troll(s) is the same. Everytime. Multiple threads with lots, and lots of photos right off the bat and they NEVER EVER contribute to threads other than the ones they start. Something to think about.
A probation period isn't a bad idea. As long as it was done to not simply turn off new participants. It would prevent the "carpet bombings" like yesterday. Can forums monitor/block IP addresses? A troll wouldn't be able to use alts on the same address.
I appreciate your suggestions but your suggestions could be very discouraging for legitimate new posters. I think those rules would have kept me from even bothering to sign up. If you look back at my first day on the forum, I created multiple threads, posted a picture, asked questions, etc...
I would hope we can handle the occasional "troll" rather than making it harder for potential new posters because of a few bad apples.
It's the same person. So, so, obvious. That's the joke.
I think going thru a probation period would be a bad idea for new people who are serious about learning. If the Mods are notified as soon as possible, then getting rid of them would be the best way.
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I thought that the guy's questions were honest until I saw that he was gradually filling up the whole first page of posts. I actually answered one of them.
There is the “Flag” button for notifying the mods. Just need to use it.
A probation period with posting limitations is completely reasonable. It's that way on many forums and if someone really wants to be a part of this community they will accept it.
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A compromise "rule" might work:
They can create more threads if it gets a Like, or on a later day.
If they try to create a second new thread before this, they get a message stating these conditions.
(They always have the option of posting more messages to their initial thread, which may bump it to the top of the index page, but will not fill the index page like additional threads can).
I don't know how difficult it might be to implement this in the forum software, or if this is an infrequent problem that can be handled easily by moderators.
In some forums, threads by new users must be approved by moderators.
I agree, @HeatherBoyd is doing a great job. When notified she reacts and I like that she gives us feedback when needed.
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Who was the miscreant...did I miss him or had I turned him out?
Same old same old.
With mods working weekends we don't need no stinking (new) rules.
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At one point last night the guy had 10 threads started on the first page.
But it’s all over now.
I did, and I am sure I was not the only one.
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There were more than 10 at one point. PCGS deleted some when they took down my poll.
I think the difference between a legitimate, interested new member and a troll is fairly obvious in a very short time.
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I think it was just a youngster who was excited he found the forum. A warning would have been appropriate under these circumstances.
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As a novice collector and relatively new member I'd be disappointed to have restrictions because of a few bad actors. I have learned a lot from others in just a short time, and had some very rewarding discussions, also been able to purchase and trade for coins and always been very happy with the outcome. This is a great forum, and I think the moderators are handling things well, as this example shows.
If you think it is a troll, ignore them
a, a, a, Ya what he said. sry, for the outburst . but I'm studying... Coins that is.
I agree - a probation can be discouraging and unnecessarily restrictive. I joined six months ago so that I could ask some serious questions and learn. I did not joint to answer questions as I was not in a position to contribute much to existing posts.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
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Well, insider2, I didn't quite think of it that way...but perhaps you're on to something. If my suggestions would result in the loss of freedom or liberty for anyone concerned, I must, and I will stand corrected. I most humbly and graciously respect your opinion.
What would be the purpose of bothering to join? I lurked for over a decade before I started an account, and back then the BST was very active and a selling point. If you can't post new photos or threads, it limits your ability to ask questions.
Anyone (especially among younger crowd) is likely to know how to circumvent the IP issue by using a proxy server or obscuring their IP address all together using Tor or the like.
The point about the IP address is an excellent one.
In the almost exactly 12 years that I've been on the forum I've only been involved with one member who was banned. He posted several very nasty, mean spirited posts publicly and absolutely vile and profane pms. He was quickly banned only to come right back with an alt.
I think that some of the ideas re a probationary period of some type are good ones. However, as others have noted, it's very important that we don't turn off new members. If one thing struck me about the Baltimore show it was the average age of the attendees - myself included. We should do everything possible to be welcoming to new participants in our hobby. A probationary period is a fine line to walk. Just my 0.02 of course.
Just a thought. Can a tier System of some kind, regarding questions. Along with answers given by the people who want to further this hobby / business. I don't mean to be impolite. This or any encouragement would create the donations needed to satisfy all involved in the pursuit of happ......Knowledge.
How do you create a poll? I think they can be quite interesting sometimes, but don't know how to make one.
How do you spot a troll? That's much easier! They can be so obvious.
Don't forget this may be a public forum, but it's also a private forum.....just ask Heather!
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It seems I missed all the excitement. I have this habit of sleeping at night...
Well, it works for me. As to new rules.... IMO that would turn off or prevent many new members,.. and by new, not just new to the hobby... we have had new people join that have been collecting for years and are knowledgeable..... for example, @Insider2 just joined about three years ago...and there are others. Our forum moderator is doing an excellent job and we should welcome new members....and if they turn out to be troublesome, then the system will handle the issue. Now, back to coins.... 
Cheers, RickO
I joined about a month ago and I've been collecting since about 1970 give or take. It's a sickness I admit, but one that I enjoy. I'll try not to cause any problems!
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@Hydrant , I think you mean "it's taken a troll".
A computer algorithm could be used to identify and limit posting abilities of nit wits; no sensible person would want good forums to be clogged up with stupid posts, but I would be a little leery of the "democratic" ability of getting voted "off the island" just because someone is unpopular. Cops and lawyers are often unpopular but they serve a necessary function.
you guys all chatting about a TROLL.
I saw and noticed negatively why this person was doing this. then I figured well, maybe he wants to know a lot of things very fast??
can anyone please explain what that subject person was trolling for?
I associate trolling with slow fishing and catching a 30 pound salmon.... if you get lucky.
or trolling in a singles bar for some fun....
but please, what was this guy trolling for.??
perhaps a solid warning would have been enough?
Personally i would support some sort of "start up" control like some other forums do.
there is a poster active on another forum with a similar MO.
I think the offender has a couple of accounts.
I am seeing a pattern.
At least with the few topics and questions rolling around in my brain, I try and limit them to one or two a week.
Don't ever be afraid to call me out... lol
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I can understand regular forum members frustration at the trolls. However, I don't think putting up roadblocks to legitimate users that are just starting out on their numismatic adventures is the answer. I think trolls are readily apparent when they surface, and judicious use of the "flag" button can clean up the mess they leave. That said, PCGS hosts this forum and it's their ball to play with as they see fit. I'd hate to lose this forum for the actions of a few trolls. It's sites like this that will encourage the next generation of numismatists...
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I was the first member to answer most of his questions. After seeing "Does anyone have a 2018 cent" or something similar, I PM'ed him.
I suggested that he cool it for awhile, read the types of posts, and get the lay-of-the-land. Then I told him it is a lot of fun to troll around but it would be more fun if he was less obvious. His multiple posts stopped. He was gone the next day.
The fellow had joined about a week before with no nonsense - so was he an actual troll or just a YN?
How about a special forum for newbies to post on? After a limited time period they can post anywhere. That would let them make mistakes without disrupting the well-heeled masses.
...you may have just single handedly figured out a way to save the NGC boards!
The floods of newbie questions BELONG IN THE Q&A forum.
I think the troll, or other trolls, are STILL here, with alternate usernames. Look through the first few pages and count the parking lot damage threads some have started. 🤡
Proposed New rules or restrictions might have a negative impact on newer users.
If the rules change to suppress new members, the troll has won a guerrilla victory.
The floods of questions BELONG IN THE Q&A forum. It is spam.
Any new member with several JUNK question threads on the first two pages should be analyzed.
In case I did not mention it already, The floods of newbie questions BELONG IN THE Q&A forum. 🤯
Edited to say:
There is a difference between a QUESTION thread, and a question worded to promote discussion. The ocean of damaged coin threads written by newer users is like so much litter along the highway.
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