Not really sure it's possible to come up with the perfect solution to suit everyone, so probably not worth trying.
I think the
trolling and negativity on here has probably prompted people to get more tribal, and request niche forums with smaller communities. Therefore it's partly how forums evolve, some of the biggest forums worldwide have lot's of small niche groups.
What to do about trolls, and the usual suspects (we know who you are!!), the best policy is either to ignore because
what they are seeking to do is get a reaction/attention so when
they log on to have a look and
no-one has reponded to them, this will be a lack of reinforecment for their pathology and they will look for their next fix elsewhere, or fade away even if temporarily which you also see here.
Banning them is another option, does that stop them rejoining under another name such has been done here, with one of the usual suspects. Maybe at least you rob them of a favoured identity, but I would suggest banning occur only when some severe boundary has been crossed., such as harrassment and threats, unless a specific code of conduct specifies when banning would occur.
I think the major problem with this forum is it's trolls and the insidious negative behaviour (I think these issues are predominantly a personality problem) of the usual suspects. The major positive about the forum is that it has become our meeting place and it is big enough to be found by newbies, and I don't think we should ever lose this. The forum is evolving, I think trolls and insidious negativity are part of life, and we must choose a way to deal with what happens everywhere. Laurie is a good listener, so he tries to meet peoples needs, and so far I think he's got it as good as is possible. We all need to take some responsibility to make this what we want it to be, and develop a culture/code of conduct to deal with the problems. Ignoring is the obvious, but many just don't seem to be able to do this simple task and want to get in their and fight? Therefore people will seek respite or refuge in smaller safe communities hence the niche subgroups in the forums.
To ignore the bad and negative behaviour here is not Laurie's job, that is our job it's also very powerful, however, I don't think the majority of us can do this including me, I know I have responded at times and though why did I do that, I just fed the troll, no matter how brilliant my argument or retort was
trolls just wanna be fed, starve them.
and new people come on
