Troll / Trolling definition

[482214]

Hello. I've been using this forum for several weeks now and attempting to read posts over the various sections... 1 word/term that gets used a lot in a random way is troll/trolling?!

What does this mean.

I tried searching under definition... What does it mean, etc etc but no luck through the search engine

Just interested really as some of the posts make for interesting reading!

Thanks

 

[GGJstudios]

From the Forum Rules:

"Trolling". Do not post in order to anger other members or intentionally cause negative reactions. For a given post, this can be a subjective call, but a pattern of such posting or an especially egregious case will get you banned.

 

[flopticalcube]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

 

[MacDawg]

You won't get a standard definition
It means different things to different people

Basically it is just an insult and means "I disagree with what you are saying, and you are saying it just to stir things up"

 

[482214]

Thanks for the very speedy replies

Cheers

Chris

 

[jav6454]

If you need any help with imagining the troll, some help:

 

[rdowns]

Thanks for the very speedy replies

Cheers

Chris

Don't worry. Most are harmless and some keep the place lively. Many seem to hang out at Geostationary Plaza.

 

[alphaod]

Let's give you an example…

I come into the MacBook Pro forum and I start a new thread titled Why are Apple owners so stupid into buying overpriced crud?! and then with the post:

There are PCs out there that are better equipped, faster, better built, and cheaper than the MacBook Pro. Let's take a Thinkpad for example; they can be dropped, have replaceable batteries, can last for hours on a charge, support easy to repair parts. Some of their models offer IPS panels, LED backlighting, and incredible screen resolution. They are all matte to boot, something you have to pay a premium for on a Mac on top of the overpriced crap you get with no features whatsoever. For $250 you can get accidental protection for 3 or more years and Apple will void your warranty for replacing the HDD. And if you complain about Windows? There is Linux to choose from. That's not to mention you can hackintosh it and avoid paying Apple anything. So why are you idiots paying for the slab of aluminium that overheats, lacks performance, lacks features, and expensive?"

Okay that was an example of trolling. I insulted people for their buying decisions. I only said negative things about Macs [on an Apple forum] and only positive things about other products. I picked an over-discussed topic like pricing and made it a point. I didn't really add anything to the discussion except to cause arguing (because inevitably people will defend the Apple products they own, especially on an Apple forum).

(Food for thought… what I said about Thinkpads are true to the ones I've owned.)