Ettiquette, and trolls

[Jim Osborn <jimo@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to various list members who have reminded folks about the
obvious issues of simple ettiquette and civil discourse.  I'd 
like to mention an incident the list experienced recently, as
a cautionary tale.

We have at least one rogue ex-member, who seems to delight in
harassing various list posters, mostly off list because he has
a hard time posting, since I remove him from the subscriber list
once I realize he's managed to sign up under yet another alias.
In these harassing notes, like the one directed at Sid Gold
recently, he also copies the list, hoping for a wider audience.

An unsuspecting recipient falls into the trap when replying "to all"
to that message, while also quoting it.  Since this reply is
done by a valid subscriber, the venom actually makes it to the
entire list, and a burst of noise results.  When the dust settles,
no one is quite sure who started the mess, and innocent folks
are all yelling at each other.  This is known as a "troll,"
because the prankster is "trolling" for disruption, trying to
make trouble, just for the fun of it.

The lesson is: be very careful when responding to harassing notes
referring to omega-list material.  Forward them to me, with complete
headers, and I may be able to track down yet another breach of our
list's security.  But don't forward them to the entire list.

Thanks,

-- 
jimo@xxxxxxxxxx
maintainer of the omega list
omega-list-request@xxxxxxxxxx