Too tired of sh*tposters - How about a user blacklist thread to save our time?

[Brumby]

I do agree that we have posters who challenge one's patience (and sanity, at times) but nothing I have seen mentioned here is anything we might not encounter out in the "real world".

* Some are true trolls and would be rubbing their hands in glee having annoyed someone to the point of a response (such as the OP has stated in this thread).
* Some are prime candidates for the Dunning-Kruger alumni.
* Some are just struggling to get their head around a subject where they don't have the necessary understanding of the fundamentals.
* Some are just lazy and/or not really serious and will throw out a question on a whim and may not come back to it.
.... and other reasons, no doubt.

The other problem is - What is the criteria for members on the blacklist?  Who decides?

Now ... DON'T try answering here.  No matter how you set this up, there will be people who will not agree.

My opinion is for each member to make their own assessment and:

So we simply add those time wasters to our ignore list and filter the junk.

That way, EVERYBODY can customise to their own preference.  This way, there is no public "shame" list - which can evoke some intense reaction - which will be a headache for admin/mods.


FYI, I don't have anyone on my profile's ignore list - but I do make a conscious decision to not read some threads ... and if, I do, to refrain from replying.  It can be done.

[Brumby]

It can be done.

[tggzzz]

The forum has this feature, each user can keep a list of ignored users:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?area=lists;sa=ignore

Unfortunately you still see the responses, of course.

There is also a list of ignored topics and/or ignored subforums.

I haven't used that - yet. But the forum content is becoming sufficiently degraded that I'm reaching the point where, very reluctantly, I will.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a setting "ignore any topic where the original poster is X". I don't see that happening.

[tggzzz]

... In fact I think block-lists are over-used.

I have asked a few questions and revisted much later, I'm also embarrassed about a brain fart or two

We all make mistakes, and go "Doh!", but that's not the point in question.

The subject is about serial offenders that refuse to change their ways despite repeated requests and ridicule.

I haven't used blocklists, but the forum's content is being sufficiently degraded that I'm very tempted to start blocking threads originated by a small number of OPs. Small => fingers on one hand.

[tggzzz]

...
The other problem is - What is the criteria for members on the blacklist?  Who decides?
...
My opinion is for each member to make their own assessment and:
...
This way, there is no public "shame" list - which can evoke some intense reaction - which will be a headache for admin/mods.

Yup, that's the only sensible option - particularly since it keeps the mods out of the loop.

[fourtytwo42]

If a thread gets replies I am reluctant to delete it as now the forum users have put more effort in than the person starting the thread and it often becomes a discussion anyway with the OP left behind. So if you really think it is not worth while, then don't respond to it. threads with no response drop off the list.

I know this is an old point but it is something that interests me too, why do people apparently encourage the posting of rubbish by responding to it ?
I have noticed it is often the same kindhearted souls trying to educate the OP again and again, perhaps it's some fascination with playing with fire or baiting the bear to see if they get a more considered reaction but time always shows there efforts are wasted.

[Simon]

StackExchange is probably a better fit for a question-answer system which is rewarded for good behaviours and as little offtopic matter. This forum software is more tailored towards discussions. And I think thats working quite well, because quite often topics can go onto tangents which are educational in its own right. Or they get (derailed) to the point it stalls, and even that doesn't have to be bad, thats just how IRL also goes sometimes.

My standard approach is where possible to step the question back a bit from the specific and be a little more general, then sit back and let the discussion ensue, people will propose solutions and others will disagree, I get the best of both worlds, I find out all the possible ways this could go and the pros and cons of each. Because I generalize the question it brings out lots of lateral discussion about related things I had not thought of that are even more important and that I had not even thought of.

The best way to solve a problem is with the John Cleese method:

[magic]

encourage the posting of rubbish by responding to it

Not responding to rubbish doesn't stop rubbish from being posted.
The Internet has an infinite supply of rubbish.

Respond to whatever you want and stop worrying.

[Simon]

encourage the posting of rubbish by responding to it

Not responding to rubbish doesn't stop rubbish from being posted.
The Internet has an infinite supply of rubbish.

Respond to whatever you want and stop worrying.

Yes but not responding to it means it drops off the list or gets deleted. once it becomes a replied to topic it's more likely to be left and as the discussion ensues it never goes away.

[MK14]

I'm getting fed up with all this nonsense.  Such as this very recent post:

This is another Treez troll thread isn't it - Just like the £9500 EV thread last weekend.

He clearly gets pleasure from winding people up and drawing them into pointless discussions [Edit: about fictitious situations]. These weekly threads are really beginning to piss me off, probably others too,which I'm sure is exactly his intention. 

I suggest ignoring all of his threads!

I can't really understand how someone who has created so many different accounts, against the forum rules.  Has NOT been (currently) banned for it.

I think enough is enough.

Some places on the internet, become so infested with SPAM, Trolling and stuff.  That they become unusable.

I feel sorry for all those people, who have to keep on posting messages, like the one quoted above.

[Simon]

but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

[MK14]

but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

Because there are so many hundreds or thousands of different posters on here.  Some may know who that person is, and recognise it as trolling, or whatever it should be called.  But some of the many others, see, what superficially seems like a genuine question, so respond to it.

I.e. A bit like the reasons why unlabelled/commented ChatGPT submission are NOT allowed here.

Many posters on here, are partially or fully not aware of the poster in question's (Treez and their various account name guises), past history.

[Simon]

Yes and lots of those that know who he is will start replying.

[nctnico]

but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

That is an interesting question. Some people do allow themselves to get baited into endless circular discussions by people who like to bait others into such discussions. It takes two to tango.

[MK14]

Yes and lots of those that know who he is will start replying.

That is a good point.  I think part of the reason, is that if a thread, starts off with a technical comment, with major flaws in it.  Some other posters, will feel compelled to correct and comment on that fact.

Which may be a technique that Treez is using.  Because they know that if they make certain claims, it will "push the buttons", of some people and compel them to reply to it.

[magic]

I'm not sure if User 100 is actually competent enough to maliciously produce some of the nonsense that he is posting.

I think at least part of it may be genuine organic nonsense

[hans]

but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

Yeah well.. some people are perhaps a tunnel of problem-solving and don't always think about it. They may post a complete quantitative analysis pointing out all the flaws, to show that some idea is ridicilious.
Is that a lack of self control? IDK. If you read about neurodivergence (such as ADHD) then some may praise it as "a gift" to be good at math, science and engineering.. (hence an EE career), but abilities to read between the lines or other executive functioning can take a hit.
We can't hear or see who is on the other side of these text boxes. We don't know each other personally. Impossible to say for real.

What I find more remarkable though, is that such topics attract heads-on problem solving (literally): "dropping bombs" just to derail the thread into a flame zone, e.g. openly gossiping, making abusive remarks, etcetera. I still don't have any clue why that is allowed. I don't mean to say that we should "punish" people doing stuff like that. We all have bad days or moments where "our buttons" are pressed. But on the grand scheme of things, I don't give (that much of) a **** about people shitposting. But treating your others fairly should be one the basics IMO.

[tggzzz]

One halfway house would be, on noticing a repeat offender starting one of their typical threads, to put a single sentence reply directing people to this thread.

The perps will still sucker unwitting newbies into replying, but at least they will be sensitised the perp's typical behaviour.

[AndyBeez]

but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

Be glad, this EEVBlog Forum is one of the most sensible and self controlled forum spaces online. Maybe that's because Dave built it like an opamp with a negative feedback pin, discuss?

There are plenty of other tech forums with varying degrees of self control. Or non at all. And then there is Reddit. So I think we should be a little forgiving of one or two contributors whose enthusiasm exceeds their basic technical appreciation.

Yes there are some crap posts, but there are also those that challenge ones point of view. There are also posts that just leave one thinking this person should not be allowed within 500 yards of an AA battery, let alone three phase mains.

Anyway... I was going to post this image on stock image fails, but I think the imagery suggests where some of the posters are sat when uploading posts. [ And why you should never share ipads. ] Have a nice day guys.

[DavidAlfa]

It actually feels more like this 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005214102303.html

[MK14]

Be glad, this EEVBlog Forum is one of the most sensible and self controlled forum spaces online. Maybe that's because Dave built it like an opamp with a negative feedback pin, discuss?

In a similar way, some people are not bothered by adverts, at all.  E.g. in YouTube videos.  Some are bothered, but not that much, and some absolutely hate them, with extreme prejudice and find them very distracting and they think or want, that it should be stopped or prevented.

So it makes sense, that the amount of annoyance, bad/poor posting behaviour, can cause (such as trolling), varies from person to person.

So, just because someone is completely fine with the current situation, doesn't mean that others are not affected by it.

E.g. Marmite.