Posted by Chaldaie on October 1, 2000 at 07:53:28:
In Reply to: Chaldaie posted by definition of troll as can be found in the hacker dictionary on October 1, 2000 at 07:50:57:
> troll v.,n. > 1. [From the Usenet group alt.folklore.urban] To utter a posting on Usenet designed to attract predictable responses or > Some people claim that the troll (sense 1) is properly a narrower category than flame bait, that a troll is categorized by > The use of `troll' in either sense is a live metaphor that readily produces elaborations and combining forms. For example, one not
> flames; or, the post itself. Derives from the phrase "trolling for newbies" which in turn comes from mainstream "trolling", a style
> of fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a bite. The well-constructed troll is a post that induces lots of
> newbies and flamers to make themselves look even more clueless than they already do, while subtly conveying to the more savvy
> and experienced that it is in fact a deliberate troll. If you don't fall for the joke, you get to be in on it. See also YHBT. 2. An
> individual who chronically trolls in sense 1; regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a newsgroup,
> discussion list, or in email for no other purpose than to annoy someone or disrupt a discussion. Trolls are recognizable by the fact
> that the have no real interest in learning about the topic at hand - they simply want to utter flame bait. Like the ugly creatures they
> are named after, they exhibit no redeeming characteristics, and as such, they are recognized as a lower form of life on the net, as
> in, "Oh, ignore him, he's just a troll." 3. [Berkeley] Computer lab monitor. A popular campus job for CS students. Duties include
> helping newbies and ensuring that lab policies are followed. Probably so-called because it involves lurking in dark cavelike
> corners.
> containing some assertion that is wrong but not overtly controversial. See also Troll-O-Meter.
> infrequently sees the warning "Do not feed the troll" as part of a followup to troll postings.