Don't let trolls take over your blog

Use the "Registered users only" option

from JoeUser Forums

We ban griefers. We can even IP ban someone. But if someone really wants to get at a given blogger, they can via anonymous accounts.

For those of you who have blogs who feel like they're getting stalked by trolls and other jerks, you can stop them.

When you create an article, only allow registerd users to respond to your article. That way, you have some say over who can interact on your site.

It's important to keep perspective on your blog site - IT'S YOUR OWN BLOG. You don't have to put up with jerks coming on and trolling you. If you find yourself getting angry or upset about people's responses, don't despair. Just don't let anonymous users respond and if registered users are upsetting you, just add them to your black list archive.  Your blog is like having a room in a huge house. You have the right to decide who can come into your room. 

It's all about having fun. If you're a liberal and you feel like a bunch of "right wing kooks" are spoiling your writing with their responses, you can stop them. Same if you're a conservative and those "liberal nut cases" are bothering you. It's not about freedom of speech. THEY still have freedom of speech - on their own free blog where they can write.  On your blog, YOUR rights take precedence over the "rights" of people who would respond.

I black list people all the time from my blogs. Not because they disagree with me but usually because they just add angst and nastiness to the responses (or they spam for things). If you want your articles to be a debate about politics or computer hardware or whatever that's fine. But on the other hand, if you're writing about your job or your kids or a movie you saw, there's absolutely no reason you should feel like you have to allow some sad griefer to spoil your enjoyment.

blogging
5,234 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you for your advices Draginol. After what's been happening around here lately i kinda feel safer now.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks Draginol.

JU is a great site to be a part of. You have created a great place for people to come and hang and be themselves without having to be harrassed by jerks. Thanks for that!

Really good advice here. Ive started to post articles and letting only registered users reply. It was an underused service which will be getting more attention from me.

Thanks again.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Although I use the blacklisting feature, I like to know it's there if I need it. It's a feature I'm glad you added to the site. It adds some security, knowing you can prevent a flame war (gosh, I sound like Smoky the Bear if he discovered the Internet ) and stop harassament on the blog.

Good article.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, thanks from me, too, not only for the tips, but thanks for providing such a space. It's turning out to be a much friendlier place than I initially thought. Another week and I'll officially be addicted.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Very nice advice, Brad. Thanks.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Drag, I hope I'm not one of blacklisted users, I disagreed with you few times.

We just need a global options, since some users already has over 100 articles, and spammer is hitting them, including yourself.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks Drag...I've used that option since the spam started...
As for the blacklist...only one ever got that...and hes gone!
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually I've decided to take to 'pre-emptive' blacklisting of people I think may be potential spammers. It's the RIGHT thing to do. Or maybe I won't... sorry to flip flop, but this is a topic with a liberal amount of choices... (ok, Ill stop now!)
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yup, I've restricted comments to registered users only as a precautionary measure. Haven't blacklisted anyone yet, no flame wars on my blog yet. Then again, I'm about as controversial as a warm glass of milk

Mack.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
thanks for ur advice drag...i have never used any of the features that u have mentioned but i guess i am slowly beginning to realise the importance of these features...
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I've blacklisted, I've deleted, I've decided to make ALL articles off-limits to anon users.  It's sad that I have to do that, that any of us has to do that, but if that's what has to be done in order to be and remain troll-free (oooohh, I just had an idea - I'll blog about it later) then I'm all for it.

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top

Really good advice here. Ive started to post articles and letting only registered users reply. It was an underused service which will be getting more attention from me.

you took the words right out of my mouth, phoenix. thanks brad from me also.

mig XX

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good ideas. Ones I will definately use if the need arrives, though fortunately it hasn't as of yet.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

mano,

Just a short note and a thread hijack to welcome you back. I'm doing part time duty but am glad to see you back around.

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
How do you know if you've been blacklisted by someone?
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
As far as I can tell the only way to know is to try to comment in their blog. You won't be able to. But there isn't some sort of notice of it.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Interesting. Perhaps a suggestion to Brad for improving the site? If you pissed someone off enough to be blacklisted, the least you can get is the satisfaction of knowing your efforts succeeded!
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I do believe in the freedom of expression. I may disagree with my fellow "bloggers" but I will defend their right to express themselves. Blocking out the views which are unacceptable for political reasons is a form of censorship and the Internet must be free.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

Blocking out the views which are unacceptable for political reasons is a form of censorship and the Internet must be free.
This is a privatley owned site so the owner doesn't have to make it free to any old whack job out there.   Also, some people who blog, myself included, don't give a crap about the PC way of things.  I blog for enjoyment.  I don't have energy to waste on griefers.  It is easy to say "just don't let them get to you" but it is another thing to live it.

I always make my blogs registered user only access.  Too many whack jobs have come on as spineless anonymous users spewing nastiness and I just don't have the time or energy to deal with it so I avoid it all together.  Some people feel they would miss out if they didn't include unregistered users.  I feel there are plenty of inspiring users right here at JU.  That is just my opinion and that is why it is nice that each user can choose for himself.

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good points Draginol! I may be a hardball poltical guy but trolling can be a problem. There are jerks online who seem hell bent on doing nothing but stir up trouble for whatever reason. One thing many do not realize that online there the rules of the outside world does not always apply. I enjoy JoeUser a lot myself and will pounce on anyone trying to abuse this site or its users. Besides Draginol is a straight up all around great person! A bit to right wing slanted at times maybe, but still a great person!

Freedom of speech is something that applies to the site owner only. If he makes certain rules that do not comform with certain laws for the US there is nothing one can do but follow those rules. Black listing or banning should always be the last resort and all forums should be read by all regardless they are registered or not like at my own website. Blocking views for any Blog or forum is something for a Club private membership only. I have these type forums and websites in my network. Maybe we should have a section to put all the trolls.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Blocking out the views which are unacceptable for political reasons is a form of censorship and the Internet must be free.


Firstly, the internet hasn't been free in years Every host on the web has rules about what you can and can't have on their servers. (And rightly so, too much garbage on the net as it is.)

Secondly, as Brad said, everyone still has the right to voice their opinions IN THEIR OWN BLOGS. I agree with Brad 100%. There's no need to put up with trolling on your blog. Those people just need to get a life.

Personally, I keep my articles open to anyone (so far) and haven't felt the need to blacklist anyone (yet). But then, my articles are hardly the type to stir thing up much.