"Sacha" wrote in message
...

If you - all of us - want this to be a real group we ALL have to
look after it. We ALL have to make sure it is not abused by
*anyone*.

Unfortunately that's simply not possible. Not in the way that you
suggest at least. Anyone is free to post on unmoderated NewsGroups.
And there are countless loonies and malcontents out there in Cyberspace
who are quite capable of being as disruptive as they like, anywhere
they like, just for the sake of it. Given the chance.

These people thrive on generating a response. Which is why its
impossible to argue with them, either singly or collectively
as a group.

The more response they generate, of any kind, the happier they will be.

The first objective of all such people is to get the regulars
arguing among themselves. If only arguing about the best way
to deal with the trolls. Plus different posters taking it in
turn to "take on" the trolls.

This never works. And it is this form of response which floods the
NewsGroup with off-topic material, rather than the trolls themselves
which has totally destroyed certain NewsGroups in the past.

It's by allowing the trolls and malcontents to become established
on NewsGroups, by acknowledging their very existence, which creates
the atmosphere which causes others to leave.

Killfiling or at least not responding to such people, who have
limitless time at their disposal it would seem, coupled with
an ability to wind people up, by telling bare faced lies about
them if necessary, is the only answer IMHO.


michael adams

....

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/