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Old 09-24-2010, 10:12 PM   #2
montsnmags
Grand Sorcerer
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Posts: 10,155
Karma: 4632658
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I agree that The Lounge is likely to often be a trolling access point (or the Apple forum ) for sockpuppets or otherwise. On the other hand, I'd like to think that The Lounge is the next point beyond the Introduce Yourself section where a person can show themselves, without having to feel like an expert on whichever other sub-forum before they get the courage to post. There's always some random topic that a new person can jump into. For me, I'd rather deal with the sockpuppet whack-a-trolls and spammers (and I say that as someone extremely stressed out by the moderator stuff, when things go pear-shaped, as recently) than have the enormous majority of genuine new folk have to deal with a waiting period.

For me, The Lounge is the lounge...a place we go where we can let it all (bar the guideline-restrictions) hang out. Be comfortable with each other. Meet each other. Handhold nervous newbies if necessary, or just offer to buy them a drink. It is the welcoming beanbag salon beyond the Introduce Yourself greeting antechamber.

So, I'm not sure I like that specific waiting period, based on how I personally feel about The Lounge. I think, what with how folks deal with the bad bits (by reporting so quickly, not reacting to provocation, ignoring and continuing as means of control, et cetera) is and has been very effective in most cases. I think all us lounge-lizards generally do a pretty good job of sorting that stuff out, even though action (or inaction) is not always unanimous, I know.

I've sometimes wondered if The Lounge needs a sticky, along the lines of a FAQ-and-welcome. Sort of a "Come in, have a drink, what's your poison, how are you going, what's your views on chocolate, if-you're-a-troll-prepare-to-be-destroyed, can I get your coat, here, there's a nice beanbag circle over here, what's on your mind, if-you-spam-here-we-will-hunt-you-down-and-dress-you-in-hello-kitty-pajamas-and-post-the-toutube-video, how are you today?". Just to let them know the casual-but-useful parameters and glossary of "Seriously Thoughtful" and "Unutterably Silly" and all flavours in-between.

(KK, I just offer this with a sincere "IMHO"...any bit of contrariness I (only personally) have is only associated with seeing the strong worth to MR of your thread here. My selfish appreciation is that the trolls and spammers and sockpuppets cause me an inordinate amount of sleepless stress, and anything that alleviates that... ).

Cheers,
Marc
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