Trolls and Lurkers

[Ultrawolf]

Trolls and Lurkers: What lies in YOUR interwebs?


Hello Kids! It's your old pal Ultrawolf, Today I'd like to discuss the difference between Trolls and Lurkers! Timmy here will help my demonstrate. Say hello Timmy.

Timmy: :"HI EVERY-"
*crashing sound*
Thats enough of that Timmy. Ho Ho Ho.
Now then let's get on with our lesson before your health starts failing again.

Trolls are generally defined as internet posters who exist almost soley to incite flames and arguements. Generally the Troll grouping overlaps with that of the hardcore fanboy. For example, Timmy here is a FF7 Fan. I will play the part of the Troll.

Timmy: Oh Boy, I love Cloud Strife he is my hero and the coolest guy ever with an "A" spelled evar.
UW: FF7 sucks. Everything you like sucks. You suck and fail at life with a capital "PH" spelled PHail.
Timmy: NUH UH YOU SUCK WITH AN "ZORZ" ADDED TO THE END SPELLED SUCKZORZ.

This is generally the type of exchange the Troll enjoys to participate in. Trolls generally have low self esteem and stupid amounts of pride so getting into arguements with those of lesser intelligence does naught but fuel their ego.

Lurkers on the other hand are another breed of monster entirely. The tag of "Lurker" is typically ascribed to those who are slightly above the common title of "No Post Ho". Lurkers tend to enjoy reading or keeping track of message boards but seldom post or engage in threads or discussions for a number of reasons. They may be timid in real life, new to the internet world, shy, or Chibi Knight. Due to the unique nature of the lurker, it would be difficult for Timmy and I to provide an example, therefore Timmy you're no longer needed.

Timmy: Do I get something to eat this time.
*crashing sound*
Haha. Of course not Timmy, now back into the dungeon with you.
*whip crack*

Now where were we? Ah Yes. Lurkers. Chibi Knight is/was a staple boy of Lurker status. One who can be seen now and then again on the list of online users but who fails to engage in any postage. Lurkers may seem creepy (and some are), but generally they have their own reasons for not posting. Sometimes all it takes is a lil' love from the community to welcome them into the fold. Other times people will stay lurkers forever. The best way to envision a Lurker is to imagine the internet equivalent of that guy who spies at you in the bushes outside your house.

And thus boys and girls, I end today's lesson on Interwebs.
Stay tuned next time for tips and tricks on how to harass GAAZ and Shino while at work

[RivaOni]

I think I'm a bit of a lurker on these particular boards. But mainly because I dont usually have anything to add to the conversation. I dont really like to say anything unless its worth it.

Heck, I like on Gamepulse sometimes!!!

[Tobias]

you forgot random Exploders...whom of which go *explode*

[GAAZ]

[Blackmage]

If your smarter than everyone why are you in school...

I fall under post whore... until the spam topics resent and my posts go down low

[KiSin]

I'm the lurker. I never really have anything to add, plus I am kinda timid unless I feel comfy around people. I have random times where I get really weird though.

[Ultrawolf]

Nothing wrong with being a Lurker IMO.
I was pretty much a Lurker my first year on PO.
I was online alot, just never posted anything.
I mean, really, sometimes we just don't have anything to add to conversations and that's OK.

[Kudasai Hiroki]

I'm just now learning all of this "internet speak". I found this article rather informative. What do you call someone who posts all the time, whether it's relevant to the topic or not?

You know, someone like... me!

[Ultrawolf]

[Kudasai Hiroki]

Cool, thanks! Boy, you're just a wealth of information, aren't you?

And, to quote Dinosaurs, "I think we're going to need another Timmy!"