Generally I simply ignore that kind of thing in principle. "Don't feed trolls" and all that. But lately it had become enough of a problem for me that last weekend I termed it "stalking and harassment" (to myself) and mulled over what to do. But then the button arrived!

In the past, on occasions when I felt it was merited, I have sent emails to tpm. I've also put up at least one blog (later deleted once the problem was addressed) so that others could weigh in when someone was disrupting EC threads (or other behaviors in the way, way past). And often, I've found that by ignoring things and letting them simmer a bit, other TPM people feel impelled to take issue with what's happened. So in general I'd say this kind of thing has resolved itself in a variety of ways.

What's different now, I think, is the "following" feature. And I've only just concluded that may be the way a disruptive individual could keep track of when or where someone has posted - in other places, not just their own blog. (It's clear from the other thread I'm not the only one who's experienced this.)

Efforts to track, nit-pick comments, and then badger someone - in an attempt to get a "rise" from them seem to be a new tactic for disrupting. And in the blog (noted here) posted by management to get feedback on this, I was more specific about my intention to first warn the individual (should it recur, which it might not - given advent of the button and the public airing of my concerns), and then to use the button after giving the warning.

Ideally, at this point, we need to be mindful that things are changing and consequences are readily available to report abuse. That leaves some worried about being reported - and I've already made comments that let people know where I stand - what is or is not acceptable. So, I've tried to reassure people in some cases and admit problems in others.

This is going to be a process of give and take and learning here. It's much better than hidden moderators, since every comment will initially appear. And anyone can weigh in at that point if they desire (by comment, email, or the button).

In general, problems seem to be isolated to certain individuals. It seems that certain people enjoy disrupting conversations. Or attacking others. Some of us ignore those people entirely. Others seem to relish taking them on - as if on behalf of all of us.

I'm still in favor of the button. As it's the fastest way to alert management. And I think things will work themselves out over time.

I've been here a while, and we don't jump on people for that. It's when it's a pattern.

And now the "we" is us sending a message, and Lila or Al does the deed. Back in the day we simply downrated, so that the comment was hidden, but only to non-registered users, which excluded Google spiders and protected us from the ugly crap showing up out in the world. I'd prefer that, but we have the button.

It's a bit like those walk buttons, which do nothing to change the light cycle but do light up the "Go" light, which would have stayed red otherwise. Not really a placebo, but not really useful either. We could always email Lila or Al, or Josh, and ask that someone who is being an asshole be made to go away.

Even with the ratings system of yore we had a couple of truly disgusting trolls persist until banned. But they don't ban posters for being annoying.