At 06:02 AM 10/21/97 +0200, you wrote:
>Trying to use Internet methods to address physical abuse issues just does
>not work. People will get hotmail accounts, write anonymously, find a new
>ISP, etc.  I wouldn't even bother  to get the account  closed.

My list, too, has a bete noir who has been plagueing us for almost three
years under several different names. Appealing to AOL was absolutely
worthless and different ways of blocking were only temporary.

In desperation I decided to educate my list, frankly not having much hope
that it would help but there was just nothing else to do. To my surprise,
it has worked.

I did not preach to the members. But whenever an offensive message
appeared, I'd post a short note reminding them that flames die out if they
are not fueled, and I would note that I do not mean that to be the start of
a thread on how to stop flames either. If someone was personally attacked,
I would quickly write them backchannel and request (never require; it is an
unmoderated list) that they not respond, or that they respond privately. (I
made a couple of enemies there.)

Now when an offensive post shows up, it is virtually ignored and the
harrasser does not get the thrill of seeing the replies. Occasionally a new
member who does not know the history will post a reply, but then several
veteran members will tell them -- off list -- of the wisdom of silence.

It takes a while, and not everybody loves you for it, but it works.


Duane Campbell  [log in to unmask]
http://www.epix.net/~dcamp/