[Air-l] we need a better word than lurking

[James Whyte]

As a verb it is harmless. As a noun it could be viewed as an attack in itself.
   
  James

Neil Randall <nrandall at watarts.uwaterloo.ca> wrote: 
  > I don't think anyone would disagree that a "troll" is someone who is
violating the established, historical conventions of the listserv in an
antagonistic fashion. 

Except that "troll" was originally a verb in Internet usage. It was the act
of injecting comments, often subtle digs, into a discussion for the purpose
of getting people upset. It was the fishing sense of trolling.

So in that sense, flaming is not troll-like behaviour. 

The names of actions and programs in the early years of the Internet showed
a delightful creativity that I think we should avoid losing. "Lurk" still
strikes me as perfect; and "ping", "finger", etc. had their superb moments. 

Neil Randall



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