Who is srn347?

[Al Thorn]

While not going quite so far as Stu, I must admit that the, shall we say, abundant posts of srn347 have given me reason to pause.  Once you've been on the board for as long as I have, you notice the patterns as soon as they begin.  I couldn't help but think to myself, "Who is this srn347, and why is he posting so much?  Is he poorly socialized or is this an attack on the board?  Or is it really just Martin pretending to be someone else?"

Here are the results of my research:

From Super Mario 64 DS at GameTalk:  "Plus, moderating has to do with protecting the forum, not answering mindless questions about subjects completely unrelated to the forum topic. Master's been around here forever, unlike srn347, who I've never even heard of (and I was here over two years ago, master was a reg then)."

From wu :: forums - srn347 and sm347:   Whether srn347 should have been booted is questionable, but permanent ban was going too far. Sm347 should be banned though, that is without doubt... 5 hours a member and already 12 posts....Srn347 made over 600 of the most rediculous and completely irrelevant posts on the forum....Sm347, posted nothing but spam,...

Also from wu :: forums - Can srn347 be considered a spammer?:   Given the flurry of meaningless and irrelevant posts to mostly dead topics, creating new threads irrevelant to the forum etc can we consider srn347 to be a spammer?
 
If majority agree, I suggest we ban him (at least temporarily)! Enough is enough.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

To my other esteemed members of the Bull Board community:  we've all seen srn347's abundant posts and wondered what was up.  Now, we have proof from other message boards that he has done the same thing in other forums.  He doesn't care about rps, he's just spamming the board for kicks.  I move that we begin a public discussion as to what to do about it. 

[srn347]

In the super mario 64 ds forum, I actually did quite well. In the wu forum, I was cruelly and unjustly banned for sm347's impersonations of me. Temporary seems to vouch for me though. Banning me from wrps bullboard just for posting more than most people seems to be quite inhumane. Let's ask the master what he has to say. And I don't attack boards, I am quite interested in rps.

[Wayne]

From what I am reading, I think a temp ban would be suffice...

[martinburley]

I wouldn't call srn347's actions spamming, exactly, since quite a lot of his posts are at least somewhat on topic, if not always adding much to the discussion.

The air of oneupmanship in some of srn347's posts, combined with his dismissive attitude to those disagreeing with him led me to think he might be trolling, trying to generate anger and argument, but again, it's not clear, and he does seem to have moderated his tone somewhat in his more recent posts.

He's certainly what you might call a 'churner', posting to a large number of old topics in a short space of time.

As for what action should be taken, if any, I'm inclined to say we should give him the benefit of the doubt, for the moment at least, or at least given a warning rather than a ban. But I do think it's good to raise this discussion, good move Al.

To srn347:

I'm curious why you feel compelled to post on so many topics in such a short space of time. Assuming you're not simply spamming or trolling, what are your reasons for doing so?

A couple of possibilities come to mind:

1. You're trying to impress us or gain the reputation of being an rps expert, and think that posting a large number of comments will help you achieve that image.

2. You're genuinely interested in the different topics, and have a lot of ideas and thoughts to share, and find it hard to contain your enthusiasm.

If 1's the case, you should be aware that the number of posts Bullboarders have made is no reflection on their RPS knowledge or expertise. Aside from the fact that the Bullboard was around for a fair while before its present incarnation (so, many of those earlier posts aren't counted at all), quality trumps quantity. If you want to earn respect here, the best way to do that is by demonstrating your interest in and passion for RPS, not by winning points in arguments, or making lots of posts.

If 2's the reason why you're posting to so many topics, I'd encourage you to hold back just a little, particularly with the older topics. (Another reason why numbers of posts don't tell the full story, since posting five times in a recent topic that's being heavily discussed is less 'spam-like' than adding one single, often fairly trivial, comment to five separate topics that were last posted in several years ago.)

You can still post to older topics - certainly, some of those topics are still highly relevant, and well worth discussing again from time to time - but being more selective will achieve a couple of things besides reducing your number of posts per day:

(a) if you post to fewer topics per day, you have more time to write good posts, making your point clear or capturing your desired tone just right
(b) if you post to fewer topics per day, others will be more likely to read each of your posts and consider them, rather than think, "Oh god, another post from srn347"
(c) if you post to fewer topics per day, then you can put some of the older topics aside and post in one or another of them on a rainy day when recent topics provide less inspiration than usual

I remember when I was new to the Bullboard (though not new to RPS), there was a spell when I was posting to a lot of topics, because it was great to discuss RPS with other enthusiasts after a long spell in the wilderness. I was definitely posting too often then, but realised that it's better to flow with the conversation rather than try to sprint ahead of it, and became more selective about how often I post.

Even now, I probably post more often than most people here, but for every post I make, there's several others that I hold back from making for one reason or another. Remember, you're here to have a conversation with others, to exchange viewpoints, comments, compliments and (mostly) tongue-in-cheek insults, and learn from others as well as sharing your own insights with them, not just so that others can listen to you talk non-stop.

I hope you take these comments in the positive spirit in which they're intended. It's always good to meet new RPS enthusiasts, but the sport - and the Bullboard - is here to stay*. Take your time and enjoy it.



* barring any more Mello Yellow incidents or other cases of Jefness

[Franklint]

Wow.

I'm heaps glad this discussion started up. I thought it was just me thinking that 90% of srn's posts are unnecessary and superfluous.

Everything martinburley's said I agree with, but I really think that we should consider a punishment of some kind if he doesn't slow down. I've been very nonplussed whenever I go to the Bullboard recently, because the massive number of posts means I can't keep up with different discussions, and I find that I really can't be bothered wading through all the (mostly irrelevant) posts.

If you ask me, I'm getting a very strong sense of srn wanting to become "superior" to some of us, mainly me, perhaps so he can "get back" at me in particular for giving him a bit of flack in order to prepare him for the world of the Bullboard and of ProRPS in general. As has been mentioned, Bullboard posts means nothing in terms of actual experience, knowledge or success. Some of the most successful players, specifically in the Philly league, don't post at all but could beat the pants off me and hold their own against many of the top posters on the board.

And I don't attack boards, I am quite interested in rps.

Quite interested in RPS? What a waste of your and our time. If you post like a maniac when you're only quite interested in something, I'd hate to see what you do on forums that you're really passionate about.

So yeah. You're making it unfun for me and, I am sure, many other Bullboarders. Please stop or slow down.

Cheers,
Franklint

[srn347]

The reason was 2. And OK. If you all want me to post less so much less, I will. Sheesh.

[custardchuk]

I remember something a great man said when I was questioning another bullboarder's excessive and sometimes, odd, posting.

Could be he's just a bit of a social outcast who's trying a little too hard. Lord knows we don't have any of "those" around here.

That was about you, Franklint. As it has turned out, you have settled down and become a valued member of our little community.

I think, in my early days, that statement could well have been about me, too.

(Just out of interest, Franklint, you've put on over 50 posts in the last three or four weeks yourself.)

Ordinarily I'd argue that we should probably let it ride and see what happens. But srn seems to have a history of annoying other people and, rather than learning from anything he is told, he simply moves around repeating his mistakes.

I'm against censoring people in principle and see it as a last resort.

I suggest that we let srn show whether or not he is truly interested in our board, or operating with some other motive by offering him the chance to censor himself.

He has the ability to remove his own posts. What's say we ask srn to remove any of his posts that he considers may be off topic or not really contributing to our greater good. I'd also ask that he leaves the ones he is proud of and that he feels have contributed to the wider discussion.( Franklint could probably do the same  )

In asking this we will get our answer, one way, or the other.

Us older members may remember that our early history was wiped by Jef and a can of MellowYellow. I've often thought that that may have been a blessing in disguise.

regards
custardchuk

[Franklint]

A very fair comment, custardchuk.

While I may be a tad hypocritical, it is because I can't really remember how I started off, and I always make sure to acknowledge my mistakes and over-excited attitude in the past. I'm aware that I've really grown as a poster during my time on the Bullboard.

One main point in my defense, however, is that I never had a thread made about me outlining my obsessive and largely irrelevant posting.

My rather intense attitude towards this member has largely been because I've been frustrated and got worked up at the sheer number of one-line posts. I don't feel an apology is needed.

As it has turned out, you have settled down and become a valued member of our little community.

Also, thanks for this. I appreciate these kind of comments.

While I do post a fair bit, you can't claim that what I am doing is at anywhere near the same magnitude as srn.

( Franklint could probably do the same )

Uh... Alright.

Cheers,
Franklint

[srn347]

At least my posts are relevant. So why don't you all quit your whining? I wonder how long this thread will last before being locked or deleted.

[custardchuk]

Srn347 made over 600 of the most rediculous and completely irrelevant posts on the forum. And when it was pointed out he did nothing but attack the other riddlers.

From one of many forums srn has managed to annoy.

At least my posts are relevant. So why don't you all quit your whining?

I've seen enough.

I wonder how long this thread will last before being locked or deleted.

Lets hope, not too long. See you around.

[martinburley]

The air of oneupmanship in some of srn347's posts, combined with his dismissive attitude to those disagreeing with him led me to think he might be trolling, trying to generate anger and argument, but again, it's not clear, and he does seem to have moderated his tone somewhat in his more recent posts.

At least my posts are relevant. So why don't you all quit your whining? I wonder how long this thread will last before being locked or deleted.

Okay, I was wrong.

[Master Roshambollah]

Let's ask the master what he has to say.

And say I will, Sean.

First, I would remind you all (especially Stu and Al) that srn is my apprentice, therefore under my protection.  Any attack on him is an attack on me.

Likewise, I am a janitor and custodian for the Bull Board.  The Bull Board, therefore, is also under my protection.  Any attack on the Board is an attack on me.

It sure is an interesting debate.  I put out some feelers on the wu forum about srn.  Word is he's spammed a board before, and even worse, created multiple identities in the same forum.  The former I could forgive.  The latter is another story.

Still, he is my Apprentice.  srn, I wish to give you an Advanced Apprentice Assignment (AAA):

Shut up. 

For one week.

I once went an entire year without posting on the Bull Board.  True, there were circumstances beyond my control, but I largely did it as an exercise of Will.

You must learn the lesson of Silence.  I could say more about this, but I prefer to let RPS Guru Master Aleister Crowley speak for me:

from Silence:

Of all the Magical and Mystical Virtues, of all the Graces of the Soul, of all the Attainments of the Spirit, none has been so misunderstood, even when at all apprehended, as Silence.

Harpocrates, God of Silence, is called "The Lord of Defense and Protection."

But His nature is by no means that negative and passive silence which the word commonly connotes; for He is the All-Wandering Spirit; the Pure and Perfect Knight-Errant, who answers all Enigmas, and opens the Closed Portal of the King's Daughter. But Silence in the vulgar sense is not the answer to the Riddle of the Sphinx; it is that which is created by that answer. For Silence is the Equilibrium of Perfection; so that Harpocrates is the omniform, the universal Key to every Mystery soever. The Sphinx is the "Puzzel or Pucelle," the Feminine Idea to which there is only one complement, always different in form, and always identical in essence. This is the signification of the Gesture of the God; it is shewn more clearly in His adult form as the Fool of the Tarot and as Bacchus Diphues, and without equivocation when He appears as Baphomet.

[srn347]

Thank you for that defense, master rosh. As per the conditions of the triple A, I won't post for a week(starting after this one of coarse).

[Master Roshambollah]

You'll be a stronger person for it, Sean.

I would never ask an Apprentice to do something I'm unwilling to do, so I also won't post for a week (starting after this one of course.)

[custardchuk]

Any attack on him is an attack on me

Oh yeah. Here we go.

Why am I not surprised Roshambollah has a finger in this sorry affair. I'm kicking myself for not seeing it earlier.

Srn is meat without the potatos. He has a special skill. That is: the ability to consume a lot of space while saying nothing. There's only one other person I know with that skill.

Of all the Magical and Mystical Virtues, of all the Graces of the Soul, of all the Attainments of the Spirit, none has been so misunderstood, even when at all apprehended, as Silence.

Harpocrates, God of Silence, is called "The Lord of Defense and Protection."

But His nature is by no means that negative and passive silence which the word commonly connotes; for He is the All-Wandering Spirit; the Pure and Perfect Knight-Errant, who answers all Enigmas, and opens the Closed Portal of the King's Daughter. But Silence in the vulgar sense is not the answer to the Riddle of the Sphinx; it is that which is created by that answer. For Silence is the Equilibrium of Perfection; so that Harpocrates is the omniform, the universal Key to every Mystery soever. The Sphinx is the "Puzzel or Pucelle," the Feminine Idea to which there is only one complement, always different in form, and always identical in essence. This is the signification of the Gesture of the God; it is shewn more clearly in His adult form as the Fool of the Tarot and as Bacchus Diphues, and without equivocation when He appears as Baphomet.

There are only two people on this board who's posts I don't even bother to read or reply to. Srn and, surprise surprise, his Master. If Rosh is going to shut up for a week, it won't be because he wants to, it will be because he has to. He's probably sitting out in the desert now hopped up to the eyes on goofballs and speaking in tongues to some cactus spirit. Rest assured we'll hear about it soon enough though.

As for Srn, I give him two days, at most, before that slurry in his head vomits it way back on the board. I was thinking we should make them their own board but then I realised neither of them would use it.

Well, Mr bullboard custodian, I'll give you this one for free. "If you can't control your apprentice, then get rid of him, and if you won't get rid of him, then I'm out of here."

If I hear just one more peep this week........

custardchuk