Just a word to the old-timers. We all know who we are and none of us are the personality types that need reaffirmation. Let the newcomers join in and have fun. Ultimately they will become the old-timers themselves. A big hearty welcome to all, except for the trolls.
The trolls are hard to identify with complete certainty, but they do have common hallmarks, one of which is the disruption of online discussion. There are many other easily identifiable traits that allow you to spot them when they're around, and a few good strategies to defeat them. Identify them, don't ever go down to their level, slowly but surely patiently expose them, and then be done with them (using any of the many different strategies available to you). But whatever you do, DO NOT allow yourself to be part of their disruption (and sometimes quite intentional distractions) even if that means you might have to go without defending lies and insults beyond simply stating the facts or reminding someone that they are being offensive (once and only once). One of the better pieces I've read on the subject can be found here: http://www.peorian.com/technology/technology-news/trolls-cyberbullies/1079-how-to-identify-and-defeat-an-internet-troll
Like the author says, "Learn how to quickly recognize a troll and you've won half the battle".
other resources:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-identify-trolls-in-your-online-community.html
http://pluperfecter.blogspot.com.es/2011/08/14-characteristics-of-classic-internet.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
Don't put up with their BS, but make sure you don't become one of them in the process.
Good stuff ha ha!
one of my all time favorites:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=408268.msg11807984;topicseen#msg11807984
Like I told everyone here months ago: Run, don't walk, from this thing...
But since you just choose not to, have what you so fully deserve. In spades.
If you can only spread unfounded negativity, then you won't be missed. Goodbye and farewell.
And who are you?
barabbas is an unemployed Mexican actor, Jose de Vega.
http://josedevega.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20141217132740/http://josedevega.com/
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.9878147
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.9895434
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.9896252
Good for a laugh anyway.
(That's when it was only good 'ol barabbas, but now we might need to get even more competent and vigilant with the issue.)