Sorry to make you feel like something out of Clan of the Cave Bear, Doc.

If you're that old, do you remember GEnie and the SFRTs? We had a way of describing proto-trolls -- energy creatures, like the ones from STAR TRKE, which died if unfed.

DNFTEC = do not feed the energy creature.

After awhile, the sysops got complaints that THAT was provocation.

I notice that our resident Energy Creature has started up again and has provided FAR too much information about his personal life.

I suppose that's feeding it, so I'll shut up with another old piece of netspeak: What Laurel Said.

That's STAR TREK, of course. You'd think after five books I could spell it.

I differentiate between the flamewar artist and the troll. In fact, I think the LW is a flamewar artist, because s/he goes on a hostile board and tries to engage it in debate that it neither likes nor wants, but does so in a rational, organized, and literate manner.

"U SUK", neologisms, name-calling, psywar, and personal attacks are the hallmark of the troll. Sometimes, they are accompanied by almost incomprehensible spelling, SHOUTING and psychodrama. There is almost always an attempt to hurt. Some trolls deny an attempt to hurt; others glory in it.

Because of the vehemence and provocation that flamewar artists can create, they -can- be mistaken for trolls. I don't think they are. Someone who knows more than I about where things are on the Internet might want to post a URL for the different types of net users.

Like everything else on the Net, flame warriors and trolls come with their own taxonomy.

I knew I'd find it somewhere.

http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/

Thank you for the review, Laura Miller. I just ordered the book and am looking forward to reading it.

For me, Wagner is a guilty pleasure. I've only been to two Rings (including this year's Russian Ring, with Gergiev directing the Kirov at the Met), and I love the music. But I will probably never go to Bayreuth. And in my first Ring, when I saw James Morris at Wotan surrounded by dark subhumans, I had a shiver that had nothing to do with scene and sound.

I've watched the current controversy over succession and blinked as Der Meistersinger was booed and Katarina Wagner swept onstage.

This is going to be fun. With luck, I can finish the book before Walkure and Tristan at the Met this year.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

On another note, "Kill da wabbit" is one way of looking at Wagner. Do you know the late Anna "the Ring opens in the River Rhine. IN it!" Russell? Guaranteed to make you steer off the road if you listen while driving.

Anyone else notice that the MRAnonymice are here in force, attempting to guilt or hector the LW into shoehorning herself into becoming the wife of their (wet) dreams?

Or is people's impulse control in the face of trolls simply better than mine?

To me, tax fraud, possession of a hand gun (is it legal?), and threats of "I could kill you" say: get out the suitcases, find a safe place, a good lawyer, and a new life.

The thing with shooting trout in a barrel is that you ALWAYS catch a fish.

I suspect that some people "educate" for the highest possible reasons, but sometimes, others of us just get in a mood.

Think of it as the Internet equivalent of watching re-runs and eating junk food.

I dream lucidly and in color. I can even occasionally re-dream.

Although I am happy with my perceptions as they are, just one day, I -would- like to see and hear with the senses of a synaesthete.

Thank you for opening my eyes to what you see.

Pookie-poo? POOKIE-POO?

Oh give me a break.

The combination of handgun, book-cooking/tax fraud and "I could kill you" is serious to me.

Got a great idea, all you gentlemen who think the LW is overreacting, a prima donna, fucking up her kids, and deserves to be dumped.

YOU marry this dude. And if he shoots YOU, you're broken or dead, and he gets to acquire another victim.

I'm glad the LW has more sense than you do. Time to reread Gavin DeBecker's GIFT OF FEAR. Hey, it's written by a guy, a security consultant, a REAL MAN...

What's -your- excuse?

I am so sorry. I hope your daughter and the other students are getting the counseling and other care that they need.

If the stalker is using workmail, she's in violation and can be reported.

If there's a pattern of stalking and it extends to you and she's not using workmail, report her to her ISP.

THEN, deal with your partner. Work be damned: there's lots of salespeople who'd be happy for a big order, so she's expendable. Either he's too nice for his own good, or you've got troubles.

Am I supposed to be interested in this?