Oops, Durova's Mea culpa Options

[msharma]

Oops.

[Robster]

Since I fully expect this to go down the memory hole... here's what KamrynMatika was laughing at... there's no way to attribute it, it was posted by an IP (and deleted at least twice since being posted)...

Begin "Top Sekrit" double ROT13 encrypted transmission

Using some deep, proprietary, patented and trademarked investigative techniques I have deduced that User:Giano_II is not this troll's first account. I am such a brilliant investigator, so I will present a short lecture on "how to spot a troll". You will, of course, never be as good as me, but in the end you should be able to appreciate just how good I am.

The one thing I must ask you, however, is not to share this confidential document with anyone else. I have classified this as "Top Sekrit" and were it to fall into the hands of the forces of darkness it would mean nothing less than the end of the world as we know it.

Now, the case study:

Here's a troublemaker who's username is "Giano_II". Note the "II" at the end, as it is quite significant.

It's what I would call a "ripened troll" - a padded history of Featured Article writing, minor edits, and some other work. Nothing of real value to the encyclopedia like "sleuthing" and investigative work, of course. Nothing to aid Team Lightâ„¢ against the forces of Darkness. Some of the forces of darkness do this to game the community's good faith.

I can tell immediately that it's not the user's first account. You may be able to get as good as me, but I doubt it.

A. In their efforts to deceive us, they forget that new users are morons and haven't learned edit summaries and wikimarkup.

Edit summary on the first edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76651409

Also telling is that this troll knows how to redirect a page, which is something that only experienced people know how to do since it is not documented anywhere.

B. They find their way to our super sekrit notice boards far too early in the account history to be genuine. The purpose is to pad the account history with a track record of positive contributions that will insulate them against the BANHAMMERâ„¢ later on.

Shows up on ANI on the fourth edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76653466

This user favors featured article creation. Others do RC patrol or copyediting. They continue for days, weeks, or perhaps a few months playing "useful editor."

C. Many of them tip their hands occasionally during the preparation phase.

Obscene trolling against one of our most beloved editors: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76656643

This user slips for the joy of trolling. Others let down their guard momentarily for WR-related incidents. Look for behavior that seems out of character such as a sudden cluster of talk page posts or odd edit summaries.

D. They are team players.

Here's the sock doing some housekeeping on Giano's subpages. No stranger is this much of a good Samaritan. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&action=history

E. They grow bold when they believe the account has ripened into the appearance of a legitimate editor.

I doubt Giano knew what this "Giano_II" account really was. By now it looks legit to most editors. The nasty side shows itself, though: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76667703

F. When the sock is fully ripened it heads over to disputes and takes positions that we at Team Lightâ„¢ disagree with.

This rocket-to-the-sky pattern among ripened trolls contrasts against sincere but troubled editors, who follow an arc with some visible cause and effect.

For contrast:

A regular problem editor will eventually accept the Way of Team Light and worship at the alter of the God King.

A ripened troll sticks to its convictions and questions our superiority and authority. It's gone over to the dark side; it just heads over to a discussion and screams foul.

So by the time Jimbo does something controversial, most Wikipedians are indoctrinated to accept our superior leadership, except for this troll and his teammates. The troll is fully ripened, the account well established, and the troll has teammates to create or obstruct consensus if anyone intervenes. I have a hunch the skilled trolls wait for events that they know will cause a lot of flurried attention onsite so the sudden launching of full implementation is less likely to be noticed in the crowd.

Here's the sock helping the team, along with some free range sarcasm and troublemaking: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76673264 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76673740 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...&oldid=76741477

Looking ahead: Foremost, please keep mum! This is classified "Top Sekrit" and uses state of the art double ROT13 encryption. Many of these mistakes can be corrected and these people are very patient. They will change tactics and get even more careful if they realize how we spot them.

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