Feeding the trolls

I knew it was wrong.  I knew it would get ugly.  But, in my moment of weakness, I did it anyway.  And I was write.  It was ugly.

I fed a troll.

I am not nearly as veteran as many here when it comes to internet communities, but I have been around for a few years now.  Certainly long enough to know that you never, ever get anything but a headache when you engage a troll.

It doesn't matter how you reply.  You can be cool as can be, and attempt to reason with them, only to have them fly off the handle and become the aggressors.  You can give them the verbal smack down and let them have it for all you are worth.  They will just dish it right back. 

I did this.  I tried being flippant, aggressive, reasonable, and even slightly imploring.  And each time I was met with frustration.  To the troll's credit, he/she got the best of me.  I allowed myself to get sucked in.  Fortunately, I realized before it had been more than a few posts, and I was able to put a stop to things.

Nevertheless, it frustrates me I got sucked in.

But what frustrates me more is the very real possibility that I may have to start making my blogs "Registered Users" only.  I have a couple of friends who stop by on occassion who don't have JU accounts, so I have left things open for their sake.  But that may have to change.  This article will be the litmus test.  We'll see what happens from here.