My name is Viper and I approve of this message.
As the head admin of another forum for the past 11 years, Rol has it correct.
One of the reasons that trouble makers are often left alone is because they generate traffic. Controversy and troublemakers generate more money than does a well behaved community. That's simply the nature of the ad driven monetization of forums. But it shows that money is valued over the service provided. Communities that truly value their community and service over money establish a moderation system that more closely resembles what Rol is depicting.
Here's a thought...why do trolls troll? Because they know damn good and well they'll get away with it and likely one of those they are trolling will end up getting moderated rather than the troll himself. It's not the community that feeds the trolls, it's the rules and moderation that feed them.
The rEVOLution is not being televised
