"trolling"
 

I realise this is probably blatantly obvious and will be one of those things where i really kick myself when i find out what the answer is, but what is this trolling people speak of?

Trolling is what you do when you are trying to get people mad. People who are trolling are called trolls. Here is an example of your basic troll.

(In a thread about the show Inuyasha)
INUYASA SUCKS AHAHAHAHAHAHAA GAY PEOPEL WATCH THAT SHOW!!!1

Note the lack of intelligence.

Edit - Here is an entire Wikipedia page on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?TrollDefinition

Another interesting article.

Trolls are usually not welcome on forums of any kind, usually trying to stir things up and basically put out comments as 'bait' for people to become irate. Generally, if you know what to look out for, you learn not to take the bait and end up laughing at how pathetic their hobby on the internet is.

If you really want to know the full story on it, check the Dead Thread Repository and look up "Shiney - Asshole or shitface."

Anyone with a red name was one guy, trolling.

Also, I use the term "Usually" when in reference to trolls usually trying to get reactions. I've been in situations, like MiseTings forums, where someone would start a topic on elf decks, and someone said "I don't understand what's so bad about Lifegain decks. You put yourself at a huge advantage if you get more life than the opponent."

Mirai, is that supposed to be an example of trolling? I know nothing of this card game you speak of, but that could be a legitimate question.

To tell the difference between a troll and some one who doesn't know anything, the latter will shut up after being corrected/answer. A troll will argue, even if s/he has nothing to back up that arguement, and has been proven wrong in every possible way.

If it's trying to eat a billy goat, that's probably your first clue.

It really isn't. If you're into Magic as much as I am - and I'm pretty low on the 'into Magic The Gathering' list - you understand how hated and annoying it is to see elf lifegain decks, and have people shrug and go, "Hey, it's a legitimate deck, and I win," as if it justifies it's existence.

Long story short, just because it exists doesn't mean that it's supposed to be that way.