Why is trolling tolerated?

[odomobo]

I apologize if this is the wrong forum, but why is trolling being tolerated on the programming forum? I would expect to be reprimanded or banned for this behavior.

[Daniel Shawul]

This forum indeed seem to be pretty much un-moderated.
I reported a post from THE troll here a while ago but no actions taken.

[Karlo Bala]

Unfortunately, the Talkchess is turning into a junkyard. It is very hard to search for useful material.
I rather search the old CCC archives.

[Ras]

Because the current moderation moderates as per the charter which you can find here: forum3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46462. It has the following requirements for messages to be posted:
1. Are, within reason, on the topic of computer chess
2. Are not abusive in nature
3. Do not contain personal and/or libelous attacks on others
4. Are not flagrant commercial exhortations
5. Are not of questionable legal status.

Unless a reported posting violates at least one of these points, there is no ground for moderation because its mandate is enforcing the charter. That serves as guideline to keep moderation as objective as possible and minimise decisions based on personal dislikes. Any charter change would require votes by all all TC members, not just by the moderators.

[mvanthoor]

Because the current moderation moderates as per the charter which you can find here: forum3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46462. It has the following requirements for messages to be posted:
1. Are, within reason, on the topic of computer chess
2. Are not abusive in nature
3. Do not contain personal and/or libelous attacks on others
4. Are not flagrant commercial exhortations
5. Are not of questionable legal status.

Unless a reported posting violates at least one of these points, there is no ground for moderation because its mandate is enforcing the charter. That serves as guideline to keep moderation as objective as possible and minimise decisions based on personal dislikes. Any charter change would require votes by all all TC members, not just by the moderators.

Maybe a point 6 could be added.

"If you make a claim to drastically improve a known algorithm or claim to have invented a new feature which increases an engine's playing strength, you have to back it up with open-source code that can be examined, compiled and run by anyone."

That's objective enough for my tastes. There's no point discussing "features" or "improvements" no-one can see.

[Ras]

Maybe a point 6 could be added.

"If you make a claim to drastically improve a known algorithm or claim to have invented a new feature which increases an engine's playing strength, you have to back it up with open-source code that can be examined, compiled and run by anyone."

First, that would need a TC wide vote, and second, it would basically forbid e.g. the Komodo team to discuss new ideas.

[mvanthoor]

First, that would need a TC wide vote, and second, it would basically forbid e.g. the Komodo team to discuss new ideas.

Oh, but you can discuss new idea's... that's not a problem. But you wouldn't be able to say "I created a pruning technique to use in alpha/beta that adds 50 Elo to Stockfish. Here, see this single PGN file as proof."

[Daniel Shawul]

Because the current moderation moderates as per the charter which you can find here: forum3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46462. It has the following requirements for messages to be posted:
1. Are, within reason, on the topic of computer chess
2. Are not abusive in nature
3. Do not contain personal and/or libelous attacks on others
4. Are not flagrant commercial exhortations
5. Are not of questionable legal status.

Unless a reported posting violates at least one of these points, there is no ground for moderation because its mandate is enforcing the charter. That serves as guideline to keep moderation as objective as possible and minimise decisions based on personal dislikes. Any charter change would require votes by all all TC members, not just by the moderators.

I really do not care whatever bullet points you have there in the charter. That attitude is exactly what led to CTF being what it was
and eventually led to its closure. So when you say it is "according to charter", it reminds of the hate speach/racists posts being "according to the charter" in CTF for some mods. Common sense moderation trumps everything else.
If you think the consistent trolling by kix here is acceptable, then you should not be moderating the programming section IMHO.

[Ras]

Oh, but you can discuss new idea's... that's not a problem.

The Komodo team could never claim that they improved their engine because it is closed source.

I really do not care whatever bullet points you have there in the charter.

You are free to candidate as moderator and present your intended moderation strategy as arbitrary decisions at your personal whim. Just be honest about that before the elections.

If you think the consistent trolling by kix here is acceptable

I didn't say it's acceptable, I said that it doesn't violate the charter as it is, and a charter change would take a TC wide voting.

then you should not be moderating the programming section IMHO.

I am not. You can see the moderators for each subforum right in the main forum overview.

[gflohr]

Don't feed trolls! That is the approved way to get rid of them. And moderators should delete their additional fake accounts.