Hit-and-run posting
Encyclopedia
Hit-and-run posting refers to a tactic where a poster at an Internet forum
enters, makes a post, only to disappear immediately after. The term comes from the hit-and-run
crime on auto vehicles, in which the driver hits another car or person causing an accident and runs away. It is also known as making a "drive-by" posting, a play on the phrase drive-by shooting
. The post often consists of a lengthy text making lots of claims that can be, but are not always, on topic.
Another variety is the sole posting of a URL or link that leads to material that might be used as a discussion primer, but with no added opinion of the poster. It differs from plain spam
since forum spam often is posted by spambots, while hit-and-run posting on the other hand is done by a real person. Also, while spam mostly consists of advertising, hit-and-run posts usually have at least some bearing on the topic at hand. However, since the poster doesn't stay around to defend the posted material, or even discuss it, it is considered disrespectful, especially by forum regulars who tend to be angered by the fact that the hit-and-run doesn't become obvious until some or several replies already have been made.
Hit-and-run posting often follow the principle of "throw enough in and some will stick", where the poster hopes that even though he/she will not defend the post, it might at least persuade someone of its merits, although sometimes its motive is plain flamebaiting. Answering hit-and-run postings after they have been diagnosed as such is sometimes considered "feeding the trolls
" and is therefore discouraged. Hit-and-run posting tends to occur more frequent in debate on controversial topics.
The term "hit-and-run posting" is sometimes used, unjustifiably, against people who don't have as much time to spend on a forum as others and therefore have trouble keeping up with the posting pace.
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
enters, makes a post, only to disappear immediately after. The term comes from the hit-and-run
Hit and run (vehicular)
Hit-and-run is the act of causing a traffic accident , and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards...
crime on auto vehicles, in which the driver hits another car or person causing an accident and runs away. It is also known as making a "drive-by" posting, a play on the phrase drive-by shooting
Drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving or momentarily stopped vehicle without use of headlights to avoid being noticed. It often results in bystanders being shot instead of, or as well as, the intended target...
. The post often consists of a lengthy text making lots of claims that can be, but are not always, on topic.
Another variety is the sole posting of a URL or link that leads to material that might be used as a discussion primer, but with no added opinion of the poster. It differs from plain spam
Forum spam
Forum spam is the creating of messages that are advertisements, abusive, or otherwise unwanted on Internet forums. It is generally done by automated spambots.- Types of spam :...
since forum spam often is posted by spambots, while hit-and-run posting on the other hand is done by a real person. Also, while spam mostly consists of advertising, hit-and-run posts usually have at least some bearing on the topic at hand. However, since the poster doesn't stay around to defend the posted material, or even discuss it, it is considered disrespectful, especially by forum regulars who tend to be angered by the fact that the hit-and-run doesn't become obvious until some or several replies already have been made.
Hit-and-run posting often follow the principle of "throw enough in and some will stick", where the poster hopes that even though he/she will not defend the post, it might at least persuade someone of its merits, although sometimes its motive is plain flamebaiting. Answering hit-and-run postings after they have been diagnosed as such is sometimes considered "feeding the trolls
Troll (Internet)
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response...
" and is therefore discouraged. Hit-and-run posting tends to occur more frequent in debate on controversial topics.
The term "hit-and-run posting" is sometimes used, unjustifiably, against people who don't have as much time to spend on a forum as others and therefore have trouble keeping up with the posting pace.
See also
- Double posting
- Flamebait
- Forum spamForum spamForum spam is the creating of messages that are advertisements, abusive, or otherwise unwanted on Internet forums. It is generally done by automated spambots.- Types of spam :...
- Troll (Internet)Troll (Internet)In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response...
- NetiquetteNetiquetteNetiquette is a set of social conventions that facilitate interaction over networks, ranging from Usenet and mailing lists to blogs and forums. These rules were described in IETF RFC 1855. However, like many Internet phenomena, the concept and its application remain in a state of flux, and vary...
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