From: Matt Pattison <mfp@...>
Date: 2003-08-21T09:14:54+09:00
Subject: Re: [OT][OT] Trollassassin - NetScan

* Kurt M. Dresner (kdresner@cs.utexas.edu) [030821 04:45]:
> So, I had this idea, but I couldn't think of anywhere better to post it.
> 
> How about a recognized troll database that could be queried by something
> similar to spamassassin and tag mail as from a known troll?  I know it
> wouldn't solve all the world's problems, but if folks like Brandon could
> be espoused for what they are right off the bat, maybe things wouldn't
> get so heated...
> 
> Anyone wanna write it/have space to host the database/time to review
> submissions?
> 
> -Kurt

Microsoft has already created a usenet analysis tool that analyses all sorts 
of stuff about usenet postings, and creates a profile for all email addresses,
showing what newsgroups they've posted to, how many messages, threads, threads
started, replies etc. for different periods. it's called NetScan:
http://netscan.research.microsoft.com
There's an interview with the Microsoft sociologist behind this here:
http://news.com.com/2008-1082_3-5065298.html
which is currently featured on slashdot.org

You could use this to check if somebody is a troll, by typing in their email 
address, and it will spit out their usenet posting history. It seems a bit evil 
to me though.

Matt