Ok then I can see what you were trying to do. I said what I had to say and have nothing more to add. Actually after my post I don't think that there is anything that could be more direct, inflammatory or escalating.
I'll admit, the guy could benefit from making his "compliments" a little less "Herbert", but I hope we can find a way to encourage that constructively instead of branding him for life.
Mmmmm if someone asks the question "isn't this guy a troll?" then I would have thought you would have an opportunity to give an explanation of your feelings like everyone else. The OP also has the chance to say "yes I have behaved oddly in the past and I am improving myself and prepared to be accountable if I stray."
I feel if your reflections posted here could have been added to the discussion, then probably the whole thing would have ended as an agree to disagree. I haven't used the word troll for ages and have shown that once I have made a point I can let it go. If I have been persistent to the point of offending others in the past, then a comment from you at the time might have been helpful.
By closing the thread it draws attention to it in some ways don't you think? It raises a question. When all threads are perceived by you to get to a point where you feel nothing constructive can be added will they also be closed? The relationship between intention and effective execution doesn't seem to be quite right, especially as the way this was done now appears to be part of a wider problem of "heavy handedness" in the minds of some.
I don't question your right to act by the way and I appreciate your explanations here.
Still where people have trolling behaviour I would still expect it to be called what it is, and re-iterate that it is not acceptable. Harassment is not acceptable either. A couple of posts from me, the first one moderate and informative, no pms, and no endless repetition etc, doesn't seem to fit the category of harassment. In my view I was speaking the truth according to my perceptions in response to a question.
Recently I reported a thread and tried to make the point that what seems to be happening is that the really disruptive and offensive people here (and I think there is a consensus about who some of them are) seem to be getting all the consideration, and people who, on balance, have a lot to contribute are apparently "behaving badly". I hope this perception will change.
By the way I don't belong to a clique, but I do remember when Novice was having a hard time here. I was one of those people who didn't get involved because I didn't take it seriously. After a while when things got really bad I was very upset because I was the one fooling around and joking, thinking that that it would all blow over.
When do I get my hug then?
