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Trout
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SpaceBass
The BADministrator


Joined: 20 Sep 2002
Posts: 2701
Location: pellucidar

 		 Trout
Many new players do not yet understand what we mean when we say "trout," and some tend to take it the wrong way. Likewise, many new players who use the term tend to use it as some sort of smackdown. The official definition of trout, as copied from the originating post on the cloudmakers list, is as follows:

Dan Fabulich wrote:
So, I've been meditating on what we can do to make our newbies feel
more at home, and I've decided to use a strategy that's tried and
true: we'll make up something new.

In particular, we're going to use a new word from now on: "trout".

Of course, "trout" is an old word, but it's an old word with a new
meaning. When I say "trout" to you, I don't simply mean the fish, I
mean to say to you: "Listen. I respect you. It's great that you're
here and posting and that we're working together for a common goal.
Nonetheless, I have some polite criticisms."

You may use the word trout as its own sentence, as in:

"Trout. This is in the Trail, section 2.05."

Or, you may use it to refer to your polite constructive criticism:

"Pardon my trout, but we've been talking about this most of the
day... Read about it on CM-mod."

You may use it as a verb:

"I trout you. I think you've gotten confused about this."

Alternatively, you may use it as a pseudo- HTML tag:

"<trout>You must mean Jason Fertors-with-an-s, who IS in
PACO.</trout>"

You may use it as a post label, but try to use it in combo with other
labels:

"Subject: SPEC/TROUT Re: Evan is still alive!"

Finally, of course, you may decide not to use it at all. If so,
please use some form of polite disclaimer whenever you offer
constructive criticism, ESPECIALLY if that criticism is a correction
of some factual mistake. It's very hard to communicate a polite
attitude over e-mail. "Trout" will be one way to do it.

---------------------------------------------------

How will this help the newbies, you ask?

Well, those newbies who know and understand "trout" will understand
that we're not mocking or disrespectful to those with whom we disagree
or to those who post redundant information.

Those newbies who DON'T know what "trout" means will at least avoid
confusing polite criticism with mockery. Why? Because there's
something in the post, "trout," that they don't understand. It's hard
to assume that a post you don't understand is being unduly harsh. It
also leads the newbie to do exactly the right thing: to ask polite
questions.

Maybe this will work... maybe it won't. Either way, I hope that this
place will become a little bit friendlier on account of it.

Use "trout." Make this list a better place to be.

Thank you.

-Dan

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:27 pm
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i_monk
Boot

Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 17

 		I must have missed that post at CM.... So many newbies died in vain!

PostPosted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:48 pm
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Puppy_Zwolle
Entrenched


Joined: 18 Oct 2005
Posts: 969
Location: Not Zwolle anymore. really no kiddin'

 		I don't get it... I think. Is trout a friendly (the only) way of saying: Cursing RTFM!! ?

Code:
if so. don't trout me.
else I probably should reread the previous post.

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:40 pm
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Atrophied
Entrenched


Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 1133
Location: 53742E 4A6F686E27732C 4E4C00

 		It's more like saying, politely:
Quote:
Yes, that is a somewhat valid point, however it is already being discussed here, here and here. Thank you for being observant and noticing it though.


It's designed to make people stop and think before responding, and to make a forum (or list) a friendlier and more newbie friendly place to be.
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:43 pm
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rose
...and then Magic happens


Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 4117

 		proper use of trout
Question: I have only seen trout used for "factual" sorts of discussions, but can it apply to META ones as well?

Case in point, a player joins Perplex City and immediately gripes about the community sharing solves, states he or she won't share solves and predicts that once the prize is in sight the community will tear itself apart, etc.

I'm finding this rather boring and repetitive. Is it appropriate to say, "Welcome to the forums. This point has already been discussed here, here and here. "

and use the trout?

I have never trouted anyone, that I can recall anyway, but for the first time I feel tempted.
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:47 am
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Ehsan
Entrenched

Joined: 09 May 2003
Posts: 992

 		I think it depends on what the question is.

For example if someone wants to figure out how to install mirc and join #unfiction chat, it's better to explain it in detail and welcome them instead of pointing them to a previous instructions post. That way they won't be so intimidated about being new.

However if someone comes and asks why unfiction is out of game, and explains that TINAG means that the forums are in-game, then I'd just point them to the past discussions and not discuss the matter at all. But I don't think I'd use the term trout in that post.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:17 pm
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Olly
Decorated

Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Posts: 167
Location: Bristol, UK.

 		Sorry, but I've definitely seen the word 'trout' used in that context way before 2001.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:54 pm
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MissExtraExtraThisJustIn
Greenhorn

Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Long Island, NY

 		 Can Someone Please Direct Me
Acronym Thread
Can someone post the link to the acronym thread? I cannot seem to locate it. Very Happy

Thanks!!

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:30 pm
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SirQuady
Unfettered


Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 576

 		Which acronym thread?
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There once was a [person] from [place]
Whose [body part] was [special case].
When [event] would occur,
It would cause [him or her]
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:54 am
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sohel1
Guest


 		I can use new trout
how to install mirc and join #unfiction chat, it's better to explain it in detail and welcome them instead of pointing them to a previous instructions post.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:29 am
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Nonono
Guest


 		What?
It doesn't really work that way.
You can't decide whether a slang term you make up is "polite" or not. Usage and perception decides that. To wit, when a newbie comes in and someone starts throwing around "trout," it's going to sound strange, confusing, and more than a little pretentious.

If you want to be nicer to newbies, I recommend you just explain things to them in the first place. Adding jargon doesn't really help the situation. They're newbies.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:59 pm
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krystyn
I Never Tire of My Own Voice


Joined: 26 Sep 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Is not Chicago

 		What's a newbie?


























Kidding!

Sometimes the use of "trout" is not always handled in the best way, but that's sort of up to the individual who uses it, and the person towards whom it's directed.

However, tradition is such that the term is meant to be polite and sort of wacky.

There is no requirement to use the term. However, it appears in the Glossary so that people can look up the meaning if it is confusing them.
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:38 pm
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xomunkixo
Veteran

Joined: 13 Apr 2009
Posts: 140
Location: Los Angeles, CA

 		I vote we instate the new word 'riffle' for threads that seem to generate a lot of trout. (see: What's in the Box). Riffle by definition is the place in a river where a large number of trout spawn and come to feed.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:31 am
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natas
PHP Ninja


Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 3177
Location: Northwest Indiana
xomunkixo wrote:
I vote we instate the new word 'riffle' for threads that seem to generate a lot of trout. (see: What's in the Box). Riffle by definition is the place in a river where a large number of trout spawn and come to feed.


I don't think the glossary forum is for making up new terms, but rather explaining terms that are already in frequent use.

Otherwise Lunsford would have a whole dictionary here

PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:39 am
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xomunkixo
Veteran

Joined: 13 Apr 2009
Posts: 140
Location: Los Angeles, CA

 		Okay natas, you big party pooper.

I think the term trout has a different connotation depending on how you use it. For instance, if I saw natas use it, I'd probably imagine some noob getting smacked in the face with a giant fish. And actually, most of the time I haven't seen it used in a positive light. Some people that use the trout can seem downright harsh. Then again, it's usually because people have posted the same information 50 times in 2 days. I'd be irritated too.

People are generally pretty helpful and nice on here though. So don't fear the trout, nubs, just fear the Natas.

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2009 6:06 am
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