Dealing with Trouble Makers

First its fair to say that each forum will have its own limits and levels of tolerance's.
So what may be right for one site may be over the top for another site.

As a guide to a moderate pain in the ass.

1. private message them and warn about a possible ban.
2. ban them if step one fails.

Honestly there really not worth the hassle.

Or if you feel that a Ban is a step too far then thats fine if it works for you. Only you will know the levels at what to act.

Most of all, don't let these idiots get to you.

Another step is to set out some board rules in a sticky, locked topic and place a link to it in your sidebar (and/or registration area). If anyone crosses the line you can refer them to the rules thread.

You have to remember that in a way "it's not the real world" so as you say "don't let these idiots get to you."

I'd like to know how other people handle trouble-makers. I know they come in all shapes and sizes, but I've always wondered how other admins deal with them.

How ever you choose to deal with them,
make it one on one....

Not one onto the whole community, works for me.

That's if you have time that is

I ban them, case closed

I've found that those who want to cause trouble, play nicey-nice first, and get the community to like them. Often the things they do to cause trouble are unseen by the rest of the community - like making two IDs, and using them to create a flame war. So when I suddenly ban them, the rest of the community thinks I'm a jerk. How do you deal with that sort of thing?

I have one right now. He just joined a week ago, and I know already he's going to be trouble - I get a gut feeling about them now.

I've thrown out some very popular people due to not being able to follow, quite simple, rules... It is your responsibility as the site owner to keep the community safe, even if you have to ban those who should know better...

you could send them a private message with a picture of
you're brothers..

Experience - does make you ban them quicker than normal.
Because you know there not worth the time and effort.

1 hr explaining why?
or
1 hr of input to your community.

That's what it boils down to for me.

I could play Gramar Nazi, but I'm too tired :x