???? you are doing study of online communities and this is the *only* place you've encountered the term 'troll'?

Please! You have to be kidding - or trolling yourself! I think I learned about "trolls" withing about 30 seconds of getting on the internet. (humerous exageration)

And the mudcat - for all that people gripe - is for it's activity one of the lesser troll gathering spots I've encountered - and certainly there are less flames here then in many forums I read.

'troll' in internet terms is someone who deliberatley baits others or posts inflammatory remarks. 'to troll/trolling' is to try to get others to respond to such remarks.

and 'flaming' is unjustified/gratuitious critiscism and/or derogatory comments regarding a poster.