[MR] Changing the term troll

[Dave Montuori]

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003, Ann Lipscomb wrote:
> How about the term concierge.  This word seems very appropriate and
> elegant for what the troll does.

It is inaccurate. Please do not use it. From the definition you gave:

> concierge:  noun,  old french, from latin conservus.  1.  A person who
> lives in a building, attends the entrance, and serves as a custodian.
> 2.  A staff member of a hotel, who takes reservations, accommodates
> guests, and handles luggage, mail, and distributes information.

The closest modern equivalent to "the troll booth" is the registration 
desk for a conference. Not for the hotel it's in, but for the conference 
itself. Those who work this desk are neither custodians, nor do they 
handle luggage or mail.

To use this term would lead some people to expect this type of service 
(primarily the carrying of stuff), which the typical "troll staff" has 
neither the manpower, nor the time and training, to provide.

Gatekeeper, or doorward, would come much closer to the actual functional 
job description.

Evan