Comments on: Pointless Reactivism

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:01:58 +0000

That seems like a pretty reasonable basis for deciding on. For me, the big challenge is sometimes deciding whether a comment is spam or not; my general feeling is that non-contributing comments are always spam. If it just says “Yeah, I agree,” then it’s spam. Period.

Granted, I’ll be a bit more lenient with people who have been leaving comments for a long time - but anybody who wanders by and leaves an empty one liner gets canned, for the most part.

By: chris

chris — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:51:47 +0000

I’m really lenient on comments on my blogs. I will delete spam of course but I take a good beating on some of my political blogs!!! People get a little worked up when discussing politics so I guess that’s par for the course. I never delete a comment just because someone disagrees but I will delete a comment if it personally attacks someone whether it be me or another reader.

By: David Zemens

David Zemens — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:14:59 +0000

The only code-of-conduct I’ll ever subscribe to and abide by is one of my own making. It’s my blog, I pour the energy into it, manage it, pay for its hosting, and I do take responsibility for its content.

I agree with you totally, Mike. What a great voice of reason and responsbility. He who pays the piper does get to call the tune, afterall.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:52:37 +0000

Yep. It’s all about manners and appropriateness, to me. I want relevance and contribution - I don’t care whether somebody agress or disagrees, but I DO care how they say it. I’ll tell you that there are definitely comments on this site which push the boundaries.

By: Mike Cherim

Mike Cherim — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:40:20 +0000

If someone posts a comment in my blog and chooses to use a nickname instead of their real name that’s the web and it’s fine by me. I leave that entirely to them.

If they choose to disagree with my article’s ideas, that, too, is fine by me. Each to their own, though I will interject further meaning or a counterpoint if it seems fitting or necessary. I enjoy partaking in the commenting process (just like you do, Joe) — - it a cool thing to do and commenters know their comments are being read.

If they are completely rude, very insulting, purposely off-topic, spammish, or made in poor taste, though, it’s bye-bye to them (no inner arguments for me). The only code-of-conduct I’ll ever subscribe to and abide by is one of my own making. It’s my blog, I pour the energy into it, manage it, pay for its hosting, and I do take responsibility for its content. For me, I really don’t feel I need any outside authority dictating what I allow or disallow. Hell, if the government involves itself next thing you know I’ll be sued on a free speech charge by some shady medication seller. Moreover, I do trust myself to be fair and to allow commenters their two-cents and more if that’s what they’re compelled to offer.

Same applies to any user-generated content situation. If content providers cannot do so with prudence and good behavior, they’re history.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:50:20 +0000

I think you were fine…my reading skills? Less fine.

It shouldn’t really be necessary to use or <strong> all the time, after all.

By: Gill Lucraft

Gill Lucraft — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:35:02 +0000

Perhaps I should have said “This doesn’t ONLY apply to blogs”, or learn to use emphasis and strong in the appropriate places.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:18:06 +0000

The first two times I read that first sentence, I saw “this just doesn’t apply to blogs”…which rather completely changed the meaning of the comment! Fortunately, once I read the sentence correctly it all fell back into place.

Thanks for your comments, Gill - that’s pretty much where I stand.

By: Gill Lucraft

Gill Lucraft — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:01:15 +0000

This doesn’t just apply to blogs. I see far worse on boards and I’ve had to zap a few questionable posts in guest books as well. The internet is full of trolls who take the opportunity to bully, offend and slander whilst hiding behind supposed anonymity. No code of conduct will stop them. Whilst they are ultimately responsible for their comments, I feel I am responsible for what I allow on my sites. Whether the comment concerned is agreeing with me or not, any questionable content will be removed. As to whether I want to display little badges; whole different issue.

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:57:50 +0000

I see what you mean. I don’t one hundred percent agree: I feel that I should take ultimate responsibility for everything on my site, but that doesn’t mean that those who post are completely without responsibility. When possible, the author should be share in the consequences. As I state in the post, though any comment is “easily faked.” I wouldn’t press the point.