Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Comment Policy?
I'm seriously toying with the idea of implementing some kind of comment policy that would require people to identify themselves in some manner (a name, a handle, initials,..something). What do people think? This is common practice with some blogs that have a very strict no anonymous comment policy.
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18 comments:
I always post anonymous because when I tried to register it required me to start my own blog. I don't want to start a new blog. I love this blog and like to participate here. Is there a way to register and identify myself here without running my own?
- Rick from L Street NE
It depends what your goal is. Do you want less comments on your blog? If so, then yes, you shouldn't allow anonymous comments. Sure, even if you set up a restriction, one could still comment without really identifying themselves, but the way it is now, many people leave quick anonymous comments without really thinking about the spirit of the content that they're posting. This can be bad and good. Good because personally, I'm able to get the true pulse of the blog reader community on certain issues, bad because some people tend to post comments that are hurtful to others.
I'm not disabling the anonymous comment function. I'm just talking about having people leave some identifier in the body of the post (something like "R.S., or "Rick from L Street NE," or "Big Red Dog." This doesn't require any extra time, & it doesn't require you to register any where. It does provide some consistency & help you to know which anonymous in a certain comment string is which. I never said you had to use your real name.
Rick: You don't need to be a blogger to have a user name. Select 'Other' under ' Choose an identity' when you are posting.
It does help to get a sense of someone's perspective when I see them weighing in time and again on certain issues. When the posts are all anonymous, it feels less like a discussion to me.
Personal attacks posted anonymously are just cowardly. It's been a bit of a drag to see a few slipped in recently.
Ken from G. St
Since this is a community blog, I would appreciate some sort of moniker for posters. In addition to discouraging anonymous personal attacks, the discussion takes on context. For example, it's important to know, in my opinion, whether a comment is from a neighbor or someone who live in Iowa that feels like weighing in. That's fine, it's just helpful to know.
Kristie from Florida Ave
Well you know my bias. My regular readers know that I don't like anonymous comments and will delete them without mercy. Okay maybe not without mercy. I just ask that people at least initial their comments because when there is a near discussion over one post if there is more than one anonymous poster then you don't know who to attribute what to what idea. It gets confusing. Also it cuts down a bit on the nastiness. But I also delete stuff that goes overboard.
So go with a comment policy. Make it short though.
--Mari
Semi-merciless webmistress of InShaw, and Enemy of Tomato eatin' squirrels
I'd favor an end to anonymous comments. I think it would bring a welcome elevation of the tone here. I agree with Ken and Kristie that it could also encourage better participation as people get to know each other a bit.
Nathan B from G St.
I definitely dislike the anon posts, especially in some of the longer threads (Cluck-U, H st bar prices) because addressing the anonymous posts of multiple people can be difficult. And like others said, it fosters more sense of community when we all know who we're talking to.
Thanks Kenny G. I'll no longer stay anonymous (unless I have something particularly nasty to say -- just kidding).
Go for it. I think you should turn off the anonymous choice...people can click other and put whatever they want. It will raise the bar a little higher and maybe people will think a bit more.
I think it sounds like a good idea, to foster more of a community atmosphere!
Although it might make us wish that the comment section had a spellcheck ;)
Caroline from 12th Street
i guess it'a unanimous. adios anonymity.
I like the anonymity. It gives me the opportunity to speak my mind without worrying that somebody's going to be able to come after me for it. However, I also self-police. For example, when somebody anonymously lied about a neighbor's career, I immidiately and anonymously chastised the poster on your comment board.
You will definitely have a decrease in the number of posts if you eliminate anonymity.
Let me be clear, there is no talk of eliminating anonymity here. If you call yourself "Big Blue Bottle" you are still anonymous, no? I'm definitely not saying that everyone has to sign posts "Elise on Florida," or even "Elise." There is no registration required. You don't have to do anything differently. You just have to type an extra few letter (or hell, one letter if you like) at the end of a regular post. I also don't care if you post as "Octopus" one day & "Skydiver" the next. Just keep it consistent within a particular string. So, despite what was said in a previous comment on this thread, no one will know if you are in DC, or in Iowa (unless you choose to tell us, or it is obvious from your comment).
it would certainly help to keep discussions clear.
Thanks for the clarification. In that case, I support the change.
-The same person who posted as anonymous at 7:58 PM.
leave me out of this!!!
hasta luego to anon posting. an id helps to know who's saying what.
go for it.
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