Let's Talk About Commenting
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular…
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular readers who feel uncomfortable, even intimidated, with the prospect of commenting. This isn’t surprising given the verbal beat-down one new commenter received from a gang of regulars a couple of weeks ago. Nor is the level of discussion going on in today’s Open Thread really where we’d like it to be. Short of active comment moderation, which really isn’t a practical option, what do you think we can/should do to elevate the quality of discussion and make newcomers feel more welcome? We’d be particularly interested to hear from some folks who usually hang back on the sidelines. It’s in the best interests of the blog and everyone who reads it to have as many people contributing their knowledge and opinions as possible.
Thanks,
Mr. B
If *rob* was to suffer a sudden blunt force head trauma, there is a good chance he might forget his user name and password> What do you guys think?
THAT SAID, OUR GAY CAT POOPED IN MY RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURES AGAIN.
To Dave and friends-
I have nothing personal against any of you. I just don’t understand why I have to see one of your names as the first commenter to the majority of posts. I almost immediately skip it once I see one of your names involved. I have stopped reading most of the comments for this reason.
Maybe once in awhile you should keep some things to yourself. You have abused the open nature of this website and the principal has had to step in. He even created a separate section for your mindless dribble and it really didn’t fix anything.
Look at all the people who have come out of the woodwork today. Take a hint.
rating is stupid. plain and simple. it’s lame on every single site (except maybe youtube where it’s justifiable cuz youre rating someones creative video or whatever) sorry but rating a poster is just going to turn into one giant popularity contest and a bunch of senseless dog piling. if we’re going to all rate each other why not take a step further and have weekly superlatives for all kinds of categories. it’s a ridiculous concept that would have absolutely no bearing on this kind of internet community.
what is your rationale behind wanting a rating system anyway? oh wow okay great so now i dont have to read anyones posts who are under a score.. jeez sheep mentality much? on that note i think im totally done with this topic today. it’s a gorgeous day outside and im stuck inside at work so that’s why i post here on my downtime!!!
a lot of you complaining are just coming across as snobs plain and simple. if you dont want to join in on the conversation then don’t! if you do, fine! but don’t think youre some kind of martyr and claim you cant join on converserations because of what other people are saying.
it’s weird people keep saying oh it’s the same 8 or 9 usual suspects constantly chatting and shooting the breeze and no one else is included. odd considering that last thursday it was about 40 people doing just that. in person no less!
*rob*
As someone who contributes nothing but nonsense, I’d like to say I agree with posters #1 to #200 above.
Yes, etson. If there were a rating sytem, the only person anyone would ever read would be Montrose Morris.
> “SnarkSlope is Mr. B.”
An intriguing notion.
nothsloperenter…as much as you find this hard to believe, I definitely don’t have the time, patience or manual dexterity to login and out and be both myself and the What.
I am however, Bold Type Guest but rarely use that except when called. Bold Type Guest is actually the anthropomorhism of my 1905 brownstone. If I get way out of hand he changes the locks on me at night and I can’t get in.
The What… I could not make that stuff up.
Julie, this is exactly what I was talking about earlier.
Thanks for the wired article btw…
“What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog”
What a silly question – hire a re-write man! I’m available, and reasonable. Let me know.