Comment Policy
December 17, 2006
A new reader took the time to leave some comments yesterday afternoon. Normally I’m thrilled when new comments show up. But these comments were anything but thrilling. In fact, most of them where rude, crude, and showed that the commenter hadn’t read the post to which he/she was commenting.
In response, I’ve decided to publish the comment policy that has always been in my head but had yet to make it into print. From now on comments that violate these guidelines will be deleted immediately:
- Keep comments relevant: That means you have to read the post in question. Don’t respond to the title. Don’t talk about something completely unrelated. Respond to the post.
- Don’t get personal: You’ll notice that I hardly ever use real names here. I do that on purpose. That being said, if your comment is a personal attack on me, another reader, or a person mentioned in a post it will be deleted. If you have something personal to say to me, say it privately.
- Keep comments clean: I generally try to avoid foul language on my blog. Occasionally it does slip out. Comments should be the same way. A general rule of thumb: if I use a word in the post, feel free to use it in your comment. Otherwise, comments should be PG-13 at the most.
If you have questions for me or want to say something that falls outside of these guidelines, you can always use the Submit page to send me a private message. Private messages can say whatever the want. I don’t care about those. But public posts, like comments, need to follow these guidelines.
If they dont: the first time… I delete your comments. The second time… I delete your comments and block your IP. If there’s a third time… I delete your comments, block your IP, and notify your service provider.
I talk about and ask about some pretty personal things here. I want Reader Meet Author to be the kind of place where people feel comfortable opening up and sharing a little. I also want Reader Meet Author to be the kind of place where people feel that they can express whatever is on their mind. Those expressions, however, need to be constructive.
Feel free to start a healthy debate… challenge something that’s been said… or disagree entirely with me or someone else. But do it appropriately, respectfully, and like an adult. I don’t like having to waste time moderating comments.
Posted in Blog Related
December 17th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Oh yeah! WELL #@!$% ON YOU! OK, just kidding. I hate bad commenters. I’ve had a few of them myself and instead of deleting their comments I put a troll cap on ‘em. Here’s an example.
December 17th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Umm… that’s awesome! Haha.
I had a hard time deciding whether to leave the nasty comments or not. On one hand I don’t want it to seem like I’m censoring things. But on the other I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable leaving comments for fear that some fool will come behind them and post garbage like that.
In the end I decided to leave the ones that were left yesterday but initiate this little policy for future ones. But that troll cap is even better! Me likes.
December 17th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Is it against your comment policy to not read the Comment Policy before posting a response? j/k.
I think it’s a good idea… It’s sad that you have to make one though… I’ve never actually went to a complete strangers blog and posted several nasty comments, but I guess there are other ways to cure boredom.
December 17th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
It’s true. Some people think ruining another person’s work is mad fun. Sad… but all too true.