What Should My Comment Policy Say?
post # 176 — August 29, 2006 — a General post
I greatly appreciate the contributions of the many readers who take the time to comment on this blog.
It has been suggested that I should offer some general comment guidelines in order to set expectations for new readers and to assure a consistently positive experience for ongoing readers of this site.
However, I don’t want to do this alone. You’re part of this, too. So, I’ve drafted some comment guidelines here, and I’d like your reactions. What should I add, delete, modify?
When we’re done, I’ll post the finished guidelines on the blog.
Humor is always welcome on the blog, but please take this topic seriously.
COMMENT GUIDELINES
Please recognize that the comments on the blog are part of a conversation between real people. We interact here with professionalism and courtesy.
Also please recognize that this is a conversation between and among all of us, not just between you and me. Try to address your comments to the broader community.
For the sake of your own privacy and that of others, please do not post phone numbers or email addresses in the body of your comment – you cannot assume the good intentions of everyone who reads them.
Please do not post raw URLs — which may be long and skew the page or the comment sidebar — but make the URL an actual HTML link. (Just highlight the term you want to hotlink and then click on the “link” icon in the comment editor to add the URL.)
My blog is not the place to promote your services or products to readers.
I will edit/delete spam comments and trackbacks, duplicate comments, unsupported accusations, personal attacks of any kind, terms offensive to groups when used in a pejorative manner, or comments that explicitly promote a product or service.
In addition, I reserve the right to edit/delete comments that are some combination of vulgar, vile, cruel, without redeeming qualities, and an embarrassment to the site.
If you have left a valid email address, I will let you know by email if I editor or delete your comment. If you prefer to keep your email address private, and I support your right to do so, then I will edit your comment without notice.
As an absolute last resort, I will ban repeat or particularly egregious offenders.
In short: please behave here as you would in any other public space surrounded by your family or professional peers, and all should be well.
Thank you for your understanding and support in making the discussions on this blog a productive and enjoyable experience for our entire community.
*****
So, what do you think? What Should I add, delet, modify?
Duncan Bucknell said:
I think this are really good guidelines. This is a great idea.
Thanks David
posted on August 29, 2006