new guidelines for posting comments
As some of you already know, we recently had a rash of rude, obnoxious and just plain uncool comments here on retroblog. And like most bloggers, I like getting comments for the most part but when some oddball starts posting nonsense or starts harrassing others, it just gets on my damn nerves. Why should I empower these idiots by providing a platform that allows them to post whatever crude remark comes into their pea brain with absolutely no accountability for their actions? I guess in the Wild Wild Web it was inevitable and so I had to start placing all comments under moderation. I really didn’t want to do it but after what has been happening the last few weeks, it seems like the best thing to do. What this means is that your comments will have to be approved before they appear on the site.
And just to make things crystal clear, I thought I’d post some guidelines on what I consider an appropriate comment on a blog.
1) First of all, the comment needs to be on-topic. In other words, you should be posting something about the subject at hand and not about what you ate last night at Wendy’s (well, unless THAT was what the blog was about. heh). If you want to post something off-topic or want to address another user, please use the forums to do so and not on the blog.
2) Your comment should be coherent and should add some value to the blog. If it’s something like “You rock dude!” or “you’re full of crap!” don’t count on your post showing up here.
3) Be respectful to the blogger and the other commenters on the site. I’m open to other points of view. We don’t HAVE to agree on every subject. We’re all human so we’ll never see eye to eye on every issue. But if you are going to disagree on something, please put some thought behind your statements and add information to back up what you’re saying. If you’re going to criticize, please be constructive about it and not throw a hissy fit. We’re all adults here so let’s act like it.
4) Don’t be crude. No foul language and no harassing other individuals here.
Now don’t let this discourage you from commenting here. I’m all for comments and feedback. But I feel that this process needs to be put in place to keep the site healthy and in good running order. Thanks for your understanding.
—
**Update: 16Apr09 – After receiving feedback from all my regular commenters here, it appears that I may have overreacted in this situation. So, for now, I’ve opened comments back up for those that have “previously approved” comments. New commenters/visitors will still be moderated. Also, I’m going to be more proactive to placing those that don’t abide by these guidelines back into the “moderated” category.
—
Related posts:
I don’t like the comment moderation, but if it is necessary…then you have to. I just hope it doesn’t slow the blog down, because I have seen that happen before. I like this blog and would hate for it to go south. The trolls really don’t bother me at all, because I can ignore them if I have to. We will just have to wait and see what happens.
I dont like the moderation either, but since I was a part of why it’s been put in place, I dont have alot of “right to gripe” power. I personally feel that it takes away the feeling of having a conversation & will be more a “make a comment, sit & wait” thing. Ive said it before though, your site, your rules & I’ll 100% respect that. Hopefully one day you’ll see fit to remove the moderation.The “stay on topic” will be my undoing I think since Im the Queen of off the wall tangents. You’re the Grand Poobah, so I’ll follow your rules.
10doll…the “stay on topic” rule will be difficult for me too. That’s what I loved about that blog in particular, before…we could just go all over the place. I know we can now in the Gold Circle, but I am noticing it is hard to keep track of everyone/thing in those.
Oh well! You are NOT the Queen of Tangents…we all are!!
yeah, I know you guys never liked the forums. I can see that some feel it’s too difficult to use.
I feel your pain!!
When I get some time, I’m planning on looking into other options that may be easier to use for you guys. Just hang in there during the meantime.
.. or just maybe you all will get USED TO the forums by then….
Staying on topic has never been one of my strengths either. But I will make every effort to comply…..
Dan, we will hang in.
I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say we just appreciate all that you do for us.
I bet having all of us ladies (bad grammar here, but I’m sure you get me) here dicussing everything from breasts to barf pails was the last thing you expected when you created this site!
You do what you need to do, and can do, and we will deal just fine.
10doll, you are hilarious “Queen of off the wall tangents”.
You are also so insightful and right on in your posts and such a sweetheart of a friend and you have never asked for more than the same in return. I’m sorry all that crap happened to you by bk, it was cruel of her but I know you have put it behind ya. Keep on blogging chica, we all love ya! Anyway, since I’m not one for sappiness and I should have said this before now, I’ll put my sun glasses on and move along but I just wanted to tell you that. Have a lovely day!
I’m off to watch my movie I didn’t get time to watch yesterday. Love Hugh Jackman, what a hottie!
Jen, well said about 10doll.
Let us know how the movie was!
[NOTE from RetroDan with his arms crossed and his foot tapping...] – hey guys! you’re going off-topic again!!
I agree with Seachelle, Daniel. We all understand your reasons & will comply with your rules. In the grand scheme of things it’s possible that I may have burned some bridges along the way & more than likely have a bounty on my head so it’s better for my well being to stay put for a while anyway. As for you Jen.S will you quit rubbing my nose in the fact that you’re fixing to watch Hugh Jackman? LOL That man could get on a stage reading the backs of cereal boxes or the tags on pillows & Id pay to see it. He’s 50% yummy & 50% finger lickin’ good. Love me some Hugh Jackman
[NOTE from RetroDan with his arms crossed and his foot tapping...] – hey guys! you’re going off-topic again!! Note from 10doll…Off topic? Yes., but Ive not called anyone a bitch in hours. Baby steps people. Just baby steps.
Ooops, apologies, Dan! My learning curve is a bit wide…so sorry!
I love these new guidelines for posting, they are as yummy and finger liking good as Hugh Jackman…
We are indeed working on crudeness control as 10doll has previously stated she has not used the B-word for hours…I see this as a decidedly positive step in attaining the quality of postings as is outlined in our new guidelines.
I’d like to make a coherent comment here as is perscribed in our NEW guidelines that if we become creative enough and creativity done well is also a very respectful thing which is also in the strict confines of our new guidelines.
We could probably, in no time flat, drive poor Daniel from foot tapping to insanity. LOL
See Dan I stayed smack on topic and still had fun!!
I realize this is sort of off topic, but i am going to miss all of you when you go to the closed forum. i have never blogged before but i have really enjoyed reading all of your opinions most of which i agree with. so thank you retro queens for brightening up my days. hope to get to read some more news of you soon.
I’m trying to stay on topic but, but, buttttttttttttt…My hubby says this and in no way means any offense to us women but he says asking a woman to stay on one topic just won’t work. We multi-task and while one part of our brain is thinking on one thing another part is working on something else and on and on it goes
as compared to the opposite sex whose minds are geared to one track thinking, no offense meant, just fact.
but I’ll get it eventually, I promise or you can borrow Kate’s big red spoon and whack me once or twice with it. I can see the gears of 10dolls mind going on that one 
JK.
So sorry Daniel for you maybe asking the impossible from us ladies but I will and am giving it my best shot and although I can’t speak for any of the other ladies, I’m sure they would agree.
I will try my best to stay on topic from now onward if I only knew exactly what the topic was
Nina said: I’d like to make a coherent comment here as is perscribed in our NEW guidelines that if we become creative enough and creativity done well is also a very respectful thing which is also in the strict confines of our new guidelines.
We could probably, in no time flat, drive poor Daniel from foot tapping to insanity. LOL
Nina, I concur…LOL!
Seashelle, the movie is about three hours long so didn’t get to watch it all yet but what I’ve seen so far is good, is a slower paced movie and probably not to everyone’s liking and it’s not Hugh’s usual movie role of action but he is just as hot as ever in it especially in the one scene where he is soaping up….whoaaaaaaa baby! Sorry 10doll, I had to throw that part in just for you
You’ll have to rent the movie now!
I am going to finish watching it today, got about an hour of watching to go. I can’t wait to see his new movie “Wolverine”.
Does anyone ever go to dlisted’s site? Kate’s picture was on there, from her book signing in Glendale, CA, I believe. If the fans think WE’RE evil, they should go there and read some of THOSE comments! Yikes! Makes us look like Catholic school girls!
Is the “Going Green” episode on Sunday or Monday? Although I’ve given up “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ for Lent (ok, forever), I’d like to count the number of product placements and shameless business plugs in that show. They should be hitting an all-time record!
I really need to get working on this High Order Multiples thing…my husband said he wouldn’t mind having solar panels (paid for by TLC)!
(This entire post followed the new guidelines, didn’t it? I didn’t mention a rolling donut, didn’t unleash my inner Ramsay, and didn’t give anyone a cute nickname. Check, check, check. I think I’m safe.)
Nina, 10Doll and JenS. – you all just crack me up! :silly:
maryfaye on 15 Apr 2009 at 10:55 pm #
I realize this is sort of off topic, but i am going to miss all of you when you go to the closed forum. i have never blogged before but i have really enjoyed reading all of your opinions most of which i agree with. so thank you retro queens for brightening up my days. hope to get to read some more news of you soon.
________________________________________________________
What a sweet thing to say. You need to join in to, and tell us how you feel. We would love to have you here…If Daniel ever gets the comment moderation off, we will probably pick back up where we left off. I am hoping it happens soon.
Lisa, did you not get the memo? :mail:
THE COMMENTS ARE OPEN!!!! I am so glad Daniel….I was afraid everyone would leave, and I would have hated that. OK so we can get back down to business. If someone comes by, that we do not care to talk with, just ignore them.
Daniel…I didn’t get the memo! What was it?