I block spam. I do at times edit comments. I delete some comments. (The vast majority of deleted comments, by the way, were written by me.)
I don’t usually moderate comments, except when certain someones are being a little too feisty and I’m going to be away from my computer for a long period of time. With a good spam filter, I see little to no reason to delay comments from going through. We’re going on four years, and this hasn’t been a problem yet.
However, listening to advice here and there, I decided to establish a comment policy, partly to make things a little less arbitrary. (Be it known, however, that I do consider myself to be the arbiter here. I’ll try to be reasonable, but in the end, I will make the decisions regarding what goes on in The Kitchen)
So what should I put in said comment policy? The standard stuff about profanity, spam, etc. seems unnecessary, but I may put it in. My number one rule is that you will not be abusive to other commenters. I want this to be a safe place to express ideas. I’m not always good at that, but I try.
What other guidelines should be in place?
My wife and kids would advise that I should not be admitted to ANY kitchen, especially one of half-baked thoughts, but I’ll add an ingredient for your consideration.
I have a blog policy. I don’t publish it. So I can adjust it (arbitrarily!) as I see fit, and don’t have to apologize to whiny, ornery people for any inconsistency they might perceive.
It is, after all, my blog and not a newspaper to which folks pay a subscription fee; it’s a journal of my thoughts and opinions with an occasional fact thrown in for good measure.
Usually, I deal with ornery people best by remembering that they are still folks whom Christ loves and died for.
Besides spam, I have only ever had to delete one comment which was written by someone professing to be a Christian but was making very inflamatory statements.
I suppose one policy would be to ask those making comments to at least stay within the ballpark regarding the subject of the original blog post.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Never given much thought to a comment policy. I’ve deleted a couple over the four or five years I’ve been doing this so I’ve never seen the need for it. There are some commenters, though, that I’d love to put in place from time to time! But that’s more my heart than theirs, I’m sure.
I would just say that it is my blog and I will be fair but reserve the right to remove any content I find objectionable. Typically I will remove a comment before I would edit someone else’ comments. But that’s just me.
Bryant
Are you trying to keep me from answering again? 8-) Seriously, It is your blog, keep it that way.
I always mark a comment when it has been edited. I have edited comments for the following reasons:
(1) Something disparaging was said about another person. I left the comment, but took out the disparaging remark.
(2) A link to an external website is included when it is not directly relevant. I don’t mean a signature. I mean saying, “Yeah, I hate it when people don’t reason well. Like this blog post I wrote where the commenters didn’t reason well.” If that is only part of a comment, I will remove the offending paragraph and leave the rest.
(3) I will sometimes correct typos.
Grace and peace,
Tim
I quit allowing comments on my blog. Too many goofballs.
Paula, I resemble that remark!
You should have one policy: What you say goes. This is your blog, and if you want to be arbitrary than so be it. Don’t like the number of vowels in a last name: delete! Can’t stand the gravatar: gone! Don’t like the tone: edit! Don’t like people who write in lists and use semicolons and exclamation points: zap!
I meant to say, “present company excluded” ;)
Actually, Brad, those are colons.
Or were you just trying to escape my wrath?
Tim, I am not one to tell you how to run your site,But when you decide to arbitrarily edit in stead of delete, the comment is more yours than theirs.
(Tim wrote , I don’t usually moderate comments with a good spam filter, I see little to no reason. ) edited
Did Tim write these words? sure did. Was this Tim’s meaning? was not.
You see how editing can alter the meaning completely. I suggest no editing!! delete when you must.
Laymond,
I’ve never edited to change meaning. But since you’re the only one so far who ever needs editing, I’ll take your comment as permission to delete when necessary.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
absolutely Tim absolutely . like I said it is your blog.
Tim, I leave comments on YOUR blog for YOU to read. once you have read them the purpose of leaving them has been served. I am not trying to embarrass you, what good would that serve? I am not trying to correct you, you are a grown up. I am only trying to contribute something for YOU to think about, another opinion.