Comments on: Poll: Comments or no comments?

By: Superg

Superg — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:44:00 +0000

This is not the right answer at all. I don’t have nor want a facebook or twit account. Keep the comments, we’re all grown-ups, this isn’t China or Russia. Free speech.

By: Chris Hunter

Chris Hunter — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:01:00 +0000

We’ve just installed a new commenting system and it’s being tested right now. At the moment, anyone can comment, but we’ll probably move it to a login system that prevents anonymous comments. This should cut down the flame wars.

Another benefit is the ‘like’ button — if someone takes the time to make a particularly good comment, you can ‘like’ it. You can also ‘sort’ comments using the bar at the top of the section, for example to see the most popular comments.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:08:42 +0000

There’s a great article from the NY Times on commenting here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/opinion/30zhuo.html

Within the next few days, we’ll be implementing a stronger commenting and moderation system that should keep most people happy.

By: Ron Fairbrother

Ron Fairbrother — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:06:07 +0000

Dude,
Whatever you decide is fine by me. I’m happy that you take the time to produce this site and, although your choice of bike is not always to my liking, I would miss my regular visits here.
I guess as long as the comments were self regulating and the commentees refrained from getting personal or indeed rude, then there’s no real problem.
Just don’t stop doing what you do…..please.

Many thanks

By: joe momma

joe momma — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:22:35 +0000

…yah mon….keep the bikes coming…..i can handle these dorxs……..

By: Harry Farquhar

Harry Farquhar — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:49:50 +0000

Chris you are definitely doing a lot of things right. Having said that I can’t think of any thing I would criticize so just keep doing what you are doing.
You’re developing the paradigm for the future of online magazines. My only concern with comments is if moderating them takes time away from other more intersesting items and features for the site.

By: Jason Welsh

Jason Welsh — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:55:52 +0000

The comments section has truly become a pain in the ass in a lot of ways, mainly because so many people write things they’d never say to peoples’ faces (at least without a busted lip). I have spent many comments writing to overwhelm the bullshit that the negative bunch posts.

Here is a great list of ways to improve the comments section: http://powazek.com/posts/1063

The NY Times, I’m told, has a dedicated staff of a dozen, headed by a Community Manager, to manage their comments section. With management, comments really can be as interesting as the posts themselves, and some amazing readers contribute A TON to the dialogue. When it is encouraged to flourish, it does very well. Without a dedicated editor or two, it can become unbearable.

A management philosophy and dedicated staff is obviously required. That’s resources. I’d step up to help if I weren’t going overseas. This article suggests shutting it down for a time, then reopening it with a stronger moderation bent:

http://open.salon.com/blog/scott_rosenberg/2010/04/13/newspaper_comments_forget_anonymity_the_problem_is_management/comment

Hope that helps. Bikeexif is amazing, and I think the comments can step up to that level, as well. Thanks for asking–I’ve started to post something in this regard a couple of times.

Yours,
Jason Welsh