SFist: A Glimpse into the Future of SFist Commenting

brad

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:02:18 -0800

But more importantly, I loved your use of an image of Mark Twain on the Enterprise-D from ST:TNG. Obscure yet appropriate graphic for boldly seeing the future. I respect you even more now.

(NotSFist)Jeremy

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:00:38 -0800

Fair enough. I'm still not sure I get what the benefit is from making all anonymous comments anonymous, but I guess I'll take your word on it. As for the need to regulate comments, I agree that the occasional trolls are annoying, but it seems like the current self-regulating style works out with trolls mostly being ignored and incorrect information eventually being corrected.

MattyMatt

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:00:32 -0800

Well, then, you can ban me from your blog.

anonymous

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:32:11 -0800

I personally regard comments from MattyMatt as having a lower value.

MattyMatt

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:17:38 -0800

Spam on SFist is a RIDICULOUSLY HUGE problem. I'm glad to hear that you don't see any, because we've spent hours preventing it from showing up. Hiding anonymous comments will discourage commenting, yes. I personally regard anonymous comments as having a lower value, since they lack the context of a comment from a known entity. Comments from regular, familiar readers tend to have heightened insight and appeal. That's why I'm glad that Gothamist is arranging for this change. So while some folks may not feel as eager to comment anymore, well, that's fine. I hope they'll reconsider; but if they're not willing to go through the laborious process of getting a profile, that's OK with me too. Just today, a commenter on another post lamented the lack of identify behind anonymous comments, and requested that we "regulate" a bit more. This change will accomplish both of those things.

(NotSFist)Jeremy

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:58:52 -0800

I agree with "I don't want to register." I think this change will seriously reduce the number of comments on the site. Most people don't want to register to post a comment. It seems like not letting people specify a name when commenting is going to lead to confusing discussions between a whole bunch of anonymouses. And the hiding anonymous comments features seems like a solution in search of a problem. Has comment spam really been that big of a problem on SFist? I'm a regular reader and I think I've only seen one or two spam comments ever.

anon

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:35:23 -0800

It's about time...thanks for making this change.

Greg

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:28:14 -0800

is this some sort of system gothamist programmed themselves or is this like what Movable Type 4.0 is promising to help regulate comments? I know I have a problem every few months when suddenly I get a wave of fake comments with links to pills, lotteries, and the like and it is a real hassle to filter out.

I don't want to register.

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:25:52 -0800

We ought to still be able to choose our own names because that doesn't affect spam. The "hide anonymous comments" thing could still work with that. Maybe I'll register "anonymous."

Boo hoo !!!

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:23:54 -0800

But I want lots of fake names!! Now I will need to set up lots of accounts, like on slashdot.