I tend to be fairly lenient when it comes to comments. Probably too lenient at points, especially when people bring stuff from other blogs over here. However, I do have some limits. I posted earlier in the year about this subject. Here is what I said was not permitted:
- Obscenity or excess profanity. The latter is sometimes appropriate, but most of the time is unnecessary. Keep it clean, or keep it elsewhere.
- Link dumping to your own blog. If you have your own blog, that is great. Feel free to link it on occasion, or when you have a post worth reading. But linking to your homepage every comment is irksome and will get you banned.
- A lack of civility. One can challenge the ideas of another while still keeping it civil. If anything, this is easier with the internet, because you donât have the other person right in front of you getting in your face. Take the time to be respectful, even if you think the other person doesnât deserve it.
- Sock Puppets. Just donât do it. Use one ID, and keep at it. If you need to switch, e-mail me to let me know. You can find my e-mail in the About page.
- Linking to harmful or obscene websites. Nothing more need be said.
- Lying about what I or other commenters have said. Feel free to critique myself or the other readers all you want. Just donât misrepresent what folks are actually saying. This is a pet peeve of mine, and will get you banned.
- Extreme or excessive off-topic comments. Posts are meant to discuss specific topics, and just those topics. If you want to talk about something else, use another blog (such as your own), or petition for a post on that/those subject(s).
I am going to add or modify this a bit, with a new addition:
8. No troll names. It doesn’t have to be creative, but using your name to troll me, or my readers, and you will be banned. Use John or Jane Doe if you want.
I mention this because I got several comments recently from someone who hadn’t shown up before. And the name used was basically a troll name- “Provide logical supporting evidence for your conclusions, please.” If that commenter wants to try again with a different name, he or she is free to do so. But please folks, nothing like that.