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Anonymous Coward Speaks
Sun Apr 08 2001

We just got this as comment to a previous entry, we feel we should respond.

That's complete bull.
Diaries...opinions...free speech, right?

If someone wants to leave a comment, they have every right to do so. It is the diarist's choice to delete the comment and ignore it.

This is possibly one of the most hypocritical things I have ever read.

Thanks for nothing, administrators.

This individual left no name or email address so we cannot contact them directly to respond to this.

I strongly recommend that this person, and anyone who thinks like this go and re-learn the difference between a 'Right' and a 'Privilege'.

The fact that a diarist allows readers to comment on their entries is not a right of the reader, it is a privilege that the diarist is extending to their readership.

The problem that many diarists suffer from is that some less than 'adult' users are posing as other respected users or friends of diarists and causing major problems. Then you've got people that just won't take a hint and get lost when a diarist is upset by them. The diarist has the right to a peaceful life, if you don't like it then just read another diary.

We have tried all kinds of means to encourage readers to be more respectful in their privilage of reading about peoples lives and they have all met with nil response. Therefore we must start bringing on board the technical means to enforce the diarists right to not allow a reader to continue leaving inflammatory comments.

As with anything we do, all changes made to this system are done in deep discussion with readers and authors alike. If anyone has a problem with enforcing readers to have a validated user account in order to leave comments on a diary then please contact our support address so that we can have a sensible discussion about it, we're not closed minded, you all should know that by now.

Still, receiving that comment gave me a smile, so thanks to whomever you are :) :)

Matt.

4 Comments
  • From:
    Xedri (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Apr 08 2001
    I don't like the idea of having to have a valid account to leave reader comments...What if you want to leave an anonymous comment, or use a name other than your username, or something to that effect? Or what if you're just an innocent surfer who happens to read someone's diary and they want to leave a (good, not mean) comment?

    I think a better idea would be to give each user the ability to block certain users and/or certain IP addresses from commenting in their diary. That way if someone leaves a nasty comment in a user's diary, that user can block that person from ever commenting again. Or perhaps that user might be given the ability to block a user and/or IP address from even being able to read their diary in the first place.

    Just some ideas guys - thanks for all your hard work!

    Xedri

  • From:
    Serenity (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Apr 08 2001
    *giggles*
    That's why you get paid the big bucks... to handle the problems...

    *giggles again*

    I am SO GLAD that you are there, taking care of things. We all appreciate it.

    have fun!!!!

    *grins*

  • From:
    Calgar (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Apr 09 2001
    Here's an idea: Require all users to have an Atomic Systems ID and log in to it before leaving a comment... but having a checkbox for "make this an anonymous message to the author" so if there is abuse, the author can just write you guys and you can deal with it?

    This situation can also make for another cool effect. You could have a checkmark for "make this comment anonymous to readers, but viewable to the diarist."

    Just a thought? Maybe too complicated. Take care.

    -Matt

  • From:
    Anonymous Coward Speaks Again (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Apr 13 2001
    It's me again.

    I still maintain that it if someone is going to have a diary here, it's up to them to deal with the comments given.

    "The fact that a diarist allows readers to comment on their entries is not a right of the reader, it is a privilege that the diarist is extending to their readership."

    Then perhaps they shouldn't extend the privilege, eh?