Since we wanted to encourage anyone to comment, we've had a pretty lax policy towards our 'comments' registration process. As of now anyone can post a comment anonymously. However, there have been some instances where this has been abused.
With that said, we've had some discussions, received some comments and emails from people who think there should be a more stringent policy towards commenting on Sloopin. Since the goal of the site is to encourage discussion, we thought we would open it up to the readers.
Should people be required to register if they want to comment on Sloopin?
Let us know what you think by voting on our poll on the right or commenting below. After the poll closes we will re-examine our policy based on the feedback.
I am ok with posting Anonymous or with real name, but not everyone
ReplyDeletehas a google account & I think it is better to get the truth from people and give them the option to voice their opinion anonymously.
While I don't agree with everything that anon posters print - I also don't agree with everything that named posters print either. Isn't that what makes this interesting?
ReplyDeleteYes, it's great to get the inside scoop on neighborhood buzz such as restaurant openings (or the lack thereof) and development news. However, I feel that this blog tends to look at the sloop through rosey goggles.
Some of the "issues" that arise via anonymous posters going a little rogue on some of the threads are interesting and need to be addressed. I feel that allowing people a forum to voice concerns - along with praise - for the neighborhood anonymously is a good thing. Everyone on this blog clearly cares about this neighborhood; I think that if you require registration of all users, you are alienating a segment of concerned citizens whose voices would otherwise go unheard.
"I think that if you require registration of all users, you are alienating a segment of concerned citizens whose voices would otherwise go unheard."
ReplyDeleteConcerned citizen and anonymous cheap shotting really don't go together. The choice is between allowing anonymous and moderating posts, or hearing from people who know their identity can easily be tracked through registration. I don't see how the latter choice cuts off discussion from concerned citizens.
Honestly, I don't think it matters either way.
ReplyDeleteOnline chatter is a funny thing. You'll always have a certain type of person (anon or otherwise) who's pretty free with words/etc. they'd never use if they were talking right to your actual face.
". . . hearing from people who know their identity can easily be tracked through registration . . ."
ReplyDeleteThus, these people would never post their true thoughts, if they post at all.
Hence, you would silence some concerned citizens. For better or worse, not many people want their identity tracked; this goes for people who post needless and baseless thoughts along with those who post constructive thoughts. Therefore, while you would eliminate some of the 'crazies,' you would also eliminate many of your sincere and loyal posters if you required registration.
Lastly, while I agree that some of the recent "rogue posts" are on the verge of going to far; I've never seen any post that I would deem an imminent threat to anyone's safety.