Given that the number of comments on this blog has increased recently, I think it's time to explicitly state my commenting policy.

1. Who has the right to post comments on this blog?

Other than me, no one has the right to post comments here. However, everyone is allowed to post comments up until the point that I ask them to stop. I do welcome comments though as they make the blog much more interesting. Spammers never have permission to post here, and any spam will deleted as soon as I notice it.

2. What rules must be followed when commenting?

Basically it's just common sense. You are most welcome (and even encouraged) to viciously attack any ideas put forward by me or others on this blog - I welcome a vigorous exchange of ideas. However, direct personal attacks will not be tolerated. Neither will any comments that are defamatory or that break court suppression orders, or otherwise illegal.

3. Do you ever modify or delete comments?

I will always delete any spam. I will delete comments that are in breach of the vague rules in (2) above, or that are completely off-topic. Commenting threads will naturally drift, but if you post something completely irrelevant to the original post and the current thread, I may delete it. If a comment just crosses the line of what is acceptable, but otherwise should remain, then I will edit it, but I will clearly note what changes I have made.

4. Do you respond to all comments?

No. I try to read them all and where appropriate reply to them. But depending on my available time, interest in the comment, and miscellaneous other factors, I may or may not respond to it. So if I don't respond it doesn't necessary mean I agree with you, can't think of an argument against it, or anything like that. However, I consider commenting a great way to interact with those brave enough to read my ramblings, so I try and respond to as many comments as possible.

Posted by Dave Bryant at 2:15 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)