I understand the complaints about the new format. That's why I gave readers so many (and I mean so many) opportunities. I truly did not want it to come to this.
Despite all the opportunities, a landslide of immature, often unfounded and frequently slanderous posts continued.
So, when I have an off day or two, like I did over the weekend, I would return to work and literally spent 2-3, sometimes more, hours sifting through the countless posts in an attempt to remove the ridiculous ones. Because of the setup, I often missed a few.
Remember readers, you aren't the ones likely to hear from an attorney.
Not only did I tire of wasting countless hours reading the same slanderous posts over and over, I tired of spending time I could be spending with my family or providing our newspaper with stories about local student-athletes in doing so.
I have a full-time job. This blog is part of it. Monitoring it became another full-time job. Sorry, that's not going to fly because a few jerks want to be consistent and persistent idiots.
Maybe we'll return to the old way someday. That won't come until the person who runs this blog can trust its readers.
And remember, you can still offer opinion and critique. Those posts will be published. You can not wage personal attacks on others or call out high school kids.
Those have always been the rules.
Start following them.
16 comments:
I agree with you Mike whole-heartedly. As adults we must lead by example, what are we teaching our children?! If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at ALL!!
Not only did I tire of wasting countless hours reading the same slanderous posts over and over, I tired of spending time I could be spending with my family or providing our newspaper with stories about local student-athletes in doing so.
I have a full-time job. This blog is part of it. Monitoring it became another full-time job. Sorry, that's not going to fly because a few jerks want to be consistent and persistent idiots.
Mike, I agree it is more important to spend time with your family and on your "real job", but don't you still have to spend time reading & monitoring the posts to make sure the right ones get posted. I don't mean to be a wise guy but where is the time savings???
I understand why you went this way but your new reasoning doesn't make sense. You would have been better off just sticking with the original reason because the time saving thing I just can't see if you are still monitoring the posts.
Start following them.
YES SIR.
The new format places all posts together in one, easy-to-read place. Much quicker.
"You would have been better off just sticking with the original reason because the time saving thing I just can't see if you are still monitoring the posts."
Plus, the old way could leave a slanderous post up for hours, sometimes a day if I was unable to attend to the site.
That won't happen now.
And it's nobody's fault but the anonymous posters.
Makes sense to me.
Mike I've definitely noticed a decrease in the anger of the most recent posts. I think there is nothing wrong with Monday morning quarterbacking as long as it is done civily. I also think it's OK to mention a coach by name as long as name calling and slander do not take place.
Its about time. I am shocked if you havent been threatend with a civil lawsuit in the past. You are ultimately responsible. Up until this point, I have never seen a blog that allowed the vicious attacks on coaches, parents, and worse of all kids that was permitted here. Congrats for finally stepping up.
It was never permitted.
There were times some posts managed to stay up for a while because I can't constantly maintain the site.
I have removed hundreds of posts in the past.
Mike,
I have been absent for the past few months due to the fact that reading became intolerable because of the abundance of knuckleheads. I am pleased that they are no longer present, but i feel that much was sacrificed. It is now near impossible to really discuss things, and there is no flow of discussion. Healthy debate or discussion between multiple parties is extremely difficult.
Is there no way that you can make posting only available to those with an account? This would allow you to give warnings and then suspend users who are repeat offenders. I also think that if people had to put names/e-mail addresses next to some of their attacks, they would think for moment or two before posting.
Perhaps a message board format is a better solution?
From what I understand Brian, the newspaper does not want to limit posts to only those with an account.
And The Varsity Letters is not the only O-R blog to have comment moderation.
I think it will take a little time to get used to but it will work. For now, it has to.
Glad to see some order around here. Now I will post without getting slammed for being right.
Mike,
I gotcha, but i don't understand where the newspaper is coming from. I mean, it is not difficult to make an account, and anyone who is truly interested in healthy discussion would surely make one. IMO it is a lot better than writing something and then checking periodically to see if it has been posted and if it has been discussed. I mean it is what it is, i just don't get the stance of not wanting those who want to post to be forced to have accounts. Anyone can still read without an account.
Thanks Mike, you are doing the right thing.
i agree with VCTMwilbon. it takes two seconds to make an account. waiting for mike to proofread our posts will kill any flow of discussion or debate. there has to be a way the eliminate anon posters. and yes i realize i am one of them but i will make an account if necessary.
i guess ill see you same time tomorrow when my post gets through, knuckleheads
This blog has become slow & boring......I think I'll go watch paint dry. ZZZZZZZZZ
Post a Comment