I favour the free and open exchange of ideas, so welcome comments.
To ensure that both comment authors are free to express their opinions without abuse and discussions remain relevant, I apply the following policy:
All Rights Reserved
- I reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments, pingbacks, trackbacks, or other communications for any reason.
- I reserve the right to block any individual or group from commenting for any reason.
- While I might choose to provide reasons or discuss my decision, I reserve the right not to explain my decision.
Appropriate Content
- I do not believe that obscenity is necessary in most circumstances. However I do permit a certain amount where the majority of the comment is appropriate.
- Comments should be relevant to the post or subsequent discussion.
- Comments disagreeing with a post or a comment should be arguments against the premise and not personal attacks.
Authorship
- I acknowledge that all comments submitted are the views of their author.
- Approval of a comment does not imply I agree with its content or support any site linked from it.
Moderation
- I moderate the first comment by any visitor.
- If in my opinion a significant proportion of an author’s comments are spam or otherwise inappropriate, I may moderate all of that author’s comments, either permanently or for a period.
Links in Comments
- As a general rule I permit links in comments. I see little difference between the automated link provided by, for example, a Gravatar and a link in a comment. If anything, links in comments are better as they can be a link to a specific resource.
- If in my opinion one or more links are inappropriate or not relevant I reserve the right to remove them, even if the comment itself is approved.
Advertising and Spam
- I might not approve or might delete comments that, in my opinion, are designed primarily to promote a site or product.
- A single link to an author’s personal site, or a recommendation relevant to the post is likely to be approved.
Comments on Old Posts
- I do not close comments on my posts. However, I may apply a stricter test of relevance if the discussion had reached a natural close.
Comment Editing
- If you wish to alter one of your posted comments please contact me.
- Typographical or spelling errors will usually be corrected without issue.
- All other editing requests will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Language
- While I do not require all comments to be in English, I do not necessarily have time to seek an accurate translation.
- If I cannot understand a comment, or a website to which it links, I am more likely to remove it.
Davetopia 