Maybe it started with a weekend Twitter discussion by Howard Owens and Mathew Ingram a few weeks ago, but however it began, there’s a lively new debate ongoing about Web site comments, particularly on news sites, a topic we’ve written about previously.
I’m sure the current systems used by most news site that allow for users to have “handles” or “nicknames” or “avatars” could be improved upon..
Here’s a thought (fleeting): In addition to real names: add real addresses or current location and display comments on a Google map. Either civility would improve or assaults would rise. It could make for some fascinating looks at the spatial distribution of opinions.
Need to catch up? Here are my most recent Delicious links tagged “comments.”
- Comment Innovation: An Open Door of Startup Opportunity? – ReadWriteStart
- Scott Rosenberg’s Wordyard » Blog Archive » Newspaper comments: Forget anonymity! The problem is management
- Your comments are starting to stink (moderate ‘em!): SteveOuting.com
- Judge Who Was Revealed As Anonymous Commenter Sues Newspaper For $50 Million | Techdirt
- The Real Problem With Internet Comments Isn’t Anonymity | Techdirt
- Tough love: Gawker finds making it harder for comments to be seen leads to more (and better) comments » Nieman Journalism Lab
- News Sites Rethink Anonymous Online Comments – NYTimes.com
- Change of Subject: Pseudonymity can battle the scourge of comment anonymity
- The why and how of a real names policy on comments | Howard Owens
- If you can’t manage comments well, don’t offer comments at all
- Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous Cleveland.com poster | cleveland.com
- Story Lab – ‘The Lowest Comment Denominator’
- On distributed trust, identity, reputation and anonymity « John Bracken
- More News about Omidyar’s Peer News
- The problem with comments isn’t them « BuzzMachine
- California Court Says Online Bullying Is Not Protected Free Speech | Techdirt
- Anonymity or identity: Which is the best way to handle comments? « Pursuing the Complete Community Connection
- Commenting: An ounce of leadership is worth a pound of management | yelvington.com
- Anonymous Comments: Are They Good or Evil?
- Story Lab – Blowback: Do comments scare off sources?
- Story comments show their potential | The Upfront Page | knoxnews.com
- Ill. newspaper suspends Web comments – UPI.com
