vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

12.22.2008

A matter of blogging style

I ran a little impromptu experiment over the weekend. Switched the blog to allow comments for signed-in users only. Which is why none of the comments from the weekend are "anonymous," though neither are any of them fully identified.

We're still working on creating a different system, but in the meantime I just thought I'd have a little holiday fun by trying this.

The change probably cut down on comments, though people may also have been too busy shoveling.

Did any of you anonymous people not post because you didn't want to create a sign-in? Feel free to respond now, the system has been switched back to anonymous.

Did you find this system better, worse or just different?

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 10:43 AM |

Comments:

If you or your tech people have not already come across it, another commenting tool that provides a bit more control features, is IntenseDebate.

# Posted by:

Morgan W. Brown | 12:14 PM, December 22, 2008

Thank you for the suggestion Morgan. We will look into it.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:50 PM, December 22, 2008

Seems to me that all the change did was "Round up the usual suspects". The same three who dominated debate before, each from their own narrow perspective, dominated again. It was easier for them to take their cheap shots at each other, but it certainly didn't encorage any meaningful debate. Like most of the blogs on the web, posters seem more intent on shutting down opposing views than listening and considering what is said. The internet is no place for civil debate, so why even try. I wonder if a certain pair (you know who you are) would be as rude and condecending in person as they are hiding behind the mask of the web identity. Naturally, I shall remain anonymous.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:58 PM, December 22, 2008

Was busy elsewhere this weekend.

Do think that screen names don't make much difference as they provide anonymity as well so why not leave the system as it is.

Think the answer to preventing the kind of personal attack seen here on a regular basis is to block the IP addresses of consistent offenders.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:29 PM, December 22, 2008

I suspect you'll find the the three are all one troll playing the same game he has over at the Times Argus.

Heather does get rid of him from time to time when he starts getting too over the top.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:30 PM, December 22, 2008

Didn't know you could just post without all the annoying sing-in...Like the blog and will probably participate in the future...

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:41 PM, December 22, 2008

I like it, Terri. That's why I've been pushing for it since day one.

It cuts down on the spineless posting of my name and address by anonymous posters who all claim that it was the other anonymous when confronted on such slop.

I don't care if they call themselves Harry Potter as long as they call themselves something and you can tell who's who.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 4:41 PM, December 22, 2008

"I like it, Terri. That's why I've been pushing for it since day one.

It cuts down on the spineless posting of my name and address by anonymous posters who all claim that it was the other anonymous when confronted on such slop.

I don't care if they call themselves Harry Potter as long as they call themselves something and you can tell who's who."

Well I guess that seals the deal.

The only thing that matters is what Coop, the crown prince of trolls wants.

Ya gonna' let him have his way again Terri?

Just kidding. You've been letting him run the joint for over a year. No way would you deney the coopster anything his little heart desires.

SOP for the BFP.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:38 PM, December 22, 2008

"It cuts down on the spineless posting of my name and address by anonymous posters who all claim that it was the other anonymous when confronted on such slop."

As opposed to the repetitive and abusive posting of inane messages laden with insults and vulgarities.

Way to go.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:25 PM, December 22, 2008

Terri, the problems you have been having on this blog - and continue to have - have nothing to do with whether someone posts under their own name, anonymously, or somewhere in between . . . the problems stem from the fact that you have some users who flagrantly and repeatedly violate BFP's posted terms of use. They seem obsessed with attacking and belittling the opinions of others, going so far as to call them "stupid", "shmuck", "ignorant", etc.

Whether the wrongdoers wear a mask or not is irrelevant if there is no sheriff in town.

Terri, the blog posts here are excellent and a must-read for those interested in Vermont politics and public policy. The comment section COULD become a wonderful everyone-has-a-soapbox forum, where we each get to weigh in on your posts. But it's no fun, and downright insulting, when we make comments here and then find ourselves being personally attacked for our views.

You know what the problem is. We all do. And the solution is simple: enforce BFP's terms of use! If that means telling an intern to moderate all comments, then so be it. We can live with a little delay if it means a return to civility on this blog.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:31 AM, December 23, 2008

So exactly what is the problem Terri?

You’ve had Coop flinging his verbal feces here for over a year but you do nothing about it. I’d say that makes you at least 25% of the problem.

Spare me the foolishness like “Those of you that have been paying attention know we’ve been pretty gosh darn busy.” America wants to know Terri. Why have you and the BFP allowed this sort of abuse to continue for over thirteen months?

If you can’t deal with the guy maybe you need to turn your position over to someone who will. If no one is going to do anything just declare Coop the winner, give him a silver cup for being king of the troll then shut down the board.

What are you going to do Terri, deal with the problem or make more lame excuses?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:03 AM, December 23, 2008

I disagree. What better example of the excesses of the loony left than to read the idiocies of their number one spokesthug. I suspect that the main objectors to this fool's rantings are probably liberals who are embarrassed to have him/her framing their views. Personally, I love it! You go, jw!!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:04 AM, December 23, 2008

JW does not speak for anyone except himself.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:06 AM, December 23, 2008

Bubba, NEK and several others are all Coop. He pulls this same stupid game over at the Times Argus.

IP tracing will prove that.

All least it would if the Free Press had the slightest intention of doing anything about him.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:20 AM, December 23, 2008

Anonymous...

"Bubba, NEK and several others are all Coop. He pulls this same stupid game over at the Times Argus.

IP tracing will prove that."

It will, eh? Well, if that's true, Terri, then, by all means, Prove away.

I'll wager that if IP Address tracing proves anything, it'll prove that this is the same anonymous troll who's been posting my name and number and offering google map directions to my house on a regular basis, so, again, with all deliberate speed, trace away.

This clown claims I'm bubba and nek. Bubba claims I'm Doug Hoffer and a cross section of nameless nitwits even spent time claiming I was Odum before I even knew who Odum was.

Trace away. You'll find out who it is and who it isn't.

Despite the fact that "medtronic" was already calling me "a partisan hack" and an "idiot" for quoting "medtronic" - evidently the other "medtronic" was the culprit - eliminating anonymous posting will minimize if not eliminate the problem.

At least you would if the Free Press had the slightest intention of doing anything about them.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:16 AM, December 23, 2008

Careful, Santa is watching.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:34 AM, December 23, 2008

Then you're in big trouble, little fella.

I'll take my chances.

Hey, look on the bright side, little fella. At least ya can brief us on the status of
"clean-coal" technology.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:45 AM, December 23, 2008

All hail King Coop.

Come on Terri. Sing his praises.

You might just as well quit pretending you intend to do jack about the troll. You like having the wingnut around. Trolls make traffic.

Hey look at the bright side little lady. At least ya can have one person happy here.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:30 AM, December 23, 2008

Let's discuss politics instead of constantly attacking each other.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:38 AM, December 23, 2008

This comment has been removed by the author.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:35 PM, December 23, 2008

This comment has been removed by the author.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:40 PM, December 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

"All hail King Coop."

Gee, that's mighty sweet of ya, little factose-intolerant fella, but it's really not necessary. Ya can get up off your knees now.

What happened to that IP Address tracing notion of yours ya were so hot on a little while back, little fella? Ya seem to have cooled a bit on that.

Frankly, I think it's the best idea you've come up with yet.

I say, trace away and let the chips fall where they may.

How's that work for you, little fella?

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:45 PM, December 23, 2008

Seriously Coop. Let's stick with talking politics and not make personal attacks.

Try to rise above personal attacks on you. Ok?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:31 PM, December 23, 2008

"I say, trace away and let the chips fall where they may."

Come on Terri. Coop has issued your orders, hop to little lady. Your master JWCoop10 has spoken. Don't deney Coop anything or he may have another hissy fit.

Why are you draggin' yer feet?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:37 PM, December 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

""I say, trace away and let the chips fall where they may.""

"Come on Terri. Coop has issued your orders, hop to little lady. Your master JWCoop10 has spoken. Don't deney Coop anything or he may have another hissy fit."

I did, eh? Feel free to point out just where and when I did that, little fraudulent fella.

You made the allegation. You made the IP Address trace suggestion. You issued the orders. I'm just agreein' with ya.

Beyond that, if you've got a problem with Terri, that's your problem. Take it up with her.

Don't drag your feet, little fella.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 2:29 PM, December 23, 2008

Anonymous said...
Seriously Coop. Let's stick with talking politics and not make personal attacks.

Try to rise above personal attacks on you. Ok?"

Seriously, little fella. Assuming it's not you makin' those anonymous attacks in the first place, that's easy for you to say. The nameless nitwit or nitwits in question didn't repeatedly post your name and number and offer google map directions to your place. It's no skin off your back.

If you want me to take you seriously, get yourself a screen name so I know it's not comin' from you and I'll be more than happy to discuss politics with ya 'til the cows come home.

Try to rise above your anonymous troll status. OK?

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 2:37 PM, December 23, 2008

Anyone care if JW "takes you seriously" or not?

No, I didn't think so.

They were just asking you to stop making personal attacks.

You answered with nothing but personal attacks.

Terri - please delete comments that attak others personally.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:13 PM, December 23, 2008

Gee Terri. you're awful quiet.

Don't you think it would be a really nifty bit of holiday fun to rid of your buddy Coop for a few days?

You there Terri? Terri? Hello?

Oh wait, the little fella has only been at it for 13 months. He needs at least 13 years to have a fair chance to be a good boy right Terri?

If there is some other reason you've got fort doing nothing about Coop I'm still waiting to hear it. The least you could do is get catty again or take a page from Coops book and tell me I'm dum, scum and got bupkis.

Are your widdle feewin's hurt yet? Feeling like you're not getting the respect you deserve as a person?

Welcome to the club Terri.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:56 PM, December 23, 2008

Plenty of typos in that one. Come on Terri. Practice your coop style and abuse me for it.

If you won't deal with him you might just as well be just like him.

Come on little lady!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:58 PM, December 23, 2008