Moderation

This site uses the “first comment moderated” Wordpress system.  After that, you’re free to just come in and comment.

However, those that then come in, having conned me into approving them and then doing dirt on the site will find themselves blocked, using three mechanisms.  Wordpress and Akismet can be overcome but it’s a known known and there are ways around the hacker.

One exception is a regular commenter whose comment is not approved by the system and whom I later find in spam.  Unfortunately, the system is hot on spammers and if you include more than three links in your comment, it’s going to need me to come in and approve it.  This folder is checked regularly and Wordpress gives me a red flag warning.

Advertisers

As you’ll see from the sidebar and header panel, this site is ad-friendly.  Email me.

However, spam advertisers who leave “nice pic” or “lovely site” with a link back to them won’t find their comments approved.  This is also the case with someone who comes in to comment O/T or not to the point and includes a link to his/her site.  They will find themselves deleted too.

The exception is regulars who explain that they’re going off topic.  Xxxl is one of the most notorious for this but he’s a good chap deep down.

Ad hominem

Using a football maxim – play the ball, not the man – that applies to fellow commenters please.  What you say about people from the public sphere is another thing.

My attitude towards commenters

As with most bloggers – comments are the lifeline of the blog.  I generally have fewer and more intelligent commenters and that suits me fine.  It’s a happy situation.