"Given that users are anonymous, I’m always surprised when people take serious offense to responses to their comments. How can you be personally slighted when the people responding have no idea who you are? "

Is that why you are disabling comments about Jennifer Keach?

I really like reading Scott engaging in a dialogue with his readers. Thanks for the info on the limitation of the software.

What I find amazing is that you get not only ONE opportunity to discover if this is really the sentiment you want to send when you hit the "button", but opportunity number TWO is after you get a chance to preview your comment,which
to me means to PROOFREAD for grammatical errors AND content BEFORE you actually post for the public to see. Apparently, people don't have the time necessary to use this step wisely.

IMHO, many people submit posts that intentionally hurt other people in an effort to make themselves feel better. This, by definition, is a bully. I try really hard to ignore a bully's comments, although sometimes I really just have to say something. I am reminded of the scene in "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan's character feels remorse for following the advice of a "stranger" she "met" in an online chat room: to say exactly what she wanted to say at the exact moment, but then, as predicted, she felt badly afterward. Has humanity in general, and Janesvillians, specifically, resorted to being ignoramuses that are so infinitely selfish that we care about nothing but ourselves? Pretty sad state of affairs, if you ask me.

amwalker , because the maturity level of some of the serial bloggers gets them shut down. i ll give you an example there was a young person from evansville that died in an accident . the bloggers posted he was drinking, probably on drugs. knew the family trashed them to no end. turns out reports come back no drug s or alcohol in his system to this day still some people think he deserved what he got because he was drinking. they didnt get that from the gazette story . once its posted whether its true or not the damage is done. some on here no longer believe innocent until proven guilty.

eton- like I said give it up. Maybe you didn't say she was banned. I don't like your little game of he said she said and "I am not talking to you".

You said sangus said she was banned and seem to agree, DON'T you?

My guess any email she sent you was to say BUZZ off with all your stupid comments about her! I think she needs to send you some more but she seems to have left forever! As I mentioned.

Clarification for you. Now take notes this time will you.

I am not hanna.
I don't know hanna personally. I don't know many bloggers personally.

I know from somebody else that she was not banned. GOT IT?

Maybe the person that told me is lying but I doubt it. WHY would they lie to please you?

Like I said, I emailed some "vet bloggers" and found out what happened. Maybe you should do the same if anybody would even respond to you!

They may not know the REAL hanna either but they know the "blogger" hanna.

amwalker- see my first posts.

Just curious.....why do you have the comments open for a few hours or so, then disable the site?? I don't care for all the Briarmoon drama, but you let people comment for days on that, roasting and toasting. When the boys were arrested for the storage unit break ins, comments were allowed, then the site was disabled. Same with the horrible motorcycle accident on Milton Ave. I hope that young guy will be OK. What happens that suddenly no more comments are allowed?

I know hannah. She WASN'T banned.

wow first i never said hannah was banned, i may have said maybe the gazette banned her for her attitude and hate emails she was sending. but i never said i knew for sure. i just wanted a clarification, of your earlier post you know her or you dont. and ill stick with my first conclusion hannah=frogger

Maybe he is going with the "banned" theory just like all of you who DON'T know what is going on and keep spreading rumors of this so callled "banning".

Maybe nasty bloggers(like YOU) who spread these RUMORS and bother new bloggers should be banned!!!

Well I guess he doesn't have the correct info either. I am pretty sure he isn't incharge of IT.

sangus
Mar 29, 2010 at 9:16 p.m.
Suggest removal I can't remember what Hannah wrote that prompted her banning. Too many thousands of comments ago. I think it was more of a cumulative effect. As for Hannah vs. frogger, I don't know, and I wouldn't say if I did.

Scott Angus he didnt? then i must need to get my eyes checked

sangus didn't say for sure she was banned.
Give it up already. I know the truth! The person that told me wouldn't lie about it.

If she was banned they would know frogger was the replacement and ban frogger CORRECT!?

Just like this hank person. He picks a new name and is gone soon after.

then you dont know for a fact she wasnt banned. what you know is what someone supposedly told you. http://gazettextra.com/news/2010/jan/07/... in this story alone 3 or 4 times you claim not to know who hannah is. and why would sangus know she was banned he only works for the gazette lol .

I don't really "know" who etown is now do I ?

etown- I was told by a good source they were not banned. You are right I don't know who hanna is but this person told me about what was going on.
When I keep getting accused of being hanna I started asking some blogger friends what is going on.

It is hard to know an unknown person.

I know it seems you need to know about this person so much. Don't you have anything better to do?

frogger, how can you know for a fact hannah was not banned. you ve posted several times your not hannah and you have no idea who hannah is .

I can see how Mr. Angus and the Gazette staff have had about enough. We (me also) need to back off sometimes. Especially when the articles deal with people. We (again, me also) need to think before we post, "Is my post going to hurt someone?", "Am I that smart I know everything?" Ask yourself these two questions before you hit "post comment", please!! JMO

I have to disagree, my comments were about a comment made about me that should not have been made at all. This story is about comments. Momof5s comments about me that are not true are still here, but not mine defending me.
Seriously though if you removed ALL comments that went off topic you would have 5 comments on the whole site.

frogger: Read line 3 of this column from Scott. He says plainly that they will not honor requests to disable r user names. He has been steadfast in that policy, and I doubt strongly that he would have made an exception. If I have to believe that either you or Scott is misinformed, I have to think it is you and not he. You can protest all you want, but since you are not hannah, then you don't know for a "fact." Perhaps she has been less than honest with you. I'm not going to call her a liar, but she certainly made many statements that caused me to be suspicious of her veracity.

copperguy- like I said I know she/he was asked to be removed because of nasty emails from bloggers. I know of another blogger recently that has asked to disappear for ever. That is why Scott has mentioned "asked to be removed" as one of the busy problems they have to deal with. When people are bothered like this I find it rude for them to not grant these requests. People complain about the nasty emails yet they are still a bloggers and the blogger getting the nasty emails if forced to leave by choice.
Then you see the rumors fly of them "being removed" because of their opinions.
MOMOF5 left an example of this as well.

beeferer- I listened to a lady in the store yesterday day who said she unthawed the freezer. ! ). It was funny!! How does one unthaw the freezer???

Funny that hannah's profile is no longer available. That seems to indicate that she was, in fact, banned. It seems that's the only way for a profile to be deleted.

sangus- As I said I know for a fact hanna was NOT BANNED.

justintimberlakerues- I see you STILL cannot read. I am not hanna.

Like I said she/he LEFT because of people like you. I know for a fact they were not "kicked off".You are not as smart as you think you are. I have read your nasty comments towards bloggers. Many have been REMOVED as anyone can see if they search under YOU!

Facebooker,
From our rules: Stay focused. Keep on the story's topic.
Scott Angus

Wow thats awesome Gazette! Nothing in my posts were against your rules.
People can talk about you and say things that are not true at all but you can NOT defend yourself!!

callit..., if you are a male, your need to imagine a man in your suggested state makes you a ....... Oops, can't say it.

See....that's where an edit button would be nice. My post posted twice by accident. Dang technology.
.
Mr. Angus, could you delete one for me ;)

ha. im just a fish who has to much time to nibble on hooks i guess;) next time bait it with a nice bud por favor

I guess I was baiting thekid. Sorry. It worked but it was a weak attempt. Everyone knows Gazettefan is the master ba.....I thought twice and decided I better not finish that sentence.

Hey, Scott...here's an idea from Yahoo. On their game league site, the person who sets up a league (owner) can grant users "moderator" status. The moderators then have the ability to boot someone from the room, ban them for x days, etc.. Maybe The Gazette could explore the possibility of recruiting volunteers to "moderate!"

Of course, the vetting process would be a handful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yer prolly rite. mayb yo mind isnt quick nuff to comprehend the context w/out propr spellng?? looser

I think you should remove all comments that have "prolly' in stead of "PROBABLY" and spell "loose" when they mean "LOSE"

good idea northman. you are prolly right tho alcohol may not be a good idea:) lots of peeps dont need LESS control in that setting;) ill be there and ill bring the herb of peace so we can all get along:)

A couple final points before this particular blog fades away:

- The software for comments is part of a content management system that operates all of Bliss' Janesville Web sites. It is generally a good system, but it has limitations on comments. For example, we can't allow users to edit their comments. We also can't disable comments on stories in the Latest News Blog. We can take down individual comments, but not the entire thread. That's why you occasionally see stories disappear from the Latest News Blog and reappear in the Local News section, where we can disable comments. We have asked the company that provides the software to provide some upgrades, but it could be awhile.
- We, too, have thought it would be fun to host a gathering of commenters. Wouldn't it be fun to see who people are? Many of us have created images in our minds of what certain commenters look like. I doubt such a party would be well-attended, though, because it kind of shoots the anonymity thing.
- We simply don't have the time or resources to e-mail a user every time we take down a comment. Remember, this is 24/7. It's hard to keep up as it is. We didn't add any staff when we added this feature. We added the responsibilities to existing workers, who have many other things to do, as well.
- Thanks for the lively discussion. I'll be back soon with another blog.
Scott Angus

Maybe the Gazette should sponsor a Blogger’s Social. To get in, you have to provide your username and e-mail, and wear a nametag with your username for the event. Then you can wander around and meet all the folks you’ve been sparring with, or agreeing with, in the blogs. You better run folks through a metal detector at the door, just in case, and it might not be a good idea to serve alcohol. Could be interesting . . .

I think that if an article or blog is open to comment, the comments should stay up. I've seen some excellent debates laid to waste because of a handful of people with no self control.

I've also had a few comments of my own removed which isn't the end of the world. It just makes you have to guess what you did to warrant a removal since you aren't given a reason.

Mr. Angus, if you see this, consider having some kind of reason sent to the person with the deleted comment. Even if it's some canned response, it's still nice to know what happened. Something a little more specific than "You violated the terms of service" or "Someone's feelings got hurt on the internets".

I like coming here to read and post so thanks for the opportunity.

(This comment wasn't removed by the site staff.)

Facebooker: don't see where I said to grow up, either. I would never give that advice, but I for one never want to grow up. Because if I did, I couldn't be a Toys R Us kid!!! :)
.
2 posts almost a month ago. Did you see where Mr. Angus said there are 14,000 posts a month?? Pretty sure my 2 allegedly damning posts (which were one-liners) have since been forgotten by nearly all 9,999 other posters some 13,998 posts ago!!!! :)

Scott, re: a certain poster below who will remain nameless so no one falls victim to his attempt to bait a serious poster:

The serious poster he refers to never bragged about baiting anyone into being banned. What the serious poster said was that he knows of approximately five posters who were banned because they ultimately couldn't articulate their stance without saying something that made them banable. They couldn't effectively respond to serious comments and questions about scripture and belief. They couldn't even respond politely to verbatim citings of scripture.

The serious poster also noted that the poster below effectively banned himself by continuing to post here while not truly participating in the spirit of debate. He usually talks off the point and insults people.

Maybe the dog always eats his homework. ;~)

By the way, the serious poster wishes to thank the poster below for the free lessons on how to talk in the third person. ;~)

Allowing self-editing might be too much freedom for some posters on these blogs. If the Gazette software had the capability to allow it, does anyone else think allowing a poster to delete their own message would be a welcome feature?

I think of the Gazette Extra comment pages much like the Craigslist rants and raves, without all that pesky cursing. It's fun to watch, with a bucket of popcorn.

I am not a frequent commenter, but I do stick by all my comments. It sometimes feels like I am the only one who might have a dissenting opinion on certain happenings in Janesville, but I want to make sure that that voice is heard nonetheless.

And see, you can correct -- I should have said "post" instead of "blog," my bad.

Stubby, let's be real -- like the opportunity to go back and edit comments wouldn't be seriously abused by some of the people who regularly blog here. Send it and stand by it if you mean it. That rule is an important incentive to people to say only what they really think is worth saying the first time.

Mr. Angus! Mr. Angus! Gazettefan pulled my pigtails!

Stubby,
Sorry you feel that way, but you try monitoring anonymous comments on a Web site for awhile. Then see if you don't feel like a frustrated parent trying to keep the kids in line.
Scott Angus

Mr. Angus

Although I agree in general with your assertion that those who post on this site should think before posting, I am disappointed with the paternalistic tone of both your headline and your comments. Most forums such as this allow posters to at least edit their comments, and the lack of that feature is a reason I tend to post elsewhere on many occasions. I think with the "it's my ball so play by my rules" attitude expressed here, I'm going to have to think long and hard about any further participation.

Personally, that is why I use my real name. I'm taking ownership of my comments once posted. Once I hit enter, it's there to stay! Be proud of what you think. If you truly believe what you are typing, put your name behind it! I feel using your real name is the safest form of self control one can use. Just my .02

See? I can't possibly have commenter's remorse. 99.9% of my posts are removed before I get the chance. Not that I would have remorse, anyway. I'm just sayin'.

billnewbie,
No remorse, just too little time. My Sunday print column takes up much of my weekly writing time. I've also got a newsroom to run. I'm recommitted to blogging more, though. We'll see how that goes.
As for the baiters, we do our best to deal with them, too. With 10,000 comments a month, however, we need help. Flag comments you find offensive or abusive. Send me personal e-mails explaining your concerns.
Most important, don't allow yourself to be baited. Take responsibility for your own comments. If you don't want a comment deleted, simply follow the rules. I can't imagine anything that can't be expressed adequately - even passionately - following our very basic guidelines.
Scott Angus

JimPL - good point. I also like to use that as one of my "tests".

Commenter's remorse? Maybe that explains why Mr. Angus hasn't posted a blog in almost 11 months. I'd given up on ever seeing one from him again. Hopefully he'll find the time to express himself more often in the future, and risk the possible remorse.

I doubt that most of the posters who engage in the most egregious acts of harassment have much if any remorse whatsoever. Their efforts appear to bring them great pleasure considering how easily disparagements jump off their keyboards. Some seem to be trying to get other posters to write something offensive in response purposefully so that the staff will remove it or them, which results in something sort of like scoring a goal to these baiters. I've even seen one brag about the posters he's goaded into posting things that resulted in their user names being disabled. Yet that poster remains on the active roster and is baiting his traps regularly. If you are going to disable comments and users for their responses to others who bait them, shouldn't you also disable the baiters, Mr, Angus? Maybe you think that would take up too much of your staff's time as well.

The number of keyboard warriors in these discussions always amazes me, though it certainly shouldn't by now. People post comments they'd never dare say to the person's face, hiding behind their perceived veil of anonymity.

Personally, I've always felt that was the "test," so to speak, of whether you should post a particular comment. If you'd not be comfortable saying it aloud, face to face, then don't post it.

Sorry but I have a hard time forgetting about LIES!
I didn't say you said not to spread lies. You said grow up. Im telling you defending myself and saying Im not who you say I am is more grown up than you telling everyone Im someone Im not just to make me look bad. Plus what you said hit a HUGE nerve with me and if you REALLY DID know me than you would not that what you said is COMPLEATLY false and would NEVER be true due to family history. You had 2 posts in one story both trying to knock me down. Other people on here do know me and I do NOT in anyway want things that are not true spread around.

Facebooker: where was it my advice to not spread lies about people? Where also did I spread lies about (you)?? One comment is hardly a widespread epidemic. Further more, had you dropped it back then, people would not be searching "momof5" to see what comments I wrote directed to you--nearly a month ago now. Ever heard of "let sleeping dogs lie??" And, if your reading comprehension skills didn't suck, you would remember that I said I was invited to, but did not attend, your reception. As to why I haven't used your real name: I did that twice before to other posters in a fit of rage, and they were removed. Guess I've learned my lesson.
.
Facebooker, really, let it go. I say I know who you are and you say I don't. In the big picture of life, does it really matter either way?? Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you're wrong. Build a bridge and get over it. Like I said, 916 has made TOTALLY false accusations about me. I thought it was funny. People were calling me asking if I saw his latest tyraid about my weight. It gave us all a chuckle.
.
Where I draw the line however, is when someone contacts me privately and drops the 4-letter "c word" in very vulgar and grotesque ways: repeatedly (and while cook is a 4-letter word in my house, this was not the word in question....). But, that poster and I got over it without further incident. And, fyi, facebooker, what this poster was writing was also not true. Of course it got my goat, and I went crying to Scott. But, he was right in his response to me. I will paraphrase it for you: build a bridge, get over it, and who cares!!!!

Scott, now look what you started! LOL...group hug anyone?

Some of these comments are humorous!

Dear Mr. Angus,

Thank you to you and the Gazette staff. You do a great job of permitting lively debate while stepping in only when and if things cross lines and raise legal or harassment concerns. In the age of the internet, those who disagree are more free than ever to start their own "press" if they would draw the line elsewhere. And if they do, they will likely find out quickly that even the First Amendment does not protect all speech, for example, libel.

Well said seriouslyfunny! I couldn't agree more.

I've only been posting for a couple of weeks, but I've been reading for a while now. I have been disturbed by the lack of common courtesy--and personal attacks. Adults should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. We shouldn't have to be "thought clones" in order to bring value to the discussion. In fact, let's face it, if we did all think exactly alike the discussion would be boring. The bottom line is, I want to be treated respectfully and I intend to treat others' respectfully, as well.

...and you just proved garyprimer's...

Hey, I may not be the most humble person, but at least I don't personally attack others or post demeaning comments, which is more than I can say for others. Unlike some people, I actually try to be considerate of others at all times. If you want to harp on me for being proud of the being considerate go ahead. You only prove my point.

I had one comment removed. I was a little disappointed, because the "offensive" part of my comment was to tell another poster, "You are a jerk." Truth is, I was being kind. Nonetheless, it MAY have crossed the line for decorum. Sometimes, though, tact and diplomacy fail.

I am guessing that you would list humility as one of your dominant traits. ;-)

Well said Mr. Angus. I for one have never had a comment removed or felt any regret for what I've said. Why? Because I actually THINK before I type. I also consider how what I am typing will be interpreted by others. And above all, I realize that what I put into words can not be taken back. The world would be a whole lot better if people were considerate of others, constructive and tactful. May be this will finally get some posters to think before they type. I applaud you and the Gazette for your stance on this issue. Sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out. Thanks for being the one to do that.

Had ya going didn't I?

I have been guilty of posting unnecessary comments intended to call someone on their postings- be it for their opinion, illiteracy, or persistence in annoying someone. I have had some comments removed. I want to apologize to any I have hurt or embarrassed. I cannot guarantee that I will never do it again, but please be aware that I mean no harm and after I post my mean-spirited comments, I often experience regret. I sometimes have my head up my butt while reading and I overreact. In spite of this, I wish to let it be known that inside I have a feeling of camaraderie whenever I find myself in the infamous comment section of the Gazette and I hope you will all support me with your vote when I run for city council.

Sangus- you better watch it, you comments might be getting out of hand, and you will see the dreaded "(This comment was removed by the site staff.)".. Scott, you and your staff keep up with what you are doing, these areas get the "juices" flowing in our not so exciting life's.. I love reading them and comment on the topics that strike my interests,, very well done ! ! ! !

(proofread b4 submitted)

People need to be held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, anonymous forums removes most of this accountability and fosters the "I can say/do what I want and no one can stop me" attitude.
..
While freedom of speech and your ability to express your opinion is your right in this country, (within the rules of the forum), consider this before you hit send - would you say what you post to the person's face?
..
A good debate is wonderful. Debates with cheap shots and personal attacks are not.
..
Thanks Scott and to the Gazette staff for the great job! (Bloggers too!)

talking monkey you cracked me up:) thank you.

i think you do a good job mr angus, but i do agree with what copperguy said about putting a lot of time into a thread and then all the sudden its all gone. i also would like to see a like/dislike tab on the comments.

"Think about the possible consequences and repercussions before you hit “Post comment.”"
>
>
>
Too bad some of your staff bloggers don't live by this rule, maybe then I wouldn't be subjected to nonsensical liberal rants from guys like Eyster, or have to read about how Ted Sullivan wants to wish a murderer happy birthday. But hey,thanks anyway for the "holier than thou", condescending lecture. Oh, and by the way, you can keep this post up if you want, I won't be asking you to remove it later.

bibledude, what about that apology you owe to ihavealife?!!!

And, Mr. Eyster, you go right on ahead and use those caps. As long as you don't care whether people read your columns or not.

Not often that I'm defending the Gazette, but really, rhetoric in this country has gotten out of hand, and if you don't know enough to count to ten before hitting "post," maybe this helps you learn. Plenty of times I recognize I'm feeling impulsive, so I navigate away from the page. Like something I'd want to buy in a store, if it's that important, I'll go after it the next day (or in a few hours, in this case).

sangus-You are the man! You do a great job for the newspaper and our city. Keep up the good work.

Just heard the term "Vulture Culture" - i.e. - that we all react like snarky reality t.v. show jerks because we just don't care about how other people feel/react to our mean comments. I think the blog/commenting aspect increases the idea that we can all make comments about anyone/anything w/out considering how our comments might affect the other person(s). Plus, it's anonymous. I've been guilty of this, and I am sorry for it. I remember someone stating that his mean comments on a certain blog should be expected because we all have to face the bully on the playground. What? Really? What a sick idea and I certainly don't want to encourage that culture. We should all stand up against that bully on the playground. Happy blogging/commenting - but let's try to bring it up a notch & not sink to the lowest common denominator.

And take your own Grow up advice. Who makes lies up about people they don't know anyways???

Momof5: That is my point. You say you can use my real name but you didn't. YOU do not know ME. I don't know why you think you do but you do not. By your statement of my wedding that you say you were at it proves you do NOT know me. But by all means please tell me who I am and where my wedding was at.

Dangit. I shouldn't have posted that...

JWEyster: Thank you for the patronizing tone. You "need" lessons in tact. Have a nice day.

Scott: There are two important facts that some people seem to forget about these forums. Firstly, they are free. Second, they are yours (corporate-wise) to do with as you please. I'm quite sure that your staff spends a ton of time dealing with this free service. Thank you all!

If you are interested in input (as I know you are), I hope you will consider using the "freeze comments" tool more often and reserve the "disable comments" for only the most egregious situations. In a number of cases, I (and others) have spent significant time researching statutes and case law, which I then summarize or post links for. When you disable comments entirely, all of that work gets thrown out.

Perhaps some future enahancement could include the ability for the user to indicate whether or not they want to receive direct emails from other users.

Thanks, again, for a great community service.

The problem with insults is that they impede a good debate.

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". Are you paying attention Eyster?

Facebooker: still hung up on that? Like Scott Angus said in the article: you're using an anonymous screen name on the WORLD wide web. Doubt I made you look bad in the real world. I could've used your real world name, but I didn't.
.
916WI has done the "same" to me by calling my a big woman etc.., I think it is funny as I am not even remotely close to being considered bigger in stature. He also once said I drive a mini-van and eat Quarter Pounders with cheese while driving. I don't.
.
Chill out and grow up facebooker. Or I'll suggest your comment be removed :)

THANKS for your valuable blog posting, MR. ANGUS! I read your posting and the comments with MUCH interest!

I dare to extend your advice to persons who regret a comment posting to "janesvillecomments" that s/he NOT torture her/himself by reading MY BLOG with the ALL CAPS FEATURE! That is a FEATURE taht WILL NOT be changed by me! I suggest that the reader re-read the original blog posting on WE THE PEOPLE with the explanation of that feature of my writing!

"Talking_Monkey" needs to read the "TAGS" at the end of the blogs. I am a "community blogger and not a part of the Gazette staff." I am a VOLUNTEER who writes without any pay from Bliss Communications/The Janesville Gazette. Note too the disclaimer, "His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management." IF YOU wish to VOLUNTEER to be a "community blogger, "Talking_Monkey," I suggest you contact The Janesville Gazette.

Very interesting to note how many comments tell you, Mr. Angus, that your blogs are VERY popular online! Keep up the good work - I read both the Electronic and Print edition of The Janesville Gazette daily (7/7)!

Thank you for your conscientious & committed work on behalf of WE THE PEOPLE - the citizens and taxpayers of the Janesville, WI area with Rock & Walworth Counties! Keep up the GOOD journalism!

John/Mr. E. - "community blogger," WE THE PEOPLE

All Things aside I really enjoy the site. It's the first thing I log onto after reading the morning paper.
People that bash some of the news articles don't understand that the Gazette doesn't make the news they just report it.
certainly some are corny but the world is as well.

Dangit. I shouldn't have posted that.

If a blog gets posted on this site, does the Gazette pay the writer? If so, I want in.

Way to go, Gazette! Sometimes, we all say stuff without allowing our brain to monitor it before it comes out of our mouth or is typed and posted. If we would just remember to think before we say and do things!

Hmmmmm. . . . . Interesting dilemma.

janesvillecomments - well said.

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." - A. J. Liebling

If a blogger or topic continues to irritate someone, they should do themselves a favor and stop reading the stuff. With some bloggers, like Steve Knox, I will check out most of their columns because I like most of what they write. Others, I will only check out if the title intrigues me. It doesn't mean they aren't good writers, I'm just not interested in the topics they write about. I've given up on Eyster's blogs. As long as he continues to violate Netiquette with his ugly caps-lock style of writing, I'll continue to not read it. I use the same standards with the print version of the paper.

I'd really like the GazetteExtra to have comment pages with better features, such as bold, underlined or colored text, or things like PHPboard's limited time edit after posting feature to fix those annoying typos that you never see until you click on the Post button. I'm guessing the Gazette wouldn't mind having a better interface and more features either, but I doubt it will happen soon, if at all.

Most newspapers, including the Gazette, are having trouble transitioning from print media to the Internet. Even if they had jumped onto the bandwagon and hired a bunch of techy wiz-kids when they were first dipping their toes in the cyber-water with Inwave Internet back in the 90's, they couldn't have sold a fraction of the advertising they would have needed to stay solvent.

The current software they are using probably ties in with the advertising department and has a WYSIWYG interface for them to position ad graphics, count page views and click-throughs and generate reports they can show to clients. Most of their big money local advertisers are probably middle-aged (or older) men and women who are comfortable in knowing that their ad is going out on 30,000 (or whatever the current circulation number is) printed copies on a given day. The printed copies are purchased, in general, by older poeple who have more money to spend than the younger generations who prefer the web site to the print edition.

The Gazette is requiring unpaid furloughs of it's employees and likely doesn't have the money to shop for, experiment with, purchase and train people on new software. They won't be motivated to improve things until the next generations of advertisers who know their customers are web-oriented rather than print-oriented replace the current advertisers.

If the paper can hang on long enough, eventually, younger generations of readers will become the older generation and print will go away in favor of the web. Most likely the web readers currently complaining about the Gazette not putting everything on the web will be dragging their feet about the new surgically implanted transceivers the younger people will be getting to receive the Gazette via wireless technology.

Thanks for posting this. I sometimes laugh when people post things that are obviously breaking the list of things NOT to do just above the comment box. No, you can't libel people, no you can't harass people, no you can't threaten or use inappropriate language. This is a private forum, and you do a good job, on the whole, of monitoring it yet letting the community have its say. That's not an easy job. Sure, there are times when I cringe at what outsiders must think about our hometown judging by some of the comments, but these almost always fall under the headings of "the rants of a crazed lunatic" that will never hurt the Gazette. Meanwhile, others are full of libel and malice and you have no choice but to shut that down or some lawyer might ascribe those comments to YOU. Here's hoping that people will get a better sense for...uhm...having SENSE.

Hey I like the Steve Knox blog!

momof5 YOU are the one who makes up lies about people and tries to make them look bad. I know because I was one of them.

I agree about not letting posters email other posters. I had commented on a story and the person whom the story was about contaced me multiple times and suggested I stop commenting. My comments were not malicious, just factual, and they were never removed by the Gazette. It really, really creeped me out.

I also wonder why some comments are disabled immediately or shortly after a story is posted. If there were a story about me can I call the Gazette and request to not have a comment section? Even if the story is about something I did to break the law?

callit-hannah doesn't hold a candle to old Hank/Pete/SSNancy who gets a screen name a week banned it seems. Hank made me mad while I was deployed. My wife posted a comment and mentioned that fact and got an e-mail from hank saying he hoped I got hit by friendly fire. IMO, posters should not be allowed to anonymously e-mail another poster.

I don't remember ANY of hannah's comments breaking the rules. Of course she had a few here and there removed: most of us have. I have one removed once for asking who Mickey Mouse's running mate was in the 2008 election.
.
IMO, hannah was banned because she calls "people" out on things: including the Gazette.
.
Also, IMO, you yourselves don't follow the rules, Janesville Gazette. A user repeatedly sent me VERY vulgar messages and you did nothing.
.
Finally, Mr. Angus, it might be nice to email those posters whom have comments removed as to why their comment was removed. I've had a few in recent weeks that I'm still losing sleep over as to why they were removed :p

I can't remember what Hannah wrote that prompted her banning. Too many thousands of comments ago. I think it was more of a cumulative effect. As for Hannah vs. frogger, I don't know, and I wouldn't say if I did.

Scott Angus

Mr_Negative,

Wow, your name fits. Based on the number of comments on his blog, Steve Knox obviously strikes a chord with many readers. Blogs are all about niches, and he represents a generation of Janesville-born folks and discusses topics that interest them. He has many fans, though you clearly aren't among them. Different strokes. You hit on the best solution - don't read him if you don't like him.

Scott Angus

So, Mr. Angus, what DID Hannah say to be removed and have to reinvent herself as frogger? Or do you just make them start over when they hit 8,000 posts?

Mr. Angus, why do you keep subjecting us to daily crap like Steve Knox and his unreadable blogs. This guy is an absolute moron yet everyday, sometimes twice, we have to suffer through his mindless junk. Of course I don't have to read it, but it's just so horrible that I can't help myself. I know that there must be guidelines in place, but if his daily opinions and comments are so damn important for the rest of us to read then maybe the rest of us should be heard as well.

We also have the option of freezing comments while leaving up those that were previously posted. We rarely do that, though, because we wouldn't be freezing comments if the earlier posts followed the rules. We probably could use this option more and will consider it as we go forward.

Scott Angus

Macdaddy,
We can and do remove individual comments while leaving the thread up. That is always our first option. We also ban users who violate the rules so they can't post. That is another approach that we often take before disabling comments entirely. We do our best to allow comments to continue.

Scott Angus

Mr. Angus: Don't you see that you have given some people an out if they want to see comments disabled? All that a family member has to do if they want to see the comments section shut down is threaten violence and say terrible things and then it all goes away and the embarrassment is over.

I am not saying you don't have the right or shouldn't in some cases shut down the comments, but is there a way to stop new comments and leave pertinent ones up for the accuser and family to see?

Just wondering.

Sorry I forgot to add, yes I have posted things I wish I would not have,and I have had remorse on the other hand I have stated comments and they were removed and I was then frustrated,some times It's hard to battle wits with unarmed people! not the staff,the bloggers.In closing I love the freedom of speech we have here and hopefully we will be able to continue to do so.

As Jack Nicholson said in a famous movie once "You Can't Handle the TRUTH" We as citizens speak what we want ,whether it's the truth or if it is simply our opinion,if it offends some Oh Well! compare it to the TV if you don't like it don't watch it! To many cry babies,sure personal threats should be removed but this is about comments and opinions isn't it?

Frogger - You already had one account removed when you went by the name of "hannah." Are you trying to get "frogger" removed now?

I wonder whether people are asking because many sites allow you to delete your own comments afterwards. How hard would it be to add that feature?

You can always tell who the female posters are. They always insert emotion into their comments. It is easy to get them riled up...

Frogger,
Sorry, but you have no rights here. We aren't the government. It's our site, and we set the rules. We disable comments when we believe they have gone too far. In many cases, for example, commenters convict people who have not been tried. In other cases, they encourage violence. We don't condone either. We will continue to monitor comments and remove or disable them as we deem appropriate.

Scott Angus

Calm down, frogger. I am angry too. We all have a right to post our opinions, but Mr. Angus is right in a way. Read your comment and think before you post. You, frogger, know as well as I do how some posters can really get under your skin. You were brave being the first poster on this article! I admire you! You are right though about postings the gazette removes. I said in one of mine, I wanted to throw up and they removed it, must have been dinner time and I gave them a vivid picture or something! JMO

If this happens so often maybe you should add a feature to be able to remove yourself.
Some bloggers get down right rude and email bloggers. This seems the only way to get rid of them.
Some I see have left and NOT returned. Is that what you want????????

I have one for you. STOP disabling comments about the drunk drivers,child molesters, and drug dealers. We have a right to post opinions about these people. It is getting out of hand and you don't seem to mind since you disable the comments. It makes it seem like you are okay with their terrible behaviors. I think THEY need to read these comments so they will get a clue people don't think it is cool to behave badly.