IntenseDebate - Philippe Gohier

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 1 reply · +1 points

You'd be registering with Disqus.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 3 replies · +1 points

Correct. We're not asking people to use their real name.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 0 replies · +2 points

Wait, that didn't come across the way I meant it to. I didn't mean the goal is to reduce the number of comments. The goal is to make it easier for us to manage an ever-growing number of comments. We've outgrown our setup and need bigger digs.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 1 reply · +1 points

Yeah, the idea is to improve the comments, as well as make it easier on us. For instance, it should make it both harder to spam the boards and easier to remove the spam that gets through. Same goes for libellous comments that get posted over and over from different IPs. (Yes, people do this. And I'm not talking about tasteless or dumb comments—I'm referring to the type of comments that could land me in court.) We need a system that's a bit more robust to handle these things.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 2 replies · +1 points

Fair enough. I agree it'll catch people by surprise, which isn't a good thing. At the same time, we didn't want people treating the change like some sort of impending doom because it's not. Think of my post as the equivalent to the doctor telling you you'll feel a slight pinch right before giving you a shot.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 3 replies · +1 points

Suspicious? Of what?

If you want to start a rumour that Osama, JFK and Elvis have taken over moderation of our comment boards and are doing it from beachside hut in Croatia, I'll be the first to help you spread it.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 4 replies · +6 points

The reason, quite frankly, is that there are simply too many comments coming in. It's way, way, way easier to manage them if you make people log in. Moreover, it dissuades people from doing drive-by smears, which our regulars aren't in the habit of doing. It sucks having to make it more difficult for smart people to post, but it's the only (manageable) way we've got of dealing with the stupid ones who take up too much time and energy right now.

As a matter of fact, user registration is a big part of the reason we're switching platforms. Disqus allows a few more options as far as that's concerned. The point is to keep the door unlocked, but not flung wide open.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 4 replies · +1 points

We're not doing it in a rush so much as recognizing we can't design by committee. We like our readers—we really do—but we're never going to please everyone. That means we have to make decisions and live with the consequences.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 1 reply · +1 points

+1

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Ch-ch-changes · 1 reply · +1 points

I think they were finally put out of their misery 3-4 years ago.

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