Ocean update: a new and improved comments policy!

Most blogs I read have comments sections. In nearly all, commenters identify themselves in a consistent way – either with a link to their blogs or webpages, or by use of a pseudonym. The pseudonyms do not change over time. Indeed, I have come to know the commenter personalities by recognizing the name they give each time. The names may not be real, but in my reading of their posts or comments, I know something about these people. And so the conversation is a good one.

In only a couple of blogs, I find a heavy use of complete anonymity in the comments sections. I do not want Ocean to become a forum for anonymous commenters (who, for all I know are only one or two people, muckin’ around as if they were many). So long as I permit the use of “anonymous,” I cannot screen these out. And indeed, some are quite innocent. The writers may not know that I would like a consistent use of an identifying label.

Some are perniciously evil. Some play games by making up a name that they then toss out, only to pick up another. Some have taken to using a name that someone else has adopted as their own. You guys suck and if I sense that this is going on I will ignore you or delete you, as I see fit.

I respect and like comments, but I don’t want a trail of Anons. So please, use names, don’t steal the identities of others and stay with your choice. Please.

[I will also delete comments that bully, jab at or in any way demean anyone the wide world over.]

With deep appreciation,
Nina