Gone East: How I Edit This BLOG

February 06, 2004

How I Edit This BLOG

Over in the comments to my 2nd Anniversary posting, people are talking about after-the-fact editing, by me, of the content of this blog. I think that in that thread they are just joking around, but this might be a good time for me to say something about my personal rules for editing on the blog.

First of all, in the Comments area. As of this morning there have been over 1,000 comments posted on this blog. With the exception of comment-SPAMs, which I delete as soon as I see them, I have edited only four or five comments. In about half of these cases I made the change at the request of the comment author, always to correct an embarressing typo.

In a few other cases I unilaterally edited a comment because I felt it went too far.

It's not my intent to make the comments in this blog reflect my values, or my sensibilities. On a regular basis there are comments here that say things -- or express them in a way -- that I would never say. But I leave them untouched because, well, if I mess with the comments, then they are useless. Free speech is not just a high minded, moral value. It makes the world a better, and more interesting, place.

But this is my website, and I reserve the right to exercise control in extreme cases. Like comment spam, which adds little to the experience. And on a very few occasions I felt that some comments went too far, for no good reason. So I edited those, and informed the author.

For the record I have not edited any comments in the "2nd Anniversary" thread.

As for my main entries in this blog, I do also edit those after they've been posted.

I regularly make 'copy-edits' to the posts. To fix a typo, a misspelling, or some awkward punctuation. Less often, I will make a substantial change to a posting. Every time I do this I mark the edit so that the change is visible. For example, if I replace any of the original words, I'll leave in the originals, but put a strikethru over them. Or if I add paragraphs to a post, I'll mark them with the word UPDATE.

These are my rules for editing. I'm sure you'll let me know that you think.

Posted by jghiii at February 6, 2004 12:54 PM

Comments

Posted by: beth on February 6, 2004 01:13 PM

I guess that puts Shermy in his place, huh.

Posted by: beth on February 6, 2004 01:13 PM

I guess that puts Shermy in his place, huh.

Posted by: Jack Hodgson on February 6, 2004 01:23 PM

Well, see, here is a textbook example. Beth hit the submit button twice. Should I fix it? Or leave it?

Posted by: dah on February 6, 2004 01:26 PM

Absolutely Jack, you have the right to edit content that is not appropriate.
just like how Janet pissed off CBS, it really did not offend most of us, and gave us something to talk about for a week, CBS did not want it there, it was not entertainment which is what that show was meant for. I know I should let this Janet thing go, but it seems to be a good example for other issues...
Feel free to edit any of my comments, especially my many spellinf errors

Posted by: sherman on February 6, 2004 01:31 PM

Leave Beth's comments and expose her for the double post button pushing person she is.

Like those folks at the elevator who keep pushing the button again and again because everyone knows that the kinetic energy from that action is magically transmitted to the engine of the elevator and makes it move faster.

REVERSE THE COMMENTS ORDER!
DAMN THE MAN!

Posted by: beth on February 6, 2004 01:38 PM

Fix it...but I have a question...who fixes Jacks spelling errors...(embarressing)try again..embarrassing

Posted by: beth on February 6, 2004 01:39 PM

I agree with Sherm (can you believe it). I liked the comments listed the old way, but I guess its what you get used to.

Posted by: Jack Hodgson on February 6, 2004 02:07 PM

I'm not gonna fix Beth's double comment. Cause, "puts Shermy in his place", cannot be said often enough.

Posted by: Jack Hodgson on February 6, 2004 02:10 PM

I'm not gonna fix Beth's double comment. Cause, "puts Shermy in his place", cannot be said often enough.

[I'm pretty sure this was posted by Sherm. -- Jack]

Posted by: Jack Hodgson on February 6, 2004 02:11 PM

I'm not gonna fix Beth's double comment. Cause, "puts Shermy in his place", cannot be said often enough.

[I'm pretty sure this was posted by Sherm. -- Jack]

Posted by: MGA on February 6, 2004 03:01 PM

What? This is your weblog? Heck, here I thought it was ours. I mean, after all, we are the ones who get to make comments about your comments (Just like PB. Remember PB?)

Seriously, (as if there ever was such a thing) of course this is your weblog. I for one am glad it (and you) are here and that you (and it) let us make our feeble contributions.

Parentetically yours...

Posted by: Steve Garfield on February 6, 2004 03:33 PM

I like the upside down comments better than the right side up comments since I just read these comments in reverse order since it was easier than scrolling down to the bottom and then scrolling up.

Posted by: Jo Ann on February 7, 2004 08:51 AM

Wow, this is deep! Here, here, Jack! It's your blog and you are the master of your domain. You go, girl! (Oh, you may want to switch that to "guy". It just reads better to say "girl" regardless of the subject's gender. I hope you don't mind.)

Hey, yeah, I was kidding with my comment in the thread. I didn't realize that you were so sensitive about being a fat typist as a child. Don't worry, I'll never bring it up again. Mum's the word. Well, actually, grease is the word.

By the way, of your 1,000 postings, you may want to point out that 978 are Sherman's. And how come I am the first person to bring this up? Wake up people... there are jokes to be made here! :-)

Posted by: Jack's mom on February 7, 2004 03:48 PM

I promised myself that I would not make any more comments, but on this one I have to stick up for Jack. I really prefer having the latest comment at the top. Don't have to waste time going through ones that I have already read,( some of which are pretty boring., if the shoe fits.........)

Posted by: Jo Ann on February 7, 2004 06:38 PM

Hey Jack! I have a question. Your mom does make a good point about the reverse order. (But I'm still voting for Sherman for President.)

Is there a way to make it so that when you click on a name in "Recent Comments" it takes you right to the entry of the one you clicked on? Right now it takes you to all of the comments in that category and then you may still have to scroll down to the bottom to find the one you clicked on to read in the first place.

Here's the big dilemma... there are two camps here! The folks who check often and those who check occasionally.

If you are reading the postings often throughout the day, it's gonna be irritating to have to scroll through all the old ones because they may be fresh in your mind and you may not want to see them again.

But for those who only check periodically, it is helpful to scroll down with the original comments on top. You don't need to reread the ones you already read, but you can glance at them to remember the thread.

So, for those who don't want to scroll through old comments, the "Recent Comments" could be the answer if it's possible to make it so when you click on a name, it brings you right to that specific comment.

Just a thought! Okay, I have to go campaign now. I'm off to "Sherman for President" headquarters...