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Don't Like It? Flag It...

We've been at this for awhile now and a few of you out there still seem to think that Patch is responsible for both its stories AND comments. Listen up, people... here's the skinny:

 

Our comment threads are extremely active here at Lamorinda Patch. Many of you appear to still be confused by how they work.

First, the comments expressed under our stories are the sole responsibility of the poster and are not to be confused with our stories, which are clearly marked.

Second, the posters are your neighbors, like it or not, and are not employed by Lamorinda Patch.

Third, the opinions expressed in comment threads are just that -- the opinion of the poster.

Fourth, if you feel the comment exceeds the clearly and oft-repeated standards of "conduct" here at Lamorinda Patch, "Flag It" so we can find it more quickly among the hundreds of comments we get.

Remember, the comment must violate one of the : it cannot be profane, personally invasive, threatening or intimidating, or qualify as an attempt to "hijack" the comment thread and take it in another direction. DO NOT flag a comment just because you don't agree with the author's position.

Remember, the EDITOR here has a DELETE key and he isn't afraid to use it! And so do you. If you put up a post, think it over and would prefer that it not post to the site, YOU can delete YOUR OWN POST -- no one else's.

Thanks.

JD

c5 June 12, 2012 at 11:10 am
good move. time to find some articles to post incendiary comments on to see how this works!
David Holden June 12, 2012 at 11:29 am
While the stories on Patch are well written and provide useful information, the comments often suggest that Lamorinda is populated by the descendants of those who escaped from Atascadero State Hospital. It's difficult to tell if this is a result of one-upmanship (you post something crazy so I'll post something even crazier) or if Lamorinda's crazy simply runs as deep as the Congo River.
Sandy June 12, 2012 at 11:45 am
We were talking about this just the other night. While still so much better than anything else I have seen elsewhere on the Internet we have been amazed by some of the comments posted here. The interesting thing is that some of the craziest posts are really well written and really hard to pick out. Maybe that does say something about the people here!!!!
gavilan June 12, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Having been born and raised in Orinda and lived in Lafayette for the past 15 years, I learned a long time ago that education, intelligence and/or wealth do not always mean common sense . . . or even ANY sense! The comments section has time and again borne that view out . . .
Andrew L. June 12, 2012 at 01:04 pm
"All the world is queer save thee and me, and even thou art a little queer"
Louise Benvenue June 12, 2012 at 01:08 pm
Is it possible the comments are not from our neighbors; in order words, can anyone on the internet 'patch in' from Texas, Missouri or any place else?
David Holden June 12, 2012 at 01:40 pm
I would imagine so - although I wonder why anyone in Texas or Missouri would care about a dog park in Moraga or rogue bicyclists in Lamorinda.
I'm still more apt to believe that it's either a case of people trying to out-do each other, which would suggest many comments are worthless since they don't represent true thoughts, or people in this area are simply a few peas short of a casserole.
J.D. O'Connor (Editor) June 12, 2012 at 01:48 pm
Hi, Louise... short answer to your question is that anyone can find Lamorinda Patch and comment on its stories. But the fact is that while we have had people comment from Beijing and Afghanistan we were able to determine that they once lived here and are still interested in the community or coming back. The VAST majority of the comments are from the locals, except for a few rather strange cases where local issues struck a chord on a national level.
theresa June 12, 2012 at 05:08 pm
Your title was misleading, J.D., suggesting that just because someone doesn't like my comment, that's reason enough to flag it, so I'm glad to see the "fat" on your "skinny" made it all clear!
As for me, I'd just as soon see everyone's comments -- ugly or not. It gives me a sense of who that person is.
J.D. O'Connor (Editor) June 12, 2012 at 06:01 pm
Even if it's anonymous, Theresa?
theresa June 18, 2012 at 04:45 pm
but even the anonymous ones have some kind of a handle, right, JD? or are you finding a lot of one-time users, sniping out, and then disappearing?
J.D. O'Connor (Editor) June 18, 2012 at 05:53 pm
Hi, Theresa... this is a big issue for me, actually. While I am a "glass half full" kinda guy and think everyone should just feel secure enough in their own words to post "in the open" and under their own name, I realize some people do not feel that secure. So posts with screen names are allowed, though if they carry allegations or other inappropriate language I am prone to delete them with extreme prejudice. We do get "one timers" who come in, try to wreak havoc and leave, but they are usually found out and deleted pretty quickly. If someone were to post under their true name I am inclined to let their words stand -- unless threatening, profane, etc.
Publius June 18, 2012 at 08:44 pm
The "delete" key has never worked for me....
Tristan June 18, 2012 at 09:25 pm
This is not the "letters to the editor" section of your local newspaper. This is the internet, and anonymous comments are such a huge part of what makes the web so fun. JD, you do a great job, but when you ask Patchers to use their names in the comments, it really makes me wonder if you're not actually driving away potential commenters. Do Patches in other areas have this type of encouragement (or insistence) added on leaving your full name on comments? I am not trying to be snarky, it's just something I've wondered. I used to comment here regularly, but the comment string hijacks became too tedious. Anyway, I don't blame people for not wanting to leave their real name. I am one of a handful of Tristans in this area, and I live in Lafayette, and I used to work in Lafayette. I really didn't feel like contributing to a chaotic comment section using my real name. If you own a business in this area, or if you do business in the area, I can't blame you for not wanting to use your real name in the comments section of a website.
J.D. O'Connor (Editor) June 18, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Hey, Tristan... thanks for writing. It's a constant battle. If the anonymous poster is contributing something that is well-written and intelligent (as are the vast majority of posts here, don't get me wrong) I have no problem with someone writing behind a screen name. What I have a problem with is the anonymous "sniper" who comes in, makes an accusation or slanders someone in print -- on my site -- and dances off on his or her merry way. I'm attempting to find a way to prevent this sort of cyber skullduggery from happening as it responsible for driving good people away, as you point out.
Publius June 19, 2012 at 12:00 am
Honestly, I have been trying to delete that last comment for over 3 hours. What am I doing wrong?
Jose June 19, 2012 at 01:49 am
Sorry, I thought you were kidding. I am no expert, but this is what I see. When I AM LOGGED ON, I see a delete option in my comment box. If I place the cursor there it highlights, and I can select DELETE.
Are you logged on?
Publius June 19, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Hi Dave,
Yes, all logged in and hitting the "delete" button. They system gyrates for a second and says, "patching", but then nothing happens. You all are stuck with my inane commentary.
Tim Davis June 19, 2012 at 01:05 pm
Possible your internet connection is hanging up??
Jose June 19, 2012 at 03:01 pm
While you are logged in, go to account settings or profile for yourself and scroll to the bottom. You will find Contact us...Help where you can contact the Patch support staff. They can check to see if there is anything to fix on their end. If not, they may still be able to help yout out.
Good luck.
Publius June 19, 2012 at 04:35 pm
Thank you, Moribund Dave. It would seem as though you still have a bit of life left in you after all. :-)

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