When I first started COLUMBIA TALK back in February, I did so because I saw a need since our town, which was left without a newspaper for the first time in well more than a century.
Although some make think otherwise, and that is their right, I didn't do it for personal gain or satisfaction, I did it for the town of Columbia. I am getting no financial gain out of it and have enjoyed trying to help Columbia as well.
I've tried to tolerate the comments as much as possible and probably deleted more than I've posted. And, I've put my name to the comments. I tried to change it a few weeks ago, asking people to sign their names. It worked but it didn't. So, I've decided to change back to all posts being signed, something like a Letter to the Editor. There will be a limited on the number of words as well -- under 75.
Yes, last week, I did delete comments on Mayor Lutz' letter because I was posting something myself and by my own lack of computer technology posted on that comment portion. So since it really had nothing to do with the post and really that wasn't needed, I had to remove the entire post with the comments. It was much easier for me to just repost the mayor's letter, minus the comments and picture.
I've decided to take a new approach as I look to improve this website and may even try to make it into an on-line newspaper and take a different approach and it starts with the comment portion. If you believe in what you are saying, which I do, post your name.
There are some good things going on in town and along with that, a few things that make you shake your head. I urge residents to continue attending meetings, ask questions and become involved in this great town of Columbia. As much as I would like to tell the "Negative Nellie's" in town that if they don't like living here, hit the road, I'll reserve comment on that.
Yes, things have got to change and if we all work together, it will happen. If not, we'll remain a fractured town. I don't want that and I hope neither do you.
And yes, I will continue to work for a better Columbia too.
11 comments:
Absolutely agree with you! The "negative nellies" are like a bunch of folks standing at the back of the room heckling but afraid to show their faces. With as you put it "lack of computer technology", I'm not sure how you can verify a commenter is who they say they are. But, I guess that's something you have to deal with on a regular newspaper. I'll be glad to sign myself: Albert Storm, Jr.
Tha best thing you could do on this Blog Barry. All the cowards hiding behind the "anonymous" moniker can come out of the closet or just go away! This can be a very possitive place for good Columbians to discuss issues pertaining to our beautiful town.
This is a much needed improvement! Yay, Barry!
I think it's a bad idea Barry. Your site was much more interesting when you allowed anonymous posters and your posting traffic is way down. It might come back, but I doubt it.
Barry, the proof is in the number of comments you have NOT received in the past week or so. This is your web site and you need to run it the way you see fit. It was doing well and you were getting issues out to the public that we may not have known about otherwise. In return residents were given an opportunity to speak without having to be known, for fear of repercussions from others. It doesn't make someone a "Negative Nellie" just because they have a complaint about how something is being handled. Once you placed the article stating "for 3 days" the comments really dropped off and it hasn't come back. Do yourself a favor, if you want this to go back to the responses it was getting, make a statement saying. Then start posting some of the old stuff like pictures of run down, poorly maintained properties. Are there still 2 broken out windows in the old Columbia Hotel building? Right across the street from boro hall and I don't see any NOV's taped to that building!
Now I have to say, look at all of your positive articles you have on right now. Where are all of your optomistic people with their comments? You have articles about football media day, football practice, st. anne's yard sale, concession help wanted, softball champs, band,etc. Where are the comments for these articles? Where are your "Positive Pattie's"? Sure we like to hear positive stuff and I am glad you post it, but it just isn't the kind of information people have strong opinions on. Keep posting that stuff because WE NEED IT but just realize, we are happy and content with that stuff and don't feel much need to say anything about it.
The proof is in the numbers, if you want to get your blog back to the way it used to be you need to post EVERY COMMENT, anonymous or not. Just don't post any that are threatening or use of any swear words. The people of this town are entitled to their opinions and expressing them without having to be concerned about repercussions from the higher powers to be.
look, it's really easy to still be Anonomass if you're afraid of yourself!
I think that Barry just want's you to at least have some nick name and a special identity so that his blog isn't all confused with fifty anonomass's trying to figure out who they are answering to.
just to go www.rock.com, set up a free e-mail with no identity - then go to www.wordpress.com and use your new rock.com e-mail to set up a simple wordpress blog - and you're home free.
just remember to log in to your wordpress blog before you log in to Barry's site or you will get logged out when you go to post
happy typing! - and bring back the comments!!, but at least with some sort of a name that you think fits your presonality so people can at least have a better guess as to who you really are :)
It's a slow, slow death...... what a shame. We really needed this Barry, we really did. I imagine you have noticed that your numbers are down too.
It's not a death - people are just sitting back and waiting to see what Barry does. I think that Barry should hold the line and if Barry hangs in there, the posters will come back to life.
If people don't want to give their name they can set up a nick name as I stated above and at least make the site more interesting then it was when a bunch of anonymous's were posting all over the place.
Riversnake, I read your post trying to direct people to "wordpress" to set up a name. While I am not the most computer literate person, I followed your steps and it didn't work. Was there a step missing? Can you please go thru the process again and put the steps down for people? I found Google to be quite easy so maybe people want to try that, you just need to give Google your email address. I guess with "wordpress" you don't, so maybe you can post the directions again?
ok
go to www.rock.com and set up a new e-mail account - takes about ten seconds
(for example, google makes you have an alternate e-mail address which traces back to you, www.rock.com does not require an alternate e-mail address)
then, go to www.wordpress.com and set up an account and set up a blog - this is quick and easy.
*tip: at least the first time, you have to be logged in to your wordpress account when you go to post at Barry's site. So, log in to wordpress.com and then open a new browser (click on your internet explorer button again and go to Barry's site while the wordpress site is still open - then it works and in the future you might not have to have both sites open at the same time
good luck
is it the nice weather or what?? - nobody is posting lately!! - everyone must be out BBQ'ing! - come on your rowdy posters! - get back in the saddle! - Barry is working hard to heep the ball rolling and we need a little excitmment around here :)
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