Frequently Asked Questions: Commenting on FedSmith.com articles
Listed below are the FAQ's in the Commenting on FedSmith.com articles category. Click the arrow next to each question to view the answer.
Why does FedSmith require code verification before submitting a comment on original articles posted on the site?
As spammers become more sophisticated and discover the large readership of the FedSmith comment pages, more inappropriate comments were being submitted by computer programs in an attempt to place ads directed at our readers. The heavy volume of this spam made it necessary for us to set up a system to prevent the spamming of the site. This feature ensures that any reader who has an opinion or comment on an article is able to send it in for publication without having to compete with spammers taking over this site feature.
What criteria are used to approve comments submitted in response to articles?
FedSmith Inc receives large numbers of comments in response to articles and the vast majority are approved for publication. The comments section are a popular part of our site and comments are often read by a large number of people.
We do not approve all comments for one of several reasons. If comments become redundant, we will decline to approve them so that readers do not have to wade through the same point made over and over again. If a comment contains terms that are likely to be considered offensive by another reader (e.g., calling another reader a Nazi for expressing a view) we do not approve the comment.
If a comment contains profanity or is generally disrespectful of another reader, the views expressed by that reader, or is inherently disrespectful of another person or his/her position, we do not publish the comment.
We encourage all readers to express their views and to do so in a professional manner that contributes to the overall quality of the exchange of ideas. This is the primary consideration in approving comments.
We also generally disapprove comments that use initials that represent an acronym. We have had readers send in comments with these acronyms that were sometimes offensive to people (if they knew what the acronym represented). With the rapidly growing use of acronyms used in text messaging, and the relative obscurity of these terms to many readers, we generally do not post them on the site.
FedSmith Inc does not encourage or accept comments that may constitute libel or slander against another or if, in our sole opinion, a comment displays disrespect for the views or position of another reader.
We do not approve all comments for one of several reasons. If comments become redundant, we will decline to approve them so that readers do not have to wade through the same point made over and over again. If a comment contains terms that are likely to be considered offensive by another reader (e.g., calling another reader a Nazi for expressing a view) we do not approve the comment.
If a comment contains profanity or is generally disrespectful of another reader, the views expressed by that reader, or is inherently disrespectful of another person or his/her position, we do not publish the comment.
We encourage all readers to express their views and to do so in a professional manner that contributes to the overall quality of the exchange of ideas. This is the primary consideration in approving comments.
We also generally disapprove comments that use initials that represent an acronym. We have had readers send in comments with these acronyms that were sometimes offensive to people (if they knew what the acronym represented). With the rapidly growing use of acronyms used in text messaging, and the relative obscurity of these terms to many readers, we generally do not post them on the site.
FedSmith Inc does not encourage or accept comments that may constitute libel or slander against another or if, in our sole opinion, a comment displays disrespect for the views or position of another reader.
Readers with a more important title had their comments posted before mine was posted. Do you review and post some comments before others?
In truth, we are usually working hard to get through and process the comments as fast as we can. In reality, this may mean that some comments are shorter and get approved first. It may also mean that the reviewer started at the bottom of the page and read those first.
Comments are reviewed and approved in batches. This means that some will inevitably be posted before others; there is no attempt or system in place to provide some readers with more consideration than others in posting comments.
Comments are reviewed and approved in batches. This means that some will inevitably be posted before others; there is no attempt or system in place to provide some readers with more consideration than others in posting comments.
In what order do comments appear after an article?
The first comments submitted are posted at the bottom of news articles. When browsing all of the comments for an article, comments are posted in the order in which they were received and approved. In other words, the last comment submitted will usually be at the bottom of the last page of comments.
The only exception is when a reader is responding to an earlier comment. If you are posting a reply to another reader, your comment will be underneath the comment to which you were responding.
The only exception is when a reader is responding to an earlier comment. If you are posting a reply to another reader, your comment will be underneath the comment to which you were responding.
I posted my comment but it did not appear for a few hours. Why is that?
FedSmith.com is staffed by volunteers and we have a small staff. We process comments when time is available to do so. In some instances, comments are approved right away. At other times, all comments submitted are reviewed and approved at the same time.
On any given day, we will receive a large number of comments. We read each comment to ensure the comments are relevant and meet our other criteria for posting. Reading and approving the comments takes time but we strive to approve them as quickly as possible.
On any given day, we will receive a large number of comments. We read each comment to ensure the comments are relevant and meet our other criteria for posting. Reading and approving the comments takes time but we strive to approve them as quickly as possible.
Why are comments not in order of the date and time they were submitted by readers?
Some readers have expressed concerns about the order in which comments are posted on the site because new comments may appear higher on a page than older comments.
In order to allow a reader to follow a "thread" in the comments, a reader who responds to a previous comment will find that a response is placed directly underneath the one. This allows anyone to see what has been submitted in response and makes the "train of thought" easier to read.
In order to allow a reader to follow a "thread" in the comments, a reader who responds to a previous comment will find that a response is placed directly underneath the one. This allows anyone to see what has been submitted in response and makes the "train of thought" easier to read.
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