I have updated Para. 3 of the Site Policy to include the words “for the most part” so that it better reflects what has been the case in reality for many years. Without some social interaction through off-topic content this site would be rather dry and dull, not something that I would want.
With the current restrictions on mixing socially in the physical world, it is all the more important to be able to do so online. Yes, there are social media platforms but surely it is better to socialise with others who share a similar interest, in our case cryptic crosswords. I therefore decided at the end of March, when lockdown began in the UK, to relax my policing of off-topic comments so that there could be more social interaction on this site.
However, the current situation has resulted in a significant increase in the number, and in some cases length, of comments on each post, particularly those for Guardian blogs, so to reduce the impact I would ask that you follow the guidelines below:
Before posting a comment please consider whether what you intend to say (or have already written) adds value by being relevant to the discussion and/or of possible interest to others.
Please try to avoid duplicating anything that has already been said in the blog or a previous comment.
Please check your comment for typos etc before clicking on ‘Post Comment’. If you notice a typo after the comment has appeared, please don’t submit another comment correcting it unless the sense of the original comment has been compromised.
In most cases it is unnecessary to apologise for ‘crossing’ with another comment having similar content.
Any comment, or part of a comment, that is not directly relevant to the puzzle under discussion should be enclosed in square brackets – [ ] – so that it can more easily be ignored by those with no interest in off-topic content.
If a non-puzzle-related comment might generate a lot of response please use the General Discussion page instead.
Please note that I am not trying to restrict the quantity and content of comments, merely to remove some of the chaff from the wheat. For the background as to why this post has been published please see The Increase In Comments.
Very good compromise, Gaufrid.
Gaufrid, as one who appreciates the education afforded by many of the off-topic comments, I thank you for a level of tolerance that surely must increase the difficulty of your work. And of course a heartfelt thanks for maintaining the site in the first place. I will adhere to your entirely reasonable guidelines.
Gaufrid. Just about the perfect response. Thanks and please keep up the good work and keep safe!
Thank you for the work you have put into these Comment Guidelines, Gaufrid. They are very wise, sensible and helpful. [And humblest apologies for breaching two guidelines – the correction of typos and the apologies for crossing – on yesterday’s Nutmeg blog before you posted this. Will try to avoid those in future.]
Seriously? Has it seriously come to this?
This policy sounds very sensible to me. I generally like a certain level of off-topic comments, but I see the desirability of keeping them brief and of clearly indicating them so that those who don’t like them can easily ignore them. I’ll follow these practices in the future.
I genuinely think that this is one of the best-run sites I know of. It often looks like the site runs itself, but we know that’s not true, and I for one really appreciate your work!
Dear Gaufrid
Whatever you decide will be respected by all those, posters or not, who love your site
Pressing the Send button is too easy. Slow us down!
Before posting, ask me is Is your comment too long? Pertinent? Have you spell checked? Do you know the name of the setter or blogger or even which day it is…
good luck!
Hi Gaufrid,
Would it be possible to use a ‘Facebook’-style format, where commenters have the option of replying to a particular post, rather than adding to the general body of comments? All such replies could then appear, indented, immediately below the post in question, regardless of the time they were submitted. This would certainly make for easier and quicker scrolling, and a more coherent discussion.
greensward @8
I am not keen on nested/threaded comments because it means that on a subsequent visit you need to read through all of the comments to see what has been added since your last one, whereas with the current arrangement you only need to scroll down to the last comment read and then you know that all subsequent comments are new ones.
Excellent work, Gaufrid. Will you put these guidelines on a tab on the Home page?
See General Discussion for a further point.
Another thank you to Gaufrid. A great compromise.
The site is already showing the benefits of reduced reading and repetition whilst maintaining its interest.
Tony @10
There is a permanent link to this post in the LH sidebar and a reminder will be posted from time to time, as and when required.
Gaufrid @1above, not on my phone there isn’t (as far as I can see).
Thanks, Gaufrid. It’s pleasing to see you’ve taken careful account of our opinions. As Pedro@11 says, you’ve come up with a great compromise. Now it’s up to us to behave ourselves.
As an occasional contributor I have wondered who was responsible for the site but have refrained from asking as being ‘off-topic’ in the daily thread. This is my opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone concerned with the site. Apart from being ‘crossword college’ for inexperienced solvers, I suspect it’s also a big help to setters, though I doubt they listen to my whingeing!
Thanks also for the polite but sensible guideline suggestions.