Comments Policy

As much as I really didn’t want to do this, the time has come to set a comments policy for this blog.

I wrote about this a few days ago: Why do I accept or delete comments?

Since then, the situation has not really improved and I continue to get self-serving comments from anonymous people. The time has come to put a stop to this.

So, my new comments policy is as follows.

1. You must link to your blog or other site using your name. I will no longer approve any comments, no matter how good they are, if you use keywords in your link. That’s final.

2. You must sign your comment with at least your first name. If you have both first and last name in your link, or if I already know you well enough by your first name, then you don’t have to sign the post. You’ve established a track record as being a helpful contributor to our discussions.

3. The purpose of comments on this site is to add to the discussion. I will no longer accept any one-line comments that say “good job” or “interesting reading” or anything similar.

Either add to the discussion or don’t bother leaving a comment that I’m just going to delete.

4. I use a plug-in on this blog so that your links are followed by the search engines. I use another one that will link to your last blog post. Therefore, you get two links whenever you contribute.

5. I don’t approve comments that have affiliate links in the body of the post. Do that on your own blog or website.

I don’t mind affiliate links. That’s how I earn my living, but there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

6. When I can, I will try to visit your last blog post and, if I have anything constructive to add, I’ll post a comment of my own. That’s one way we help each other. I may not be able to do it all the time, but I’ll do it whenever I can.

7. Mean spirited comments or comments that use foul language will be deleted without a second thought. Go pollute someone else’s sandbox. Not mine.

I allow you to participate here, but I expect you to be civil and show good manners.

You are free to disagree with me, but you have to do it in a constructive and civil manner. Life is too short to deal with negative, ill-mannered people.

8. This comments policy is subject to change at any time.

If you don’t like how I manage my blog, go play somewhere else.

Now, with all that said, I want to thank everyone who does take the time to leave thoughtful, constructive comments that add to the topics at hand.

I’d rather have one comment from Mitch, Sire, Pat, Joan, Deb, Brian, and many of the other excellent contributors than a thousand “nice job” comments.

Act on your dream!

JD