I’m contemplating some changes for the comments here
No doubt regular readers have noticed a lot of recent troll activity here. It’s not the first time and not the first troll, so I’ve long thought about the issue. One possible solution is to tweak the comment system slightly to discourage trolls.
This is one of the few blogs of any decent size that still has unrestricted comments. In other words, most blogs either have registration or something like disqus. From the start, I’ve always valued comments and I’ve wanted to keep the process very easy here, and I’ve done so. But there’s a price to pay when it’s too easy.
So I think that some time in the next few days I’ll institute a new system. There are many from which to choose, so I’m not sure which one I’ll use yet because I’m not sure which will offer the best balance of protection versus ease of use.
I’m sorry to do this, but my intent is not to burden you with anything onerous. It will probably require an initial registration with an email address, and I’ll probably exclude hotmail accounts although I think I may be able to grandfather some hotmail accounts in for regular commenters here who have used that kind of account in the past. On your first registration, your first comment would be held in moderation till I approve it. But after that first time you wouldn’t have to go through registration again and you’ll just be able to comment as before and your comments will appear as before.
Any opinions or suggestions on this are welcome.
[ADDENDUM: I forgot to mention that I will not use disqus. I find it very annoying, and there are actually plenty of trolls on disqus.]
Sounds great.
(This comes from someone who doesn’t mind PL’s disqus, and who came here first when Althouse, as best I can recall, totally eliminated comments for a time.)
”It will probably require an initial registration with an email address…”
That’s too bad, as I don’t have a working email address. Anyway, it’s been fun and educational. Take care everyone!
Fine with me.
mkent, gmail addresses are free, and you could use it just for this.
”gmail addresses are free, and you could use it just for this.”
gmail requires a working cellphone number, which I don’t have.
mkent:
I can probably grandfather you in. I’ll try to do that; I’m pretty sure it’s possible. When I institute the new system, just attempt to comment (filling it in more or less as before) and I think I can make it work. Definitely give it a try.
I don’t think I’m a troll? I’m further to the right and an isolationist, but I either make an argument or refute one of yours when I comment maybe once a month and have been reading for years (and was a huge fan of Gerard). Okay, one time I did say I think you could be more assertive and have more faith in Trump. ?
At any rate – if you care – Disqus is a non-starter for me, keeps me from posting at Instapundit since it is so clunky, the extra sign in, can’t remember my password and so on. A one time thing might be okay. I do have a Gmail I could use.
Please, do not use disqus. It is a pain on Instapundit.
I have no problem registering.
Idjits have to ruin everything.
I forgot to mention that I will not use disqus. I find it very annoying, and there are actually plenty of trolls on disqus.
”I can probably grandfather you in. I’ll try to do that; I’m pretty sure it’s possible. When I institute the new system, just attempt to comment (filling it in more or less as before) and I think I can make it work.”
That would be cool. Thanks!!
I don’t mind disqus, but glad you noted just as many trolls with it.
I was going to suggest disqus as it works fine for me and that’s the only one I have. One blog I read uses disqus but you can also post as a guest just by giving an email, similar to your setup. Now I see it lists Disqus, facebook, X, google, microsoft, apple as possible logins. I still see anon or guest comments, which have the name show up gray instead of green. See this post for example- scroll down past the car service ad image near top:
https://www.christopherfountain.com/blog/2026/6/20/spot-on-charlie
I’m surprised. I read the comments often and not noticed any real trolls, maybe some snide disagreement or sarcasm. Go on X or Instapundit, you’ll see obvious trolls.
Sonny:
I’ve removed most of the trolls’s comments. That’s probably why you didn’t see them. Sock puppets, too.
I am happy to comply because it is worth it.
thank you Neo