[oldgent]

there have been some oblique references made to the management using moderators on viewer comments and that being censorship...personnally I think that isa good idea-mind you, I tend to be supportive of anyone that shares themselves on his site - how many one-time posters have there been - those that get ripped or put down by hyper-critical individuals - certainly that doesn't advance the cause here of being a site for amateurs...So, in my opinion, it would be a good thing for there to be moderators that can kill the comments that put down the contributors. Encourage the first timers to post more-always someone viewing to whom that contribution may appeal to them...
Better for all of us...

[Funnest]

Funner and I are in total agreement about moderating the comments, especially the racist things that some of the guests tend to write. There's must be a way to not allow non-members to comment and then for the members that can't seem to say anything nice. It would be great if us contributors, upon finding an unacceptable comment by a member, were able to flag it as inappropriate and a moderator can warn that person. After so many complaints those members should have their memberships revoked.

Just a thought...

[mespeedy567]

simple rule if you can't say something nice then shut the hell up.
if you don't like a pic hit the the back button.
just be nice. it's not that hard

[mespeedy567]

new rule: just be nice.
if you can't say something nice then don't

[darkstar]

While I agree that there should be a way to remove comments that are racist, or in any other way degrading to the poster, I am confused about the suggestion to prevent non-members from posting comments. I have posted quite a few comments (I am not a member of VW), and they were always positive and encouraging, and the posters have generally been appreciative. If I find a post I don't like, I just move on to the next one. Not allowing non-members to post would in my opinion be a mistake, and prevent many nice comments from being posted.
Can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all

[zardoz1962]

Lets distinguish two things.

1) Censoring the bulletin board is a very, very bad idea. It shows a site that does not trust and wants to control its members. It means the bulletin board is not an exchange of ideas but is an extension of the sites advertising and self-promotion. Occasionally an inappropriate post will show and a moderator can remove it after the fact. If the community disagrees, enough will have seen it to call the owners out.

2) Some form of censoring comments on pictures though I think is almost necessary. How many contributors can you remember who said they got hateful comments and would not post again? How many received threats and withdrew? How many now disable comments entirely so they don't have to risk reading garbage.

I made the comment on the other side and will repeat it here. Contributors should have their choice - take comments from everyone, take comments only from registered users (who are monitored and deleted if warranted for at least the first few comments), or take no comments at all. I would also give contributors the ability to delete or block selected comments or users.

[Suntann]

Its an extremely large viewing audience, not everyone is going to say pleasing comments. My thoughts in this, if you post yourself or be allowed to be posted. You should have thick enough skin to take what comments are posted.

All to often had I witnessed a person or couple post, thinking that everyone was going to fall all over their pics. When their expectations where not met, they become discouraged. Again understand the risk of posting on the net and allowing people to post comments.

[zardoz1962]

In theory I'd agree. In practice, there are way too many childish morons who get their kicks by cutting down anyone less than perfect (as though they are).

Posters come to be part of a community, and taking care of and nurturing our own is a reasonable expectation. No 45-YO lady taking her first tentative steps out of her shell needs to be exposed to assholes on the first day.

[Suntann]

In theory I'd agree. In practice, there are way too many childish morons who get their kicks by cutting down anyone less than perfect (as though they are).

Posters come to be part of a community, and taking care of and nurturing our own is a reasonable expectation. No 45-YO lady taking her first tentative steps out of her shell needs to be exposed to assholes on the first day.

I agree you should wait a week or two before the hammer falls....just kidding.