Sunday, January 20, 2008

New Poll: Should 'Anonymous' Live on BATB?

As you've probably noticed, comments on BATB have been down since I stopped anonymous comments on the site. In Pikesville last Friday, I had a number of people tell me that I should allow anonymous comments on the site because it brings flavor to the site.

So I decided to leave it up to you: The new poll is up and simply asks "Should 'Anonymous' comments be allowed on Boxing Along The Beltway?

The poll will be available until Saturday, February 29.

6 comments:

Linda "Great Shot" Siadys said...

Good idea.
I don't have a problem with most Anons. I have issues with "anons" jumping in (sometimes out of the blue) with F'ing J.D. Brown and F you Chris Middendorf. 75% of the time the flavor on here just makes the BATB soup that much better, but I just wish that whether a post is anon or a (frequent flyer coming in as aka anon), that we respect the Site, the man that built it and the community as a whole. And so what if the there is an outpouring of support against such negativity, no one needs to waste their time with such nonsense.
It's not so much a "sensitivity" issue as a keeping it real issue and I would dig it if some of the really nasty anon posts were done under the real name. I mean you wouldn't go in the ring with a 9 mil and a hood over your head, so why do it here?

1stroundko said...

What people fail to realize is that if they have an account, it can be under their screen name as my google account is and comment all day long with most people not knowing who they are if they chose to be that way.
But if they don't have an account (even though google accounts are free and easy to set up), then maybe Gary should just leave it like it was and maybe just make a point of saying that as long as people act reasonably then he will allow anon. postings, but if it gets out of hand again that he will do away with them for good. In some way dialogue is good for the site and good for the community even if some of it gets a little rough on JD and myself sometimes! (and thank you Linda for bringingthat up!). But my feeling in general is that if it can build excitement for a particular fight either locally or a local fighting on a national show, then it is good. we need all the excitement that we can get.

Anonymous said...

I'm in total agreement with the posts above. A comment doesn't have to be filthy and disrespectful to be harsh.

Unknown said...

Another option is get a domain and set up a blog that is more robust. You could have alot more option's on how anonymous post, Their is one thing for sure about anonymous postings. Their will be post that are not worth reading, and their will those few that make you go Huh and ictch your head. In all my days playing with the net and having forum/blogs and such, Anonymous post are a pain in the butt 70% of the time "Worthless Post" and 30% "Worth reading" give or take on percent. Also we have to remember this is a boxing related site where smack talk is easy to start depending on which boxer you like or dislike. Or which promotor you like or dislike. One thing you can always count on is if a anonymous poster has something interesting to say they will find a way.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you finally showed Mr. Anon. the door. While the anonymous comments indeed added flavor, that flavor too often left a bad taste.

Yes, there are ways to circumvent the new policy. But judging from the grammar and syntax of the most virulent and undocumented anonymous postings, these are not incredibly educated or resourceful individuals.

In the handful of situations where anonymity is appropriate and necessary, such as in the case of a whistleblower, Digital certainly has the experience and journalistic chops to make that distinction and report it as news, assuming that the proof is there.


I am sure I'm not the only one who's noted the irony that a blog about boxing, a sport that thrives on bravado, has brought out some of the biggest cowards who hide behind the anonymity, knowing that their ramblings would never stand up if they had to defend them with their name and reputation.

So long Mr. Anonymous. You will be neither forgotten nor missed.

Chris Nicholson

chin from the honeycomb gym said...

Boxing is about free flowing energy delivered in each fighters own unique style. In that ring you want to be able to do your thing freely and use your creativity as you wish to use it. One of the good things about it all is that no one can stop you from doing your way. Some fighters have a still mechanical style while other flow, dip and slip with the style that feel looks and good and makes them feel good as well as win bouts. And they don't want stiff kats telling what and how to do it. Some will appreciate them while others will hate on them. You see it all the time.
The same with posters. Some write in words and styles that some hate and at the same time other find it insightful and interesting. Regardless of what you say that is how it is. I like to see the free flow, not the controlled tight totalitarian expression environment. Do what you do, however that is my word, but its your site so go on mister big man.. do you brother.
Plus I hate the verification process. It ain't no fun.