Leaving comments for yourself are you?

Jahanshah Javid
by Jahanshah Javid
27-Nov-2008
 

It's been how long? Two years? Not sure really. But ever since comment boxes appeared below articles on iranian.com, there have been rare instances where writers have left supporting messages for themselves.

You, the general reader, may be able to guess these instances. But often you're probably wrong and it's just your conspiracy-friendly mind talking.

I on the other hand, have access to our publishing system, which can tell me, with a good deal of accuracy, if these comments are coming from the same person under the guise of different users.

In order to check on my suspicions, I have to ask our technical chief Foaad, to go and dig up the facts. I don't know how to do it myself and I don't want to. In a total of three instances (two concerning abusive users and one regarding comments on one's own writing), I have been so annoyed that I have sought Foaad's help. It's good to have an expert witness and second opinion.

Now my question is, what am I supposed to do? Should I tell the offending person to stop leaving congratulatory or supporting messages for her or himself? Should I just delete them? Should I expose them (I'm not going to that, I don't think)?

Or should I stop checking on these desperate individuals altogether? So what if people want to give themselves a pat on the back, anonymously, over and over again? Is that any of my business?

I would like your input. PLEASE do not speculate and name names in your comments (they will be deleted), because I would have done so myself and that's not the purpose of this blog.

However, maybe those who have done it may see this note and feel a little uncomfortable.

Balatarin
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persian westender

JJ Jaan, Expose them

by persian westender on Thu Nov 27, 2008 06:24 PM PST

JJ Jaan,

Expose them ..In other words" patashoon ro beriz roo ab"!

of course after a warning or two..!

btw may be its not that big deal.

 


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Tahirih

Do it please!

by Tahirih on Thu Nov 27, 2008 06:19 PM PST

If a commentator is leaving a comment which disagrees with the blog, then the author of the blog attacks the  commentator under different name , it should be exposed. I am sure after awhile readers will figure it out , but this action is annoying. So please do it. If you are concern about their privacy, send them a private e-mail.

 

regards,

Tahirih


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Shazde Asdola Mirza

Moment agha moment ...

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on Thu Nov 27, 2008 05:49 PM PST

JJ jaan-e-aziz: 

Get rid of the Anonymous comments all together, and this site will be a lot more readable.

While you are at it; please make all the female members post their swim suit photos, with each blog! 

San Francisco Yadet Nareh


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default

Registering

by Anonymous666 (not verified) on Thu Nov 27, 2008 05:43 PM PST

Jahanshah jan, i think people should not be able to leave comments anonymously (i know that's what i'm doing right now, but that's just because i am too lazy to register)
I don't think not being able to leave a comment without registering has anything to do with freedom of expression or democracy. the usernames are still pretty anonymous. But at least, we will think twice before leaving a comment, and we will have to take a little more responsability for our words. that's what democracy is all about after all.
i hope you will consider this.
sincerely yours,
anonymous


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Khar

Jahanshah you got me all curious now...

by Khar on Thu Nov 27, 2008 05:33 PM PST

You wrote: "The case that bothered me is unique (only case ever) and that's why I blogged about it" 

Inquiring mind want to know my good man (since you brought it up)! Perhaps you can tell us the details without naming names and locations. I can speak for all of us “Khaleh-Zanaks” out there that; we’re all ears Bro!

 


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ebi amirhosseini

JJ Aziz

by ebi amirhosseini on Thu Nov 27, 2008 05:29 PM PST

If it is only one case that bothers you,just tell him/her to stop it.As for leaving comments for themselves,who cares about anonymous narcissists?!

After all,it's all good !!

Happy thanksEATING 


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javaneh29

JJ

by javaneh29 on Thu Nov 27, 2008 05:00 PM PST

Wasnt getting at you at all.... I think if I were in your place I would be curious about many things ppl write and about the authors themselves!

They say curiousity killed the cat ... however Ive always thought it was probably what the cat did after he satisfied his curiousity that killed him.

Javaneh


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default

If I may, Lets come up with

by KavehV (not verified) on Thu Nov 27, 2008 04:47 PM PST

If I may,

Lets come up with a few criterions, including those who leave anonymouse messages on their on blog (need at least two). Then, when one or more of these conditions are met, you can set some red flag on these blogs to alert the reader of possible credibility of the blog.

Just my 2 cents,
Cheers


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default

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

by Anonymous77 (not verified) on Thu Nov 27, 2008 04:18 PM PST

I didn't know that people could be so plain bonkers and bikar to reply to themselves anonymously.

I think it's absolutely hilarious! It's like public mentalmasturbation.

JJ why don't you let them. "har deli alami dare" LOL

I can't stop laughing about this.


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Jahanshah Javid

Exceptions

by Jahanshah Javid on Thu Nov 27, 2008 04:16 PM PST

Javaneh, there is no site policy against leaving comments for yourself. The case that bothered me is unique (only case ever) and that's why I blogged about it. In fact there is no site policy on anything, really (in answer to my old fan, The Mrs!). We try to apply common sense as best we can.

I think you're right. It's probably none of my business. Desperation is no crime :)

If I could give more details, perhaps there would be more sympathy for snooping.

I don't know. I'm just venting.


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javaneh29

my view is

by javaneh29 on Thu Nov 27, 2008 04:04 PM PST

that unless these people are breaking any site rules eg being abusive, theres no harm in it. After all, as long as what ppl do here is within the site agreement, the way I see it is that you shouldn't intervene.  And only when they do break the site agreement should you be investigating and commenting privatley to that individual, privacy and all that.

I dont personally know which articles or blogs you refer to but I have often wondered myself if this happens. On those occassions I have decided that the individuals concerned, commented on their own article/blog to encourage comments from others.

Do you think that there is a more serious reason for behaviour? Javaneh


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default

Show us the policy

by Anonymous Old Fan (not verified) on Thu Nov 27, 2008 03:56 PM PST

Under the nonexistent iraniandotcom policy anyone is allowed to post comments whether registered or unregistered. Where does it say that registered users are not allowed to congratulate themselves anonymously as unregistered users? And how can it be proved that a suspected self-congratulatory comment from a person in fact is from the same person as the author of a blog or an article. What if a registered user's spouse or roommate is using the same computer and sending complementary comments anonymously. My ex-spouse used to post damning comments on my blogs. Would that be a proof that I damned myself? Registered users are constantly posting comments on any blogs or articles they choose with unregistered names. What's to prevent them from doing so? Why is that permissible but should not be allowed on their own blogs and articles? Where does it say so? Show us the policy.

We need a clear and concise policy and adhere to it without any acceptation, not some half backed and vague opinion of an editor, moderator, or administer.

Read TheMrs blog, called “JJ”, and the thread, and Jahanshah's response to her concern:

//iranian.com/main/blog/themrs/jjpage1

JJ: "I won't allow YOU (TheMrs) specifically from deleting your blogs. You're a very good writer and people leave lots of comments for you. I ain't gonna get rid of them -- ever! Complain all you want :o)"

JJ: "...I am a dictator as far as preserving good content, no matter what :o)"

JJ: "...This case applies to no one else. This is personal between me and my Mrs!"

Since when we've had a dictator?

Show us the policy and stick with it, or amend it in an open and democratic debate.


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Darius Kadivar

Thanks Dude ... ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 27, 2008 03:50 PM PST

Thank You Dude ...

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLxBBl1a0JU

Will make sure to report to my superiors at the CIA. They will sure be dissappointed that the "Duke" changed sides  ... ;0)

I recognized the faces now.

Kidding You are All Doing a Wonderful Job.

Cheers,

D

 


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Jahanshah Javid

Staff

by Jahanshah Javid on Thu Nov 27, 2008 03:35 PM PST

Darius,

Foaad Khosmood has been listed on our staff since day one. See "About us" link in bottom of page. So has Wayne Willis, our business manager. They have photos too (Foaad, Wayne), since you're so curious about what they look like.

Moderators of news, comments, blogs... are volunteers. If they wish to publicly announce their role as moderator, they can do so.


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Khar

Do you need an answer...

by Khar on Thu Nov 27, 2008 03:43 PM PST

Now or can it wait util we'll are done with the turkey and fixin's? I eat too much I can't even walk and let alone thinking! :o(

PS. Perhaps we should institute the Water-Boarding methods to extract and pluck them low-lives?! :o)

Happy gobble-gobble day Jahanshah Jaan!

 


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Darius Kadivar

Who will Supervise the "Expert" Foaad ? ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on Thu Nov 27, 2008 03:22 PM PST

Where did you hire him ? In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or the Arabian Gulf ? ...

Don't Call me a Racist, Ignorant will do ... ;0)

I got a few slandering comments from a guy with a similar pseudo Foad or Foaad so just wondering if he is the same person.

By the Way Isn't it High Time you introduce your Staff: Physically I mean with their photos and full name or have them to do it themselves like grown ups ? .

Its a question of credibility and accountability.

My Humble Opinion, and Thanks in advance for their and your hard work !

Best,

DK 


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