Thanks to recent spamming through the comment section on this blog, I've had to enable a bit of extra security to make sure real people are posting appropriate comments.
This is also the point where I have to make ultra-clear what my policy is about comments on this blog:
I welcome readers in general. I'm more than happy to respond as soon as I can to comments that I deem appropriate. I love to meet real people and engage in online conversations. That's primarily why I have this blog.
It does not take deep thought to have a sense of what is appropriate. Usually, "appropriate" includes comments that address points or claims I have made in this blog, or comments that address the comments of others, ask questions, or offer constructive insight and/or opinion.
In most cases, I even like a quick line of the "Nice blog, come visit me sometime!" kind, as it alerts me that you are out there and enjoying the blog -- but see below regarding spam.
Incidentally, but still importantly: I do expect participants to remain civil. Strong feelings are fine to express, so long as you attack the argument, and not the person. If you wouldn't say it face to face, you probably need to rephrase your points more constructively.
More to the point:
As a general rule: this is not the place to advertise your commercial ventures without my explicit approval, and I hate spam. If you leave a link to a website, I am going to be most displeased if there is even the remotest hint that the site in question is of the "Make Money With No Effort" or "sexual aids" or any other phishing type venture.
I DO accept links if the link is to a personal website or blog that does NOT have an ulterior commercial motive and does NOT contain content I find patently offensive and/or illegal. I have a fairly wide tolerance for content I find offensive (and sometimes I even want to discuss it), but one is not advised to push the boundaries of my patience.
I understand very well that you may want to generate traffic for your site or blog, and I'm happy to allow that to enable global conversations, but there is a limit: if I sense that you are interested purely in generating commercial income, as opposed to an audience, you are not going to use my blog as free advertising without my explicit consent. Period.
Failure to recognize simple common sense and courtesy will get your comment deleted, with no appeal and no right of explanation. Egregious, repeat offenders will be blocked and possibly referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action.
Bottom line: this is my blog, and posting here is a privilege, not a right. If you wouldn't do it as a guest in someone's house (mine), don't do it here.
Sorry for the tone of this post, but unfortunately, some apparently need guidance on the rules. Everyone else I presume to be normal, polite people who already grasp these things, and who are always welcome! :-)
P.S. I'm submerged at the moment with summer classes, so posting will likely resume after July 21.
