Changes on the way for reader comments; join the community conversation

Tired of wading through the mire of what can sometimes make up a segment of online reader comments at our Web site, TribTown.com?

You're not alone.

That's why we'll roll out a new reader comment tool - Pluck - on Monday, May 12.

The new tool will require anyone wanting to comment on stories posted at TribTown to first register. You'll need a verifiable e-mail address to do so.

No, you won't have to publish your real name, although personally I put more stock in comments that carry a real name. Pseudonyms will be allowed, and pseudonyms will be registered, so we hope to eliminate what appears to be happening now, with some commentators purposely using the names of others to stir the pot.

One goal of Pluck is to encourage a more civil, more robust and more active community conversation online.

As part of that, we'll also offer readers more options to comment online rather than just the customary reader comments that follow each story. Those other options include creating your own blog that will appear online at TribTown and initiating topical forums. You can also submit your own photos for use in user-submitted photo galleries.

You won't be required to register to read our site or any of the reader comments, blogs or forums. Registration is needed to write comments to stories or forums or to create your own blog on TribTown.

Pluck will continue to allow viewers to flag comments if they think they're out of bounds. Staffers at The Tribune will monitor those flagged comments to determine whether they should stay up or be removed.

This new tool also will allow us to block those posters who repeatedly violate the Web site's rules of community conversation.

Is this censorship? We don't think so, although we're quite certain there will be comments left on this online posting and others that will claim that's exactly what it is. Instead, we think the new tools - and our continued efforts to delete abusive comments - is simply an effort to create a more useful, vibrant and productive marketplace of ideas.

Starting Monday, you'll find how to register in a blue box on the home page of TribTown.com that says "Publish your stuff." Be sure to check it out, get registered and join the community conversation.
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Dan Davis is editor of The Tribune. You may reach him by phone at 523-7051 or by e-mail at ddavis@tribtown.com.