First off, I love comments. What blogger doesn’t? Your comments are as important — if not more important — than anything I write. Your words contribute to the knowledge we share as a community. They’re what make this a conversation. So if you’re inclined to comment, whether for the first time or the hundredth time, I heartily encourage you to do so.

To help keep the conversation meaningful, here are some guidelines. They’re short and sweet and based on general principals of neighborly discourse.

1. Be nice. If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it here.

2. Be respectful. It’s okay to criticize ideas and opinions, but it’s not okay to criticize the people who shared them. Don’t attack other commenters (that includes harping on spelling or grammatical mistakes — just let it go). Comments intended mainly to inflame will be deleted. Offensive language won’t be tolerated.

3. Be transparent. You don’t have to use your real name when you comment (although bonus points if you do), but pick an alias and stick to it. No using different aliases within the same comment thread (i.e., you can’t pretend to be different people commenting on the same thing). If you’re an elected official or town volunteer, disclose that when you comment on something related to your work.

4. Be real. When you submit a comment, you must enter a working email address. Your email address will not be published on the site, but for administrative purposes, it must be valid.

5. Be truthful. This is not a place for rumor.

6. Be safe. Be careful about what personal information you share on this blog — this is the Internet after all. Do not share personal information about others in your comments.

Comments on this blog are moderated, meaning I read each one before it’s published. I reserve the right to delete or edit any comment I believe doesn’t meet the spirit of these guidelines. I delete all spam.

It should also be stated that the opinions expressed in the comments belong to the individual commenters. They’re not necessarily shared by me. Just because I publish a comment doesn’t mean I agree with it.

Some additional legal mumbo-jumbo

All Rights Reserved: The blog owner, administrator, contributor, editor, and/or author reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments. They also have the right to block access to any one or group from commenting or from the entire blog.

Hold Harmless: All comments within this blog are the responsibility of the commenter, not the blog owner, administrator, contributor, editor, or author. By submitting a comment on our blog, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold this site, MySouthborough.com, and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.

Published: January 10, 2011