New desktop wallpaper for May is available now! I couldn’t make up my mind this month, so I’m offering two. I love the jaunty feeling of this photo of Glory Bee and Beulah Petunia bouncing through BP-land. This photo of the chive blossoms was requested, so I put up both.
You can download them for FREE here.
Second, after this post, I’ve implemented a couple of your suggestions. If you take a peek at the comments section today, you’ll find a “flag this comment” button on every comment. This allows you to let me know when you find a comment objectionable and inappropriate. One flag on a comment will not make it disappear, but if several readers find the same comment offensive and flag it, it will then be automatically thrown back into moderation and disappear from the site unless I approve it to be restored. You may see an offensive comment before I do! Also, it’s important to me that the community have a voice in what you do and don’t want to see here.
In addition, I’m now going ask you to register before leaving a comment. I believe this will act as a deterrent to drop-in attackers. Registration has always been required to post on the CITR forum and to participate in Farm Bell Recipes to protect the environment in community areas. The comments section is also a community area, and at this point, I feel it’s necessary to require it here as well.
If you’re not registered, you can register here. It will only take a moment.
If you’re already registered but not logged in, go here to log in. Unless you clear your history or log out, you will remain logged in from day to day.
If you’re registered but can’t remember your username or password, email [email protected] –and we’ll fix you up!
I’m sorry for the small inconvenience, and I hope you understand. I want to keep the comments section as open and as free as possible, and I believe these small steps will help make that possible. Thank you!!!!
Hlhohnholz says:
Awesome ideas, Suzanne. I believe they will go a long ways towards achieving everyone’s goals: You get to allow as much openness in your comments as people can stand, and you give yourself a good means for removing offensive people based on community feeling, not just your own reaction. 🙂 Love it!
On May 3, 2011 at 11:36 am
JerseyMom says:
I think you made a good decision on both the flag button and the registration. Freedom for the well behaved – control over the others. Good job!
On May 3, 2011 at 11:49 am
MousE says:
This is not an inconvenience at all, and thanks for the wallpaper!
On May 3, 2011 at 12:16 pm
morningstar says:
Brilliant idea and no inconvenience at all
On May 3, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Luann says:
Awesome!!
On May 3, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Glenie says:
Great way to handle the situation.
On May 3, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Heather Weather says:
Oh, those wallpapers are so cute. Thanks for making them free to us. Are they only meant for the computer? Or can I add them to the wallpapers on my cellphone? Thanks again for making those free :sheep: I think requiring your readers to register to leave a comment is a very smart idea. I moderate all comments on my blog as well ) 🙂 It’s worked great for me so far. Have a lovely week. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 🙂
On May 3, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Heather, feel free to use them as wallpaper on any of your electronic devices!
On May 3, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Pete says:
Great ideas – actually another gift to your community.
Being “forced” into more moderation just means that this is a popular place to be! The bigger the community, the more unhappy and/or disruptive folks drop by, and for the good of us all must be brought in line. Thanks!
Keep up the great work!
On May 3, 2011 at 1:03 pm
NancyL says:
No problem here – many bloggers have to enforce registration or word verification to protect the rest of us! I’m just sorry for the circumstances that initiated this.
Have a great day!
Nancy in Iowa
On May 3, 2011 at 1:38 pm
msmitoagain says:
You are making me want a giant calf.
On May 3, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Barbee says:
Good ideas, Suzanne. I don’t mind registering at all, especially as I know why it is necessary. I agree with NancyL: sorry about your abuses that made it necessary. I think these are good solutions.
On May 3, 2011 at 1:57 pm
umstetter says:
Great changes! And thanks for the wallpaper.
Darlene in North GA (who doesn’t know how to get her log-in named changed back to this. lol)
On May 3, 2011 at 2:18 pm
farmershae says:
All great ideas! I like that as a community, we can together alert you to the negative nellies. :yes:
On May 3, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Estella says:
Cute wallpaper!
On May 3, 2011 at 4:28 pm
yvonnem says:
Suzanne, Just wanted you to know that BEFORE I READ THIS POST, I was re-reading yesterdays post and noticed the “flag this comment” option and clicked on it “to see what would happen”. It was the first comment and there was nothing offensive about it, (I totally agree with it actually). Sorry about that! (I know what it’s for now!)
On May 3, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
That’s okay, Yvonne! A comment won’t be thrown to moderation from being flagged by one reader. (This prevents one reader from going nuts and flagging every comment all over the blog just to create havoc or something. Also prevents innocent, accidental flagging from throwing out a just-fine comment.) A comment will only be thrown to moderation if several different readers flag it. (And if a comment is truly offensive, most likely several people will find it to be so!)
On May 3, 2011 at 5:30 pm
justdeborah2002 says:
I do like your decision to use the community to help “corral” in rude people. It does seem to be in line with the comradery you have instilled in us.
Thank you for keeping it real.
On May 3, 2011 at 5:48 pm
brookdale says:
Good idea, Suzanne. I guess I am already registered because it wouldn’t take my name/password again.
On May 3, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Valerie says:
Excellent way to handle this. Win-win situation. Thanks for doing this for us!
On May 3, 2011 at 8:50 pm
themandabear says:
That’s a great way to handle the situation. I thought i was already signed up but it seems I wasn’t so here I am now xD
On May 3, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Chic says:
Great idea Suzanne! I come here because it makes me feel good…I come here to learn things and I’m interested in your life on the farm and how you’re learning how to do things from scratch and I don’t mean just cooking. I don’t like seeing the negative comments and I’m glad that they’ll be removed if enough followers don’t like what’s been said. I like your openness and honesty and sense of humor and I’m sure that’s what keeps many of us coming back for more.
On May 3, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Angela P says:
Dear Suzanne, I do hope you get to read this. I just had to post my 2 cents worth. I applaud you. I am over the top proud of you and consider you a blessing.I speak of you( to my family) as if we are long time friends and yet I havent met you in person….To list all that I have learned here. WOW!!! I cant type that much. Or how about all the happiness here? Cant measure that…And the friends Ive made… Thanks to you.
I was very saddened to read about the rude, hateful untruths that “others” have posted. Those people are just that…I had no idea how to deal with them in third grade and now 43 yrs old I still dont. Other than this. You make a difference for the better for those who appreciate you! We by far out number the others. I know it doesnt take away their sting. Another point worth mentioning, its just proof positive in what you are doing. Being yourself and saying it like it is. Farming is hard work. Enjoyable yes. But still there are days. Things happen. Not always are they found in a book, you learn by experience. I commend you on the flagg button. Life is a rocket ride, buckle up! Hang in their chickie. We love you!!!!!
On May 4, 2011 at 10:51 am
aprilejoi says:
Excellent idea!!
On May 4, 2011 at 7:37 pm
thistlewoodmanor says:
I’ve been a bit behind in reading posts, so I just saw your previous one about comments. I think the remarks about eating out and having an “easy” life are just jealousy. Since I quit my “real job” to work from home I sometimes get those snarky remarks too. I guess you just have to pretend your a duck and let those roll right off your back.
The ones that bother me more are the criticisms of your farm and care of your animals. I WANT to hear the full story; it makes me feel better to know you live a REAL life too. I’d like to hear more about your kids too…….they are the same ages as mine and it’s fun to hear what they are up to. Although…they do seem to be a lot more PERFECT than mine, lol.
I think registration and the option to flag comments is a great idea! It will be alot easier for you to delete remarks with a clear conscience when 20 people have also flagged it!
Thanks so much for your wonderful blog!
Deb
On May 5, 2011 at 11:41 am