Heavily trafficked blog launches bold new “tiered” commenting system
posted at 9:30 pm on July 15, 2009 by Allahpundit
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No, not us. Not yet. But I’m not going to lie: I dig it.
Jezebel’s editor last week announced the site was designating a “Tier 1″ level of privileged contributors whose comments are “funniest, thoughtful, intelligent, well-argued” and who have proven themselves “engaged, intelligent, humorous, fair-minded, thoughtful, rational, etc.”
Their comments will be shown below each blog post. All others, in Tier 2, will be available only if a user clicks to see them. Tier 1 commenters, in addition, will have the right to bump comments from others up or down. Editors, ultimately, will have the final say.
Atheist commenters: Automatic Tier 1. No, seriously, what do people think of this? When I mentioned it to the boss, she worried that a tiered system would destroy the chat room feel that a lot of threads have (especially longer ones), but that could be fixed by giving each user the option of viewing tiered or untiered. The default would be tiered, letting casual/non-commenting readers see the best of the best when they read a post; regulars could turn the default off and go back to chat room mode. A tiered system would also give us an option short of banning people for bad behavior. My main concern is that feelings will inevitably be hurt when some people end up in Tier 2, but the consolation there, I guess, is that then they can berate me for being an elitist RINO poseur. Even more than usual, I mean.
I think we need to poll it.
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I think the tier idea is good. So long as I’m in the top tier!
p0s3r on July 15, 2009 at 9:33 PM
try it out for a month
Greenhelmet on July 15, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Actually, I think you’d do better with the option, “No tiered! Stick with the current chat room feel but don’t open registration again.” Anybody else agree with that?
Special K on July 15, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Tiered comments about SHOES?!!
alliebobbitt on July 15, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Don’t Tier me bro!
fogw on July 15, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I say we need a comment system like Media Matters. I hate that the reply to any comment ends up at the bottom of the list. It makes it harder to find any replies.
I would prefer that the comment system would be the only thing at Media Matters that you mimic.
Glenn Jericho on July 15, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Back in the old days…
Griz on July 15, 2009 at 9:36 PM
da comrade…is good to have dacha da?
sven10077 on July 15, 2009 at 9:36 PM
AP is by far the best blogger on the internet. Ed is the best too. They rival each other in awesomeness, and dare I say it, alpha maledome.
lorien1973 on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Cr@p…. How do I vote for a combination of 1 and 4???
doriangrey on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Can you say high school all over again? Clicks? Caste system? Unoriginal? Not liking this idea. At all.
conservative pilgrim on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Would there be ways to move between tiers as in a sort of good behavior gets me back up to tier 1? (Yes, I already envision spending some time in the cellar. Probably something involving you, Beck and some expletives.)
LastRick on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
cool, so whos gonna tier Ed’s comments?
whoops. not the best way to get tiered numero uno eh?
sure give it a whirl.
imperator on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
If you do tier it, force every response over 50 words with an automatic tier 3.
Jeff from WI on July 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I’m a rare commenter here – it’s my top site, but the comments are way out of control – I’d probably read them if tiered. The downside is another Gawker site – Deadspin – had the most entertaining comments I’d found for a sports site, and tiered commenting ruined it. Then again, the site’s increasingly lefty political bent didn’t help.
Tier away, I say, tier away.
elcapt on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I don’t comment often, but if y’all make this
change, I’m thinkin’ adios.
Too “Animal Farm” for me.
cozmo on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Yo, Allah, you been working out?
hippie_chucker on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Better to steal the comment system from Engadget if you like that sort of thing.
Asher on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
LOLOLOL. I’m sorry, but I’m used to seeing this kind of stuff on anime forums. “You’re a Hollow! You’re Aizen level!” I just think it’s silly…
Emily M. on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:38 PM
It would be the end of HotAir…tier=class…who is the assigner of class?
d1carter on July 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Moronic idea…
MobileVideoEngineer on July 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Elitist idea. It’s so High School. Somebody’s own biases determines who the cool kids are, who the nerds are, etc.
If you want to control content, police the spam (like continual links to Obama’s birth certificates) and otherwise leave discussion open to all without rating the posters.
highhopes on July 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Allahpundit, will you please define the problem for which you are seeking a solution ? If traffic is not a problem, what is ?
runner on July 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Better idea. This would be easier to follow/ignore different conversations in threads.
conservative pilgrim on July 15, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I come here to learn stuff. So I’m open to experimentation.
Give it a go, but give the readers an option.
Skandia Recluse on July 15, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I think the top 20 posters (by volume) should get tiered.
SouthernGent on July 15, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Sounds like a good way to dramatically increase your workload with the remedial task of sorting comments.
chansen9 on July 15, 2009 at 9:40 PM
The online gaming world is full of snooty min/max players whose self worth is tied to their accomplishments in an artificial world, so why not bring that kind of joy to blogs. I’m not so hot on the tier system, and anyway, isn’t that what the green room is, but for the love of God would you get some software that allows editing, and deleting posts.
DFCtomm on July 15, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I’m so ready to be number one
I dream of comment stardom
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:41 PM
This tier-system is a truly moronic idea. I can’t believe that anyone would seriously consider it. Sheesh.
That NYT article has really gone to your heads, and in what, like two days.
progressoverpeace on July 15, 2009 at 9:42 PM
The thing is that there’s a chance the lower tier people will just stop posting altogether. The result is that you might have more “qualified” posters but less of a conservation as you’ll have fewer members in the conversation.
Wellsy on July 15, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Just to be clear: NO TIER. And no open registration either. That thing is like dealing with freshmen…yes, you were one once, but they still suck. Yes, I got on HotAir through open registration, but…no.
Emily M. on July 15, 2009 at 9:42 PM
This reminds me of the karma-based commenting system sites like Kuro5in has used for a long time.
Jimmie Bise, Jr on July 15, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Is there a velvet rope involved?
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Not sure if I like this only because it would hinder the dialog that goes on.
When there’s a great thread and everyone is building upon each others comments, it would stop break up the flow.
katy on July 15, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Oh
Big bad sophomore!!!
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:43 PM
It’ll all end in Tiers.
fronclynne on July 15, 2009 at 9:43 PM
o/t but LMAO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyTK4xrWfyk&feature=player_embedded
BPD on July 15, 2009 at 9:43 PM
It sounds like high school to me.
Terrye on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
+1 Billion
What kind of two bit blog/forum doesn’t give you the ability to edit a post if you mistype? Also, a direct reply option would be good instead of this copying and pasting crap. I have no problem with doing it, but it would just make it a lot easier.
MobileVideoEngineer on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Sounds great in theory,but I might find my comments
in Tier 10,jus sayin!!
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
One other thought….
Instead of tiering the posters, why not tier the hosts?
highhopes on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
OK I’ll try it but I will NOT inhale.
HoustonRight on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
I’m a junior now – respect. >=)
Besides, when I was a freshie we didn’t act like they do now! They’re just…horrible. Stupid and obnoxious like you wouldn’t believe.
Emily M. on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
So basically Red State then?
LastRick on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Do I have to tip a 50 to get into the cool section?
And will there be dancers?
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Oh, and for something constructive: the craigslist flagging system seems to work fairly well.
fronclynne on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Nah. This is something that would just reduce traffic, eventually. It makes it too closed, which the unfortunately necessary closed registration already does to an extent.
I say just be more aggressive with banning. It’s for sure there is a lot of chaff (myself included, I guess).
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 9:45 PM
precisely. MM should trust her instincts.
Tier 1’s are already in the Green Room. Well, all but Blatantblue. ;-)
conservative pilgrim on July 15, 2009 at 9:45 PM
In the end
I say leave it as is
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Not sayin’ all posts are crap, but.
There would be crap to sort through while some folks posted anything just to get their post count up.
cozmo on July 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I would do my best NOT to get Tier 1, just to satisfy my barely-concealed urge for rebellion. I would rather hang out with the rustics than the elites but that’s just me.
Bishop on July 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Yes, you tip me, and nobody wants to see you dance… :P
doriangrey on July 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
And ignoring specific users.
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
So who decides who posts something “intelligent/funny/blah blah blah”? Why do you want to ration out our comments?
Someone’s been negatively influenced by Obama and his Obamacare ways. :p
LiquidH2O on July 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
The winner! (and definitely tier 1)
TugboatPhil on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Isn’t this just like saying shut up or punching someone in the mouth. No lefties would get in tier 1. It would be just like an echo chamber.
bagoh20 on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
this tiered system frightens me
I’ll actually have to make serious posts that are overly loquacious just like everyone else
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I like it, but I just assume I’m going to be in the top tier. I am Frank J, you know.
frankj on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
That’s kinda what I thought, too.
Wellsy on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Smells like……
Wait…..
JOURNOLIST!!!!
victor82 on July 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I fear for tiers! You tier 1 guys need commenters like me to make you look good. If you do this, you are doooooomed! Doooomed I say!
Vince on July 15, 2009 at 9:48 PM
I dunno. Business owner, employer, close watcher of the POS that’s trying to sink our country.
Loves the comments, posts, comraderie.
OK kill me. Kill me now.
Key West Reader on July 15, 2009 at 9:48 PM
If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.
katy on July 15, 2009 at 9:49 PM
It’s damm near that now; the ban hammer is pounded too often around here as it is. Stand up for the trolls, I say, stand up for them.
Bishop on July 15, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Oh boy,that would mean,that the U.S.S Hot Air,will need
a re-fit,drydock time,and a reto-fit of more decks,through
tier levels!
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Or, you could just be yourself and allow your cougar hunting skills to elevate you to the top…. Er… maybe you should be afraid… :P
doriangrey on July 15, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Oh, please. You’d be tier 1 for sure. Me on the other hand…
Emily M. on July 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
If I’m in Tier 3 can I be in with all the other slime verbally attacking women, Ted Kennedy, Obama, Michelle, Michael Jackson, etc. and nobody can complain to you??!!
I’ll volunteer for Tier 3 NOW!
Jeff from WI on July 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
LOL…those of us who engage in the Palin battles would all be Tier 1, regardless. Those things get pretty wordy.
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Yeah, I’m with Kate. Did Charles Johnson purchase the blog? If so? Oh, no!
Key West Reader on July 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
“Don’t open registration again”….Bwaaahahahaha! Too funny!
ronsfi on July 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Smacks of censorship. I think the ban feature tiers the site very well.
Hog Wild on July 15, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Ouch. Actually, it’s my opinion that Red State does the whole “reply to this” commenting pretty well. But yeah, their posts don’t ususally have the massive amount that Hot Air gets. Not a bad thing in and of itself, just different, and really no one is stopping people from commenting, I guess most people just don’t.
Wellsy on July 15, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Thanks. :-(
coldwarrior on July 15, 2009 at 9:51 PM
This is the internet, I don’t really care to read posts that are thoughtful, intelligent, well-argued, engaged, fair-minded, thoughtful, or rational.
But funny yeah, lets bump up the funny ones.
Ars Moriendi on July 15, 2009 at 9:51 PM
This reeks of a Vast Left Wing Conspiracy Cabal in play!!
(kidding of course).
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Heavily trafficked blog… hmmm… say is this about Slashdot? You know: ‘The Slashdot Effect’? One of the most heavily commented sites around… a user community that cripples unready servers?
Heard of it, maybe?
They got a system too. Not that I would recommend it… any system must fit the needs of those running it and the user community. And there have been times I’ve been tempted to just use Greasemonkey to get rid of a troll or three. So far I haven’t had to do that.
ajacksonian on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
As CNN would say, “Almost Half Don’t Object to Tiers”!
pifactorial on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Pushin’ to get in that top tier, are ya? :P
Seriously, although I gave CJ the boot long ago, I do dig his comment options. Ding up/down particular comments, easy reporting button for problem comments, something flash or ajax based, so you can just refresh for new comments, so the whole page doesn’t have to reload. That would quicken things up, and lighten the load on your servers as well.
bikermailman on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I’m more with Glenn on this. I don’t know why a tier system would be necessary. But perhaps having the replies more closely connected to the original comment would be more helpful/easier to follow.
jtownsley on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Setting up the cool kids and the rest of us is not a very beta male thing to do. Or, actually, maybe it’s beta revenge.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
How about a rating system and the top commenter gets Ginsu Knives or summin’.
ronsfi on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Good one. We will miss TOTUS.
Should have used this for background music, with tears running down Barry’s cheek.
fogw on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
What? And give up your status as Hot Air moron?
The HORROR!!!!!
ladyingray on July 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Me too. I still want to kneecap Allah’s whalefriend.
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Back in the early 1990’s we called endeavors like this:
Steering Committees.
And the folks that were on the “steering committee” steered their ideas right off the cliff and into the Human Resource Department, where they were deposited into the unemployment line… unless, of course “ya knew someone”.
/
Key West Reader on July 15, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Awful idea.
All it will lead to is the elimination of dissenting minority opinion.
MadisonConservative on July 15, 2009 at 9:54 PM
No! Leave it alone. Do we want the elitist screening of comments?
No.
If we’ve got a troll problem, we’ll deal with it.
Some are more eqaul than others? Who does that sound like?
It’s the same thinking that has destroyed the GOP – Country Club Republicans don’t want to hear what working conservatives have to say – let’s not hide behind the gates of censorship.
Live in a tiered bubble? No thanks.
harry flashman on July 15, 2009 at 9:54 PM
A little summin’ now and then is a good thing.
coldwarrior on July 15, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I think this require thoughtful consideration and deep analysis.One question: Am I in the top-tier?All commenters are equal. Some commenters are just more equal than others.
amerpundit on July 15, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Idiot. Hopefully you will become obsolete with a new comment system.
obviousorange on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Like MSNBC’s Creepvine? I love to go on there and raise hell. What a bunch of p*ssy losers. Oops, Tier 3.
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Velvet Rope?
HornetSting on July 15,2009 at 9:43PM.
HornetSting: Haha,good one! Me thinks thats optional!!
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
.
Beats nuttin’.
ronsfi on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
This is class warfare.
Segregation.
Blogger Eugenics.
Commenters darwinism.
Sounds like HA is taking up the Obama mantle.
katy on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Oh. Wow. I just caught on. Am I a troll?
/kinda getting worried.
Key West Reader on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Yes! Tier time baby!
I couldn’t care less if I get get put on Teir 2 or not… I’ve been begging for a different commenting system for a long time..
Here is how you should implement it… it’s a different that what gawker is doing…
You should just have two different commenting “stacks” for each post… one public for non-member, one private for members… you should give the top commenters the ability to choose which stack to send their comments to and the ability to bring comments from the private stack up to the public stack(you should probably differentiate them by making them a different color)…
You should just make your friends, green room contributors, and outside people with good blogs top commenters…
This will actually make the private stack feel even more like a chat room…
ninjapirate on July 15, 2009 at 9:55 PM
The tiers aren’t a bad idea, but I could think of better options… maybe tiers to “weight” users posts, but calculate their value per post. That way if someone is trolling in one thread but providing useful commentary in another, they are treated independently.
DaveS on July 15, 2009 at 9:56 PM
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