The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Philip F Ripper:

Teresa, you've done an excellent job with your personal community here. I've read months of posts and comments in the past few weeks. Not only is the atmosphere friendly, the level of expertise bouncing around is entertaining.

I think people withold praise mostly as a combination of self deception and fear. It's easier to accept the lack of praise you recieve if you convince yourself, by your actions, that such a lack is standard. Fear because praise is still a form of putting your opinion on the line where it can be judged for all posterity. This is pure late night supposition, of course.

The secret to editing seems like a valuable one. It reminded me of learning that, in terms of DNA, the difference between average members of two ethnicities is smaller than the greatest difference between two members of the same ethnicity.

I also agree with your comments-as-one-list thought. It promotes participation.

As for the survival of unmoderated communities, in my experience they will find some level of self moderation. The downside is that this filter is usually enforced by the trolls, whose unadulterated presence is a de facto ban on those too weary to bear them. This leads to the trolls losing their purpose and leaving themselves, only for the process to repeat itself. This keeps the community membership on soft ground.

I have less experience with out of the way internet hidey-holes, though.

"Richard Fuller, legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America, said the move is a major disappointment and 'sets a very bad signal' that 'if you step out of line and work to improve veterans’ healthcare and other programs, you get whacked.'"

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/010505/chairman.html

Re: 7, I think praise is the most underused tool in online communities. At least, in those communities which have already surpased the learning-how-to-ban phase. The standard praise being a responce from the host. In larger communities this is impossible, but a surrogate works almost as well.

Why attempt being a member of a community, after all, unless you expect reaction. People who post instead of simply lurking want to participate, which is obvious. From those seeking earnest rapport or enlightenment, to trolls seeking pesky fun, all desire responce.

Online communities are the only things with which I am expert. Which reminds me, I think the cliche 'Jack of all trades, master of none' should be updated to 'Jack of all trades, master of only the internet'.

A Newish Reader,
Philip

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