Des Moines Register to start using Facebook comments

[flexmaster33]

I'd be okay with that...if you have something worth saying put your name to it. If not, keep quiet.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Granted, I'm probably too big a fan of transparency, but I don't have a problem with this.

I would, were I in the habit of making such comments on such forums -- since I want no part of Facebook, now or in the future.

 

[apeman33]

I've seen some other sites that are linked to Facebook. One site will tell me which of my FB friends recommended an article.

But all people who are complaining have to do is remember that if you can't be a troll on desmoinesregister.com, you can still be one at the Des Moines Topix page. And Topix cares not one whit what people do with their accounts.

The only thing that bothers me about Topix, since I don't go to that site, is phone calls from people who think we run the site. We waste about 20 to 25 minutes every time some one calls to get a comment off "our" site when they mean Topix and they don't believe we can't do something about it or that we don't own it.*

* - Yes, this has happened. Several times.

Edit: And in fact, it happened again today. Some poor woman who doesn't even know why she's being picked on. The reporter who took the call said he could tell she was trying not to cry.

 

[Versatile]

I've had this debate with several people, and I've never had anyone give me an answer that made sense to me. Why the heck does anyone even allow commenting. They are 90-95% drivel, rarely add anything to the story and often detract from it. Comments are in the same vein as citizen journalism, poorly written, uninformed and insulting to anyone who actually does this for a living.

That being said by exporting them to Facebook at least they aren't on the same page as the story itself which helps to diminish them.

(Before everyone jumps down my throat, yes I know there are here to stay, and yes there are some instances - like blogs - in which they can be a fun thing, but the news is not a user participation thing, IMHO)

Four reasons:

1. It gives readers a voice, in the same way letters to the editor give readers a voice in the newspaper on a day-to-day basis. This is the nice, journalistic argument. But I admit, this argument only encourages vetted comments, which some places (but few newspapers) use.

2. It drives hits.

3. Everyone else does it, so you look thin-skinned if you don't, and readers expect commenting power.

4. It drives hits.

Also: They won't be exported. The facebook comments will still be in the same place as the old ones.