Had a number of issues on my thoughts about feedback so figured it was time to verify in.
It’s been totally different with out the good Lisa Caballero round. Not solely did she do some nice writing and reporting for BikePortland, she additionally spent numerous time studying, moderating, and writing feedback. She would additionally encourage of us to make “Remark of the Week” nominations after which she’d select one and write it up on Monday mornings. Lisa understood that to me, it’s not in regards to the amount of feedback we get, however the high quality.
With out Lisa’s assist, all that remark work has fallen to me. I’m alone lately in terms of editorial work. I’ve really scaled again typically and am transitioning to extra of an intentional “only a man with weblog” sort of outlet. However that’s a subject for a unique day.
Again to the remark part. I nonetheless learn every one that is available in they usually all get held again till I manually approve them. However I don’t take as a lot time to think about every one like Lisa did. And I’m sorry however I haven’t been capable of do a Remark of the Week on Mondays. I nonetheless wish to add that to my weekly rhythm nevertheless, so please hold nominating (by replying with “remark of the week” or “cotw”).
Usually, of us have been well-behaved and we’ve got only a few imply, troll-ish of us (and once they do pop up, I simply delete them and transfer on). That’s a testomony to our group and moderation work through the years. That being mentioned, I at all times respect of us giving me a heads up about feedback they really feel are inappropriate. Keep in mind, being solo means I’ve no proofreader, no editor, no second set of eyes to run issues by! Similar to these of you who level out typos and different errors, BikePortland a group endeavor and I worth — and want — your assistance on stuff like this.
This week particularly was very busy within the remark part. Thus far we’ve had about 450 feedback complete since Monday. One reader noticed how that visitor article by Missy LeDoux racked up almost 300 feedback and questioned what our all-time excessive remark file was. I took a glance and it was enjoyable to see the checklist.
Beneath are the highest 10 most commented articles in BikePortland historical past (since April 2005) together with their date of publication and complete remark depend:
Needed: your shut calls (08/09/05): 725
With six youngsters and no automotive, this mother does all of it by bike (06/28/2012): 488
Why Jolene Friedow solely bought a site visitors ticket within the collision that killed Mark Angeles (11/09/2015): 484
After slapping automotive, rider will get sudden chat with Portland police officer (12/14/16): 433
Highway rage incident sparks media frenzy, spurs us-them mentality (07/10/2008): 409
Colville-Andersen: “Portland is totally overrated as a motorcycle metropolis” (01/03/2018): 387
Up to date: Bicycle owner dies after collision with rubbish truck (10/22/2022): 367
Springwater path customers really feel threatened by campers, police say their arms are tied (01/14/2016): 367
Rushing driver kills teenage lady who was crossing SE Hawthorne (08/20/2016): 352
House demolition critics again decision that will block central-city density (12/09/2014): 344
Fairly the gamut of matters, huh? I like the way it displays the broad array of issues I’ve printed right here. We’ve bought tragedies, a enjoyable profile of a carfree mother (that went viral earlier than that basically existed), some old style activism, the emergence of the homelessness disaster in Portland, some police stuff — and I’m so glad certainly one of Michael Andersen’s housing tales made the reduce!
I might inform a narrative about every one. All of the feelings and wild bits of element that encompass them. What’s cool is when you return and browse these remark sections, you possibly can really feel a few of that emotion with out even listening to it from me. That’s the magic of a great remark part! It’s a capsule of our group’s feelings, tales and insights. I cherish all 574,408 of them.
In the event you don’t sometimes remark for some motive, I’d like to know why. If there’s something I can do to encourage you, please let me know. And when you do remark continuously, please bear in mind it’s a privilege, not a proper. Deal with different commenters as when you had been speaking to them in particular person, give the good thing about the doubt and hold an open thoughts.
Each remark is a contribution to this group, which is one thing I really feel is extra essential than ever as among the conversations have splintered off into social media. I like these remark sections too, but it surely simply doesn’t really feel like residence.
Thanks for being a part of BikePortland. I respect your feedback.