I retract that statement. Everyone knows that stileproject.com is the cesspool of the internet. Fark just happens to attract a lot of morons.

I agree with your comments. I think you made some valid and balanced observations. It has definitely been a learning experience for me, and not all of it was bad.

That isn’t to say that internet vandalism should be ignored with a “heh, it’s just the way things are” attitude. Along with making changes to my site to prevent this from happening again, I feel like the person considering putting bars on my windows and a big fence around the yard. That is, why should I have to live in a prison while the criminals have free run of the neighborhood?

I think there are some things that responsible people can do to make the internet less of a lawless empire, without destroying the freedom to do your own thing on your own property.

I believe there is much more good than bad on the net, but that doesn’t mean I have to roll over when I’m getting mugged.

I’m not suggesting you should. Anything you can do to improve your site and keep the comments headed in a direction you feel is appropriate you have every right to implement and I’d encourage you to do so.

In my viewpoint having a blog is much like standing on a soap box on a street corner. It’s a very public form of expression and you have to at least acknowledge the fact that you run the risk of being spit on, or worse, if you’re going to stand there and express your ideas. You don’t have to be happy about it nor do you necessarily have to just sit there and take it, but that’s a real risk involved in that sort of public speaking.

Of course there are trade-offs. The more control you exert over who can post and when, the less participation you’re likely to get from those who can’t be bothered. An invitation only discussion in your living room is certainly going to be more friendly than the soap box, but the audience will be much more limited as well.

I never had a problem with the Farker getting hell for trying to use Fark to win a contest that wasn’t about winning. What made me mad was childish jerkoffs destroying another person’s site to do it. They could just as easily have trashed him in the Fark comments or on their very own blogs.

People need to direct their venom in appropriate places...like UseNet! Whenever I feel like getting into a fight I go out there and look for along bitter thread and attack the person I feel most deserves it. Tonight I attacked a Yenc poster that said “It’s OUR sandbox. YOU don’t have to play.”. By this he was asserting that those of us who do not care for Yenc should just leave UseNet. This kind of arrogant asswipe deserves the bile I spewed. JimK did not deserve the attack he received but I am somewhat amazed that he could not see it coming. In what lovely corner of the earth could he possibly live that he has not been exposed to random human cruelty? Let me know...my lease is up in August!

Well done, Les.

Yet another reason I avoid Fark like the plague.

Right On, Les!

I’m still not sure whether having a blog is like standing on a soapbox on a street corner (which is public property), or sitting on my porch (which is my property) and allowing people to look at anything I do.

I own my website. I own the domain, and I pay for the server space. So, though I allow the public access, it isn’t an absolute pass to do anything.

People can see what I have to say and the graphics I post. They can say all they want about me (assuming it is only opinion) on other’s property. But if they want to do something on my property, they have to play by my rules and do so with my permission.

I’m happy to talk to people on my porch, as long as they are respectful, but when they start attacking my other guests or blocking people from entering my yard, I have been injured. They have violated their limited license to access my property.

The internet is really a giant area of public property. It is a large collection of private properties that are connected by public roads. Don’t park in my driveway unless you are going to behave, and don’t block my driveway unless you want to get towed.

Anyway, all this is still working itself out on the internet, and I think thoughtful opinion like your post is a good thing.

I meant “isn’t” in the first sentence of the next-to-last paragraph. I always forget to proofread before I hit submit. Sorry.