Some research I'd like someone else to do

[andrewducker]

I'd like someone to look at all the different commenting systems out there, and work out why some of them have a decent proportion of interesting discussion, while some of them are full of pond scum.

And then write up the findings, along with a nice simple checklist for "How to manage the comments on your site if you want good discussion".

Because, frankly, on 95% of the sites out there I avoid reading the comments, because I know it's just not good for my blood pressure.

Comments

[skington.livejournal.com]

Otherwise known as: Do What Teresa Nielsen Hayden says.

[cairmen.livejournal.com]

Close, anyway. I disagree with TNH on a couple of points of community management, and think she's occasionally more aggressive than she needs to be, but yeah, in general, she Knows Her Shit.