META: Rebuttal-bot idea

From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lcrocker@calweb.com)
Date: Wed Feb 12 1997 - 16:55:59 MST


In the process of redesigning my Web site to include a number of
small essays, I wanted to create some method for comments and
rebuttals to be included. I have designed a rebuttal-bot system
for this purpose which I will describe here. I solicit comments
and suggestions for improvement.

Current design:
  - Each essay has a button-bar at the top leading to commentary
    pages. Positive and negative comments are separate (I don't
    want to dilute the entertaining rebuttals with me toos).
  - On each commentary page, there is a form by which the
    reader can enter his own comments.
  - All comments, without exception or edition, are displayed on
    the comment page for a certain amount of time, after which
    they rotate out (only if they become numerous enough to
    require it).
  - Interesting rebuttals that I think deserve more thorough
    treatment are moved to a permanent discussion page. I will
    inform the submitter that I have done so, add my counter-
    argument, and solicit a counter-rebuttal. The rebutter
    always gets the last word.
  - The comment pages will also contain links to other pages
    with similar ideas (both pro and con), and readers will be
    able to suggest links as well. Commentaries themselves can
    contain URLs.
  - Every piece of text (mine and comments) is headed by date and
    author (unless submittor wants to be anonymous, which will be
    honored).



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