When we launched the new version of the site, we wanted to provide the full blog experience to PFT Planet.  And the full experience includes not just permalinks and RSS feeds, but also the ability to make comments.

We intended during the “beta” phase to adopt a tolerant and open approach with the comments, deleting after the fact any messages that were inappropriate or that just plain stunk.  We were able to keep up with it, until we began diverting traffic to the beta version of the Rumor Mill.

 Lately, controlling the comments has been the equivalent of taming the Wild West.  And we’ve simply got neither the time nor the desire to do it.

So we’ve shut down the comments, pending the implementation of a system that requires advance approval, with the submission of real user names and e-mail addresses, before comments will be posted.  Though it will require some elbow grease up front, we’ll eventually develop a community of commenters that will enhance the experience for every reader.

And, most importantly, it will require minimal attention from the folks who otherwise would be focusing on adding content to the site.