Ten Reasons Why

Ten Reasons Why Weblog Editorial Policy, Beta Version 0.1

1. VERSION

This is version 0.2 of the Ten Reasons Why Weblog Editorial Policy.

2. SCOPE

This policy applies to all entries from the date of adoption forward. Where possible it will be retroactively applied to entries, but that is not gauranteed. The date of adoption for this version of the Editorial Policy is _____.

3. TIMESTAMPS
1. Timestamps on entries. Entries in this weblog will show two timestamps:
1. "Posted At" date will indicate the time the entry was first published to the weblog.
2. "Last Modifed At" date will indicate the last time entry was edited. If the "Posted At" and "Last Modified At" dates are the same, you will know that the entry has not been modified. If they are different, there has been some change, deletion, or addition.
2. Caveat. Unfortunately, Movable Type defaults the timestamp to the date/time that the entry was written. E.g. if I draft something at 11am and don't post it until 3pm, the timestamp will show 11am instead of 3pm. If I make changes to it between 11am and 3pm, it will display different Posted At and Last Modified At timestamps. Movable Type doesn't appear to record the time of publishing, just time of creation and time of last modification. Since MT won't record this date/time automatically, I will have to remember to update it manually if I'm posting a previously drafted, un-public entry. I've forgotten to do this several times in the past, and I expect that I will forget again in the future. If I fail to remember to update it manually, I will post a correction (per "Changes" below) as soon as it comes to my attention.
4. CHANGES
1. What might be changed without notice. I will make changes without notice to non-substantive components of an entry such as spelling, punctuation, typos, grammar, broken or incorrectly entered URLs, changes of categories, formatting, layout, and page design. Non-substantive components are those which can be changed without semantically affecting the entry.
2. What will not be changed without notice. Anything substantive that semantically affects the tone or meaning of the entry or would result in a factual difference.
3. Process for substantive changes. If I notice incorrect information, if I need to "tone down" my language, or if I say something I regret, I will correct that error either by a new entry with the change that links back to the original entry and/or an addition (see below) to the entry that contains the information being changed.
5. ADDITIONS
1. Additions to entries. Additions to an entry after the time of original publication will be indicated as such, either inline or as an appended paragraph marked as "Update."
6. DELETIONS
1. Deleting entire entries. Entire entries will not be knowingly or intentionally deleted from this weblog.
2. Deleting portions of entries. If it becomes necessary to delete a portion of an entry (e.g. for legal reasons or because I have later decided it is too offensive or incorrect to be allowed to remain in public view), the deleted portion will be replaced with a notice indicating the general nature of what has been deleted and the reason for deletion.
7. COMMENTS
1. The privilege to comment. This is my weblog on my personal web space; posting comments here is a privilege, not a right. Please refrain from outright flames, extreme vulgarity, or comment-spam. You can always comment on my entries on your own weblog.
2. Closing comments. Comments on entries may be closed (e.g. disabling of the ability to add a comment to a post) at any time without notice. You can always comment on my entries on your own weblog.
3. Deleting comments in entirety or in part. Comments may be deleted in entirety or in part without notice. I may do so for legal issues (slander, libel, or intellectual property violations), extreme offensiveness, spam, or duplicate comments. When deleting an entire comment or portion of a comment, I will leave the comment "container" in place with text that indicates the general nature of what has been deleted and the reason for deletion, except in the case of duplication.
4. Modifying comments. Unless it is necessary to delete all or a portion of a comment, I will not modify other's comments on my weblog. Changes or additions to my own comments will follow the same rules as for entries. In general, I will not change comments, but rather add another comment to the discussion thread.