On 3 February, I posted on The Truth About Cars a piece informing the site’s visitors that I wished to create a style guide for that site. I wanted to know what certain terms visitors thought we should use in the reviews of cars. For example, should the site always use “torques” when listing an engine’s torque rating (à la Jeremy Clarkson) or stick with the technically correct, but boring, pound-feet or lb/ft? I asked how we should denote horsepower: capital or lowercase “HP”; should we use bhp; etc. I asked if—for the benefit of the site’s many foreign visitors—we should include metric equivalents. I had no idea the shitstorm this would create.

A post like the above brings out the armchair editors. Emboldened by their sense of anonymity, some commenters accuse you of “making a mountain out of a molehill;” “distracting people from the core mission of the site” (which I found odd as the mission is to tell the truth); or “making it harder than it needs to be” (clicking a few buttons in an online survey is hard?). All I want to do is refine the site, make it consistent, and keep it enjoyable. Having to re-read something because the terminology is incorrect or a word is misspelled is not fun. Moreover, TTAC is, I think, one of very few sites that continually asks for input from its readers, considers it, and, if appropriate, acts on it. The site’s publisher reads every single comment and responds personally if required. Does Edmunds or Car Connection do this?

Blog publishers need thick skins. That said, commenters should keep in mind that post writers have feelings and deserve a measure of respect. If you disagree with a post, state that and give a reason, but don’t attack the writer. And, at least have the chutzpah to leave your real name in the comment. Anonymous hit-and-run commenters are the worst. Thankfully, we can block your IP address from commenting again. TTAC and TTAG have standing invitations to readers who wish to write a counterpoint editorial. But guess what? Few people take us up on the offer. Instead they write in the comments things such as (paraphrasing): “I hate this article. You’ve crossed the line and I’m never coming back!” (It’s funny that in this particular instance it was a guest editorial and not the explicit opinion of the site’s publisher.)

My favorite comments to hate are the ones that point out (gleefully, I imagine) a spelling or grammar mistake in my post. I maintain that no one is perfect (not even me, cerebral narcissism be damned). That’s why I like web publishing so much—mistakes can be corrected minutes, days or years after you publish (as long as you remember your login infomration). I admit I used to make the comments, too. Now though, after getting rather serious about blog posting, I’ll send a polite, courteous e-mail letting the author know. Professionalism wins in my book.