Quick Question

"Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment" (evanmcm)
12/03/2013 at 13:18 • Filed to: None

I know this is an awkward way to ask, but I also didn't think I'd be able to reliably get anybody else's attention through a comment. Nor do I like to be the guy that totally goes off topic in a comment thread.

So...my question is, how do you become an approved user for Gawker in general? I've been reading an commenting on Jalopnik for what seems like at least 5 years now, and I'm kind of sick of having all my comments get bumped to the end and being grayed out. What is the process for this? Thanks in advance.

DISCUSSION (19)

The Jevans > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:19

I'm pretty sure you have to work your way up on each site separately.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > The Jevans
12/03/2013 at 13:21

That makes sense. But I don't understand how after 5 or 6 years now, I am still not approved for Jalopnik. I mean for gods sake the sites only been around for about a decade in total.

Textured Soy Protein > The Jevans
12/03/2013 at 13:22

Yup. I'm recommended on Gizmodo and can post on Oppo, but I'm still gray on Jalopnik and Gawker.

Tom McParland > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:22

Each site is it's own domain so the editors of those sites control who is "approved" or not. My suggestion for Jalopnik is to Tweet one of the editors like Matt and ask nicely. Usually works.

Joe_Limon > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:24

Every site and sub forum has its own list. Most subforums like oppo all you need to do is ask for posting privaleges. But some like to be different, i.e. Tay is a big circle jerk of a handful of posters who do regular pieces. As such unless you have a reoccuring piece they like to read, then you won't be getting write access.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Joe_Limon
12/03/2013 at 13:26

Makes sense. More what I'm asking is just how do I become a "pre-approved" commentor (that's not a word)...there are many users that have been here for a while as well and they have had their accounts approved so that when they comment, they aren't grayed out in the "comments waiting for approval" section. They just get to be up top and stay there regardless.

desertdog5051 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:29

I simply asked Matt in a comment to TMS. If your track record is solid with constructive posts, you should get out of the gray. Good luck.

Joe_Limon > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:30

For front page approval, just keep postingo especially in qotd, for sub forums you gotta ask.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > desertdog5051
12/03/2013 at 13:30

Ahh ok. Thank you so much.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Joe_Limon
12/03/2013 at 13:30

Alright sounds good. Thanks so much for the help.

ttyymmnn > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 13:37

I've become a non-gray commenter on Gawker, but I think that has a lot to do with a some comments that I made that got upwards of 40-50 recommendations. I don't say much there, but I try to make it count. I also don't get involved in the troll battles. They can be nasty on Gawker.

I don't remember every being grayed out in the new Jalopnik. I had a star before, so it's possible that those with stars were automatic commenters when Kinja rolled out.

Stef Schrader > The Jevans
12/03/2013 at 14:24

Yep. I'm an author for the FP here and still get greyed out on other sites, heh.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > ttyymmnn
12/03/2013 at 17:27

Makes sense.

I try to do the same. The reason its frustrating is because, obviously I don't sit on the site all day looking for new stuff, so when I see a story and there's already 50+ comments, the likelihood of receiving more than a star or two is almost 0%. Not really a big deal, I was just hoping it was less arbitrary than it apparently is. Thanks so much for the help.

ttyymmnn > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 22:20

Something else I've discovered after many years in the Gawkerverse is that most people tend to recommend quick, one or two sentence comments. For example, this little observation I made about an article on Gawker has garnered 38 recommendations, and it's not even really about the story. I don't know how many times I've crafted a post for Oppo, with paragraphs of good information and great photos, only to have two or three recommendations and maybe two or three replies. But when I fire off a witty one liner, I get bombarded with replies and recommendations. It's kind of disheartening, but I guess people are more interested in the quick read than a wall of text. Think about how you scan comments, and how often you read maybe the first sentence and then move on. As Polonius said, "Brevity is the soul of wit." Especially around here.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Skif6996 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/03/2013 at 22:22

Should be good now. I followed you. Comments should no longer be grey.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > ttyymmnn
12/03/2013 at 22:52

Most definitely. I agree. Usually my one liners are buried, so I'm just hoping for one to be the magic bullet one of these days haha. And yes....I have sometimes written (what I thought) were wonderful posts...great stories, pictures, the whole nine yards. Not one interaction of any kind. Oh well. At least I have fun writing them....

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Skif6996
12/03/2013 at 22:53

Damn. Still grey on Jalopnik. Oh well. You tried! Thanks for the follow too, means a lot :)

Skif6996 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/04/2013 at 07:18

I think I can only ungrey you on OPPO. I'm not exactly sure how it works. If someone follows you by oppo it should ungrey you. Sorry if I'm wrong.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Skif6996
12/04/2013 at 13:01

Yeah I think you might be right either. I'm not aware of the intricacies of the commenting system either haha.