Can people comment without editing?

What?! In-line comments without the ability to have non-editors comment? That's crazy. I can understand how they would need a pbwiki log-in. That's fine. But there has to be a way to differentiate security between comments and page edits.

Does this mean that if I give a page locked security, then no-one can leave comments? That seems absurd?!

If this is true, then this is a major feature request. I hate the haloscan comment system, and was so thrilled to see pbwiki 2.0 include in-line comments - but if they work as described above, then they are really much less useful.

I don't mind experimenting with it. But how would I even start with something like that?

Is this a limitation just of the base level, or at all levels?

I don't mind adding people as writers when I want to allow editing, but I don't want to add everyone just so they can comment. I definitely want to allow comments by anyone who has a pbwiki account/. Just having an account is, I think, sufficient deterrent to trolls and spammers. If it isn't possible I'll just have to go elsewhere.

I completely agree with Kt. Having to validate every single person who wants to comment beyond the normal registration process is insane - especially if the wiki is expecting high use. I've got 30 or so regular users and it will be a huge inconvenience to me, but for wikis with lots of users this is really unacceptable.

Do the developers see this? I like the people-power help of this Get Satisfaction thing, but I'm concerned that real PBWiki folk won't see or respond.

There is a lot of difference between commenting and editorial control.

It's a limitation at all levels. Be aware that adding third-party tools like HaloScan are considered "workarounds" by PBwiki, and may not work in the future.

I will reply with more detailed instructions on getting started with this shortly.

"Do the developers see this? I like the people-power help of this Get Satisfaction thing, but I'm concerned that real PBWiki folk won't see or respond."

I have been assured that, while they seldom post here, the developers do, in fact, read these threads. However, their internal support queue takes precedence over these forums. Sending your concerns to support (by clicking the 'Help' link in the upper right-hand corner of your wiki) is your best bet for insuring that someone sees your request.

I agree with you completely.

It may be worth doing, for the time being, f it's not too complex. I just hope that they eventually change this.

It may be worth doing, for the time being, f it's not too complex. I just hope that they eventually change this.

This has been filed as a feature request, internal tracking ticket #698. Thanks!

Thanks for doing that. This is an urgent and high priority for us.

Thanks! This really is important.

I just tried setting up HaloScan, and it's not worth the effort. You'd have to modify every single page where you wanted comments to appear. It's probably best to wait for PBwiki to fix their existing comment system.

Thanks for trying. It certainly does not sound like it is worth it. Oh well.

As Vu mentioned, this has been filed as a feature request, and we're working on implementing it. Thank you all for your patience.

very important to have this

It is nonsensical that registered users who are readers cannot leave comments. This negates one of the primary purposes for using this tool in my opinion. Please fix this design flaw and allow for readers to comment on content without editing capabilities. Making this basic change will increase functionality as well as expanding the useful nature of this potentially valuable educational tool.

Thanks.

It is nonsensical that registered users who are readers cannot leave comments. This negates one of the primary purposes for using this tool in my opinion. Please fix this design flaw and allow for readers to comment on content without editing capabilities. Making this basic change will increase functionality as well as expanding the useful nature of this potentially valuable educational tool.

Thanks.

Bump. I can't roll out the new pbwiki in our context until this is fixed. We have a certain number of users in our community who have the right to edit most pages, but we have many more who comment without having that ability. I really want to migrate over to 2.0 because of all the other cool things, but unitl this is resolved we can't.

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica, a Product Designer for PBwiki.

Question to all of you: Should anonymous, non pbwiki users be able to comment on pages if you allow them to? OR should there only be a setting to allow users designated as "readers" the ability to comment?

Naturally, I'd like the option. I might want to keep it open and let anyone, including anonymous users comment for a while to see what happens. If it gets too big and there is too much junk, then the option to have only PBWiki account holders comment could be switched on. In a perfect world you might want different settings for different groups of users, or different groups of pages. Have a look at what wikidot allows - it is very flexible.

Exactly correct. Non pb can comment as an option.

Surely you can allow page access as writers enabling comment, without edit abilty

What do you guys think about the following solution:

Private Wikis: Admin has the option to turn on comments for users with reader privileges.

Public Wikis: Anonymous, non-pbwiki users are allowed to comment on the wiki by default. This would be similar to wordpress in that users write their name, email address, and comment. IP address is recorded. However, if the user is logged into PBwiki, it puts down their name and provides a link to their user page. Admin has the option to pre-screen comments or not, also like wordpress.

And for good measure, anonymous commenting can always be turned off. All comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

sounds right. thanks for thinking this through

Another option that seems to be more supported:

Private wikis: Admin has the option to turn on comments for users with reader privileges.

Public wikis: Admin has option to turn on comments for people who don't even have reader privileges, but they must be logged into their PBwiki account.

Thank you for the suggestions. It's possible that we'll slowly roll this out, such that only pbwiki readers can comment. Eventually, we may open this up to anonymous, non-pbwiki users as well. It's just important to keep in mind issues such as spam. (way too prevalent on wordpress blogs!)

As long as admins have the ability to delete comments, I'm not too worried about spam comments... of course, as long as the there is the ability to disable anonymous comments, the people who are willing to police their site can have the accessibility they prefer.

This is sounding very positive. Yes, the ability to delete comments. Yes, the ability to allow/disallow anonymous comments.

The ability to apply permissions to groups of users or groups of pages would be a nice-to-have.

Liking the sound of this! Looking forward to seeing it rolled out.

Slowly rolling out? Can you please get the reader comments underway PDQ PB? It is a function that I would use immediately with students ?

How long do you think ? I will use another product for summer classes if it is not going to be a feature soon enough.

Thanks for your comments -- we've already begun designing the feature and plan on developing it sometime in the near future. There are so many thing's on our to-create list, but I promise we're doing everything we can to make sure you're happy with PBwiki :)

Good luck with the work on this, it will be great when it is in place. Keep up the good work PBWiki people, I just am getting a wiki going for a nonprofit organisation in Ireland and I really appreciate the value it will bring to our work.
Thanks,
Ciarán

Thanks for the kind words! And as always, please don't hesitate to tell us about any issues or suggestions you have for PBwiki.

Hi all! Is there any news on this?

The possibility for non-registered visitors to post comments is quite important to me...

If I were a platinum member and had this response I would be very disillusioned.

For one thing you could lock the pages you don't want edit access allowed on.

We as a company moved from pbwiki because of this access issue

I would be looking at a niche market

Hello All!

We recently announced a new feature called Reader Comments - now readers CAN leave comments on wiki pages! More information here: http://blog.pbwiki.com/2008/12/19/new...

I hope you'll give it a spin and let us know what you think!

I had the exact same question

OOH a cupcake