New commenting platform for latimes.com

The Times has begun using a new commenting platform for its online articles.

In a note to users, Managing Editor/Digital Jimmy Orr said editors hope the changes will give readers better ways to communicate with each other and Times journalists, as well as provide better tools for moderators.

If you’re a frequent commenter, much in the new system will be familiar. The “report abuse” flags remain, and The Times will continue to rely on readers to help weed out offensive or inappropriate comments.

The goals of the commenting community also stay the same: Be as critical or as complimentary as you like. But treat other commenters and the articles’ subjects and authors the way you’d like to be treated. Be respectful, not profane, offensive or inflammatory. Be relevant and original. If there’s an error, report it here. Don’t use the comment section to pitch products or websites. And don’t upload an image or a video unless it’s one of yours.

Here are some of the improvements with the new commenting platform:

• The thumbs-up and thumbs-down buttons have been replaced with a Like button, and you can sort comments to view the most-endorsed.
• You’ll be able to view a community member’s commenting history. And you can follow your favorite commenters.
• Email notifications can alert you to new replies to your comments, new comments by community members you follow and recent activity on comment boards you follow.
• You’ll be able to include photos and video in your comments. You even can record a video comment on the spot using the new system.

Also, in response to reader concerns, there will be greater human interaction and moderation of comments. Flagged comments will be checked more promptly, and more articles will be subject to pre-moderation, meaning comments will be read by a person before being posted. This is to ensure that discussions on sensitive topics remain civil and on-topic.

More information can be found in the commenting FAQs.

With the arrival of the new commenting platform, the old one was disabled. That means comments posted before Feb. 27, 2014, are no longer visible.

Ready to give the new commenting platform a try? You can start below, by letting us know what you think about this change.