keeping unposted comments

  • run4it

    (@run4it)


    17 years, 7 months ago

    I am the webmaster for a governmental website. We are investigating the software on the market for blogging. One of our requirements is that we must review all comments before they are posted. I understand this functionality is available in WordPress. Our requirement need goes one step further however, as our Attorney Generals office has determined that we must “keep” all unposted comments that come in. In the event that we ever receive a public disclosure request, we must be able to produce ALL activity on the blog – whether we posted it for public viewing or not.

    I am not sure how WordPress works. I don’t know whether comments(records) are deleted from the database when a moderator marks it NOT to be posted, or if the record is flagged in some way so that it remains in the DB table, but is not displayed. And, if it is flagged and remains in the table, how might I get access to everything at a later date, if heaven forbid, we were to receive a public disclosure request?

    Thank you

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Chris_K

    (@handysolo)

    17 years, 7 months ago

    You’ll want to install a test version and validate this a bit…

    By default, with no plugins, comments marked as spam are kept in the comments table.

    You’ll obviously not want to use the delete option when reviewing comments…

    Now here’s the trick: Blog spam is brutal these days. If this blog is not internal only, you’ll want to enlist plugins to help manage the comment and trackback spam that you’ll inevitably attract.

    Akismet is a great plugin, and I’m reasonably certain it deletes comments marked as spam. Spam Karma 2 is another great plugin. I’m not sure what it does with ’em.

    Bad Behavior is another one to look at (and likely a good choice for you) it blocks the spammers from even getting the spam to your blog.

    Hopefully I’m not completely all wet here and like I noted above, installing a test blog and experimenting would be wise in the event that nobody brighter than I wanders by this thread. 😉

    Thread Starter run4it

    (@run4it)

    17 years, 7 months ago

    I think the only way for me to find out the answer to my concerns is to make a test blog as you suggest. So, is there a way, say at wordpress.com, to create a blog and tinker with it in test mode (not put it out for all the word to see?)

    Thanks!

    Chris_K

    (@handysolo)

    17 years, 7 months ago

    You won’t be able to get to the underlying db if you install at WordPress.com, so I doubt that’d be ideal.

    If you’re on a windows machine and just want a quick ‘n dirty install to play with, have a look at this tutorial: http://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/xampp/

    Thread Starter run4it

    (@run4it)

    17 years, 7 months ago

    I don’t think I need to get to the DB though that might prove handy. I think I could just make a bunch of test posts and test moderations to determine how it works.

    How do people who are just setting up their blogs develop them in a test environment (so they won’t be live)?

    i’ll check out the link too – thanks. I’m in a Microsoft shop with SQL database.

    Chris_K

    (@handysolo)

    17 years, 7 months ago

    Well, remember those plugins I mentioned? You won’t be testing any of them except Akismet at wordpress.com. Users can’t install plugins there.

    Wondering if one of them deletes or flags comments in the db? you’ll never know!

    Test environments are often done with a local install of xampp or wampserver in windows, or a seperate install on a *nix box (in my experience).

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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