Terminology:

Article comments: Comments that readers make directly on articles.

Forums: Standalone message boards where readers can start and participate in discussions about any topic.

Why did you change the commenting?

InsideBayArea.com's upgraded article commenting system has several new features that will allow for better conversations and interactions.

1) Follow discussions in the forums: All articles with reader comments are listed in the forums here. This added feature allows for easier navigation of the reader conversations related to stories.

2) Login required: The new system has a login requirement (using the same login as our forums) so that you can easily track your own comments on your profile page. This login also makes is easier for us to manage inappropriate comments that violate our rules. You can view the rules here.

Do I need a new login for article commenting if I already have a forums login?

The login information is the same as that of our forums. If you already have an account in our forums, simply use that login to get started. If you do not have a forum account, you can create one here.

I don't want my name on my comments;

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can I still be anonymous with this new system?

We realize that for privacy reasons many readers do not want their real name to appear on their comments. While we do encourage you to use your real name as a way to add credibility to your comments, you are not required to do this. When you create an account for the forums, you will select a username, which will appear on any forum posts or article comments you make. You can choose whatever username you wish (as long as it isn't already in use by another person).

What do I do if I am having problems signing in and/or experiencing other technical issues?

If you have problems using the new commenting features, you can contact us at forums@insidebayarea.com. Please be sure to include the following information in your message:

1) Detailed description of the problem you experienced. What steps did you take leading to that outcome? If you got an error, what did the error say
2) Are you on a Mac or PC?
3) What Web browser and version do you use, such as Internet Explorer 7.0

Where can I send a suggestion for an improvement to this system?

We want to hear from you with your comments and suggestions. We value your input as we continue to work on further improvements to the forums and article commenting features. Please send your suggestions to forums@insidebayarea.com.