Where did the comments go?: Unfortunately, three types of misuse of the comments feature on this site have forced me to turn off comments on new posts, and to shortly disable the ability to comment on older posts, too.
Type 1 is comment spam, an unfortunate growing trend in which spammers, who are finding email a harder row to hoe even as they send out more, are posting comments on highly-ranked Web sites with links to their product sites or offers. This increases their rank at Google. I've installed some filters, but it still takes 30 to 90 minutes of my time each week coping with the comment spam, plus the couple of hours of installing the filters. The folks behind Movable Type, which powers this site, are working on approaches. (I'd prefer a "confirm via email" posting method that would at least allow an email return loop for accountability.)
Type 2 is misguided folks who don't understand the site or how they got here who are posting strange queries about trying to understand Wi-Fi, purchase or sell items, or reach individuals who are the subjects of the story. This is probably an outgrowth of Google.
Type 3 is meta-comments, or comments about the nature or quality of this site. I don't mind feedback, but I don't feel that it's appropriate to critique this site on this site. Email (or one's own blog) is a better method. I had a great exchange this morning with someone whose mind I don't think I changed, but who had a reasonable critique of my approach on a post. I like to hear that stuff; I don't like to have it displayed on the site. That's my preference for keeping the site on topic and on focus -- and not airing dirty laundry.
The combination of these three types mean I'll disable comments for now. Please do email us with comments and feedback, and I hope to re-enable comment posting in the future.