When we first went independent, one of the biggest challenges we faced was figuring out how to preserve our commenting platform. To help do that, we used an open-source version of the same system that was used on our SB Nation site called Coral.
In order to do that, though, we had to make a rather significant tradeoff: our commenting system required a separate log-in from the one you use to read articles on the site.
Three years later, we’ve finally fixed that, along with some other improvements.
In addition to the usual email and Google logins, we’ll be adding two new paths for you to engage with comments. You will be able to log in with a Bluesky account or your existing Sounder at Heart account. You can also connect a Bluesky account or Sounder at Heart to your existing commenting account, too — and if you’re a subscriber to the site, your support tier will show next to your comments as well.
If your Sounder at Heart account uses the same email address as your commenting account, you’ll be given an option to link them. If you’re using a different email address, sign in with your commenting account, and you’ll be given a chance to link those instead. If you’d like to keep things separate, that will also be an option.
You will also be able to make use of passkeys for greater account security, and we’ll work toward adding two-factor authentication as well.
Additionally:
- Long-time readers of Sounder at Heart will remember highlighted comments from our SB Nation days. They’re coming back! To start, the threshold is set at five “respects” but we’ll adjust depending on how things go.
- You’ll soon see how many commenters are present on an article
- You will also be able to follow users, and you’ll see their top-level comments at the top of articles.
There are some other changes that you’ll probably notice in the coming days, as well as some design changes we hope to unveil in the coming weeks. All of these changes are designed to improve the user experience. If you notice anything that seems off, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at support@sounderatheart.com.
