Starting on Monday, Jan. 30, letter writers will see some changes in how we handle and publish letters, both in print and online. Below are some answers to questions on those changes, along with answers to other "frequently asked questions" that readers have about letters.
Question: What is changing?
Most of our writers submit letters through our online form, www.sacbee.com/sendletter. To deter spammers, we will be adding a "Captcha" device to that form on Jan. 30. That means that letter writers will have to enter a code before submitting a letter, verifying they are a real person.
Anyone who has ordered tickets online, or made other purchases, has had to enter Captcha codes. It's an added step for writers, but one that will ensure we can review all letters thoroughly and promptly.
Q: How does Captcha work?
After you have filled out the letters form, you will see a pair of slightly distorted words you will need to type into the Captcha form. If you have trouble viewing the words, you can hit the refresh button (the one with two arrows) to get a different pair of words. If you need audio help, you can click on the button showing a speaker.
Q: What else is changing?
Along with ridding our letters system of spam, our digital team has created a new system for reviewing and publishing letters. This new system will allow us to publish extra letters online, beyond those we publish in print, and quickly add in the code we need to publish in print. As a result, letters that meet our standards will be published online earlier in the day, allowing letter writers to air their views much more quickly than they can now.
Q: Will I still be able to submit letters via your email address, at letters@sacbee.com?
No, we want all online letter writers to use the form. If you send letters to the email address on and after Jan. 30, you'll get an automated answer asking you to submit at www.sacbee.com/sendletter.
Q: I don't have a computer. Can I still send you a letter through the U.S. mail?
Yes. Letters submitted through the form have a better chance of publication, since they are easy to read and generally more timely. However, we continue to read letters sent via "snail mail," and are aware that some readers don't have easy access to a computer.
Q: I notice you are soliciting letters on a particular topic for Monday publication. What is that all about?
You are referring to "Issue of the Week." This is a new feature that encourages letter writers to offer views on a public policy issue that will be in play in the coming week.
Two weeks ago, we encouraged writers to offer their thoughts on the "strong mayor proposal" that came before the Sacramento City Council last Tuesday. Last week, we asked for letters on Gov. Jerry Brown's plan for "hybrid" pension plans for new state workers.
We will run those letters on Monday. If there is issue that you would like to be highlighted in "Issue of the Week," shoot me an email.
Q: I recall you wrote a column floating the idea of ending online comments for letters, to protect named letter writers from attacks by anonymous online commenters. What has come of that?
Interestingly, after I wrote that column, the quality of online comments on letters has improved. We will continue to monitor online comments in the hopes that commenters can be respectful to letter writers who have put their names behind their opinions.
Q: Last year, you reduced the length limit of letters to 150 words. How has that worked out?
Some letter writers objected to the reduced length, but not many. By reducing the length limit, we have been able to run more letters each day, and many writers have found they can easily make their point, and back it up, in 150 words.
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