'Pirate' KSL comment board emerges
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The ominous quote from "Jurassic Park," "Life will find a way," apparently applies to habitual online posters, as well as velociraptors.

When KSL.com pulled down its comment board last week to deal with uncivil and offensive discourse, the disappointment was heard (or at least seen on Twitter) around the world.

But two high-tech companies, Aculis in Provo and Lehi-based Kynetx, have joined together to offer an alternative, or "pirate," comment board for frustrated KSL commentors.

The service, known as iSay: Comment Board for KSL, operates "over the top," and independent of, KSL.com. Users must download a free browser-extension application that will allow them to comment on KSL stories and read and "flame" the comments of other iSay users. Once installed, it operates nearly seamlessly.

"People we talked to say it's no fun to read the articles on KSL.com without the comments — especially when it comes to sports," said Aculis spokesman James Stone. "We have some technology that we've been working with for about a year that will create a new type of comment board. It's pretty powerful stuff. It will even be an alternative for people to use if KSL ultimately puts something up [as a comment board] that is censored."

The service is not meant to pirate revenue from the LDS church-owned website, Stone said, adding that DeseretNews.com will be included in the package. It was developed for use on any website to allow comments.

"Our goal is just to get the word out for iSay. We don't have any grand plans for advertising — we might down the road. We're just trying to get the buzz out."

Stone acknowledged the cheeky move to run a pirate KSL.com comment board could lead to a legal confrontation. "I don't know what they would have an issue with. I'm sure they'll find something."

KSL representatives did not return a call seeking comment.

Technology • Independent forum gives users another avenue for discourse.
 
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