zlacker

>>tonmoy+(OP)
The one thing I wish was added - either in the guidelines or as a change to the actual web UI - was replying to a comment that you're downvoting; it's frustrating both to have one's own comments downvoted without explanation, and to come across a comment that's grey without obvious reason (Was it factually incorrect? Endorsing an unpopular idea? It's not always obvious).

(I'm not saying HN should do exactly the same thing, but one example is Slashdot's system where a comment can get downvoted in a way that tags it specifically as trolling/offtopic/whatever - https://slashdot.org/faq/mod-metamod.shtml seems to describe it alright)

>>yjftsj+3c
I do not downvote for comments I disagree with.

I downvote for off topic, or for comments which detract from the conversation. I believe most others with the ability to downvote do the same.

Replying to off topic posts would be counter to the purpose of downvoting.

>>epanch+Qd
I probably agree that if downvotes were only for off-topic/trolling/unhelpful comments the situation would be better, but I don't think we're there; I am fairly confident that downvoting for disagreement is common and officially okay.