Update: The deadline for adding an email address to your commenter ID is this Sunday, October 18th, at midnight EST. If your account doesn’t include an email address by then, you will have to register again when we move the site, and you may not get the same username. If you’ve already added an email address, thanks! We’ll see you on the other side!

We’re putting the finishing touches on our shiny new site, and we’ll be ready to show it to you in just a few short weeks (if you want a preview, come visit us at the Consumers Union Annual Meeting, this Saturday!). Before we launch the new site, we need to ask you for something, if you want to keep commenting using the same name that you’re using now: your email address. Hit “profile” at the top when you’re logged in, then click “edit my profile” and add your email there. Here’s why.

When we relaunch, we’ll be on a new platform, and all current commenters will have to reestablish their accounts. To do this, we’ll be sending you a one-time email, with a link to reset your password.

We’re doing our best to make this as simple a transition as possible, and we know you have some questions. The FAQ below covers most of the questions we’ve received so far. If you have other issues, please add them in the comments, and we’ll do our best to get the answers to you.

Account Transition FAQ:

Q: Why are you moving to new servers?

A: When Consumerist was acquired by Consumer Media in January, Gawker agreed to continue hosting the site for up to a year. That year’s almost over, so we need to move.

Q: Will you be keeping or adding x Gawker feature?

A: Gawker has its own platform, and some features are unique to it. Some features we’ll be keeping are threaded comments, user profiles, and the ability to follow your favorite commenters. Oh, we’ll also be keeping disemvoweling and banning.

Q: Why do I need to reactivate my commenting account?

A: Right now, your account is a Gawker network account. It will only work on Gawker-hosted sites (and will still work there after we’re gone). Consumerist accounts will need to be reactivated when we move to the new platform.

Q: Why do I need to give you my email address?

A: Since we won’t be able to transfer your password, the only way you can prove that you’re you is by letting us send you an email to allow you to reestablish your account.

Q: What if my email address is already part of my profile?

A: You don’t need to do anything, unless you’d like to use a different email address.

Q: How do I add an email address to my profile?

A: If you’re not logged into the site, first login with the “Login” button on our menu bar. Once you’re logged in, click on the “Profile” link in the menu bar. That will take you to your Profile page. From there, click on “the Edit My Profile” link next to your name. On the next screen, you’ll be able to add an email address to your profile.

Q: Why can’t you transfer my password?

A: Passwords are encrypted on Gawker’s servers, and nobody can read them — not us, not the Gawker technical staff, nobody. So, they can’t be transferred over to our new platform. From a privacy standpoint, this is a good thing, even if it means a little extra work to make the transition happen.

Q: What if I don’t give you my email address now?

A: Your commenting ID will be deactivated on Consumerist (though your old comments will still be available). You’ll be able to open a new account any time, by re-registering, though you may not be able to get the same user name.

That’s it! Post any questions we haven’t answered in the comments, and we’ll do our best to answer them.

(Photo: adam reker)

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