Dan Barkin:We launched the new online commenting software midweek, and in the first two days, we had more than 200 comments posted.

Dan Barkin:Next week, we will be launching software that will permit you to add your comments to stories published on newsobserver.com. The expected launch date is Wednesday.

Dan Barkin:Navigating a newspaper's Web site can be an Easter egg hunt, and I mean that in a good way and a bad way.

Dan Barkin:I never get tired of playing with the WaterWise interactive graphic on our Web site. You can find it at newsobserver.com/news.

Dan Barkin:Three weeks from this afternoon, around 4 p.m., I will be walking my Hilary down the aisle. That means, of course, that I will be shutting down the blog I have written since October.

Dan Barkin:My gas gauge was practically at empty midweek, so I pulled into the Kangaroo Express on South Saunders Street and let 'er rip. By the time the regular unleaded had filled the tank on my LeSabre, the damage was north of 60 bucks.

Dan Barkin:I could dress this up as an early Mother's Day column, because, as you know, I am a big supporter of motherhood and would appreciate your vote when you go to the polls Tuesday.

Dan Barkin:The way I vote sometimes reminds me of the way kids finish book reports due first period. On the bus, on the way to elementary school.

Dan Barkin:If you gave me a buck last Saturday at the Bojangles' in Knightdale, that means you are a real philanthropist, because I am one truly bad fundraiser.

Dan Barkin:The Share forum on Coach Roy's decision to wear the Kansas colors Monday night has been humming.

Dan Barkin:Lee Conner may not be the most intense Carolina fan, but he is probably in the upper 15 percent.

Dan Barkin:Will Okun, who grew up in Carrboro, has spent nine years at Westside Alternative High School in Chicago teaching English and photography.

Dan Barkin:Jane Olsen, a 30-year-old resident of Washington, in Eastern North Carolina, wants to hear Barack Obama's views on the Bear Stearns bailout.

Dan Barkin:One of the things I like to do is get out and meet folks. One of the reasons I got into this line of work is that you meet interesting people and go interesting places.

We have 6,000 of your photos on share.triangle.com, but one of my favorites -- and evidently yours -- is the haircut photo that was taken in 2006 of young Jamie Ping, who was here visiting relatives.

Dan Barkin:Our stories this week on the problems of the state's mental-health system tapped into an intense public policy debate that has been going on since the state decide to "reform" the system earlier this decade.

Dan Barkin:The picture, of four women and a young soldier, deserves more than a short caption, because it tells a story about folks who typically don't get their names in the paper but who are doing something important.