This is going to alienate some of my regular readers - sorry about the strong opinions:Bloggers who don't allow comments are virtually saying that their wisdom is enough for the reader, that they don't invite the reader in to put a point of view because many blog comments are shallow [true]. However, what about the serious commenter who really wants to interact? Surely Comment Moderation takes care of that?
Bloggers who use word verification when they are in Blogger/Google don't need the cursed thing and it only puts readers off, having to go through that unpleasant procedure over and over. Admittedly, in other hosts, it is needed.
Bloggers who put "web page" in their profile near the email link are doubly blessed, in my book.
Bloggers who don't answer their commenters in at least half their posts or who answer most of the commenters but not all every time, pointedly leaving some out, should really think of the hurt they might be causing by this omission. Most of us have been guilty of that one.
Bloggers who provide beautiful navigation from their front page and back and all around are triply blessed.
Bloggers whose comment name is a link but when you click on the link, it goes nowhere, should be taken out and shot. [For those with no sense of humour, this is meant to be light-hearted].
Bloggers who link to other bloggers are the salt of the earth - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
ROFL
ReplyDeleteIf these are the commandments, there are another three to go.
(Smile)
Will you write the last three, Anon?
ReplyDeleteChangest thou not the design of thy blogpage, lest thou shrink thy font size below that which may be read by the wisest of sages.
ReplyDelete[Instead of a smiley]
ReplyDeleteOn the risk of shooting in my knee, but this let the corners of my mouth have a nice expedition to my ear-lobes.
"Bloggers who use word verification when they are in Blogger/Google don't need the cursed thing and it only puts readers off, having to go through that unpleasant procedure over and over."
ReplyDeleteI was only thinking of this issue this morning and considering whether to scrap this feature at Debacle.
You've helped me to decide! Thanks.
But I can't figure out what this means....
"Bloggers who put "web page" in their profile near the email link are doubly blessed, in my book."
Probably something really simple...;-)
Dearieme - is it really too small to read now? I can change the font up in size.
ReplyDeleteSean - oh I can imagine that journey.
Debacle - I got into trouble for this post today but some of the ideas are worth considering.
Reading Dearieme's tells me I was not alone with my thought.
ReplyDeleteActually, sometimes it's a difficult read, especially in the comment-section; and when Anon uses italic bold, I'm not seldom praising my new glasses. :)
Shall get on to this - might take a little while.
ReplyDeleteI hate those word verification things. I have an invisible one in Wordpress that doesn't need reader interaction providing you have Java enabled. If not, you have to copy and paste, which isn't too onerous.
ReplyDeleteI like to respond to most comments. However, sometimes no response is needed, the comment in question saying all that needs to be said.
I must admit I use word verification as blogger seems to recommend it and it's a default option anyway (I think) Until now I've never considered taking it off though the few comments I get would appear to justify the fact I have no need of it.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say I will creep quietly away in case I have committed some sins on my blog...
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am a bit surprised that people are struggling to read your blog... for me it is one of the easiest to read (& I have c**p eyesight)!
For Deb, just add your web (blog) page link from your update blogger profile ;-) :-)
PS: let me know if I have sinned..
As I've said before, word verif works for me and I will keep it. I don't find it any trouble on pther people's blogs.
ReplyDeleteDon't understand the bit about putting "my web page" on the profile as I get confused and think the person hasn't got a blog.
James, I have often been hurt over here by you answering others' comments but not mine!!
Longrider - the word verification thing is good on yours.
ReplyDeleteQuiet Man - try it.
Cherie - just clearing the air.
Welshcakes - shame on me if I have but can't remember the last time I missed commenting on your comment. I shall try to ensure it never happens again.
I try to respond to comments if it is one that needs a response. If someone asks a question, I try to answer. If they are just making an observation, it doesn't always need a response.
ReplyDelete"Bloggers who don't answer their commenters in at least half their posts or who answer most of the commenters but not all every time, pointedly leaving some out, should really think of the hurt they might be causing by this omission. Most of us have been guilty of that one."
ReplyDeleteI sometimes worry about not answering people, but then again some comments don't really require answers. It's a tricky mine field to navigate.
I'm with Ross- sometimes comments don't need answers- I generally answer mine but sometimes there doesn't really seem to be an answer I can give!
ReplyDeleteWord verification- I put it on after my blog was hijacked by loads of people linking to porn sites and gambling sites in the comments about a year ago: I deleted them all but the comments were up there for a while and I didnt' like the fact that my blog was linking to sites I didn't like and would never visit. Given that I don't access my blog at work, I'd run the risk of such comments being up for a longer time and so I have word verification to stop some of them coming online- I wish that Blogger gave you the option of allowing those you knew to comment (and allowing you to expand the list) so that regulars didn't have to go through verification. Or that there was a better way...
I detest word verification.
ReplyDeleteI like the linking to other's blogs. To me, that is the spirit of blogging.
I think that some bloggers don't have time to moderate comments (aren't serious enough about it), like me ;-) Others just get sick of spammers, see my 9/11 post as proof. She's famous in Spain's right-wing circles as being a paid agent of the PSOE to attack right wing blogs all day. If only I had that kind of job security...*sighs*
ReplyDeleteredid my page (again) James, have a look :)
ReplyDeleteas per word verification: I agree it is the devil :)
if people use moderation AND verification; it makes me tend to not go back to that place
Looks like I have to hang my head in shame on a few of those points.
ReplyDeleteI'm already hanging mine!
ReplyDeleteCertainly cleared the air a bit though, didn't it, guys and girls?
ReplyDeleteYep, good idea James.
ReplyDeleteI learnt a few things along the way. Thanks for helpful tips J and Cherry.
I must say that I don't bother to revisit a blog if the author hasn't made some sort of response within a reasonable time to the comments I and others leave: even three words and a smiley is enough! I guess I enjoy the dialogue, finding out about others' viewpoints. I don't like Wordpress because it doesn't seem to allow comments notification.
Oh Highamighty, you are not the worst offender. I stopped visiting a couple of my favourite reads (NHS blogdoctor; Duff and Nonsense)just because of their small font size which wouldn't respond to the "view" instruction in IE, nor to the other trick I used to know but have now forgotten. Some sites seem always to have been particularly - how shall I put it? - crap on that score; I have in mind Bishop Hill in particular. But, yes, an increase in size would be welcome for these old, sob, eyes.
ReplyDeleteJust a PS - please feel free anyone to tell me if font sizes etc are too difficult to read. Wouldn't we all rather know why people don't visit than just see visits drop off?
ReplyDeleteThing is, Debacle, Dearieme, on my laptop there is variable sizing and it's hard to know what is the same as a PC's visibility level. I've increased the size twice in hte sidebars and post but have no way of knowing if it works on your screen or not. Yours is large enough on mine.
ReplyDeleteYes, James, same thing with my lappie. It's difficult isn;t it?
ReplyDeleteBut most browsers are very easy to adjust. IE and Firefox allow you to do the Control>mousewheel scroll up/down resizing.
James,
ReplyDeleteApologies if my blog falls into many of the categories you've described.
Debacle - yes.
ReplyDeleteMartin - it doesn't.
"Control>mousewheel scroll up/down resizing": ah yes, that's the trick I used to know and had forgotten. It worked on some blogs and not on others.
ReplyDeleteBased on this set of "rules" I am very law abiding. I always answer every single commenter because I think that is only polite. Most people don't answer any commenter at all.
ReplyDeleteBut I do think my biggest sin is the fact my blog takes a long time to load. I must clean up the sidebar.
Moderation is ok here, I don't have a problem with those who have it.
ReplyDeleteWell, we all went away from this with some things we thought we might just check back at our own place. In my case, it is the font size in comments. I've noticed it is small.
ReplyDelete