"would it kill ya to comment"
Saturday, November 1, 2008
One feature that distinguishes weblogs from static websites, making them more interactive, is that they allow instant comments by others. This is a matter of choice for bloggers, though. They can disallow other visitors to comment on weblogs or single entries or can authorize comments for all internet users, for members, or make their blogs as read-only. Generally speaking, comments are what most keep most bloggers (including me) going.
Which is why, the reconnaissance of blogsphere reveals that most blogs have the comments option turned on, which permits users to interact with the bloggers and each other at their own pace. Some go a long way to engage others and solicit comments. I have seen permanent banners on many blogs that read, "would it kill ya to comment" or "de-lurk" (meaning comment and just not visit the blog). In fact, a few famous bloggers celebrated De-lurking Day sometime back.
Some bloggers play games like asking leading questions and urging others to respond or offer different incentives like creating blog buttons or even promising gadgets like iPods to the winning respondents. Once I won a book on being first to comment on a blog entry. One blogger said she would give one dollar for each comment on a particular post on a particular day to charity. To date, she has received 171 comments and the number continues to grow.On the other hand, some bloggers do not want or encourage comment on their blog entries. For one thing, policing and sifting them can be time consuming extra burden on the bloggers. If you do not want certain types of material or observations present on a site, then one has to constantly monitor comments. This can become tedious in case of blogs that attract a lot of attention and response. Open Comment options also cause spam where people (or machines) leave irresponsible comments or just mark their presence by leaving their own URLs in an effort to increase the page ranking of their sites.
Some new bloggers may not know how to turn the comment option on (and off) in the first place, or are afraid that they will not be able to remove offensive comments.
Thoughtful and witty comments, follow-up questions and extra information all add a lot to any blog and make it more meaningful. Comments by informed readers can add so many interesting and important components to any discussion. And given the blogosphere's potential to raise the level of intellectual discussions, the ideas are valued not only by who says them, but by their merits. The author of the blog more or less creates a topic and every one else who visits there gives input.
Comment on issues of real importance may also turn into a global conversation and readers can draw inferences from it. The main value of blogs, as compared to other forms of media, is that readers can immediately see contrasting views. Moreover, for bloggers, counting flow of comments is an ego booster too.
In order to determine different views on blog comments, I discussed this issue on my own blog, in addition to blogsphere scouting and email discussions.
Why you comment; I posted this question on my blog, where I got a modest queue of comments, counter comments and some emails.
Hamid Mahmood, who has been an internet user since 1999 and is an avid Pakistani blogger, blogging is a better way of using his online time. On the value of comments, he says, "I now have the unique ability to surf the net from the bloggers' perspective. One might label it as an invasion of privacy but then again the onus lies on the blogger who chooses to blog." Blogging is indeed the future of social interaction, so standards have to be established. He and another blogger Mark added, "blog commenting needs to be refined further and this phenomenon surely we will come to some conclusion soon."
Riaz Ahmed, another techie and a Pakistani (ex) blogger says, "I do it (blogging) because of the freedom to do that and then seeing people join (via comments) in this fun is much more attractive." How should visitors comment? Anyone who wants to comment should read the post first and then offer clued-up opinion or join in any ongoing discussion instead of just saying, "nice blog," "well done," "I was here," "you visit me there."
Sarah, however, who is another blogger, lives by her own rule for commenting. She says, "I visit the blog of the person who left a comment on my blog (interesting or not) and leave a comment on his/her site too. You never know what you might find there. You might even meet a new friend there."
When I started blogging, the comments option had not been invented yet for the software I was using then. I had a visible "mail to" link at my blog - if anyone wanted to comment, they could email me. That was somewhat tedious and only a few people reached out. Now, I have enabled comments on my blog and more people hit the comment button. The inputs from far and beyond sometimes clear my thoughts and help me see things from a different perspective. So the next time you browse through someone's blog, remember to comment, because for bloggers who post religiously, your comments might be the high point of their day.
Labels: Blogs, Comments, feedback, Interaction
posted by Shirazi @ 10:52 AM,
24 Comments:
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At 19:11,
IcedMocha said...
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Great post. You've made many salient points. I particularly agree that the comments and resulting discussion can add many dimensions to a post. I also agree that bloggers really appreciate receiving and responding to comments. It makes blogging more social and creates a sense of camaraderie.
Thanks for visiting and commenting at my blog. I would like to add you to my blogroll, and hope you will do the same. -
At 22:23,
said...
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Very nice post. I agree here.
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At 22:28,
Ronnie Ann said...
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Ah Dio...you are so right. I enjoy the comments I get and often learn so much from them. And I meet nice people like you!
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At 02:49,
cubano said...
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I am hooked on your blog. Keep up the good work. I especially enjoy reading your posts about history. Sorry for not commenting much but then again I only found your blog a few days ago. You are right about comments being a big motivational factor for bloggers. I certainly look forward to them.
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At 21:53,
koonj said...
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Just like your comment on my blog!
I wrote a post on this ("Why blog?") issue some time ago -- but I don't want to put the URL in here and seem sneaky ;) -
At 10:04,
koonj said...
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all right, since you asked :)
http://shabanamir.com/koonj/2005/12/13/why-blog/ -
At 20:31,
Raza Rumi said...
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What a good post. thanks for reminding us about the interactive nature of blogging and fostering of virtual communities. It was also good to read Shabana's post.
www.razarumi.wordpress.com -
At 10:17,
Laura said...
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The first thing that attracted me to blogging was the fact that, quite simply, I love to write--and wanted to write more regularly. The second was the potential for interactiveness. Making friends, sharing ideas, learning from people... I have a site counter, as most bloggers do, and I have to admit that it is sometimes frustrating when I can see that there have been a large number of visitors to my site--some who are fairly regular visitors, even--who NEVER comment! I understand if one has not been moved to comment, but if one visits a site every day or several times a week and stays mute, what gives? I try to comment at and thereby support, my regular reads.
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At 10:19,
annamanila said...
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There are people who are paranoid about leaving tracks online. The more IT savvy, the more paranoid. Perhaps they have seen dire consequences like hacking, smearing reputation online, etc.
I have long stopped armtwisting my real (non-blogging) friends to comment on my site. I know they visit some time or other and I am content.
The blog community is a different story. There is an unwritten contract to mutually visit and comment. This is the reason why I haven't as of late made efforts to expand my network. I may not be able to give the attention each of my blog buddies deserve. I want to give their pieces justice by truly reading them and posting 'valid" comments about them.
This post shines, Dio. -
At 13:39,
Carole said...
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This comment is an experiment. I'll let you know if I die. (g)
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At 16:32,
Vics said...
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'your comment may be the high point of their day'
It's true, i've had a few occasions of being on a bit of a downer , even my emails couldn't raise a smile - but then a random comment from some total stranger just brightens everything up.
I love comments - I should really leave more myself.. -
At 06:00,
krystyna said...
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Hi Diogenes!
Great photo!
Thanks for this post!
I want to know more about blogging and about comments too.( never to much to learn ). And I found here what I needed.
Why do I blog? Shortly - I want to share my thoughts and experience about good healthcare.
Why do I like comments? I see new thoughts and I learn more from others.
I meet new, great, supportive friends. That is inspiring .
And I have to add - I want to improve my English . When I started blogging I was very shy and scared about my poor English. Now, I know, that I made a good decision, even I know that my English is horrible yet.
I think - mistakes are included in life.
My friends understand me and I am very grateful and happy.
Good luck to you! -
At 22:58,
Jean said...
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I am fairly simialar to Sarah, the person you wrote about in your post. I sort of feel it is polite to check out a blog when someone new has left a comment on mine. You never know what sort of fascinating person you might be fortunate enough to meet!
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At 20:19,
said...
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Fact is that it has become like "you scratch my back and I will scratch yours. No?
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At 16:02,
Annamanila said...
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Well said Dio!... at the core of every true-blue blogger's heart is wanting to touch someone else. And how would he or she know if this someone doesn't delurk?
I don't feel obliged to comment in every post i read but how can i not if it tugs at something inside? -
At 17:17,
The Pakistani Spectator said...
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Comments have many a times help us to improve in what we do. What we do is to take a candid look on every thing happening in and for Pakistan.
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At 15:27,
marie said...
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this is so true! Thanks for writting this blog! :D
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At 02:16,
Princess Haiku said...
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One problem with blogging in general is that it encourages superficiality. If you read many blogs slightly and comment a little you get rewarded by higher stats. However, to have any sort of meaningful exchange you have to slow down and absorb, reflect. Most people seem to be in cruise mode only. I guess it's up to everyone to individually decide what is useful or meaningful to them. I have decided that less is more.
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At 01:49,
Heart of Wisdom said...
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Good post. I added a track back at http://heartofwisdom..com/Blogginghelp
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At 10:02,
madhuri said...
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At 19:28,
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