Comments? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Comments.
Letting folks comment on your website is a little like letting someone else use your computer. Your first instinct is not necessarily to share. But, I would argue, letting folks comment is at best an enormous addition to what any single blogger can do, and at worst harmless.
The rest of this post is in the comments section.
The rest of this post is in the comments section.
posted by Alexander Russo at 2/13/2006 03:11:00 PM
9 Comments:
First off, it takes very little time to monitor the comments for spam and inappropriate language, especially if you use word verification (as this site does) or comment registration.
In addition, comments can be great for correcting or adding information that you might not know about (unless you happen to be all-knowing).
True, comments aren't all brilliant or on the topic. But that's not such an awful thing.
No one's making readers read the comments, anyway. In fact, I'd bet a lot of folks don't even know they're there.
A small band of serious readers want to see what other people have to say, however. That's why I often encourage folks to turn their emails to me into comments that everyone can see and think about. (Or I do it for them, with permission, using the signal o/b/o for "on behalf of...")
But maybe I'm wrong. What do you think?
I know many people are reading your blogs and am surprised that so few actually make comments. But the comments are a necessary part of your blogs. I would encouage people to come on board.
Comments bring far more benefit than detriment.
I don't mind that folks don't comment all that much -- when they do, it's usually worthwhile and often very helpful.
And when they do, it's also much easier to follow / understand whatever debate is going on -- like an email going back and forth.
On other sites without comments you have to go back and forth to each site to track the latest in the debate -- it's very confusing.
If a third or fourth person gets involved, it's almost impossible to follow.
Post a Comment
<< Home