Friday, June 26, 2009

Is It Just Me....?

Is it just me, or are other people having difficulty posting comments on some blogs. I notice the blogs where I have the most difficulty are the blogs that have the option of posting a comment "embedded below post", rather than the "full page" option. If you have the "embedded below post" option and the "word verification" option chosen on your blog, you may be missing comments -- lots of them -- because the combination of the two options does not seem to like comments. It will invariably say "your comment cannot be posted", and the commentor has to try a second and sometimes a third time.


The "full page" option is much easier, more convenient and it has the added benefit of displaying the commentor's avatar. The "embedded below post" option does not post the commentor's avatar. Don't you think it's more fun to actually see everyone? I sure do...


If you go into "Settings", "Comment", "Comment Form Placement", you will see where you can choose the option of "full page". Now, please don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. If you prefer the "embedded below post" option, well, that's your choice. But keep in mind that by choosing that option, together with "word verification", you may be losing comments, because often people give up after the second try, or even the first try.


And then, of course, there is "blog approval" which to me is just another hurdle, but some folks seem to prefer having that option on their blog. I always wonder, "Will I be approved?" and I wait with baited breath...

I have had so many wonderful visitors to my blog, and there are new people every day. I enjoy going back to visit all of you, but sometimes I am not sure if my comment has even been posted. I wonder how many other people visit you, but are unable to post a comment. Has anyone else had this problem, or is it just me...?

39 comments:

ivan said...

I am compulsive and persistent.

But on the third try, when I saw "comment may be moderated"--or something like that, I almost lost my cool. All this effort, and a sudden coyness on the part of the blogger.
After three tries, I had said--almost--You moderate me, bitch, and I ain't comin' back.

Katalyst Ofmine said...

I have stopped commenting on blogs that have that much security.

Happily, I can still post on yours. ;)

Brenda said...

I think some of us just don't know the options. I know that I am still learning. I have a "practice blog for dummies". (Ha....sort of kidding and sort of not.)
When I first started blogging I got a comment that was very very long...and weird... crazy talk, etc. that was very hard to delete. The commenter was apparently trying to aggravate people. My husband who knows a lot about computers even had some difficulty getting it to delete. I also ended up losing parts of my blog because of it. That is why people have the approval thing turned on in my opinion. They have had a bad experience and would just rather look at the comment first before it goes on the blog. I don't do that anymore, because so many people do not like to do word verification and approval by owner.
Blogging should be fun and enjoyable. I try to keep it that way.

muthu said...

hmhm.. yeah.. U are right on jo.

When I visit blogs and wen the comment section ---

does not accept my comment then my initial interest kind a diminishes...

Glad U touched thsi topic. :)

cheers..

The Bug said...

I just changed my comments to full page - like Brenda said, it's a learning curve!

Nancy said...

I have had the same problem. Often I think it's been posted and just as I'm leaving I notice it didn't take and wants another word verification. Sometimes it's too late and I've already clicked to move on. I don't return and rewrite, unless I feel it is something important.

SparkleFarkel said...

I'm thinking a hack saw on the sidebar would be helpful.

Mariana Soffer said...

I am having the comment problem, I just don't pay atention to it any more. I just let know people when I have problems with their blog.

Leslie: said...

Right on! With all that security I usually can't be bothered.

John said...

Brenda is right, some of us do not know these things! Thank you so much Jo, for helping those of us who want to make our blogs more user friendly!

I just changed all my comment settings to your recommendation, including not using the comment moderation!

Now I am anxious to see what it is like for me, when I get a comment. I think I have it set to be the most user friendly now, but I did take off the option for anonymous comments.

When you get time would you or anyone try mine out and see if I have it that all in order now? Thanks in advance!

ivan said...

John,

I have trouble getting at the comment space on your site. I think it'm my machine. Flintsone model, no cookies.

Leilani Tresise said...

JO I learn something new every day.. Thank you! =0)

Deb said...

Amen! Thanks for sharing with us because we all hate it when we have to apply a word verification. Gah!

Essie said...

Thanks Jo, I'm new to blogging and that was very helpful. I just changed mine. Your last advice on this subject was helpful too. Sometimes I just don't know what the computer speak means, so I don't bother it. Hope you stop by soon, I like to read your comments.

HAPPY IN NEVADA said...

Boy, is this post timely! I just got the 'hiss and boo' from 3 bloggers that I used to read regularly, who suddenly got the notion to put up comment moderation and word verification.

I asksed them all why and they said they'd gotten remarks they didn't like.

I told them to just use the delete button, but they said it takes too much of their time.

So, I wrote back: "When you make it miserable for me to comment, then I'll just remove you from my rss feed".

To me, that ends that. There's not a blog in the world that I'd 'agonize over' if I couldn't read it.

If it's not fun; easy, and interesting, I've got better things to do. Diane

Carol E. said...

I haven't been to your blog in a while because I've been super busy. Finally I'm taking some time to catch up.. I can't believe anyone would have been offended by your skinny dipping post. I bet they just needed to leave because of whatever unknown reason in their own life... I like what you posted on the day the world lost Farah and Michael. It's true that we all need to take more time to appreciate the miracles of our everyday lives. I've been trying to be intentional about doing this and it has made me happier. THanks for the reminder.

Marcos Vinicius Gomes said...

Thanks for your comments, Jo. I have changed my options and everytime you visit me you'll be welcome. By the way , thanks for your visit to my blog.
I think that in countries with weak democracies, little rights of freedom of speech ,or where this rights are neglected, people don't know how to use comments responsably. For example,in Brazil, blogs are used as way for political demagogy, where people use net to injury other people and worst, defaming, using nicknames, hidding their faces cowardly. My Portuguese blog has approval...It's strange, but...

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Okay, I followed your instructions and I think I did it right. We shall see. I am having computer issues that are currently making me a little crazy......

Country Girl said...

ivan, hahahahah!! Yes, Jo, I am having the same problem. I don't have word verification on my blog because it drives me crazy when I visit others.

A human kind of human said...

Okay, I get the picture. Maybe that is why I have had so few comments lately. I am changing my setting right now. Thanks for the handy hints.

kenju said...

I posted about this very thing last week!! I get so frustrated when I want so badly to comment and I can't. I asked people to change their settings for me, but some didn't.

lovelyprism said...

I had a problem receiving comments for a while, I wasn't getting many at all and I know some people were leaving comments I never got. As soon as I switched to pop up comments, it started working fine. Nothing worse than thinking yourself witty and clever after spending some quality time composing a post and then getting NO comments!

Writer J said...

Every once in awhile that happens to me as well. It's annoying :(

the walking man said...

I've had no noticeable problems either posting or receiving posts Jo. Yours show up when you make them.

Canarybird said...

Thanks Jo. I was using the "popup window" option but always without word verification or moderation. It does look better now. I hope the popup window wasn't causing difficulties to anyone.
Cheers, Sharon. (Hope it's warm enough now in Vancouver!)

KathyB. said...

YES!!!!! I just got done writing up a question about this problem on 'blogger helps', There are a few blogs that require people to pick a 'profile' before they will publish the comment. Then POOF,after I pick a profile and click on 'publish'- no comment is published. This has been happening to me for over a week now. I almost posted about this tonight , and was excited to see I am not the only one having trouble with this.

It is only happening on a few blogs too. I tried several different profiles to no avail.

PhilipH said...

John, Just tried to read your blog about the new comment setup etc., but Windows kept saying it couldn't display etc. Tried a few times, no joy.

Jo, your suggestions re comments are sensible and will, I'm sure, help all readers of your blog.

Cheers, Phil

Anonymous said...

I think everyone should do "test comments" on their own blogs.

ivan said...

lovelyprism,

Well, when I started blogging, I had a state -of -the art computer and the comment space worked fine when I tried int myself.
But that first-time blog! Embarrasment: I labored mightily on two virgin blogs and drew no comments at all. It wasn't a technical thing. No comments at all.
Something had to be wrong. maybe my blogs weren't rich enough in content or style. Maybe they were just dull.
When I commented on other blogs my attempts at wit seemed like insults
to those who thought they were the greatest writers since Balzac and I would get answers like "This is my blog, Clod.
"B. Her blog...And you have no manners."

Well. E-slapped!

I would show them. Has she no idea of the kind of person she insults? Is she blind, lazy or just stupid?
I would show them.
I put into my blog all my short story credits, links to my novels, and a resume that would drive a princess blind.
I put up the dreadnought blog.
Hah. No comments. Nothing.
My son came to me and asked, "What's the matter? I checked your links and comment space. Works fine."
But there were no comments.
A million words in print, awards, kudos, and no comment.
I had labored mightily and produced a mouse of a blog.
A month went by. I kept blogging.
Somebody finally wrote in. "Don't mind Miss B. She e-slaps everybody."
And then more comments this time on my blogs and stories. Finally some American bloggers were on board. They were Amerians with publishing credits and I was glad to finally esablish a dialogue. And then along came Jo with a bevy of other ladies, and I was finally on my way
in establishing a dialogue with other bloggers.
But it does take a long time.
Your problems is technical. Mine was not.
I was just out of it and it took a long time to get in. And Jo and her "Quarkettes" helped my blog come alive.

Cheers,

Ivan

PS
PhilipH,
Thanks for the note re me trying to access John's blog. His comment space just doesn't work right now, does it.

...And dang! I had to try three times putting this into Jo's comment space. The gods are against me!...Or it's just my sloppy typing.

Swetha said...

you are correct.. i ll try to change mine pretty soon!! thanks Jo!

Dr.John said...

I have tried to make my blog as easy as possible to comment on.
But I understand that there are people out there who are scared of words and need to moderate or who hate Spam in the worst way and need to put those letters.
If we were all alike it would be a dull world.

Donna B. said...

Hi Jo,

I too am a "closet" writer. I have kept journals in 5 subject spiral notebooks since the age of 18. I just turned 62 in June. I also like to paint in acylics or water color. I recently got into digital scrapbooking with a group of friends until my Dad's dementia got worse. I have been journaling about our experience with him on my blog, Mystical Journeys at www.digifreed.blogspot.com.

I had received a comment from Marsella on her blog, Gemini, and noticed you were a follower of her. I felt we all may be kindred spirits.

Anyway, hi, and I enjoyed your blog.

Owen said...

Maybe if we all do a post asking people to turn off the word verification, some folks will...

After spending a few minutes crafting luminous phrases in a comment box that will hopefully help further blog friendships, only to be confronted with an illegible word verification and have to struggle with that... it's just extra friction...

I did figure out how to turn off the darn word verification... so that's HISTORY at my humble abode.

Interesting about the comment box options you mention... I have a tendency to like the "Pop up box" option, because with that, it opens a separate window for the comments, and you don't have to wait for the entire blog page to reload. For many blogs, waiting for the page to reload while the comments box opens, is not a problem. But for some blogs that have endless sidebars and numerous animated gadgets and heavy loads of large images, it can take forever, which can be a bit off-putting... I think we all like a "streamlined" blog experience, sites that take forever to load can be frustrating.

I use the comment moderation only for posts older than 5 days, and that only so I won't miss a comment someone might leave on an older post... but I agree, it is much nicer to see your comment appear immediately, and know it's saved, than to go off wondering if it will be approved... or not...

Not that I would ever write anything on someone's blog that I would think might not get approved...

Susan English Mason said...

I'm going to go do it right now and you'll tell me if it works better. K?

Paula Slade said...

Thanks Jo, I just enabled the "full page" - I wasn't sure what half of those setting were all about. I appreciated the tutorial.

Mark and Patty of Crystal Pyramid Productions in San Diego said...

Wow, I didn't even realize I had that word verification thing on, and it really annoys me when I see it on other people's pages! I thought I'd turned that doggone thing off. Well, thanks to your blog on commenting, I have run a bath and lit some candles to make it more comment-friendly at my blog! Come on over for a (virtual) glass of wine! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the hint, I have just changed the settings. I really need to spend some time playing around with the blog options, it's all learning.

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