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Can you spare a comment?

March 8, 2011

If you read my last post, you will know that I am divorcing Blogger's out-dated comment system...
image courtesy of Google image search
and I have taken up with a younger, more modern system named Disqus.  I don't think I am technically at an age where I can be called a cougar...but if that is what I am, then just call me Demi Moore (and give me her body while you are at it)!
image courtesy of Google image search
If you use the Blogger comment system...or have left a comment on someone's blog who uses it....you will know what a pain it is to respond to a comment.  Even when there is a response...it is on the bottom of the pile and you have to search out the @name with the correlating comment above....that just takes too much time!
image courtesy of Google image search
I confess, I probably have a small case of WordPress envy!  But who wouldn't?  The ability to respond to a specific comment...your response neatly being indented below the specific comment it pertains to...the ability for someone else to comment on your response...of course I am jealous!
image courtesy of Google image search
I have done some research, and I know there are a few second-party comment systems I could choose from...but after reading many articles (like this one), online reviews and watching videos...Disqus seems like the best fit for me.  Last night I was able to write responses to each and everyone who commented on my Christmas Light post...and each of my responses are neatly indented underneath the comment it pertains to.  I am so excited I could burst...or at least justify a late night chocolate bar!
But wait...like everything...there are some downsides too.

  • If the commenter is not a member of Disqus...I don't get those great avatar pictures.  I do get a link to the commenters blog....so that is good.  I added a custom picture for the missing avatar...check it out in my comments!
  • Some people might be confused that they need to be a member of Disqus to leave a comment...and that is not true.  They just comment as a guest.  I hope they don't have to fill out too much info to leave a comment!  That could be a big turn-off!
  • You still have to subscribe to an email follow up, but as the article above says...you only get an email if someone responds to YOUR specific comment!  No longer will you get an email when someone comments on a blog from a Blog Hop asking for a follow from a blog other than your own! GRRRRR! 
  • My sister says it is hard to read....she is older than I am, so it could just be her failing eyesight that comes with old age!
So let's have a conversation and see what happens.  Would you be willing to help me out and leave a comment...subscribe to email...respond to other comments, etc?  For those of you thinking of making the switch...this might be a great interactive way to test out Disqus.  I will be sure to comment back to each and every comment and responses.  I want to see if this really will make commenting and responses easier.  Maybe if we all move to another comment system, Blogger will get the message that we want to see some change!  

I don't feel like having a discussion about Blogger Comments...so let's make it a fun discussion!
image courtesy of Google image search

Do you remember this post?  I want to know who would you put on your LIST?

49 comments:

Chrissy said...

Let me know how you like Disqus! Have been thinking of switching as well!

Missy said...

Ryan Reynolds
Nick Carter (Old school add haha)
Henrik Lundqvist

I could go on but I'm being good and sticking to the 3 limit!

Crystalball1 said...

Ok...let me know what you think about this. I usually respond via my email...but the downside is that it isn't an ongoing conversation visible on my blog :( Let me know the ins and outs...easy (I'm technically challenged), cost (I'm a free-will blogger) and ease of use. Thanx lady!!

TexaGermaNadian said...

You will have to let me know how you like it. I just wish blogger would shape up and adopt some of these things on Disqus!

Snarky Sister said...

I find the font this post was written in to be hard on my eyes as well. It seems blurry to me.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

So far I like the ability to respond back like this. I don't like that I have to modify comments in Disqus's dashboard...seems like another step...but trying to work around it. Might have to not modify comments and pray they catch spam.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

It was quite simple to install. It is free so that is good. I like the idea that there can be ongoing dialogue....need to see what the emails are like.
did you subscribe? please let me know

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Thanks for playing a long.....I would rather discuss Ryan Reynolds over Blogger any day.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I am still testing it out. So far I like being able to respond like this....the uestion is, how easy is it for you to A) comment and B) to see my responses???

Allyn Marie said...

Thank you for participating this week in the Tuesday Train Blog Hop! I wanted to stop by and say hi! I am a new follower! :)

Hockey Wife Tales said...

ok...just found out that when I get an email saying I have a comment...I can reply back to the email saying approve, spam, don't approve and I don't even have to log into the disqus site. IF I want to reply to the specific comment...I reply through my email and it will show as a response in my blog comments....I will test this out on the next comment I receive. THIS IS A BIG PLUS!!!

april said...

Ok, here goes nothing. So far, so good. OOOh, I've seen this before. I just hit the Post As button but I always thought the people who used this had Wordpress.

Snarky Sister said...

I think its a font issue. Your post is hard on my eyes as well, Looks blurry to me.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

cannot figure out how to get the comment to appear via email.....maybe they meant reply on the comments? I got to run...off to pole class!

Cheers!

Mommy 2.0 said...

Can't wait to hear how the comment test goes, but more importantly, here is my list:
Mike Richards (the hockey player, not the crazy actor -I hope he is not on your husband's team, that would be, uh, awkward. And I did meet him, but I was getting my hubby's jersey signed so I'm safe)
Sting (sorry to copy you. I actually did meet him too - I used to work in a fancy-shmancy hotel. He is even more charming and list-worthy in person)
Taylor Lautner (assuming I could first be transformed into an 18 year old girl so I would not seem so creepy)

Rockin' Mama said...

I had this on my page, and I didn't stick with it, but then I may not have given enough time to get used of it. Normally when I come across a page that requires to much information just to leave a comment I won't even bother leaving one. I was already annoyed with the extra pop up to just submit this comment....hope you have more patience than I did! :)

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I need to look at my blog on my husband's computer....and see what it is like from the outside in.....I don't want it to be a pain for anyone. It seems that for those of us on Blogger...it is a silly process to leave a comment. I wonder if someone has wordpress if they get to skip the pop up box. Thank you for taking the time and letting me know your thoughts. I may take it off it is not worth the time...but I do love the reply option!! Your avatar shows up, but probably because you once had an account on disqus????
PS...I follow you, but you haven't been on my dashboard.....I hope things are ok for you...have you not posted for a while?

Hockey Wife Tales said...

OMG...you met Sting? I think I would pee in my pants if I met him....the closest I have come to seeing him in person is at a concert...I might have peed in my pants when I saw him in stage. Glad to know he is as lust-worthy...I mean...list-worthy in person! Now if I could just do something about Trudy!!
I am sure Taylor Lautner needs a cougar (I am not saying you are old as a cougar...but an 18 year old and even a 30 year old woman would be considered odd...but probably so great at the same time!

Cheers.....

Hockey Wife said...

Woo hoo! You are fancy pants! How'd ya do this? People might think I have computer skills but ... I don't even know how to create a button.

Loved e-mailing with you this morning. I would have called but I had a phone interview and then my in-laws arrived and wanted to shop, shop, shop! Maybe I'll give you a ring tomorrow! ;)

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I think I figured out the reply and approve via email. I have to subscribe myself on the button below. . Next person who could kindly comment, I will send a reply via email...I hope!

Also was wondering if you have a disqus account...but don't have it on your blog...can you respond easier to someone with disqus?

Rancher Mom said...

I think that anything is better than the current default comment system. I don't get flustered easy, but ugh!!!
My picks would have to be Green Gartside (from Scritti Politti), John Barrowman (even though he is gay), and a much younger Trent Reznor (like early 90's Trent).
Okay I just checked the form that pops up when you click "post as" MUCH better than anything else I have seen yet, mostly because I like to keep track of comments via email and this makes it easier.

anon said...

Great post on Woman's Day!

Crystalmazing said...

OMG, Loving your post right now! I am so looking into this new and better way of commenting! Thanks!!

Rockin' Mama said...

It gives you the choice to use your twitter and other social networks, so that was actually nice cause I forgot my login and password to disqus lol

Rockin' Mama said...

oh yeah and to the past part of your response, life has been insane lately and haven't had the extra time like I'm used to having for blogging :( I'm hoping things will slow down a little bit...but with spring coming up and my oldest son starts baseball next week! yeeee...life may not slow down. Things are great though, we are over the bumps with the father in law (his health is much better) and the hubs has a job interview this week! woot!

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Glad to hear things are well.....I was a little worried. Nothing wrong with being too busty to blog! Cheers!

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Great...thank you for letting me know....Maybe we can all move to disqus! That will teach Blogger!

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Sounds good...I have Bikram at noon until 1:30....then I am around

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Face it...you are OLD!!!

Missy said...

Hahaha.... I can't think of many who wouldn't?! He's rather gorgeous and a little rugged! As for the comment system, I like how you can reply to each individual and it's not too much information to add in. However, I didn't get an email saying you'd responded. Maybe I didn't click the button properly? I'm not sure? I think my 'picture' is great though haha! Paper bag heads for those with no images- brilliant!

Laura said...

ooooh! I likey!!!! :) I definitely am going tolook into this one.. i don't know if i am technically inclined to figure it out, but i'll do my best! haha :)

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I haven't received an email either....I read somewhere that was a glitch....or maybe it gets spammed? I am going to email the tech support and see why I am not getting emails. THanks for letting me know you aren't getting them either. My biggest concern is that it is a pain for people to post a comment. So far I am hearing it is not too bad. I think once you comment the first time...all your information pops up when you comment a 2nd time...am I correct?

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Laura, it was actually quite easy to install....they pretty much do it for you. They install a widget in the sidebar...then I moved it to the bottom. There is a place to also get all your old comments from blogger. So that is cool. I will test it for a few more posts, and then see if I will keep it. I am hoping it is easy for people to comment on! I love replying like this!!

Blonde_Morgan said...

Wow, this looks pretty amazing. How are you feeling about it so far?

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I really love the fact I can reply so easily. I also thought it was very easy to set up. and I feel it has an organized and orderly look to it. My sister says it is hard on the eyes, but so far she is the only one to say anything. I haven't been able to get email notifications(???) and someone said they haven't either...I sent an email to the tech help to see if I set it up wrong or if it is a glitch. Once the emails work, I can approve, delete, or mark as spam from there...as well as reply and comment. So I am excited to see if that works as well. I don't have the avatar pictures, but I can live without that . I have to go into my account at disqus to see the comments and moderate (until I can figure out email). But I am consistently logged in, so I just made a button on my computer menu bar. I can also get there from the comments on my blog. So far, so good....but I am going to wait a few more days until I make my final decision.

Alexandria Campbell said...

I am with Wordpress and I did not realize how much I was missing out by being able to respond directly to a comment & right from my dashboard too. I love it!

I tried Disqus but didn't like it...but can't remember why. LOL.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I installed disqus once before as well, but I think it was for a day or so Blogger's comments are such a pain, I would never respond to comments that I wanted to. I am not ready to make the switch to Wordpress, so this might have to do. I think disqus has recently made a few changes as well....so maybe they have gotten better since you and I had it?

Kelli @ Narragansett No. 7 said...

I'm so jealous of Wordpress... I'm debating a change too. Your pictures never fail to crack me up :)

Kiwi_1698 said...

This was a great post, leaving comments is quite a pain. This is great right here. IM jelly and might be looking into it

Brandy @ Jumping Jack said...

Yay for finally finding your blog! For some reason when I click on your name after you comment, I can't see your profile and also when I am notified of the comment in my email (which makes it super easy to comment, BTW) you show up as no-replycomment@blogger. If you update your email address in your profile, hopefully I can respond?

Anyway! Congrats on the new comment system and I'm so happy I found your blog through FTLOB!

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Hi Brandy....Ok, I think I did it. I went in and sure enough, you couldn't see my profile, but I think I set it to show. Also, I followed a small tutorial, and it should show my email address...so I hope that is fixed also.

I love your site, and all of your great crafty items...still drooling over the blanket and pacifier clip...since we just finally got my son to give up the "pipe" (as we called it)...I am too late...but I might be contacting you for a shirt that says Big Sister....is that a possibility?

Cheers!

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I am so far quite pleased, but I am really relying on people to leave comments letting me know if it is easy or a pain. I know there are some of us who have been thinking of making the switch to a better system, without having to go to Wordpress...so hopefully this will be a good test for everyone!

Cheers!

Susi said...

I can't remember if I've commented on your blog before, but however, I'm from FTLOB. I've used Disqus until just recently, and changed to Intense debate just simply because Disqus wouldn't work with a blog theme I wanted to use. And I found that Intense debate was more nicely integrated with the blog theme (talking Wordpress now), and showed up the same way on the mobile devices (iphone, ipad) as on the computer, which Disqus doesn't. However, Disqus is great! I'm not sure Intense debates sends and e-mail to anyone for every reply.. should check that out.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

Thank you for the blog visit, and taking the time to comment. I ever thought about what it would look like on a mobile device...I might need to check that out. So far, I cannot seem to figure out the emails...did that ever work for you? I am going over to your site now to check out your blog and comment system!

lovinangels said...

I have wordpress envy, too. I'm seriously considering the jump.

Hockey Wife Tales said...

I am too afraid to move everything to wordpress...I understand html code...but CSS is beyond my brains ability right now....sigh!

Thanks for the visit!

Cheers!

Laurie said...

Hi I am stopping by early from Sunday blog Hop. Just commenting. Saying hi. Following where I haven't yet. Being neighborly.
Laurie
www.grandmasezso.com
I'm also asking one last time for people to vote and validate the email for the bathroom makeover contest we are finalists in. Voting ends soon. We are very grateful for every vote. http://bit.ly/gZ676u

Laurie said...

I like Disqus and had it for awhile but...I can't get it to be numbered. On my giveaways, I like to have numbers on the comments b/c that is how I randomly draw the winner.

Jennifer said...

I know this is an older post, but I just posted on your Beiber post and it was so easy as opposed to the other blogger blogs. That is just because I have a squarespace blog, so I would have to use an open id. Anyway, I really like the Disqus.