Ok from time to time I make a nuisance of myself and do a little video rant. Spoiler alert I'm going to type it out as well for those using google translate - so watch the video or continue reading...
This is going to be pretty short but basically it's like this:
Sometimes before I get going on my own sketching or designing I like to blog hop other illustrator's sites to get some inspiration (aka creative borrowing). Inevitably I'll find my way to an image that really stops me and I get totally absorbed in it's amazing qualities....and sometimes I'm moved to leave a comment to compliment the creator. Most of the time I say a few words and move on but every now and then I run into a blog (usually composed in Wordpress) where the blogger has made it extremely difficult to leave a little comment. Upon typing a few complimentary words I'm smacked with: "You must first login to leave a comment on this site". Hold up. Back up. What the? Are you kidding me?
I'm not going to sign up for your blog. I like you but lets get something straight. I want to give you something. I want to tell you how awesome you are. I'm not going to jump through hoops to do so. I'm already feeling like I need to get to work.
If we were to meet at your gallery show and I found myself diggin your art and I finally get to meet you and tell you how much I love your art - are you going to put stipulations on how I do it?...then why do it online?
I already know the answer...you want to be able to spam me later when you have a new "fill in the blank" for sale....sorry...I care...but not enough to jump.
So true... glad I am not alone in this. I even took off the catch code for people to leave commenting easier (and now deal with Anon. Spam weekly).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. ;)
I think that's a great policy Lisa - until or unless it ever becomes a problem.
DeleteWant to know why there are no comments? Russian Housewives. Spammers, spam bots, comment bots, etc. have ruined open comments. Trust me, I deal with thousands a day on both sites and forums.
ReplyDeleteAsking a user to "login" is just a small hurdle to human verification. The best option here is to allow users to log in with any social media account they may have. Such as OpenID (http://openid.net/), Google, Facebook, Twitter, et. al.
Case in point, to comment on this blog I'm asked to log in to one of my many internet accounts and then fill in a captcha. Human verification. This way I don't have to be a member of your site, but still get to rant, albeit sans anonymity.
Plus you gain the added benefit of seeing who is commenting on your content and, theoretically, reaching out to that person to continue the conversation.
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DeleteShawn - I'll show you a few "A" list illustrators who have awesome work and update their blogs regularly but get ZERO comments. It's because people don't want to be signing up for no blog and filling out their email address... and have to get yet another login to write down and remember just so they can leave a stupid comment. The captcha thing is a bit annoying but we've grown to accept it as part of life. I'll email you off list a few blogs that I'm thinking of - it's quite sad really - great artists - no connections :(
DeleteOH, and I zapped that spammer at 12 o'clock...coincidence on this post? I think so - it's the first comment I've deleted on this blog in the last 4 years.
DeleteWill- How do you get the email blocker off of Blogger. I know thats why I have little followers. I just don't know how to change it or if it can be changed.
DeleteI may not have been clear in my previous comment. I agree that registering for a site should not be a requirement for commenting. And, honestly, who wants to deal with registration information. Unless you were set up to run the metrics, or had a marketing team, the information is almost entirely useless.
DeleteWhat I wanted to get across is that users should have to validate with either a social media account or open id. This helps with spam comments, as you very well know.
I may have misunderstood your rant assuming that you were suggesting anyone could comment without having to go through any human verification.
BTW, don't see that list in my inbox. Still waiting to see a lists artist who shouldn't do web.
Right on Shawn - and check your inbox right now I just sent it :)
DeleteI have to agree with Shawn, haha. The reason I have pretty much turned off commenting is because I get 4 million spam commenters if it is just left open. I wish I knew how to counteract that and still leave it open.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have your problem Rocky - My blog must not be that popular - I got my first spam comment today WHOO HOO :)
DeleteI'll contact the United Federation of Russian Housewives for you will. The Spam will just be rollin' in. ;)
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ReplyDeleteWill, I just want to say, your blog is awesome with some awesome art and great rants. Thanks for not making me log in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ken!
DeleteWell that explains it. I just checked my settings and found it would only allow google users to comment on my blog. Just changed it to anyone. I haven't blogged for sometime, but I when I do, maybe now I can get more comments. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteGood on ya Amber!
DeleteSame with me. Thank you so much for this tip.
DeleteI totally hear you...I wish we didn't have to deal with idiots...
ReplyDeleteWhy I smile every time I see a comment from u. One day I will be as cool as Will.. ( a guy can dream cant he?
ReplyDeleteYou're too funny Mel ...when I grow up I want to be... we all want what we currently don't have - when I'm 80 I'll draw like you Mel :)
DeleteI agree, and I even disable the CAPTCHAs, because that's one extra hoop to jump through to leave a comment. I've found that Blogger does a great job filtering spam and I can manually manage the occasional stragglers.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. I just move on as well. There are so many other things to see and people to compliment. :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's why I follow only a few blogs. Usually if I really like them I'll share the post to my FB wall. If I really, REALLY like them like here, I'll go through the rigamarole of the bs for spiders. Remember I have bad eyesight and learning disabilities, so often times it's a four or five times the charm kinda deal for me. It had never occurred to me about marketing. Figures. I'd rather just make tons of stuff and if it's any good like that spaghetti, it just sticks. Blergh.
ReplyDeleteI got rid of the Captcha on my blog when I realized I couldn't solve them on other blogger blogs. After marking spam for a week or so, blogger catches most of it, but still emails it to me. So I filter my email to archive all anonymous comment moderation. Seems to be working.
ReplyDeletecome to my blog. I need someone to tell me that i am amazing once in awhile. http://blog.folioacademy.com/ thanks mister. ps, you are amazing. now can I do ten jumping jacks?
ReplyDelete