Leaving comments on blogs, articles and websites tells a lot about you. What kind of commenter are you? More importantly, what impression do you give those who read the comments you have written?
Do you leave comments after articles and on websites? There are a number of different kinds of commenters and I have studied a large number of them over the past few months.
I’m too busy to comment.
First there’s the ‘I’m too busy to comment, and nobody else could possibly be as busy as me’ group. These are the people who accept your comments and your time on their websites, blogs and articles, but never give you the same few seconds that it takes to return the favour.
Can’t think of anything to write
Then there is the ‘no imagination group’. These people write the same thing in every comment box, regardless of the subject of the site. Sometimes they have two phrases that they use, but generally they type in ‘no brainers’ like, ‘good work’, ‘good article’ or even, ‘I read this’, which has three words and is a step up from the other ‘no brainers,’ but is usually not true. They didn’t read it; they looked at the pictures and raced for the comments box so that you would read their article in return (a risky game).
Smart Alec alert
The worst kind is probably the ’smart Alec’ who fills the comment box with information that he, or she knows on your subject. This commenter cannot put together an article but uses their small collection of trivia in an effort to make you look stupid and your article appear badly researched. I even had one ‘bright spark’ who told me that an article was incorrectly titled. I guess the person had no idea about search engine optimization and had never written a successful on-line article. My reply was ‘On the contrary, the title was correct. You found this article through a search engine, didn’t you?’ Sometimes I can’t help myself and I reply to these people, but see the ‘trolls’ section below.
Looking for a fight.
Argumentative commenters contradict just for the sake of it. They will often take a fact from the article, or site, and dispute it. Sometimes, though not often, they are correct and have made a valuable contribution to the information on the page. However, this is rare and most intelligent people don’t have the need to be seen to be clever.
Beware of Trolls
The trolls just stalk the internet, or various forums, and cause trouble. They usually pick on and upset one person with their idiotic comments. Answering these people back is know as ‘feeding the trolls’ and the Triond forum has a few of its very own. I will not name names but most people know who they are. If you get abusive comments on the page, just delete them; don’t even acknowledge them with a reply. These people are beneath your dignity.
Seach engine show off.
Search engine addicts trawl the web and find a number of links that they add to your comments, directing your readers to other (better?) sources of information. This is sometimes helpful, but usually the result of someone trying to look clever. It isn’t clever, anyone can ‘Google’ a word, or a subject and get these results. This type of commenter clearly has a boring, empty life and nothing better to do with their time.
Toilet mouth comments
Toilet mouths are people who add crude and disgusting language to your comments box. Sometimes this kind of language is used before every word and far from being smart, it shows how stupid the commenter is. I have recently removed several remarks which contained more instances of f*** than any other word. Teenagers usually get the blame for this, but it isn’t all down to them. Anyone who gets their kicks by leaving foul language on websites needs to see a therapist.
Spammers are us
Spammers will post their URL everywhere and anywhere. They are wasting their time as most instances of this are removed, and the ones that are left are ignored. It gives the person doing the spamming a bad name and posting anonymously doesn’t help either, because your website still gets a bad name.
What kind of commenter are you?
You don’t fit into any of these groups, do you? You leave encouraging comments and suggestion where you know they can be useful. You never paste your own irrelevant websites and articles all over other people’s comments boxes, do you?
August 30th, 2009 at 3:16 am
Well done, Louie! and hopefully an eye-opener to some. I caught myself thinking back, hoping I wasn’t one of the show-offs!
August 30th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Nice article Louie. You’ve covered the scala.
I thing I’d like to mention is that I find entering the captcha text, e-mail addresses etc so time consuming that I resist the urge to comment nowadays. I’ve noticed that putting my e-mail address in all kinds of sites results in more spam e-mails. I’m getting 300-400 spam e-mails since I’ve started commenting on articles.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Yes, I am too busy to comment, actually. Moreover, I can’t think of anything to write, but – being a Smart Alec, in an intellectual and artistic way, of course – I’m looking for a fight.
So, Beware!
I don’t have to show off some Search Engines, just check out my Profile, and, well, okay, I’m going to keep my Toilet Mouth Comments for myself, this time. Could spam you a little, though: http://www.squidoo.com/alternate_reality_game
Now, I only have one question for you all: Who is this Commenter… really?
August 30th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Ouch! I’m hit by a bullet in the heart..it hurts! ^_^ But I have to admit it.. Sometimes, I belong to smart alec alert group and also in can’t think anything to write..thanks for the reminder
August 30th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Is there any “good” commenter, I didn’t even see that listed. LOL. Aside from this comment making me fall in one of your evil commenter groups, I liked the article.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:18 am
You whittled that neatly down to the narrow edge to tread, Louie
August 30th, 2009 at 7:29 am
This is a very nice article. The “Can’t Think Of Anything” commenter is very common in this site. I would rather not comment at all than leaving un-sincere comment.
I was a spammer once but I think I’m a good guy now.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I must admit to being guilty of ‘Can’t Think of Anything’ myself! The truth is that where I leave only a couple of words, I cannot think of anything particularly good to say about the article and I don’t want to leave negative comments.( I will, however, send a private message to the author if I think that my opinion might be useful and that they will accept my comment.)
I am always grateful when I get a message pointing out typos and other mistakes that need rectifying. This is constructive criticism and is always useful.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I read a lot of articles each day and sometimes don’t comment because I clearly don’t understand what the topic is and thing leaving a HUH? is not very intelligent sounding.
Also I try to offer a bit of support or as you say a worthwhile comment.
Perhaps triond should put up a box to check if we have read the article but don’t have anything worthwhile to say!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I think I am a polite commenter, interesting topic Louie.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I find myself often being a harsh but fair critic. Halfway between the ‘Looking for a Fight’ and the last choice.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Thanks for taking time studying this subject, and it serves as an eye opener to all. I have encountered some of the types you mentioned. For me, having writers buddies who regularly comments on each other’s posts is a good way of building a healthy online community. As long as it is sincere but if others can’t be that sincere, it’s okay,it still counts for the clicks made
As for me, I appreciate the comments I received and If I cannot reciprocate immediately, I just do my rounds some other time. Thanks Louie, you are one of the respected writers here.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I like to think that I comment for a variety of reasons; 1) to reciprocate, 2) when I enjoy an article/photo, 3) if the article provokes a strong reaction in me and 4) to encourage!
I always enjoy reading the comments left on my work, favourable or otherwise, at least they are being looked at.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Nice article. Seriously. And what was even better that you threw insults in a humorous way. In my language there’s a saying: “Throwing a shoe wrapped in velvet”.
And I think I’ll fit in the last category, those who don’t spam, etc.
Check out my profile! http://www.triond.com/users/NabeelNadeem
Hehehehehe.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I liked your article and found it to be very true.But I fit in the last catagory since I dont do any of what you wrote about. I have never once considered being a spammer to just get my work read.And yes,I agree with Martie,its hard to leave a constructive comment if you really dont get what the article was about in the first place,but I do try.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Over almost 3 years at Triond my experience has been that many people will never comment back when I leave a comment on their work. The ratio of comments I have left to comments back is probably for every 3 to 4 comments I have left I get 1 back.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
“well said”
August 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Lovely piece unfortunately I fit into the rarely comments box. I admit sometimes its because I feel too busy and ‘pressured’ in the real world. Other times though I genuinely don’t have anything to say about the article
August 30th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi Louie,
I was chuckling as I read this–.especially the part about those brainiacs who get beyond two-word comments to the expansive undertaking of three whole words!
What gets me is the person who leaves “interesting” or “helpful.”Now, I usually think that the person hasn’t read the article and, even if they have, what part did they find interesting or helpful? The title, the first paragraph, the period at the end . . . ?
August 30th, 2009 at 11:29 am
So true. Just received a comment on an article that has me absolutely raging and I’m trying to resist the urge to respond! It’s defo a smart alec out for a fight.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I’d say I’m more of a “If I can’t add anything constructive that hasn’t been said a dozen times by other commenters already I’m not going to waste your time” person myself.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Good article. Yes, there is always those types of smart Alec everywhere the types that get under your skin… They think they know it all or just want to challenge whatever you write. just ignore it.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
We all enjoy a comment or two on what we write, feedback comes in all kinds of form. I enjoy all of them and know which were really directed at my article. I enjoy all of yours, Friend, fan, smile.
August 30th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
gr8 job i belong to the smart alecs
August 30th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I am faulty to a tee, in that I don’t leave a lot of comments. If I am inspired or strongly agree with the contents of an article than I will, if not, then I will usually keep my opinions to myself. I don\’t know many people that can handle the 100% truth about their writing. Our writing is a part of our heart shared and when someone interjects negativity, we can get a little defensive.
I am a straight shooter, and personally prefer things right between the eyes, but not everyone does. I too wish that I could get feedback on my material, but in the end I write because it makes me feel good.
I have read some dynamite articles from people who leave “ interesting or helpful” as their only comment, and I have read some not so great articles from people who have used very articulate words.
I have seen people be classified as trolls, simply because they left honest, but negative feedback. The truth is no one can make everyone happy all of the time. If anyone is serious about being a mainstream writer it is imperative to have a thick skin. Everyone has an opinion and everyone looks at things differently. That is why writing is so awesome. I love all comments on my work, as long as they are honest to the one leaving them.
I liked your article. It was creative, and it has addressed an issue that I have wondered about myself. Why don\’t people reply, or at least click the like or dislike button. And most importantly what kind of commenter am I. At one time or another I have probably been all of them.
)
August 30th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Well Louie! I think we have got to know each other quite well now, although I still have some catching up to do on your works of art. (Sorry, I have been elsewhere as you know, as well as having to do the painting and decorating or my wife will kill me)
Hint-That is my next story.
I am the read and comment on the topic, more than the writing, spelling and grammar. I feel that is for the writer’s own style and if I don’t feel it is correct, I might not comment at all and move on for I feel there are many guides to good writing now and if someone cannot produce a certain standard of quality they may lose readership. Then when they ask why I suggest they look at their work and set their own appraisals.
Whether I am correct in doing this or not but I am polite, encouraging and will return comments and reading other’s works but once they stop reading mine I ask myself why?
Good points in you article
With Kind Regards
Tim
August 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Whoops sorry! made the odd mistake.
Tim
August 30th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I think you are absolutely right to point this out..I don’t think we should be too busy to comment back afterall if we read content thats useful its good manners to provide honest feedback.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
oops… I think i’m guilty of one of those.. sorry… Great article you’ve pointed out all of the commenters…
August 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Alexa, you are one of the few people whose comments always add something to the discussion. You usually have an interesting opinion. So, I don’t think you are in any of the categories mentioned!
August 30th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
My comments are not always scintilating, but they are certainly well-intentioned when I am off my game. Sometimes less is more.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
ok I’m not that creative and I can’t really think of much to write, but this was an interesting topic.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Excellent article. It hit home for a lot of us.
The “I’m too busy to comment” (non) commenters bug me the most.
I’ve also taken to using the delete button for comments that are nasty, negative, and inflammatory for no reason. If they don’t add something to the discussion, I’ve learned not to feel bad about kiboshing them. On the other hand, I have received a number of critical comments that point out valid considerations. Though criticism is hard to take, it can help all of us writers grow.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Great article…I think we have all met a few in each category you mentioned…now lets see if it makes people better commentators
August 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
There have been many occasions when people would post comments singing praises of an article with a lot of mistakes glaring in the face, and then I come along and read the article. Now, what should I do? Simply say \’great\’, leave w/o commenting, point out the mistakes(only some of them!!) either in the comment or as a private message? I have done all of them on different occasions. Barring a few, nobody likes mistakes being pointed out. Saying \’great\’ w/o meaning it is fake and it repels me, but I have still done that, and console myself that I did it to encourage the writer. In some of the cases, I have really taken the trouble pointing the mistakes and giving the corrections by cut-pasting the said portions. Rarely, such gestures have been acknowledged. Even when the writer says it\’s ok, i know it\’s not, and their behavior changes. They stop responding to my articles. Like you said, they must be thinking I\’m being a smart Alec. And it\’s not a show-off saying \’look, I am better than you\’. When I read my own articles few days later and notice mistakes, I cringe and think why nobody pointed out my mistakes. I only think I\’m helping by pointing out mistakes. It\’s sad. Tell me Louie, why do you think somebody is trying to show off?
August 30th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I think your article really was an eye opener for everyone Louie. I have noticed these types of commetors while I was reading comments for my articles as well as other people’s articles. I think the “I’m too busy to write commentors” and the “troll” commentors bug me the most. People work hard on the stuff that they submit and would like it to be acknowledged. I like to think that commenting is a give and take type of thing. If we support someone we would like the courtesy of receiving some feedback as well.
I know people submitting articles, blogs, etc. are taking a risk of being insulted because their work is published, but there is a way to be constructive without hurting someone’s feelings.That is why the “troll” commentors really bother me.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
you give people something to think about while read article.
let know you read its like some people pretend to listen.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Well, I hope I am a good commenter. I do sometime say well done, or good article which I honesty mean. Sometimes my comments are short as I am usually pressed for time. What I hate are the messages I receive to please read my work and I made you my friend when I have never seen these folks comment on any of my work. As for mean, crude, or hateful comments( I have only had one to two) I delete and block sender. This was a must insightful article.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:08 am
I am new to Triond, but I must say that your article really gave me something to think about. I enjoyed reading what you had to say and I can understand how you feel about people who don’t leave any comments at all, or the comments are negative. When our work is published, in some ways, we are really putting ourselves and our article on the line. Negative comments can be very upsetting. I am on that always tries to give an encouraging workd, even if it is a short one. I have found that when people have left me encouraging comments, it has been uplifting, to me.
It looks like you have gotten mostly encouraging words, thus far, and I will add my words of encouragement along with the others.
I think that it was a great piece and I really enjoyed reading it. I will think twice now after reading an article. I will always make sure I leave a comment. Thanks Louie for your posting.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:23 am
I am never mean or disrespectful, nor do I spam. I didn’t make that clear in my earlier reply. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression of me….LOL…
August 31st, 2009 at 2:46 am
Good observation. I wish I always have the time to comment back, but sometimes I get too busy even to open Triond websites or check on my own articles
. I hope I am not dissapointing anyone.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:19 am
Many of the points that this article raises have already been discussed in the comments so far and that is one of the quandaries. Sometimes I will put a simple two word comment on article but only to people that I know, to let them know that I have read the article. On the other hand, as said previously, too critical an analysis can sound patronising, particularly if the work concerned his somewhat suspect in quality. It can be a delicate balance. On the other hand, spammers are desperate and people who use inappropriate comments or injudicious use of the ‘F’ word are proving their intellectual limitations. In the end, are you looking for hits or comments? I have not been able to ascertain how Triond calculates this as there seems to be a disparity between the daily toolbar information and data displayed in the dashboard. Interestingly, as I write this you have received 43 comments and 31 ‘like it’ hits. Which is more important? Maybe worth researching for a future article? In the end, it was a good article to read and worth pointing out the issues.
As a final note, I was going to say ‘I read this,’ just to see the reaction. In the end, however, you got this diatribe!
August 31st, 2009 at 10:06 am
This was well-written and you hit the proverbial nail on the head. I know what you mean about two-three word comments. Maybe that is all the person wanted to say at the time, but if the pattern repeats itself a number of times, people are just commenting for the sake of commenting. I used to write for this site called TIBU and that’s what a lot of people did…because one got goodness points for commenting.
Oh by the way, great article.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:21 am
I enjoyed the comments as much as I enjoyed the article. Congratulations on the number of responses that the article is getting. You obviously touched a nerve.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:13 am
This article was very informative and helpful. I didn’t know there was several different types of commentators until now. I know that not all those who comment are bad, this shined some light on their dark corner of the world for now. Got to keep an eye out. thanks for the information.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:57 am
I am surprised at how many people were brave enough to leave comments here, knowing that all the other commenters are probably going to analyze them.
I am usually the one who adds what I know about the topic to feel like I am contributing something to the conversation. That would make me the smart alec commenter, I guess.
And is it commenter or commentator? There doesn’t seem to be a consensus.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I have fallen off the reciprocating wagon of late- I do actually read the articles (I like reading) but I don’t usually leave a comment because then I end up being the two word commenter (having nothing to add) or the smart alec (adding some inane bit of trivia thta no one cares about). So I hit the “I Like It” button and move on to the next article (blush).
I think I should make a greater effort to say what I think about the article.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Rude comments make me upset but at least you got the click.Good feedback is nice though.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Karen: On my side of the Atlantic, a ‘commenter’ is someone who comments, or contributes to a discussion. ‘Commentators’ report on events, situations, etc as in ’sports commentators’.
I have no idea if the same applies in US English.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
It’s an good article. Sometimes we all do comment carelessly. We should be more serious towards others writing.
August 31st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Louie,
I am guilty of sometimes not giving an article its true dues. For example, I want a writer to know that I took time to read there article but I don’t have much to offer on that subject. I know that there article is well researched, presented appropriately and effectively but some subjects I find interest in, I just don’t know much about it to leave an intelligent comment and I don’t want to leave the same comment over and over. Do you have any suggestions. I run into this problem with poetry. I am quite new at poetry and I know what sounds good to me, but I may not catch what the author is saying. To say that this poem is well written but I don’t understand it probably shows my ignorance and doesn’t do the author much good.
Blessings,
Chris
August 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I loved the titles you came up with for all the different types of commenters. My favourite of all the names was the Trolls. You’ve made me chuckle. A good article.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Excellent article,very interesting touching on a subject many don’t write about!I think if you actually read the article or work a person does, there should always be something postive to say or some sort of comment that can be helpful!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I don’t like articles at all really, but try to be helpful with my remarks. This was quite good.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Using an article, detailing only negative type comments, to fish out some good comments?
Shame, shame!
(After all, no one wants to express there own inner Troll after being called out beforehand.)
August 31st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Good write lol. I have a stock of comments for all occasions. One other you could add to the list is the commenter who leaves such a vague comment that you spend 1/2 an hour trying to work out what they mean.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I comment on every article I read and I read many articles every day.I try to say something positive to everyone, but I don’t have time to make long detailed comments. I hope all my friends understand. I have never deleted any comments. I like to know what people think. I won’t say I never will because I might get something realy nasty that I have to delete.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
First, I’d like to say that I usually get nice comments from the people on my friend list. It has gotten quite long over the last year (and, yes, it is in ABC order, because I think that’s the only fair way to do it).
Second, I’m often a short-answer commenter because I really am busy. Occasionally, I will merely click the “like” button. When I run across something I find of interest or if I seriously disagree, I may say so–although I try to be both kind and honest.
Third, I do make a real effort to read the things people post. Sometimes it is delightful and makes my day; sometimes I have real sympathy for editors who get to read the slush pile.
I do like getting comments; I appreciate the people who take the time to make honest, real comments.
(Does this make me a smart-alec commentor?)
August 31st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Who cares if I am a troll? J/K.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I read it.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:51 am
I hate to admit that I am a no brainer sometimes. eeek. thank you so much for this article. I had a “troll” leave a comment yesterday and I replied to it. I’m going to go delete his comment and mine now. Thank you.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:36 am
I’ve never yet encountered bad comments. In fact, the commenters added inputs relevant to my article. And I appreciate them.
As for the two-word comment like “nice article,” I had few of them.
If I received some bad comments, I think I will ignore them. You can’t please everybody.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:43 am
No comment!
September 1st, 2009 at 6:42 am
I have probably fallen into the smart alec category, and I just lost my job yesterday, so that leaves me out of the “too busy ” category, and I have been guilty of shamelessly promoting my music and stuff.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:42 am
Great article! I suspect that I fall into several of the categories, though not all at the same time (I hope). All of us here are writers who want our work(s) read, both by readers within the community and (especially) by readers outside who end up here through search engines or whatever. I have trouble sometime finding the right balance of time allocated to read versus time allocated to write. If I had my druthers, I’d write write write.
Thoughtful comments are valuable and helpful to the writer, either encouraging, correcting, affirming, etc.
Anyway, I liked this post Louie.
Cheers and regards,
Joel
September 1st, 2009 at 11:15 am
I’ll admit it, I have found myself commenting on articles with a simple “nice read, thanks for sharing this” more than once. Usually though, I leave those comments when I really didn’t understand the article and I didn’t want to tell the person that it seemed to ‘talk in circles’ to me.
.
I suppose I should work on that
September 1st, 2009 at 11:57 am
i can admit to doing this at times as well. where i just write good job. but you did a wonderful piece of work here and hopefully people can be more courteous and actually take the time to give good feedback.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for the honest reviews of different types of comments. Maybe it would open someone’s eyes about how they comment.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Excellent work. I’ve noticed a lot of private businesses leaving comments as a form of free advertising. I guess that comes under your heading ’spammers.’
September 1st, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Great article. I really wish that more people would read this article because I get many comments from these groups of people.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I think I’m nice to a point. Actually, I’ve been on poetry overload, meaning I really don’t want to read it or write it. That’s why I don’t comment on it.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:35 am
Lauren, I have become overloaded with it too. There is such a lot on Triond. I do read and comment on a few people who write poetry, but I have to admit to simply clicking off the page without comment on much of it.
This is not because I’m too lazy to comment but because I really don’t have anything good to say about it. I feel it is better to do this than put my feelings in the comments box.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 am
Ferdine: I delete all spam. I don’t like private business using my comments box as a free advertising board so I delete their links, unless I really thing that they will benefit my readers.
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 am
Some articles bring forth good comments spontaneously. Some readers are good enough to encourage any kind of article. Everyone craves for good comments, even the most successful writer. Good analysis I find in your article.
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:50 am
Great Article,
About sums up all of the commenting type, although i do at times be a bit of a smart alec, but all in all it was a good article.
Thanks for keeping me occupied for 5mins of my life!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:22 am
I ran out of things to say now. After spending more time reading the comments than the article, many writers have squeezed out some thought or two. It inspired “real” comments to come out.
I fall on the “I’m too busy to comment” category, I’m sorry fellow writers. I do comment from time to time especially when the article titilates my mind, really. Thanks for bringing this up.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:27 am
Comments are of no monetary value to the writer so if they are not complimentary or helpful, then they are useless. People who click for return clicks are shunned by me. Most are into games or other interests lost on me anyway. I do not respond to pleas in the comment section to “read my stuff.”
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 am
I guess I sometimes fall into the “Smart Alec” category.
But I don’t mean to do it as one-upmanship or to seem better than the writer.
I usually do it because the article was interesting and I want to share ideas with the author.
I never link to my own stuff or ask anyone to read my stuff. I figure if someone is interested, they can click my profile.
Good write Louie
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Interesting article. You have generated a lot of interest from the number of comments you have received
It’s quite challenging to leave a comment in the wake of all these others. Dare I say “Well done!” and move on? No? I do appreciate the point about leaving links to your own articles. That is becoming distressingly more and more common. Thanks for a thought provoking read.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
great article. (haha – had to do it – to tempting). I agree comments should leave the writer with something ‘more’. Questions like: Did you like it? Was is interesting? Informative? What else could I have mentioned? When comments answer these questions – it is always helpful and appreciated! Much better then the ‘good article’ approach. Which yikes… I may have done in the past ; – )
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I’d have to say depending on the article, I fit into a couple of categories, though never a troll. I guess you could say “Can’t think of anything to write” and “Smart Alec”. I can’t even come up with something to write at the bottom of a greeting card. And I call myself a writer! If the topic is on something I am well acquainted with (usually an illness) I will put in my two cents worth.
Well written article, by the way. You made some great points.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Haha, very nice and so true! I got a laugh out of that. I’d never even thought about categorizing the different levels of “commenting” that peopel receive about their articles, but you did it spot on.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
That was nicely and cleverly done. I have noticed all those types of commenteres on the web. A very good piece.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 am
I have seen this all over the web now.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:13 am
This article sure made everyone comment. It’s great seeing the evolution of comments – people come and go. I suppose I fit into the I’m too busy lot . I wish I had the time to read and comment. I actually have to make some time . Thanks a lot . j
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 am
“nice job” ,but i hope you will not categorize me as part of the “Can’t think of anything to write” group… lol, your post is really entertaining.
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
this was a great idea – and has proved it by the number of comments!!
I tend to want to be the critic – some people appreciate this and know that a positive comment means it was a great article, negatives mean I am being constructive and adding to their learning. Other people say, don’t write anything that is not positive!!
er…so then I become Mr Bland for a while – not wanting to offend.
Probably I should keep a book and note who likes praise, who wants to have “iron sharpens iron” type learning and who never comments back etc
If good art causes interaction then this was good art!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 am
There are a few here who I email with about our writing. I feel pretty sensitive to other writers, assuming that they are like me, and passionate about writing. For that reason, I don’t really always give my own personal insight when I don’t know the writer.
This article makes me think that I should dtop imposing my own insecurities on other writers!!
Great read!
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Great article!!!
September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I really enjoy your article and many times people don’t return the favor. You article was dead on – great article. Thanks for reading my articles – I was so happy that you left me a comment.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Lots of “meā culpā” here. But truly it has become a game of sorts. Writers gather and comment on each others work. The expectation is reciprocation. And therein lies the problem. How many comments would there be if not for the fellow writers? My personal view is that comments should be left to the general public, but like everyone else I do not want to be viewed as indifferent.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Sheesh! You got so many comments on this article, you may never see mine! Great writing Louie, I always have to read your articles. Sometimes, thoughtful, sometimes informative and always entertaining.
I would be a borderline KIA (my husband’s term for Know-It-All) I sometimes add my two sense (LOL, did that on purpose), although I may add a thought, I try not to contradict or “outsmart” the writer. You certainly made a lot of us stop and think.
October 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I always make more time for the people that have really put some thought into what they’ve said – does make you feel part of a community, virtual or otherwise, and I try to think about how much of a difference the most positive comments make to me – great work as ever!