Friday, March 30, 2012

Conversations and Commenting

On a regular basis, new features come along to enhance our blogs. One thing I've longed for is a threaded comment section, which allows you to reply to a comment, not just the blog post. WordPress blogs have used this type of commenting for a long time, but it wasn't available on Blogger until recently.


Earlier in 2012, Blogger added its own threaded comment system, and while not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. You are now able to reply to each comment after the post, but you can only reply to the original comment, not to replies of replies.

I had been considering adding Disqus to my comments, but I've heard too many complaints about its long loading time, not to mention I would have to alter my template again. I'm keeping it in mind for the future, though. In the meantime, I decided to try Blogger's system, so please tell me [you can e-mail me at jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com] if you're unable to leave a comment of if anything about it isn't working.

Why mess with it?

Conversations. I love having conversations with you all, and I'm honored when you take time out of your busy day to pop in with a comment. I've been spending more time at Between the Lines, the blog of Books & Such Literary Agency because they've instituted threaded comments. It feels more like a conversation, and I want that on my blog too. :)

Last summer I heard so many complaints about Blogger that I seriously considered switching services. I'm glad I didn't. I still really like Blogger. With easy-to-implement widgets, the ability to create pages, a user-friendly interface, and a fabulous new dashboard, I have little to complain about. Both Blogger and WordPress have commenting issues occasionally--but the kinks get worked out and we survive. 

Do you have threaded comments on your blog? Why or why not?

Update: **The threaded comments worked earlier but now I'm getting an error code. It's been reported to the Blogger Help forum (others are having similar problems). I tried switching back to pop-ups, but I'm having problems posting a comment there too. I'm sorry if you're unable to leave a comment today. Doing my best to get the comments back up and running! Thanks for your patience!**

Have a fantastic weekend!

37 comments:

  1. I want the threaded one too! How do you get it?

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    1. Here's a link to the article I followed. Basically, you just have to use Embedded comments and make sure your per post comments is set to full. If you have a basic template, the changes show up automatically!

      http://www.bloggersentral.com/2012/01/enable-threaded-comment-on-blogger.html

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  2. Yep, and I really love the threaded comment feature.

    However, I think you can still have a good conversation without. :)

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    1. Oh, definitely, Katie! But I like responding to commenters just as much as the original poster! :)

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    1. Ha! I didn't read through all the comments yet, so the link is in your previous comment if you need it! Glad you got it!

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  4. I haven't figured it out yet. But I want them too! I always love that about WP!

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    1. Well, I'll just share that linky-link of instructions for you: http://www.bloggersentral.com/2012/01/enable-threaded-comment-on-blogger.html

      Good luck!

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  5. I wasn't aware of it. What doesn't work for me is if people comment on my comment and I never see it as I usually don't go back into the blog to read it:(

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    1. I have that problem too. But, hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

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  6. I love the threaded comments. I almost changed from blogger to wordpress recently, but with all their recent updates, I've been happy with blogger and have decided not to make the move.

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    1. I totally jinxed it! Blogger started giving me problems today. Ugh!

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  7. I love and prefer the threaded comments, but I currently have mine turned off. I'm participating in the Blogging from A-Z challenge for the month of April (26 days, 26 posts, each corresponding with a letter of the alphabet) and it was recommended that the pop up be turned on to save on load times.

    When the month is over, I'll go back to the threaded. The one feature I wish/hope Blogger will change is the ability to reply to comments via the dashboard rather than having to go to the post (as blog owner). My self-hosted Wordpress allowed this and it saved so much time. :)

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    1. That would be nice, Jennifer. I'm all for saving time!

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  8. I have threaded comments, but the funny thing is, it just happened one day. I didn't change anything in my Blogger settings. Silly Blogger! But I love being able to respond to individual comments. I'm glad Blogger seems to be doing a lot to catch up with Wordpress, because I, too, have been tempted to switch over...but have really dreaded the thought of going to the work to do it. :)

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    1. If your comments were set to Embedded, the feature just showed up. See, you were on top of it and didn't even know it! Ha!

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  9. Yes, I implemented it awhile ago and love it! It doesn't happen often, but I love when visitors of my blog interact with each other by replying directly to each other. So cool!

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    1. I'm always surprised when a blog post I thought might be ho-hum gets a ton of great comments. You never know!

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  10. I implemented it b/c you told me about it the other day on the phone. I'm hoping it's working for me. Oy.

    Thanks for passing along tips like this.
    ~ Wendy

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    1. Woo-hoo! I'll have to stop over and check it out!

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  11. Thanks for the valuable tip. I don't have it yet. I may just have to play with it this weekend.

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    1. Weekends are my prime time for fiddling with my blog. There's less pressure if they don't work out. :)

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  12. Yes, I like the conversation. But we need more hours in the day to do these things. Does Blogger offer that yet, Jill? ;-)

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    1. When it does, I'll be sure to blog about it, Patti! Ha! Wouldn't that be nice? :)

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  13. Yes, I have threaded comments in my blog. It's the best way for me to keep track of everyone and make sure I replied. And i think it makes the whole thing more personal. Glad Blogger has implemented it!

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    1. It does make it more personal, Stacy. I'm with you!

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  14. Okay, I'm going to try this. If you hear a loud, "Oh, Boogar brains!" coming from Paris, IL, that's me. If you hear a contended sigh, then I figured it out.

    You are one savvy chick!

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    1. What's that? Did I just hear, "Booger Brains??" Ha!! You're too funny!

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  15. This is all very complicated. I hope you get your comments the way you want. I know details are important to you.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. We had some glitches earlier, but it seems to be working okay now. Hope it lasts!

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  16. I've seen it on some blogs but I don't have it. But I like the idea. A lot!!

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    1. If I have too much trouble with Blogger's system, I'll switch to Disqus. Hoping it's fine!

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  17. Yep, I love threaded comments. Love. Them. :)

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  18. I also have seen it but didn't know about it. Thanks for sharing this with us. Now, if my mind and my eyes co-operate, I might try it.

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  19. Hi Jill -

    I almost switched to Wordpress, but I didn't find it user friendly at all. I couldn't get past the template. What a mess. It's hanging out there unfinished and abandoned.

    I've seen these threaded comments but didn't know what they were. I'm still not sure how they work. If I wanted to reply to a particular comment, would I just hit reply under it?

    Thanks,
    Susan :)

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I love to hear from you!