Thursday, January 24, 2013

On Commenting

Years ago, when I was a newbie at this online stuff, I started hanging out at a writing forum.  I got so excited, I just started commenting on whatever thread blew my skirt up.  And very shortly I got my paddies smacked for commenting on a post that was over a year old.  :gasp:

Oh, the shock.  Oh, the horror.  How DARE I?  And really, how could I have been so gauche as to comment on an OLD post?

Of course, I scurried away like a little mouse and never ever ever again commented on a post without first looking at the date it was posted - because commenting on a post older than, say, a week is a cardinal sin.  (Unless other people are still commenting on it, then it's okay.)

Personally, I could care less* when someone comments on one of my posts.  They're out there and if you have something to say, feel free to add to the comment section.  If it's really awesome, I might just point it out in a newer post to get the conversation going again.  I will never make you feel stupid for commenting on something old - and I won't allow anyone else to either.  (Ah, the joys of comment moderation.)

But I still don't comment on other people's old posts - even when I just found their awesome words and feel like I've got something new to add.  :shrug:  I blame that old experience at that forum.

How about you?  Are you the kind of person who won't comment if the post is old?  What say we break out of the mold and stop worrying about the age of posts together? 

And if you do comment on an old post only to encounter a troll like I found, remember - the problem is his, not yours.  ;o)

(Sorry I forgot to add the *.  Here it is...

* Yes, I know the right way to say that is 'couldn't care less' but above is the way I've always said it, so right or wrong, I'm sticking with it.  )

16 comments:

  1. Yeah, that experience would have sent me running for the hills, too, B.E. Like you, I love it when people comment on an older post. I have the comments set to come into my e-mail, so I always see them. Sometimes, I will reply and then send an e-mail to the commenter to let them know I acknowledged her comment (I never know if everyone clicks the 'e-mail follow-up comments to...'). And I will bring the topic up again if needed.

    That being said, if I do find an older post on a blog (and feel the need to say something), I will most likely sent an e-mail to the blog owner instead of commenting on the post itself.

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  2. Wow, I can't believe someone shamed you for something so...whatever! I figure if I comment on something and it's no longer relevant, then I'll probably be ignored (which isn't maybe so different than usual?).

    But maybe I'll start looking for old blog posts to comment on, and see if I can stir up some fuss...

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  3. That's an awesome idea, Janet. It lets the blogger know you read their post without looking like a doofus. (I know I shouldn't care if I look like a doofus, but I do.)

    Yeah, there are a lot of mean people out there, Teri Anne. Let me know if you manage to stir up a fuss. =o)

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  4. If they didn't want comments on an older post, then why didn't they turn OFF the comments? I say if the comments are turned on, you're free to comment WHENEVER!

    And frankly, if I had gotten chastised for commenting on an older post, I'd let that person know they just lost a reader, because there's no way I'd return.

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  5. I don't even remember the screen name of the boob, Stacy. I'm guessing with attitude like that, though, he's chased off a lot of potential readers.

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  6. I don't worry how old something it when I comment on it. If it's just come to my attention - slow, me? - then I'm happy to comment on it and I don't mind when people comment on my posts either.

    I'm always a little surprised when people are mean to someone like they were to you. Damn cheek!

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  7. I thought everyone had experiences like that, Debs, but maybe I just bring out the troll in people.

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  8. I love it when people comment on an old post. In fact, I had one the other day and the commenter had the answer to a question I had posed. I was ELATED!

    Me? If I stumble across a post and realize it's old but still want to add something, I do. I'll preface my comment with, "Yeah, I know this is old but I just found it and it is pertinent to me." If they get pissy, tough noogies. ;-)

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  9. Don't feel bad! I'd do that too. ;)

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  10. Yeah, I'd love it, too, Silver. It'd be nice to know the old stuff is still worth reading. And I love your 'tough noogies'!

    Thanks for the empathy, Lydia! Good to know I'm not the only one. =o)

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  11. People are so helpful, aren't they? Especially when they're policing things that need not be policed.

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  12. I don't care about the date the blog was posted. If you want to comment, comment away! =)

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  13. Personally, I love when someone comments on my old posts! It would be sad if what I said was only relevant to those who happened to see it within its first week!
    And I do comment on old posts when I come across ones that speak to me. Though often I will comment on the newest post as well, noting that I found the old one and liked it, just so it won't go unnoticed.

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  14. Yep, Karyn. I think it was something along the lines of 'teehee, look at the newbie'. :shrug:

    And I always do on your blog, Nat! =o)

    Smart way to do it, Faith. I'll have to remember that.

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  15. What?? I've never heard of such blog etiquette, and I've been around a good long while myself. They can stuff it, IMO. I'll comment on whatever the heck post I wanna! Silly, silly, people...

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  16. It wasn't on a blog, Alexia. It was at a writers' forum (one that shall go unnamed). And yeah, there were some pretty silly people on there.

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