Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Netiquette

From The Free Dictionary
I had to laugh when I ran across this cartoon while looking for an appropriate image for this blog post about internet etiquette, now also known as netiquette. (I wrote a post about this topic back in 2010, and after re-reading it, I've found that things have changed quite a bit in that time.) That Wikipedia link now mostly addresses cellphone etiquette, rather than blogging etiquette. So it's time for a new post, as we are all netizens, and most of us have blogs of our own.

At least that's what I think as I read the comments left on each of my posts. I have almost 200 followers according to the Google link, and probably others signed up to follow this blog through the email link, which I provided upon the request of a frequent blogger. I follow almost a hundred blogs on The Old Reader, and several others by email. So there are definitely more than a hundred blogs that interest me enough to have any new posts written by any of you to come to my attention.

Fortunately for me, not everybody writes every day, and I don't comment on every post of the blogs I read; if something doesn't occur to me while reading it, I let it go. But I always read the comments that others leave on my blog, and comments left on other blogs (not always, but if the subject is of sufficient interest). I notice the same people who read and comment on my blog often comment on others I'm reading. It's a bit like seeing a note from a friend, and I'm rarely surprised by what is said, but sometimes I learn something new.

It's a rather intimate world, the blogosphere, wide open and somewhat personal at the same time. What prompted me to write this post is to ask whether my regular commenters expect a response from me. I know that many of you whom I follow respond to every comment, either online or privately. Not everybody gives me the option to reply privately, because if I try, some have not put their email out there, so I must go to their most recent post and type in a comment that answers the question.

Some people respond to each comment on line, but I rarely return to an already-read post because of time constraints. I will miss that published reply, unless I really feel the need to find a possible answer to a question I might have asked. What do you do?

Comments are important to me, since I get feedback and know whether or not the subject was of interest to my own personal netizens. But if your post did not require a comment, I might skip it, although I often let you know how much I enjoy your pictures, or learning about a new place, or about the recent events in your life, both bad and good. I've grown to care about so many of you who I will never lay eyes on, people who are as dear to me as family. Gosh, how did that happen? Whatever the reason, I'm glad it did.
:-)

26 comments:

  1. I don't expect individual responses to my comments on a blog post, although they are welcome from those bloggers who do send me responses. If I ask a question in a comment then a response is very welcome. If I read a post I usually leave a comment. I like when readers comment on my blog, otherwise it would be like talking to myself, ha ha. I have close to 1,000 followers via various ways to follow and feel like I have friends all over the world now.

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  2. i don't expect a response to my comments - unless i ask a specific question, then i hope the blogger will email a response to me (i do have my email enabled). i don't revisit a person's post to see if a response was left there - it takes too much time, certainly. and i prefer that i don't get an automatic response to every comment i leave on a blogger's site. i don't feel like i need a 'thank you' for visiting unless you want to add something spurred on by my comment. i'd rather the blog author take the time to visit another blog and leave a comment with that time, rather than send an email response to my comment to thank me for mine.

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  3. Nope no email response required at least for me. If someone asks a question I try to answer it in my comment section as a reply. I know many people that reply by email to their blog comments...sometimes I don't leave them a comment because my comment causes them more work.
    Everyone has to find their own "happy" place in the blogosphere.
    I know I am fairly opinionated as I have made several people mad...oh well:)

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  4. My current policy (huh, I had a policy and never realized it until now) is to respond via email, if I have something relevant to say or to answer a question. If, however, the commenter doesn't have email enabled, I will endeavor to respond (if a response is necessary) on my post. However, I have been thinking a bit about this. I follow some blogs where the blogger responds online and, sometimes it creates quite a conversation in the comments, which is interesting. Although, for me, remembering to go to that specific post to see if someone responded to my comment, is just too much.

    I'm making a mental note to come back to this post, because I'm interested to see how other people deal with this issue.

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  5. Good question and one I remember pondering a few years ago too. For a period of time I responded via email to commenters. These days I try to reply back on my blog because I think it shows respect for the commenter and let's others know that you appreciate their comments. That said, I rarely go back to blogs I've commented on to see if the author has replied unless I've asked a question. It's an ongoing dilemma and I don't know the "correct" thing to do. I probably will return to this post to get a sense of what others are doing though.

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  6. I usually respond to comments. It's quicker than emailing, more immediate.

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  7. I choose to respond to comments made on my blog... but that's because I just like writing (and still write letters via snail mail - yes, this definitely dates me). But I also email, text, and blog so I'm semi-tech literate. But even though I try to respond to all comments on my site, I don't expect everyone to respond. Some do. Some don't. It's a personal thing... not sure if there's an etiquette involved. But I never comment by email unless someone specifically asks for something.... like a recipe or personal answer to a question, etc.

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  8. I of course love comments on my blog (esp. yours DJan!) -- all except the ones that rant on about some completely irrelevant topic. I try to respond to other people's blog posts if I feel I have something useful or witty to say -- well, I must admit, half the time my comment is pretty lame, but I say it anyway.

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  9. I do respond to comments. And I often tick the receive follow-up comments option. Which means my email is huge.
    It is such a personal choice though.
    I am so very grateful for the friends I have found in the blogosphere. So many people have found a permanent home in my heart. I will probably never meet most of them, but they are very dear to me. And many of them (you included) are positively inspirational.

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  10. I usually do not respond to comments unless of course there was a question asked. I do however return to the comments and read them all.
    Yes, this little world of blogging is a funny ole thing, I speak (via comments) to more bloggers on a daily basis, than I imagined, getting to know their lives, and considering them dear friends.
    You being one of my first sweet lady, and I'm always enlightened and inspired by reading your posts.
    I'm always in awe of your endless energy, and your 'take the world by the horns' approach to life.
    ~Jo

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  11. I love getting comments on my blog - you're one of the best at it, DJan! - but don't reply there. I may go out to the commenter's page and respond if I can find an email address there, or if they're a Facebook friend, but not otherwise.

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  12. You cover many topics that I think about. It's good to see your post on comments. I have some blogs that I always comment on and then ,like you, some that I comment on if they really interst me. Yes, we get to be a great bunch of blogger friends.

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  13. I always appreciate comments too, but I don't try often to reply to comments unless there's a specific question, because I don't think most people check bak twice. I comment when something about the post strikes me, but it's often short and simple.

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  14. I love hearing from folks, and try to respond back to people on their respective blogs. I almost never check back on blogs to see if someone's responded to my comments (no time). If someone asks a question, I usually go to their blog and leave an answer there. My pet peeve is when I leave multiple comments on someone's blog and they never stop by and leave a comment on my blog. Even a "thank you for commenting" would be nice....

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  15. I always tick the notify me button - 99% of the blogs I read do have that enabled now, so I can see any followup comments to my comments. :)

    I'm with Linda W above - if I regularly comment on someones blog, say 2-3 times a week, and they never once make the effort to visit my blog and leave a short comment, that does annoy me and eventually I will unsubscribe. I don't enjoy one way relationships very much. :)

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  16. I'm about the same as Mr. Gnome. I respond to comments if a question is asked or if something particularly strikes me as needing a response. I don't expect a response from anybody because I don't always go back either. I know some people do respond all the time to comments on their posts so I will try to go back to their blog if I can. I have a hard time getting around to all the people I love to visit and I don't even visit a 100 blogs. I get distracted too often by things going on in the day. Sigh...

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  17. When I started posting, I never thought I would ever receive a comment. I never worry about comments, although if someone asks me a question, I do reply through a direct email. I feel as though that makes it more personal. Its like one of my buddy's, eh, asking a question and you always take time for your buddy's, right.....so, I'm saying I do not feel left out or ignored if there are no comments. According to my visits, there are far more bloggers than I ever imagined visiting my page. To make a comment to "Tom Sightings" above - honey, comments left are never considered lame, not by me anyway - I think(as well as any bloggers) that its wonderful that you took the time to comment. I always appreciate any comment you leave DJan. I love reading your posts for they make me feel that I am right up there on the Mountain with you n your pals. I feel as though I know the "Coffee Shop Gang" quite well and your early morning walking group. Its a true pleasure to have stumbled into your path some time ago. It's like "Far Side Of Fifty" said " Everyone has to find their own "happy" place in the blogosphere." Great Post and have a wonderful day.

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  18. Djan, my blog comments go to my email so I can read them, and if need be that is where I respond. I don't write responses on the comments on the blog, as like you say it is all about time commitments. I like to make a comment, even if a short one on the blogs I follow, just to let folks know I was there to visit and appreciate their efforts. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  19. I basically only visit the blogs that comment on mine. That's my routine anyway. I feel it is important to check in with the people that have taken the time to comment. Like you! And I've always enjoyed your blogging adventures. I love reader comments as much as the next guy. Otherwise, it's a mystery who is actually out there reading our blogs. Our stats could just be random google hits that don't stick around to enjoy them. I never check back for answered questions either. But I've noticed a lot of bloggers do respond to every blog comment. Well, you've hit a nerve with us bloggers today. I put a lot of effort into my once a week posts now, so I'm glad I have a small group of people that enjoy it. I've been trying to beef up my writing!

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  20. I'm another writer at heart--plus, being housebound, I really enjoy my blogger friendships. I don't have a big following by any means, but I do have a core of faithful commenters. I am very loyal in responding to the people I have gradually gotten to know over the years and they are usually pretty loyal commenters on my blog, too. Some blogger friends have progressed to private email friends over time and some have become pen pals! (I love writing letters--even if I may be quite slow.) But I fully realize that some are way too busy for email conversations or letters. Things kind of flow the way they are meant to. :)

    I am always excited to see a new commenter. Some pop in once or for a while and then disappear--and that's fun. I'm always a little curious about the followers who never comment--which is the majority. I think my people know I have limitations, but they might not know how nice it is to sit quietly when I am unable to do anything else and chat with my online buddies. (I have a laptop table by my recliner.) If I get to the point I can't even do that, they understand. I do have wonderful blogland friends. I am still amazed at all the people I have gotten to know from around the world who do such different activities and live in interesting places (like yourself). They have become my sweet blog-family. Life is so amazing! :)

    LOL! Not even sure I answered your question properly. ;) But I really wait for your contemplative Sunday posts!!

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  21. I tend to leave comments on blogs that do likewise on my blog. It is sort of like an obligation, isn't it? Whatever it is, let your conscience be your guide.

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  22. Like you I read many blogs but don't always comment, mainly because I don't always have the time but I do try and comment on my 'regulars' at least once a week. Unless someone has a specific question that I can answer personally I don't reply to comments. I love getting to know people via their blogs.

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  23. I think you have asked a valid question. I don't respond to comments on my blog because I just don't dedicate that much time to blogging. I love my blogging friends, and I try to keep up with them through blogging and Facebook, but I don't get to blogs every time a blog goes up until days later sometimes. I sometime respond privately though email if I have the blogger's email address. I even carry on a correspondence with many bloggers via email, messenger, or even text, but I don't with everyone. I just don't have time. I have a large family that I try to keep up with via phone and text and I have an active social life with friends that I spend time with or talk with via the phone. I also like to read and write and don't always have time for blogging. I never go back and read comments that bloggers leave on their own blogs. Blogging is a personal thing. Each of us approach it differently I think.

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  24. I'll admit that I just now skim read this post. It's getting late here in Mississippi and I have to go to bed. but I consider you a personal friend, so of course I will leave a comment. It would otherwise be like you talking to me and me not responding.

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  25. Good discussion! I love comments too and sometimes I respond in the comments if a questions was asked or if I have a relevant comment, but most of the time I don't respond. I'm more likely to respond by email, especially to those people who I "know" in the cyber sense of the word.

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  26. As a fairly new blogger, I enjoy reading any comments and it's funny, most of the comments are not from 'close' friends but from 'new' friends (other bloggers) from far away.

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