I have a query for my readers. I have my regular commenters (and I love you guys), and some periodic commenters. However, a whole lot of you never do, and I know it's due in part to the fact that I turned off the Anonymous comments option. I get emails and messages from people saying, "Hey, couldn't comment on the blog, but wanted you to know that I really liked..." etc.
Two weeks after I came to Blogger, some asshat took exception to one of my topics (and some of the comments on it) and went on a spree, insulting my readers with a barrage of his own nasty remarks. I erased and erased, but he kept reposting. I even directly pleaded with him to stop, but he would not. Finally, I had no choice but to turn off the Anonymous option, since Blogger doesn't allow one to block individuals. I have always endeavored to make my blog open and have people feel safe in joining in and making it interactive, and I wasn't about to let one malcontent ruin that.
Now, I'm toying with the idea of turning that option back on. If I do, I would have to be more vigilant. I might turn on Moderate Comments on the weekends. And I would have to ask all of you to help me out -- if someone were to hurl an anonymous potshot, they must be ignored. No replies, no acknowledgment, no engaging with them. I will delete their comments as soon as I see them.
What do you guys think? Do blogs feel more open and friendly when anyone can comment? Should I try allowing the anonymous comments again?
If you can't comment with your opinion, shoot me an email. :-D
Meanwhile, thank you for reading! You guys make me sooooooo happy when I see all the hits.
Of course I sit at my computer dressed like this. Doesn't everyone?
(Yeah, I know I've posted this shot before. But it fit so well into this topic!)
(Yeah, I know I've posted this shot before. But it fit so well into this topic!)
Have a great weekend, y'all.
Hello my Erica i Love this pic of you i think it's very COOL, yeah i remember that person that was being mean on your blog, is it the same one that i told off and put mean things about him after he did that on your blog? i got in trouble for doing that, he put you and Zelle down :-( i am going to try and help you out here, i would say let anyone comment but suppose the bloody idiot comes back? GRRRRRRRRR POW hehehe. wishing you and John a wonderful weekend i Love you big hugs from your naughty girl Jade xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am so bashful and shy that I am afraid to post. Somebody might find out that I am a pervert. Oh, that's right all of them already know that. There are still thousands that are perverts in their own minds. They will not admit that they really do like to read about your personal life and live just a tiny bit of their life be following yours. They hang on every word and now video's you post. They really are your fans, just not ready to come out and admit it.
ReplyDeleteWhat if my wife found out that I fantasy about spanking her!! The same wife fantasies are about her husband/boy friend spanking her but both have no idea of how to communicate that feelings - You give them somebody they can agree with. An old study showed that about seven percent of the readers of adult material will ever 'out' themselves by posting. You have your regulars, so be happy and stop gripping. Get with the holiday spirit!!!! hehehe - could not resist.
Hal
New to your blog and enjoying it as i browse your previous posts...there are definite pros and cons to anonymity...don't let one malcontent ruin the fun...please keep it interactive...all the best, rob
ReplyDeleteJade -- well, sweetie, if he or anyone else like him commented again, you'd have to give me your solemn promise that you wouldn't say a word to him. I know it's tempting, but that would be exactly what he wants.
ReplyDeleteHal -- stop gripping? (looking at my hands) I wasn't aware that I was gripping anything. Perhaps I had too much caffeine today. Then again, some times a firm grip comes in handy. :-Þ
Rob -- welcome! :-) You're right, of course... no one person should have that much power.
I think we need to think like a rockstar - OOPS(!).. I mean baseball players..
ReplyDeleteYOU NEED A "DH"! (Designated Hitter)!!
In blogging, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Blogging Rule 6.10 [1] an official position adopted by the Spanko League in 1973 that allows bloggers to designate a "wiseguy", known as the designated hitter (abbreviated DH), to "chew out, then delete before the offender can rebutt" in place of the regular blogger each time he or she would otherwise be here at home plate blogging away about their exploits. (They need a life too ya know?) Since the beginning of blogging... most collegiate, amateur, and professional Spanko bloggers have adopted the rule or some variant.
(heehee)...
Zelle,
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, and being new to this blog, if I may share, your comment was the funniest thing I've read all day. You 'spanked that one out of the park'. I knew I was going to like this blog!!!!
Rob
What ever u decide , most everyone here will back u . And I promise I wont put out a contract on anyone LOLOLOLOL
ReplyDeleteweeeeeeeeeeeeelllllll maybe on your lovely bottom , but youd like that anyway ! Grins
@Rob... (heehee).. Thanks! .. I just adore Erica's wit and ability to write checks she CAN cash.. so I try to comment her blog with a modicum of the same je ne sais quoi .. "spunk!"... LOL
ReplyDeleteZelle,
ReplyDeleteYour French...C'est Magnifique...as is your wit...thanks for the laughs this evening. Erica, sorry if I've commented too much as a newbie to your blog.
Rob
t is not all that hard to open a google account and thereby comment freely. Believe me, if I can do it (I am not technologically gifted), anyone can. There is accountability in signing your name to your comments and opinions, which I think is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd did we ever determine the question of swearing as posed in your last blog? More to the point, can we tell those f***ing malcontents to go to h*ll without fear of banishment???
*I wanted to correct a simple typo so I deleted my post to do so and didn't realize it would show as "deleted". See what I mean about being technologically impaired?
Hi Erica,
ReplyDeleteI think you should allow the anonymii to comment, without any fanfare or big announcement. Let it just quietly happen in a week or so, and see what happens.
Moderation on the weekends - or whenever you aren't able to man the smite button - is an excellent idea.
Hugs,
Hermione
Take the chance again. I'm on my best behavior when a blog writer makes a request.
ReplyDeleteWe allow anonymous comments on our Blog, but we are conflicted about it. Since I don't know anyway that having some kind of profile would out anyone, I really wonder why some will only post anonymous. What are the scared of? What are they hiding from?
ReplyDeleteI have posted here in the past using the only face I have in the picture. I changed only because I don't want our grandkids to have to deal with it.
Hi Erica,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your recent milestone. Your blog's popularity is certainly no surprise to me!
I allow anonymous comments, but like the benevolent dictator I am, I unceremoniously remove those I find unpleasant, spammy, or irrecoverably off-topic. I use this tool sparingly, but I won't hesitate to delete comments that offend me or my readers.
There are a number of MBS readers who insist upon remaining absolutely anonymous with their comments. Were I to remove that option, I believe some of them would disappear.
I love your photo. Blogging is fun!
Hugs,
Bonnie
i've nothing to add but support for you.
ReplyDeletebest,
ddon
Zelle -- have I told you lately that you're a riot? :-D I do like that DH idea. The dumbasses would probably love the attention, though!
ReplyDeleteRob -- certainly no need to apologize. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.
Alan -- appreciate the support. :-)
Hermione -- yeah, I hated moderated comments, but sometimes it's the best way for peace of mind. I don't have Internet on my phone and I don't have a laptop, so I can't be babysitting the blog all the time, you know?
Kelly -- I just might do it... seems that everyone is leaning that way.
OBB -- who knows... people have their reasons. I have no problem if someone wants to be anonymous, but if they use that so they can insult others and not be identified, then it really sucks.
Bonnie -- I wouldn't hesitate to remove comments either, believe me. Some call it censorship; I call it keeping the forum safe and clean. I did the same thing when I co-managed SCSW.
ddon -- thanks. :-)
I give you my solemn promise my Erica :-) it will be tempting to tell them off cause i am a naughty girl but i will behave myself for you, ZELLE i agree you are a RIOT hehehe i wouldn't want you any other way my friend :-) LOL and HUGS from your naughty girl Jade XOXO
ReplyDeleteFirst, Erica, big congratulations on the fast-track to 100k. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAs for the brainless, spineless scum who doesn't have the cojones (man, that's a lot of body parts lacking) to leave their name I like Zelle's idea of a designated hitter, and I volunteer for the job but with a caveat. I want to take an actual Louisville slugger to the jerk's knees. I am from New Jersey after all.
I agree about allowing anonymous comments but also with the ruthless cutting of comments. I know that your readers will not cause bloodshed on your blog unless you declare an open season. I think that we have to behave as though horrid people are not there otherwise they win because they change us.
ReplyDeleteJade -- OK, I'll hold you to it. :-)
ReplyDeleteMichael -- LOL! If you could find out who that oaf was and where he is, you have my blessing!
Poppy -- yeah... I know if I say "have at it, folks," I can just sit back and watch my loyal friends tearing new ones! (giggle) But overall, I'd much rather keep the peace than stoop to the level of the jerks.
I'm with the majority here: allow anonymous comments but don't hesitate to delete.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 100K! Wow! :) Like Bonnie said, it's no surprise. You've got that thing.
pink -- (smiling) Thanks! Uh oh, that thing? Do I need to see a doctor?
ReplyDeleteno doctor...it's an old blues phrase.
ReplyDeletepink...how do you know this????
best,
ddon
erica: great that so many people are visiting your blog. I was thinking about hits being spanks, but even for a spanko, 100,000 spanks in a lifetime might be a little too much.
ReplyDeletecheers
Red
red -- that would be interesting, to calculate all the swats one spanko absorbs in a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteddon, You'd be surprised at all I know. ;)
ReplyDeleteErica, I'll be more than happy to be the 'resident physician' of this blog...'that thing' you have...it's all good...good one pink and ddon.
ReplyDeleteRob
Oh please do allow anonymous comments again! I can't tell you how many times I've tried to comment only to be blocked. I think this is the only account I can post from. :-/ I promise to keep my snarkiness in check ... mostly.
ReplyDeletePixie
PIXIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!! :-D Consider it done, m'dear. Just switched the settings over.
ReplyDelete