Monday, June 15, 2009

HELP, what are the rules?

So I have been blogging for about a year now and I am wondering are there any rules to abide by? I mean if I get on a blog and someone posts a post, is it fair game to respond to it. Also is it fair game to respond to the responses of that post? Are public posts sometimes private? Should I refrain from leaving a response to a comment about a post in case I may offend the responder to that post? I mean there seems to be so many variables that I'm wondering if someone has the answer. I sometimes feel that I have stepped over some imaginary line and I cant step back. Help me, I've fallen and I cant get up. PLEASE oh Great moderator of the Blogging World, Give me the TRUTH!!!!!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm not the Great Blog Moderator, but I'll speak for myself:

I wouldn't put it up there if I didn't want/encourage comments. Otherwise, there's this little check box that lets me disable comments.

As far as being a "thoughtful" commenter, I say go for it. At The Cheek, I welcome discussion in the comments, just so everyone plays nice and respects one another. Only once in nearly 200 posts have I had to ban a commenter for blathering on and on and never really "listening" to the others in the comments.

Of course, every blog is different . . . if you read a blog long enough, you'll get a feel for what works there.

Happy commenting!

Redlefty said...

I think comments are like press coverage -- there's no such thing as a "bad" comment to most bloggers. They just appreciate the attention! :)

atimetorend said...

...if I get on a blog and someone posts a post, is it fair game to respond to it.
- yes

...is it fair game to respond to the responses of that post?
- yes

Are public posts sometimes private?
- yes, but in that case it is the blogger's fault, not yours. I comment on these with great caution only though.

Should I refrain from leaving a response to a comment about a post in case I may offend the responder to that post?
- no

I mean there seems to be so many variables that I'm wondering if someone has the answer. I sometimes feel that I have stepped over some imaginary line and I cant step back.
- hmm, that sounds like a dilemma inherent in human communication. Miss Manners? ;^)

Sabio Lantz said...

"some imaginary line"
-- seems like you already have your answer. Your inquiry seems peppered with sarcastic rhetorical questions. Written word is such a challenge.

If folks like the way a conversation is going, they engage, If they don't like the feel of a conversation they may pull out. And in the end, on a blog, someone has to have (or be let to have) the last word.

People pull out for lots of reasons, I imagine: bored, irritated, perceived-waste-of-time, tired. People like to feel that the reader is making an effort to understand. For instance, many readers don't have time for unproductive tit-for-tat banter.

If you want someone to keep engaged, you need to understand their range of desires I guess. You have to understand their implicit rules and their "imaginary lines' -- or not. Or you can entice them by inviting engagement that they enjoy.

So no rules, just flexible insight. And that is tough with only written words without tone and facial expressions, eh?

Tit for Tat said...

So no rules, just flexible insight. And that is tough with only written words without tone and facial expressions, eh?(Sabio)

Aint this the truth. Amazing how many times people read what they feel.

Sabio Lantz said...

Yeah, all the more reason to add lots of smilies :-)
<00>

Anonymous said...

Write what you may while you may - lets the chips fall into play - people only have to say what they say - no one can tell you the time of day.

I think blogging is all about interaction and to not comment is to miss one of those chances.

mac said...

I have to agree with societyvs. If it's private, one should not post it in a pubic forum.

Anyway....are you implying that I might be doing that??
Nah, I'm pulling your leg. Really I wouldn't give a hoot about it, if I were you....which I'm not??


BTW, a lot of what I write is not to be taken seriously, even the seriously written stuff :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh go right ahead and comment :) it's all about the attention after all.

xxxxx said...

Fuck you retard.