Thursday, August 23, 2012

How to Leave a Blog Comment

It totally cracks me up that I'm writing a post about this topic! But I love a good laugh, so thought I'd share one with you as well!

This is a conversation that I had recently with two 50-ish year old friends. They are both very dear to me, and I'd like them to stay that way, so I'll use initials to represent each of them:

L: I tried four times to put a comment on your blog, and it wouldn't let me!
R: Me either!
Becca: L, you did leave a comment on the blog. And it's pretty easy to do...
L: It made me open a google email to leave one.
Becca: ...you didn't just use the "anonymous" option?
R: What "anonymous" option?
Becca: *pulls up the blog and scrolls to the comment section of the last post* See this little drop down that says, "Comment As"? Click the drop down and choose either "anonymous" or "name/url". Either way, you can leave a comment without having a google account or blog.
L: What's a URL? That sounds like a urinary test.

The conversation just continued from there as I'm sure you can imagine. I think they get how to leave a comment now, but I would hate for someone else to be frustrated by this or miss out on a giveaway just because they were unsure how to do it. In the event that anyone else is struggling with this, I have a fun little tutorial below.

Basic? Oh, yes. But we all have to start somewhere! :)

When you want to leave a comment on a blog, you generally have options. The bloggers who own their sites can set different restrictions on who can comment. In the case of my blog, the content is public as is the ability to comment.

What you see when you scroll down to the comment section of a post:

Besides commenting with your Google Account, here are your options in the drop down box:

-LiveJournal
-WordPress
-TypePad
If you choose any of these options, you need to have a registered account with one of these blogging platforms. If you don't have a blog, then you can't use those options. And if you do have a blog, you probably know how to leave a comment at this point. Basically, you type in your blog address and click "continue." If you have further questions about this option, leave a comment (using one of the other options) and ask! :-)


-AIM
This option allows you to use your AIM account to comment. AIM is like Yahoo or Google. You can send email with it or instant message friends. I actually don't know many people who use it, but if you do, you can certainly choose that option when leaving a comment.


-OpenID
This is kind of a nifty idea. OpenID is a website that lets you create one account that essentially vouches for you on other sites. Instead of having to log into a bunch of different sites every time you visit, you log into OpenID, and it tells whatever sites you visit that you are who you say you are. You can start an OpenID account if you are interested and use that to leave a comment on our site.


-Name/URL
If you choose this option, you can simply type in your name and a URL that you use. A URL is another name for a web address. You know that stuff you type in the window at the top of your screen to go to a new spot on the internet? That is a URL. Right now, your URL should say something that includes "abeautifulruckus" because you needed to use that address to find this post.

What if you don't have a URL? No problem! Just leave that part blank! Type in your comment, choose Name/URL, type in your name only, and click "Publish." So easy! Then I know who you are when you leave your comment!


-Anonymous
Let's say you really don't want to give your name because you are either a super private or a creepy person. Then type your comment, choose "Anonymous", and click "Publish." I will never know who you are unless you include your name in the actual comment field. But I love knowing who is leaving comments, so please leave your name unless you are super private. And if you are creepy, get off of my website. :-)

This is by far the easiest option because all you do is type and hit "publish." A word of caution though, if you are leaving a comment as an entry into one of the giveaways on our blog, make sure you include your first name and the first letter of your last name in the comment field. I have to be able to connect the entry to you on my end!


One last thing! I monitor and approve every single comment that appears on my site. We have had some not-so-nice things said on our blog about us and the number of children that we have. Everyone is certainly allowed to have their own opinions...and I'm definitely allowed to control what is on our site! With that being said, when you submit a comment, it will not appear immediately on the site. You should get a little notice that says it is "awaiting moderation." As soon as I read it, I hit "publish" on my end and it becomes visible on the blog.

SO, please leave a comment anytime! I love getting them, and try really hard to respond to all of them. Just keep it friendly! :)

P.S. The Fall Photography Giveaway Package through Salt and Light Photography is rocking! Have you entered yet? Don't forget that you can share on FaceBook or tweet daily for extra entries!

17 comments:

  1. So fun. Love reading your blog! You're a fantastic writer! - Amber A

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Amber! I appreciate the encouragement! :)

      (And thanks for not being "a creepy person!" Lol! :)

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  2. I'd leave a comment, but I don't know how. Wait, did I just leave a comment? I'm so confused! :)

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    1. Booyah! You are awesome! Now I know that I can write a decent tutorial! hehe! :)

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  3. haha I love this post! all my friends and family comment as anonymous on blog and leave their name at the end of the comment. Ive given up explaining it

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    1. It tickles me as well, but I figure that since I google for basic things sometimes that come easy to others, then others may need help leaving a comment. :)

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  4. Thanks Bec for the tutorial. I'm just going to continue being anonymous. What's the matter with those R and L people? They are sooo 20th century.

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    1. I know, right? LOL! So is this R or L commenting here? You forgot to leave your name! :)

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  5. I think I've left comments in the past, and I think I usually sign my name. But on some blogs, I get so frustrated ... I simply cannot read the 2 words I have to decipher so it knows I'm not a robot! I get frustrated and finally just give up. LOL! But love your blog; check in often, and while I don't leave comments every time I check in, just know that I really love reading about your family. And I can't believe they are so grown up! Thanks for sharing.
    Lee Ann

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    1. Oh my word, I so hear you on those little bitty numbers and letters! It routinely takes me 2-3 tries to get comments to go through on blogs with that step. Drives. Me. Nuts!

      Thanks for checking in, Lee Ann! I always enjoy hearing from you! :)

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  6. oh my gosh..this really is a much needed post! your explanations are very clear.
    my home friends who read my blog tell me over and over they cannot comment...so they email me.....a lot. i also tried explaining but I am in that 50ish group too and kind of winged the whole blog in the first place....
    anyway, i am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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    Replies
    1. Well, good! I'm glad you find this a worthwhile post (because I wondered if it had any value while writing it!). Please feel free to share this link with your friends so that they can start leaving you some blog love! It's always fun to log in and see a new comment!

      And thanks for following! I'm headed over to check out your blog now...

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  7. LOL, I do anonymous because I am too lazy to make accounts to sign in! And so sorry that people feel the need to be nasty on YOUR blog.

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    1. Pssh! I totally understand not wanting to set up a bunch of accounts! I have too many and it's hard to remember my passwords.

      You would be surprised to hear some of the things that have been said about us and to us. So sad, really. I try to remember that they probably have other things going on in their lives that are affecting what they say as well. But that doesn't mean that I have to let the comments go through! :)

      Thanks for your NICE comment! They are always appreciated! :)

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  8. This is fantastic! I have tried to have this conversation numerous times with older relatives that are not Internet savvy =-)

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    1. I just had another conversation with my mom about the internet this morning. It never fails to make me laugh! I hope they don't get too on top of it, otherwise a lot of humor will disappear from my life! :-D

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