This post unfortunately degenerated into a pissing match so it’s probably all for the best anyhow.

So just to be sure there is no future misunderstanding name calling, personal attacks or otherwise disrespectful or antagonistic comments will not be allowed on this blog. We can’t always agree but we can certainly agree to disagree, so let’s act like adults and keep it friendly folks. Thanks.

Comparing blogs to the good old days of web 1.0 is weak and makes no sense to me. It is we users that define what a blog is, but if it’s definitions that you need then here you go.

“The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part… “

I would have thought that my point should be obvious. Comments are an important part of what redefines blogs from old-school static websites. Blogs are all about the conversation, and a blog that is just a one-way monologue is little more than a virtual soapbox.

In my opinion, that’s baloney. Please point me to a definition of ‘blog’ that suggests commenting to be mandatory.

A blog is no more than an online journal and, as such, it must be the author’s choice whether they wish to receive comments or not. That’s why all blogging platforms offer the choice to disable.

Chatrooms and newsgroups are the areas of cyberspace where feedback and conversation becomes somewhat more obligatory. A blog is, and should always remain, anything that its author decides it to be. If you start applying too many rules and regulations,you start to defeat the entire concept of personal publishing.

There’s a huge difference, (much like what we are having now). If you don’t like “anonymous” comments then why don’t you just require your readers to log in. (Rhetorical question).

Yes, I said that blogging is ALL about the conversation and I stand by that statement. It’s not just about pushing your agenda down our collective throats.

It’s a privilege to have commenters and should not be considered an annoyance. I too am sorry that you don’t understand that.

Thanks for the comment and engaging in the conversation.

Who decided that? I think blogs stand for a lot of things, and while comments are one of them, trackbacks are too, so are pictures, links, short posts, long posts, etc.

I interact with hundreds of my readers every single day. I do it by email and by trackbacks. I just don’t permit anonymous comments to show up on my screen every day. I don’t think that’s so bad. Sorry to offend.

Blogger btw also has effective spam filtering built-in.

Godin switched comments off because he considered them a nuisance. As I recall his decision had nothing to do with spam.

Unlike him I appreciate your comment so thanks for dropping by.

Cheers!

Askimet can handle trackbacks, and the word verification will actually do the trick with most junk content.