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September 2003
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« September 2003 Archive
Friday, September 26, 2003
8:20:00 AM EDT
Hearing Say You Love Me -- Fleetwood Mac

Comment No-Nos


I just spent several minutes of my life -- minutes I won't get back, thank you very much entropic nature of the universe -- deleting multiple comment posts from the same guy across several Journal entries over the last couple of days. Having now deleted the comments and banned this fellow from posting again, this seems a fine time to offer some suggested etiquette tips for comments. These work for nearly everyone's Journal or blog, and of course, mine specifically.

1. Make your comment on-topic: Comments generally should relate to the Journal entry to which they append. Coming in out of the blue with a non-sequitur comment is kind of wacky and confusing.

2. Avoid multiple posts: Posting the same message twice (or more) doesn't add to the message; it diminishes its impact. Sometimes I notice people post twice because of the weird AOL Journal comment thing where plus+signs+are+randomly+added, and the poster wants to make sure that what they've written is actually readable. That's fine by me (I'll then usually delete the plus-sign-filled entry). But otherwise, one comment is enough.

2a. Also, posting the same message from multiple screennames isn't fooling anyone, you know.

3. ALL CAPS ARE CONSIDERED "SHOUTING" AND THEY'RE KIND OF RUDE. There's also the fact that "all caps" writing is cognitively harder to process because we're all used to the the rise and fall of upper-case and lower-case letters to clue us into content. However you want to look at it, all cap comments give the impression that your eyes are maybe a millimeter or two wider than they should be for the comfort of those around you. But you know you're a nice person. So please, consider not using all caps.

4. Be nice (of course): Even if one is writing a comment to disagree with someone, disagreements can happen in a way that doesn't end with one writing "you total loser" or words to that effect. In leaving comments on a journal or blog, it's like you're going into someone's house. Being a courteous guest encourages people to be the same when they come to visit you at your Journal.

Okay: Comment away!



Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry
This entry has 12 comments: (Add your own)
  • #12 Comment from lakeoliver78 
    8/6/05 6:55 AM Permalink
    Thank you for all the information it has help a great deal. I was wondering if you could tell me, how to get my journal noticed? I have a few readers and they are great people.
    thanks toni
    http://journals.aol.com/lakeoliver78/mydayofthoughtstoyou
  • #11 Comment from candi1951 
    3/29/05 2:56 AM Permalink
    This held lots of interest as I just started a journal.  I have commented on two and although one was negative the journaler emailed me back and was, like my comment, polite.  We are not ever going to be close friends but it was a great experience and she is great in the journal!
  • #10 Comment from mplscorwin 
    2/2/05 12:25 AM Permalink
    but... CAPSLOCK IS CRUSE CONTROL FOR AWESOME!!!1!

    /me ducks
  • #9 Comment from robinngabster 
    4/8/04 2:27 PM Permalink
    Hi! I love your journal. I am new at this and find your journal to be oh so helpful. One thing I am wondering is ...how do you get your journal noticed? Some journal's I visit have lots of coments and mine...well...not so many. If you get a chance to reply I would be most grateful! Thank you. Robin
  • #8 Comment from nikesgal021 
    2/27/04 2:57 PM Permalink
    Thank you for your helpful information! I never post long comments due to the fact that I know no one has the time nor that patience to read long and worded posts. But thank you for your helpful advice....Nikesgal021.
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