Google Reader Woes
I know you're all dying to have an actual fun post since I've waited so long - and we have some fun things to post. Well, you'll just have to wait a little longer (sorry).
My sister has mentioned Google Reader several times to me, and gave me the "tsk, tsk" a couple of times for not jumping on board this wonderful tool that lets you quickly check the new blog posts instead of opening them all up one-by-one.
I finally did it. I logged on to igoogle, and spent nearly two hours separating out the private/public blogs, then entering all of the public blogs into the Reader. After all that work, I was glad to see that I had done everything right and the system was up and running. Since I haven't even checked blogs for a long time, there was a very long list of new blogs to look through.
Much to my dismay, I think I have finally pinned down why the number of comments on our blog has gone down (it couldn't just be that I've been terrible at blogging lately!) My theory is that everyone is now using this great system that does let you read posts more quickly, but doesn't let you comment on the posts without going to the person's page anyway. I mean really, what's the point of that? If I'm going to take the time to read someone's blog, I'm certainly going to take 2 seconds to give them a quick comment to let them know I'm here, I read, and I enjoyed. What's the fun of blogging if suddenly no one is commenting? Even my sister hasn't left a comment on my blog for a long time. I'm glad to finally know that it's not because she doesn't like me anymore ; )
Will I keep using Google Reader? Probably - it will be nice to quickly see which blogs have been updated. But you can still count on me to take the extra time to click on your blog and leave a comment - just because I love ya!
9 comments:
It's very true that I have become a lazy commenter since using google reader. It would be nice if they added a feature that let you comment from there. So, here you go....a comment ;) But, at least it saves you the time of going to every blog on your list, so you can just hit the ones that have been updated.
I didn't know there was such a fancy dancy thing as a google reader. Obviously I am out of touch/date. I like comments and it sounds like it takes too long to set everything up, thus I will keep doing things the old way. ;)
I have never heard of google reader either. I love getting comment love, and I am trying to be better about leaving comments- just because I love them myself. My comment love has been lacking too, but I think it is because I have gone "private". Sad.
Put up bloglist instead (as opposed to a link list). It moves updated blogs to the top of your list. You'll only have to visit the ones with new posts and will only have to check fro new posts on private blogs (which I assume you had to do anyway with google reader).
I agree Completely!! It's like working and not getting paid when people don't comment! I always enjoy to see what people read! Thanks for your comments on out blog!! We just got that sweet letter about Grandpa! Did you make those? Thanks for
sending one to John and I! Merry
Christmas!!!
Thanks Em! I know I love to get comments on my blog... I don't know why, but it always makes my day =).
I haven't heard of the google thing before. I just use the blogger sidebar thingy that allows me to go to my blog and then see who has updated their blog (although you still have to click on it to see the post...). I'll have to try the google reader for the days I just want to quickly read through my blogs =).
I don't use google reader so I will keep commenting on your blog :)
If you're blogging for the comments, you're probably blogging for the wrong reasons. Do I like getting comments? Absolutely! Do I expect them? Not at all! I don't blog for the approval of others....I do it as a way of journaling and keeping a history of my family.
I suppose if you're one who likes to always comment as a way to let the author know you're reading, then google reader wouldn't be a very effective tool for you in terms of time saving. Personally, though, I'd rather get a few quality comments on my blog than a million "cute post" comments. I do take the time to click through the reader to a blog when I feel like I have a worthwhile comment to post. If someone's post was thought-provoking to me, I try to leave a thought-provoking comment for them. Does that mean I find posts I don't comment on to be boring or useless? No....I just don't think it's worth the time to visit only to say "that's funny" or "how nice".
Well, OK...in looking at my blog, perhaps "thought-provoking" wasn't the right term to use! Unless smashed eggs all over the kitchen and poop in the middle of the living room causes you to think deeply. Maybe I should revise it to say "interesting and entertaining" instead!
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