Blog Etiquette

[Kris O'Neill]

I am new to the blog world...or as I guess it is called...BLOGOSPHERE...and have a few questions about Blog Etiquette. Anyone want to discuss the do's and don't's in the blogosphere? For example, can you add anyone to your blog as a link or do you need to ask permission? Should you respond to all comments and expect to have your comments responded to? Oh...so many questions!

[Sandi Wedemeier]

thank you for starting this thread Kris...i've been wondering about etiquette too and also wondering if i've already made some faux pas...or maybe blog pas? hey...if we have enough comments and info mebbe we could post it somewhere for other newbies?


of course, until i posted this, i had a bunch of questions, but now can't think of one. i guess i write 'em down and post 'em later.

[Stacie Williams]

I'm sure somewhere on the world wide web, there are written suggestions for etiquette- I haven't looked for them but I can tell you what I do.

One of the things about blogger is that you can't respond to a comment by email without doing some detective work. When I comment on a blog I don't expect to get a comment back (unless it's a question, then I either leave my email address or check back).

And for myself adding links in my sidebar, I always ask first. But I've noticed that I've been linked to & not asked. I don't have a problem with that as long as it's a "nice" blog. I'm not sure WHY I ask first. However, if I'm writing a post & add a link in the post- I don't ask. See....now that I think about it there's no rhyme or reason to my methods.

This is a good topic ;-)

[Sandi Wedemeier]

okie dokie...i google, therefore i am. i'll share the wealth here but i have to say, that even a lot of these folks, some of whom have apparently been blogging a long time, don't even agree. i guess we do here like we ought to in life...USE COMMON SENSE.

http://mudpuppy.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/blog-etiquette/

http://members.tripod.com/amused_2/bionic.html **this one comes with a warning for language!**

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=9550

http://www.cafemama.com/etiquette.html

http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/2006/10/introducing_the.html

http://www.cadence90.com/wp/index.php?p=2179

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2006/03/blog_etiquette.html


seriously, it really does look like common sense.

1) approach your blog like an extension of your home

2) use your authentic voice

3) make up your own mind about comments, commenting and linking

4) be kind

5) don't be an @ss

6) spel gud (my own rule)

i would still like to see more discussion.

Sandi

[Stacie Williams]

ROFL- I love your #5 & #6!

Really, some of them were good reads (I've only read a few so far), and the one with the language warning just cracked me up! This quote is my fave "Be proud to be a hip, underground weblog, read only by a few in the know. "

I think that as people who post artistic creations, that sometimes we need to feel validated somewhat. If I post something & 3 people post a comment that says "ooo that's pretty" , it makes me feel good. Like I'm doing something "right". So I'm happy that the 2nd & 3rd person went ahead & posted a comment anyway instead of feeling that someone else had already said it. I think that when I'm commenting on someone else's blog too, even though others have commented that they like it, it'll make the person feel good if they hear it (or should I say- read it) again. Although I will try to say something about what I like about it.

[Fairywebmother]

I have no expectations, but I sure love to interact with people on my blog. I respond to comments, either on the blog or privately, if I feel that is necessary. Sometimes it's just a "thanks, so-and-so", but I feel it's polite to do so, though I don't judge those who do not...if that makes any sense. As far as the linking goes, I'm not sure about that. It seems like some people worry about band width theft, or something, but if you ask me, I'd say link to me (to my pages, not my images or files). The whole point of a Website is to be seen. The more people link to you, the more chances you have to be seen. JMHO

[Sandi Wedemeier]

that makes good sense. i know that some bloggers don't reply cos they simply *can't* respond to the mass of comments. i do comment back, but usually to people who say more than a couple words. i do also post comments on others blogs *if* i have something unique to say.

here's one of my questions...i was gifted with an "award" on someone else's blog. i thanked her and made a big deal about it, cos well, it was COOL! but what's protocol next? i know i've seen some people who have all these blinky, glittery award thingies on their blogs, but is it considered bad form *not to* have the button (or whatever it's called). (p.s. the award i was gifted with was *not* a blinky, glitter one. she has more taste than that.) was i supposed to pass that on?

and meme? not the unit of cultural information meme, but some other thing wherein you have to name 6 other people and then list 10 things no one knows about you. what's that about?

oh...a dictionary of blog terms would be helpy to me. and how to do stuff like inlining links and other stuff that i don't even know what do ask about, yet.

2 of my pets peeves on others blogs...blinky, glittery things and music. i love music, but i love my music and have it playing if i'm here at my puter and usually, it simply is not music i'm in the mood for. i have quickly left blogs cos of the music.

Sandi (who's feeling old and crochety this morning cos one of the cats woke her at the @sscrack of day)

[Stacie Williams]

Memes & Awards

I don't mind the memes sometimes, although I admit I have a hard time passing them on. Guess I feel like I should really know the person that I'm passing it on to & seems like most of them have already "had" them. I've let a couple die on my blog. Bad Stacie. Actually I have one in my comments that I haven't published yet....this weekend. And y'all beware! I think it's a nice way to get to know people. Some of them are quite funny.

Awards. They're nice sometimes. Although I have one that I never published because of the post that it came in on. I only have 1 very personal post on my blog....and to have the award with that post just didn't seem right. I think people should pay attention to those things. It's not glittery- glitter & blinking bug me too. (So does music on a page- let me KNOW it's there, give me an opportunity to play it if I want to- autostart play just sucks)

[Alicia Edwards]

Re: awards, I personally don't think it's bad form if you choose to not have an award badge on your blog. The community might feel differently. When it comes to blogs, I kind of take the bride attitude. "It's MY blog! I get to have the say-so here." Right? :)

[Stacie Williams]

Bettina- how do you get people's email addresses to respond to them? That's where my problem lies.

And I can see your point about linking & the exposure, but do you keep an eye on who's linking to you? I've never had a problem with art people linking to me, but I don't think that people should assume there will be a reciprocal link.

[Alicia Edwards]

Keeping an idea of who is linking to you is not a bad thing. As long as their site is pertinent and does not cast yours in a negative light, I don't see any problem. I don't think anyone should assume there will be reciprocal links. If you are having issues with this Stacie, you might put a note in your sidebar near your links that states your "link policy" in a friendly way.

Memes can range from fun to annoying. On the rare occasion that I participate, I will refrain from tagging people and leave an open invitation for anyone to participate.

[Stacie Williams]

I do run a report every so often to see who's linked to me. Had a problem a long time ago, but not since. And those people did remove my link when I asked them to.

[Sandi Wedemeier]

that is a good idea alicia...both of them are as a matter of fact. i'm going to implement both.

thanqueveddy much!