Home : Blogs : Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager : Active Brads Blog

Disabled Comments or The Disabled Post

I have been on ActiveRain now since February of 2007, and been a full-time employee since March of 2008. I've received over 3000+ member emails, 20,000 comments and have been asked every question I think there is to ask (some multiple times..LOL) and still, no one has ever asked the question about disabling comments.

So I want to have this quiz/contest....

Why is there an option to disable comments when creating a new post? We rarely, or hardly ever see anyone that uses this "Disable Comments" feature. Hmmm...

The first and correct/BEST answer will receive 1000 bonus points.

Think about it, everyone has seen it, we all know it's there, no one talks about it, it's hardly used, so what gives? This should be fun, but I'm really looking for the answer that is the closest to the reason this option exists for our members. There really is a correct/best answer.

Thanks for playing. I guess I won't use that feature on this post! LOL!~

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 09/20/2008 04:22 PM

Comments (223)

Contest in the ActiveRain Channel

disabled comments, contest, quiz

Originally posted at: The Official ActiveRain Guide: Disabled Comments or The Disabled Post

Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: Tech Corner
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain

223 Comments on Disabled Comments or The Disabled Post

SEP

2008

I would use this if someone started stalking or attacking my blog.

Don't know why it was put in place, but that's the first logical conclusion I came to.

Hi Brad~ I haven't talked with you in a while! Hope all is well with you and your family! Anyway, I have seen a few use the disabling of comments. I really have no idea why anyone would want to use it, but I am sure there are reasons. I guess I will have to revisit this post to find out some of the reasons......

Howdy Brad. I believe it is for a post that is providing information or an advertisement that requires no comments.

Brad - How are you my Techno friend. My answer would be when you are posting a post about something this isn't necessarily out there for comments. Especially if it is something that you know well be around for a long long time. Something you don't want all those comment link in to delude the posts google power. I think once you get over the popularity issue with a site like this you realize the power of a post for its content alone.

How'd I do??

I have to say it's because we post something that need not be commented on...like an announcement of some sort or sometimes people disable because they just want to tell their opinion and don't need other peoples. lol.

Bottom line....we can also disable because we're unsociable and only posting information. lol

OR....we don't like getting spammed and the stalkers can't comment.

Example: I posted a Contest Support post with all the links for the entries...no need to comment on my post...go comment on the entries :)

I guess there are many reasons.... but most of all ....PERSONAL CHOICE.

ooops...I thought this was still in "Draft" mode. LOL~ Oh well, cats out of the bag now... Game on!! :-)

Of course, there's an option to disable comments!

The forum here is so varied that many times members will choose to blog on a topic that is near and dear to their soul and really, they just want to have an opportunity to WRITE ABOUT IT. The opportunity to "blog it" is essentially all they want...they don't want 'points.' Perhaps they merely want to put out their opinion or experience "out there", for the sake of the voice that Active Rain provides.

Active Rain provides more than a venue for market reports, area happenings, professional experiences....it also gives members a 'sounding board' if just for cathartic reasons, sometimes very personal entries where it could be just too painful to revisit repeatedly with comments. But, it felt good to exorcise those thoughts and somehow, you're just a little bit more free...

I think that it would be for placing an informational announcement.

I think its there because of spam. In the begining it was most likely used to keep negitive things under control.

Hi Brad,

Hit the button too fast? LOL My guess is to stop the email notifications from coming to your email once you comment on a blog and asked to be notified of comments but now you want them to stop. I'm sorry my brain is not working right tonight - I don't know why I said that when it's not even a feature on that side of the post. I am really blonde tonight. Ok, my "official" guess is when you only want to post something that is announcing an event but doesn't need a response?

Anne Marie

To save time from talking to anyone when you are sooooooo busy and you don't want to be rude.

To make it so people have to call or email you.

To annoy people who want the last word.

How'm I doing?

The disable comments option is there for the "know it all" who doesn't need to hear any other opinions on the subject that was written about. Of course I have never used this option :-)

They are the authors of this copywrited material and do not wish comments to change the thought behind their material.

This is a true one:

You post a hot contraversial post about your political opinion putting down the opposition and then disable the comments!

Hmmm, maybe a scarety cat?

I think it would be used if you post something that really doesn't need any comments...hence disabling comments would be obvious. Something personal, a sad story, facts that don't need

to be seconded to name a few. While being on a venue like this makes us want to comment, it isn't always necessary.

I have found listings and market report posts pretty much guarantee no comments...

Brad, Thank you SO much for your help today---it was very much appreciated. I know that some people requested the disable comments but didn't know why. I did use it when I knew I couldn't respond back to people because I'd be out of the rain and I didn't want them to think I wasn't reciprocating.

Most people want comments. some of the most popular posts are about how to get more comments. The posts that I have seen with disabled comments are the scaredy cat version suggested by Katerina or the non social kind - people who want to post for SEO but do not want to participate in the community - either at all or on a particular post.

they do not want to share the access, to lose the post visitor to another AR profile.

Richard

I think it there for situations like the "sugestion box" where there is no need to comment. Like with advertisements, polls, blogs where you would want the people to enter info instead of showing it for everyone else to see for market research.

If I was putting something out for the public to see, like an announcement or such, and wanted them to contact me directly instead of by comment-I would use this.

Looks like you got a bunch of winners LOL!

Sometimes you just want to "rant" about something and really don't need comments to confirm that everyone else agrees with you.

FREEDOM - as Sally said - personal choice - I have stumbled upon a few posts with disabled comments -

1) To prevent Crouch from commenting and racking up even more points. I mean c'mon give the other Texans a chance...

2) To prevent Slaybaugh et al from hijacking your post. Need I say more?

3) To feel the power! Nothing like cutting off those nasty comments with one fell click. Try it once, you'll feel better.

4) To stop all of those princes from getting to know you better. Me...I'm trying to learn more about the orphans that need all my money and the man who "had no one else to turn to." (I kid you not)...

5) You're cranky that day and you just don't want to "talk" to anyone else. Go away already...

6) You're practicing your saintliness by sparing your AR counterparts from having to entering in quiximiera (or whatever the heck that one is), farkleberry, and belimbing.

Non-Appropriate times............. death, illness, tribute - where you aren't looking to rack up any points for commenting or people commenting.

There are so many reasons out there!!! Lots of them are very good. Why did you place that option there? Not sure! But I think you'll tell :)

Why is there an option to disable comments when creating a new post?

When AR was first created, the "Disable Commenting" option was put in by a rouge programmer. Unfortunately he wasn't a great programmer, because he intended to have it be the default setting, trying to ensure a quick demise for Active Rain. Lucky for all of us, he failed and the rest of the AR guys have let the option remain as a sick "inside" joke.

It's entirely possible that I'm not correct, however let the conspiracy theories begin:-) LOL.

Brad, I'm going to guess that it's there so you can create a blog and bloglink on your Outside Blog that has no comments on it so you could both post(for consumers) and forward the blog link (to clients) that does not have the names, links and comments of other real estate professionals and consumers in the posting.

After much thought, I figured it out (it is really simple...elegant actually): it is there so that the wizards behind the curtain can have fun with people who choose to eliminate comments, then gripe about not getting any buzz.

Anti - social behavior?

Brad - My best answer has been already answered, leaving it up to the blog author themselves. So no 1000 points for me. As far as advertising, isn't a real estate listing advertising?

Does it have something to do with your blog being posted out on the general internet and not wanting to accept comments because it is a statement that deserves no comment or maybe it's a post that the writer wants readers to contact them personally instead of leaving comments on the internet for everyone to see?

I know the reason you disabled comments earlier this week on your post with the suggestion box. You wanted people to fill out the form and use that for questions/comments instead of leaving it in the comment section of your post. In that situation people commenting instead of using the form would defeat it's purpose.

My guess, which is probably not the best answer, is just does not want to be bothered by comments and does not want to see them in his or her email.

I can think of multiple reasons to disable comments. But the only posts I've read, that do have the comments disabled, I can't understand why the comments were disabled.

That being said, the only reasons I can think of to disable comments would be if the post was just a statement of some sort that did not need a response, or if the post was one that would cause people to respond in a highly emotional manner. I imagine certain phrases might attract spammers as well. Disabling comments could help curtail the spam.

And last but not least, perhaps the person who posted the blog is planning a trip, or has an event to attend, or has scheduled a medical procedure, or is just very busy... they know they won't be able to monitor the comments, so they disabled them either temporarily, or permanently, depending on how long they'll be unable to monitor the post.

Those are my best quesses. OK. 1000 points please! =P

Some things just don't need to be commented on... Like, my market reports. It would be great if I could disable commenting from A|R, but leave it in place for people that are coming through Localism...

Hi Brad! I have clicked on one or two of those and tried to figure out why the writer had selected that option! I would say that I may use that option if I had a listing that I was posting that I didn't want comments on or if I had a statement that I didn't want to create a discussion about. I did have one guy who would write nasty remarks on my blog (NOT a member of AR) and I got tired of deleting his comments and I thought about editing and disabling comments on that post!

I'm anxious to hear what the REAL reason is!

SEP

2008

Brad,

Thanks for the post. Some blogposts start off as rantings, others are well thought out with appropriately placed keywords. For those who orchestrate a post for keyword rankings, it is important not to have the content diluted. So here in the Rain you can protect your content density by disabling comments.

Brad, I think either people are writing a controversial topic and don't want to hear the replies or they just are not in the mood for any feedback.

Okay....so where did Brad go???? Left us hanging!

Does that mean we all win?

No Sally, I won. Brad went to put my 1000 points on my AR account. He'll be right back.

The button was made for Brian Brady!

I'm pretty sure it is for antisocial people, misanthropes and isolationists - you know the type that just can't play nice with others in a social network. These people have no friends like it that way. They disable comments so they don't have to run the perilous risk of social interaction.

Yea, I'm pretty certain that is the reason for the no comments function. So when do I collect the fabulous prizes????

I have only disabled comments one time.

I wrote on the fur flying because of the new localism being introduced and so many people on Activerain being upset.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/585614/Relax-there-will-be

There was no reason to dialog on it, just wanted people to stop complaining and be patient.

So I think the no comment button is there to stop the dialog and make a statement.

Someday I'll find a reason to use it. But for now, I have no use for it. I guess if I was just making atatement, and didn't really want any comments it would be useful. That's not my style.

If I want to redirect readers to another web site or post, I would put the link to that post in the body of my post and then click the 'disable comments' box. That way all comments are going to the post of your choice and they aren't diluted among the two posts. Also, could be used if you reblogged someone else's post and want to redirect commenters to the original post to write their comments there.

But here's a question: If I disable comments on my original AR post will that directive transfer over to my outside blog? If yes, is there a way to enable comments on one blog but not the other?

Well if I had to guess, given the unique interest in the Horse PropertyI posted last night, I'd say there is a possibility that not only could you get annoying comments, but when you outside blog especially you could get spam bots kinda like the "cyber std" that keeps on giving in a not so nice way. Personal Signature

WE HAVE A WINNER!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

But wait, there's more....

These are some great comments, ideas, and wonderful contributions on how to use the "Disable" feature.

So......to keep this trivia quiz contest alive, exciting, and fun, and before I announce the WINNER....

For 500 points, the first one to tell me "WHO" has the correct answer above, WINS!!

The answer IS IN THE COMMENTS above. Good Luck. :-)

Me? :o))

Brad,

Yes it's Michelle!!! Thanks, Fran

Brad~ This is the correct answer... is as follows-(Michelle's)

"If I want to redirect readers to another web site or post, I would put the link to that post in the body of my post and then click the 'disable comments' box. That way all comments are going to the post of your choice and they aren't diluted among the two posts. Also, could be used if you reblogged someone else's post and want to redirect commenters to the original post to write their comments there.

But here's a question: If I disable comments on my original AR post will that directive transfer over to my outside blog? If yes, is there a way to enable comments on one blog but not the other?

09/20/2008 10:57 AM

by Michelle Minch Home Staging Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA (Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA)"

Brad, I liked three or four of the answers and really learned from them. Of all of them, I would think Missy Caulk's was the best. No comment necessary:) Thanks, for the you know whats :) Appreciate it!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Uh Oh...I feel a -1,000 points for not having a serious answer.

The quiz/contest:

Why is there an option to disable comments when creating a new post? We rarely, or hardly ever see anyone that uses this "Disable Comments" feature. Hmmm...

The first and correct/BEST answer will receive 1000 bonus points.

So technically there are two winners: The Correct answer and the Best answer:

Michelle Minch had the Best answer, but I am still looking for the correct answer that is: "Why is there an option to disable comments?"

Congrats to Michelle for Winning the second half of the quiz and also for guessing herself as the winner LOL, now who is the other Winner????? Why is there an option to disable comments?

Does that mean I get 1,000 + 500 points? Just asking...

Here is my guess for the Correct answer: "Because I said so"

I would most likely use it for a Localism post that might generate too much negative commenting that I wouldn't want to show up on localism. I also might use it if I wanted to redirect comments to somewhere else indicated in my post. That's the best I can think of.

It will be interesting to see what it it really intended for....

EDIT: Opps, Ok.. I see, just above me, there is a winner for Best answer and now you want the Correct one... I'm out of ideas. I'm sure we will all know the answer soon!

In answer to Michelle's question: "If I disable comments on my original AR post will that directive transfer over to my outside blog? If yes, is there a way to enable comments on one blog but not the other?" The answer is yes, the directive will ONLY effect your AR Blog, you will still be able to receive comments on your outside Blog.

Here's a LINK to show you that a post with comments disabled on AR will still allow comments on the outside Blog! The thing is, those comments will now show up on your AR Blog even though they were disabled. I love when this stuff gets tested and discovered. :-)

Brad,

Bottom line here is to keep control of the post in the hands of the blogger!!! Thanks, fran

Well Brad, lately I've seen it used a bit...:-) I'm thinking perhaps its a good 'control option' when your post is being 'hijacked'....Sometimes comments can get out of control and they can take your blog in a direction that you don't want it to go. This isn't so much about censoring your post as it is about maintaining its 'integrity.'

When a post is a 'public' post this becomes even more important. Although you might choose to revert it to a 'members only' post should that start to happen. Nevertheless if your intent is to have the public view it - and the comments become unprofessional - its an option you may want to utilize.

Who is the mystery person that answered Michell 3 comments above this one???? No name or contact is on it. How does that happen?

Pam - that was me, just trying to break stuff again!! LOL~

incognito.... :)

Fran - that is correct, but that's not the quiz or contest! lol~ Thanks buddy. :-)

The reason there is a box for disable comments is because the members asked for it!

Thanks Jeremy! Wow, now the suspense is over and I can pull myself away! Members Asked For It...

Jeremy - you are getting warmer..... but I'm looking for the answer that Jonathan Washburn would give if you asked him. But don't ask him, cause he won't tell you. hahaha!! :-)

That is the correct answer according to Rich!

I think Jeremy is correct and Correct.

Some other ideas I have seen is to stop from getting unsolicited advice you don't want.

Still waiting.....

I have to go to San Francisco right now, but I'll be watching closely for the "Correct" answer that I know someone is going to get here real soon......

This is too much fun, I really am having too much fun!! I love my job!!! :-))))))

Me.... I am right (as always)

Jeremy - you cheated, you can't call Rich!! lol~ And that's not the Correct Answer, but it's very close to the one I'm looking for. :-))

C'mon guys and gals, the answer is right up there ^^^^^ in the comments!! Gotta go, now the suspense is "Killing Me!" Back in a bit...

How about mine? Where they contact you directly instead of commenting? Winner?

Sherry - great answer and idea, awesome actually, but not the winning one I'm looking for. Sorry, but keep trying and thanks for playing. :-)

the first one to tell me "WHO" has the correct answer above, WINS!!

I didnt call Rich! I found his blog with it in!

Sherry

Brad,

You're not looking for a 'juicy' answer are you??? You're almost ruining my Saturday!!! :) Thanks, Fran

*Who (Whom) has the correct answer above*

Disabled Commenting- A number of our members have wanted the ability to disable the commenting feature on their blogs. Now, at the bottom of the page to 'post/edit' a blog post, there is a checkbox that will allow you to disable the ability for people to leave comments on that particular post. Personally, I think that this negates the whole intent behind conversational blogging. But hey, what do I know! We're here to serve the expressed desires of our membership!

That is straight from the AR site post where the feature was unveiled. I just did a search of disabled comments...Rich doesn't understand why people would want to use it, but that was about all I could find.

Garren could be the one....?

Brad, I think it was William Collins - so you don't dilute your post for rankings.

William

Gary Woltal- writing a controversial topic and don't want to hear the replies or they just are not in the mood for any feedback.

Look now I have a dinner to go to in an hour can we have an answer PLEASE!!!! If not I might have to send one of my thugs out there to getcha <grin>

It's for legal reasons. You guys have to put it there.

This feature was created at the request of one of our members. While I personally feel it flies in the face of what conversatonal blogging is all about, I do think there may be reasons when disabling comments may be beneficial.

Okay, Brad! Inquiring minds want to know: How did you get this post atop the one that you wrote earlier today?! I've seen Sally do this before and don't know how you're doing it!

I figured it wasn't in AR originally. Something happened to a member and they requested it. Obviously it was a valid reason, so the AR Gods put it there. Always good to have a choice for whatever reason.

So you can receive comments from the public but not AR members? Disabling comments on your AR blog, but not your outside blog allows people to comment on your outside blog, which then transfers back to your AR blog, but since no one can comment on your AR blog, the public doesn't see comments from other RE professionals

I guess it would be useful if a member went on a camping trip and arrived to their campspot to discover that they have no internet signal but they can tell from the email notices coming in on their cell phone that their latest post has been completely hijacked and a virtual party has taken over. The NEXT time they went camping, they might want to disable comments.

...but that would n e v e r happen.

It was really because Brian Brady requested it and Rich confirmed it with this comment:

09/20/2008 04:24 PM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

Amanda.

Jeremy Blanchard

It would be a great idea when posting to my activerain outside blog and localism areas. I am now getting comments from both and it's a bit confusing...Now as far as a "the" correct answer...I will just stay tuned!

What everyone said. lol. Just too much reading for me right now. It just makes sense to disable a comment if you want to draw the focus away from commenting to the actual topic that was written about. This is usually used when announcing something very important, contest, etc or is often used in groups to announce rules. Oftentimes people read the comments more than they do the actual post and it's even flat out ignored. By disabling comments you ensure people read the topic in it's entirity.

Thats' the best i can ascertain from what i've seen on Active Rain.

So, in conclusion, :), it was created by Jon because Brian requested it, and Jon thought it should be the person's choice for whatever reason? Then Jeremy had it right?

No Virginia, it's to protect the campers!

Okay, Brad! Thanks for the info about the post moving back to the top!

Here's my theory: I would disable comments when I post to AR if I was posting something that was Localism specific and didn't want the friendly back and forth comments from AR members to show up on Localism when I'm trying to put a professional face out there on Localism! It would have to be something major though!

Another time that I would disable comments, (and I would put a disclaimer at the top of the post so that people who didn't want to read and collect their 25 points with a comment, wouldn't have to read any further) when I was going on vacation or going to be away for an extended period and didn't want other members to think that I was ignoring my reciprocity duties!

OR, if I'm looking for Google juice to pull me up in a specific market, I may be posting a major piece of information and don't want the other links on my post to redirect the spiders?

I can't WAIT to hear the REAL reason!

Easy. Folks use it because it's there. We had a long discussion about this some months ago when I read a long post and when to comment . . . . . . . .

Shucks, if I'd known there were no comments permitted, I wouldn't have read the post. I don't want to be lectured. I want a conversation.

No doubt we have a few misanthropes on ActiveRain or my Mother-In-Law came back to haunt me.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/561318/ACTIVERAIN-PLEASE-DON-T

I don't care if folks don't want comments, but the NOTICE should be at the TOP of the post.

How about, they want direct e mail instead of comments so they can easily capture the address as a lead. . . . . .

Anne Hensel

Brad, I didn't read the comments since there were 98 of them. But I DO remember seeing a post with comments disabled. It was YOUR blog, I think instructing us on the new localism or some other highly informative and interesting thing.

My best reason for disabling comments on that- why give out an easy 25 points to everyone just for saying "Thanks Brad" , great post, or some other easy thing.

By the way, THANKS Brad, great post, etc.

I had a comment on a post (Listing) from the "public" but was not able to capture the email. Either they were not signed in, or whatever reason..they did not give an email or phone so I was not able to contact them. So even if I was just wanting to capture something from the public and not AR, this feature wouldn't have done me any good. Correct?

Brad - Missy got the right answer... if it wasn't her it was me. If it was me, i'll give my 500 points to Missy...

At 103 comments, I'm not the first with any reasons! I know that you use this feature on some of your blogs, such as the Active Rain suggestion box, because it's an announcement - not something that you want comments on. What is, is. If for some reason you don't want any discussion, you'd use this option.

Can anyone explain (Brad? Rich?) why the ability to comment on Localism has been disabled? I've gotten a few comments from the public on a few local posts, but that's not possible now. All the blogs (not only mine) have the following message:

FINALLY - WE HAVE A WINNER!! YEAH! WOOHOO! YIPPEE!

The answer I was waiting for was......

Susie Blackmon, She Got it Right FIRST! She already got her points!

The 500 Point Winner IS.....

Sylvie Conde

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

(Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage)

CONGRATULATION Sylvie!!

It was because Brian Brady asked for it!!!!

Hopefully everyone who reads this post from here on out will see all the many creative ways one might use this feature on a post here on ActiveRain. Thanks everyone for your wit, sense of humor, great comments, and for being a wonderful network of FANTASTIC members and friends. So should I disable the comments now???? LOL!~

Off to find out who this Brian Brady is. Hope he's disabled his comments... :-)

Now you have some ActiveRain Trivia and history - But wait....there's more....since the other AR Gods are all away this weekend, I have another surprise for ya'll.... shhhh.... :-))))

That isn't the official answer that AR gave...In fact, they said several members asked for it.

I remember Brian Brady, now. I'm sure he was one of the first video pioneers here on AR...

Here's 2 reasons I've used it in the past.

1 would be for listings. I want to gain exposure for a listing, but I don't want comments below it for a number of reasons. It could offend the seller, could get off topic, could turn off potential buyers...who knows

Another reason to disable is if the purpose of the post is to direct to other posts...an index of sorts. No reason to comment on it.

Wow. Fast moving blog. By the time I caught myself up the contest was over! Except for the upcoming surprise....

Jeremy - don't be a sore loser!! Who said anything about official. This is MY blog, my contest, my rules, my world, so play nice, or I'll disable you!! ROFL!! (just kidding) The real and OFFICIAL answer is Brian Brady asked for it, you don't think that anyone would make an official post stating that do you? Cmon dude! :-)

BTW - did you read my shhh... comment? Better hold off on getting your feathers ruffled for a few..... you'll see why in a bit, but don't blow it now!

geez that was like pulling teeth............... *sigh*

Definitely Susie!

Come on Brad! The suspense is killin us here!! Bring on the surprise.

SEP

2008

Ok, I am sitting on the edge of my seat!

Ok, I just fell off the seat...ouch

I missed the contest too...darn!

I think it's for those people who only like to hear themselves talk!

We all like our points too much to disable comments...so maybe it's to sort out the 100% pure altruistic bloggers and maybe that's why hardly anyone uses it? <g>

Do you know what time it is Brad? How long do you expect us to hang in here? I think a great reason to disable comments is to get some sleep! LOL

Thanks, Brad! This was really fun and definitely kept me up way past my bedtime!

Ok - another day past, party's over, everyone out, go home...go to bed now...

I'll think of something else for tomorrow! hahaha!

While the cats (AR Gods) are away, the mice (ActiveBrad) will play.

Thanks everyone, I hope you had as much fun as I did, and hopefully we all learned and earned a little something here from this post!

I love you guys... and I'm not drinking either! LOL!~ :-))

Ok...I was looking at my recent comments to find my way back here and there was my surprise! Thanks Brad! How did you do that so fast for so many? LOL Don't want to let the cat outta the bag and ruin the surprise for anyone, so not gonna say what it was :~)

Brad, too late for this party, I see. I wouldn't have gotten right anyway. Can't imagine why or what article Brian wrote that he felt that he didn't want feedback or questions. Sounds interesting. In fact, that brings up a question, why did he delete his posts?

Wow, Brad, Cool Contest, Thank You!

Bed? its only 145 am LOL

Thank you, Brad!

I'm pretty sure you should disable comments on this post now... Or do we need to get Brian Brady over here to request that?

Benjamin - funny thing is, I actually thought about doing that, but more as a joke than anything else.

For me personally, I love the comments, the inter-action, the friends, members, and relationships that get built in comments. In fact, most of my posts have more value in the comments than the crap I write in the posts. (haha)

This one is a "Perfect" example! lol~ Thanks for the laugh.... I was suppose to be in bed an hour ago. :-))

Hi Brad - too bad I came in so late on this one. I do remember Brian asking for that way back when and I remember the post he used it on, too and why he did it. I bet not many remember all that!

It was fun reading through all the comments, and I agree with you about the interaction that goes on in the comments.

Ann

My reason for disabling one and only post.....to stop another member of activerain who disagreed with me from continuing to send comments. That button is like a hearing aid for your post. You can turn if off when you have had enough. LOL

Because Brian Brady asked for it?? Good Grief!

Now, I have a question. Why did ActiveRain install this feature when Brian Brady asked for it??

Actually, I don't really care if the feature is available. I just want it at the TOP of the post where those of us who understand the value of conversation on ActiveRain would have the choice to read or not to read.

Now, I worship the ground Brian Brady walks on. That said, if every ActiveRain member posted the way Brian does, to lead folks to his other blogs, ActiveRain would not have nearly the participation or "juice" it has.

Fortunately, most members do not use this insidious feature.

I agree with Lenn, that it can be frustrating, but fortunately it's not often used. The only time I used it was the three military directories I created last January. I knew from the experience of putting the together that the comments would be used by people requesting to be added, and I didn't think it would be fair for them to effectively be added to the directory via cmments without jumping through the same hoops that people did who were included in the directory itself. (Including the name of their local military installation in their profile or description, writing at least one post targeted to personnel at the post and tagging it appropriately). As a rule, though, I think it's foolish to use the feature.

I'll use it on an occasion..only if I'm not looking to gather comments but it's rare..I want to hear from the readers most of the time. I know Brian uses it more than most here but I think he wants people directed to his other blog.

hmmm...so, are you saying...are you admitting... are you confessing that ultimately, the genius thinking behind the implementation of this feature was to allow someone to hear themselves speak rather than speak for themselves??? Sort of like a group mute button? ouch! that hits some control issue nARves with moi!

OK... so AR DISABLES comments and ENABLES Brian Brady... I see a 12-step program on the AR horizon... (ie ArA)

Thanks, Brad!

Now disable the comments before Brian Brady shows up!

I looked at my email this morning and wondered what kind of great blog I had written, that gave me the extra points ... then I saw this ....

THANK YOU, BRAD!!! :)

It was fun. Let's not do it again too soon. ;-)

What a great day today is! Thank you, Brad. We all love you, too!

Ann - I have heard the whole story in more detail than I really needed to know, but it's all good, this trivia made for a great post, some fun, and some extra "points" that needed to be made! hehehe

Mary - A hearing Aid? Now that's funny... you mean a seeing aid right? You can't hear comments. haha

Lenn - Hahaha, this all happened before my time, but I'm sure once Brian asked for it, others jumped on the wagon, and whooop, now there it is! Point is, no one really uses it anyway, not even Brian anymore, or at least rarely. It sure was fun stirring up the pot a bit this weekend while the other AR Gods we're away. :-))

Margret - excellent example of why and when you would consider using it. I did the same thing with the suggestion box here on AR. There is a time and place for something like this, I think you used it wisely. Lenn's right though, the disclaimer that the comments are disabled should be at the top.

Neal - not any more, I just checked his last 10 posts, and comments are not blocked, but he wouldn't be blocking many anyway, maybe an adverse affect from blocking them to begin with? Who knows..

Mara - My name is Brad, and I'm a Blog-A-Holic!! haha... Every idea always starts with "One" and then gets rallied or shot down by the few, or the many. This being the case back then, I'm sure AR had no choice but to add it. I don't think too many would miss it if it just went away today. Not even Brian. But there is and will be a time and place where the feature can also come in handy as evidenced in many of the comments above.

Amanda - you crack me up, I already thought of that! LOL~ Where the heck is Brian anyway? I was certain he would have shown up by now, at least to try and win the contest. Oh well, party's over!! :-))

Natalie - I think we should end this post on your last note! Comments are now disabled on this post!

(aw shucks, I just can't do it) LOL~

Brad: I was going to comment that I agree with Lenn (when DON'T I?!) and then read your response! I'm glad to know that Brian isn't using it much these days--I agree that the comments DO add value to us here in the RAIN.

About the CONTEST: We always tend to over-anaSlyze things and wouldn't you know it, the answer was OH, so SIMPLE! Thanks for the 'thought-provoking-that-needed-none' post! LOL

Brad, glad you haven't disabled the comment on this blog, in which case I wouldn't have a chance to find out why & add to my knowledge on AR trivia. Had thought of the same reasons as many who did before me, and I am one of those who need to know otherwise, won't be able to sleep...so great comments here.

Oh my - guess we are too late to the party. We were going to say , when a post is an announcement and there is not a need for comments.

I liked my answers better... Let's not let facts get in the way of MY bonus points...

;^ )

Is the contest still on?

Could it be that you are writing a blog on something that is potentially controversial and don't want to get flamed for it.

Is the contest still on?

Could it be that you are writing a blog on something that is potentially controversial and don't want to get flamed for it.

Thanks Brad for the fun contest and for the "door prize" for participating. Much appreciated!

If most of your e-mails (blogs) go to your smart phone, you wouldn't want any comments...you would go crazy trying to respond, clear your palm!

SEP

2008

Not that I'd ever win this contest - or even close to the answer -but I just HATE to be late for a good contest. I was One Year late for the Easter contest also. I am going to come back and check on your site more often just so that I can win the next one.

Must nice to be Brad, have a whole button made for him! Hmmm...

Thanks Brad for the response and the "appreciation". Still not sure what the correct answer is, but I am looking forward to hearing what it is now just out of curiosity. Or is there a correct answer....?

I missed the boat on this one, as I was busy all weekend with some actual family time... but it was interesting reading some of the comments. I agree that it would be nice to "mute" some people within a particular post in order to move the conversation along.

I like the blogs that have multiple answers and where the author doesn't think they are always right. I know there have been a handful of mine where I've been passionate about my post, but it doesn't mean I'm not listening to what others have to say. We don't always have to agree with everyone.

A little confrontation never hurt anyone... but I hate the spamming, so I continue to disable commenting from outside people.

Hey Brad is this what most Realtors do on a Saturday night - LOL

Thanks Brad!!

Because Brian Brady asked for it?? Good Grief! Now, I have a question. Why did ActiveRain install this feature when Brian Brady asked for it??

A few thoughts:

1- The blog is my property; I have every right to monitor what comments are and aren't permitted to be displayed to the public. That was established when Jonathan Washburn said all content is the property of the owner. If it's my property, I want control of it. If Active Rain suspends this feature, they will be admitting that I can't control the content distribution and don't, in fact, own the content.

2- Brad is right. I rarely use the disabled comments feature much. There are times, however, when I'm not able to monitor the conversations here because i'm too busy.

3- I offer mortgage market reports with opinions. Mortgage originators, too lazy to do their own homework, come in and advertise on MY post. That, I won't allow. I work too hard, doing too much research, to let other originators profit from my work

Again, my property. With all due respect, I've given Active Rain plenty of link love BACK from strong ranking sites. Active Rain has gotten as much as they've given, in juice, from me. I'm a generous linker. (and I worship the ground Lenn Harley walks on)

Fortunately, most members do not use this insidious feature.

I don't think it's insidious if you share the link love, Lenn.

My comments policy is in place to protect YOU, the commenter who doesn't want their online reputation tarnished. Mean-spirited, anonymous comments, ad hominem attacks on other commenters, and piggy-back advertising is not allowed on my blog. I have that policy to protect the other commenters, looking to stay on-topic and discuss the content. If you comment on my blog, you are protected by that policy; I won't let jackasses attack you, when you're not looking.

If I sound overly serious, remember that I'm the guy who brought you Aloha Shirt Friday, videos of my daughter, and countless other "goofy" posts. I worry about my online reputation- so should you.

PS- If you doubt the need to monitor your online reputation, consider the fact that it took a Facebook message to make me aware of this post, two days after it was published. Active Rain comments don't show up in the Technorati search, which means, YOU could be the target, next.

Another thought:

It is in Rich Jacobson and Brad Andersohn's best interest to discourage the disabled posts' features. Active Rain revenues come from advertising, which is sold according to eyeballs. Encouraging comments encourages eyeballs; that's why we have a point system that rewards frivolous comments- it sells advertising.

While monitoring the conversation is in my best interest, generating page views is in their employer's best interest.. My posts with disabled comments get less eyeballs than a post like this one.

...and I'm cool with that. In fact, I'm contributing to this eyeball-fest by riling you all up. That will bring more pageviews, which sells more advertising. Now, some commenters will call me cynical for making that statement. Some will think I'm challenging Brad and Rich's "honor" by stating their interest so plainly.

...but I'm not. I'm hip to the game. Active Rain has always been a quid pro quo for me. I get free advertising and they get free content to sell ads around. I give as much as I get here.

So, let's sell some advertising folks! Call me an arrogant jerk, here in the comments. Keep the eyeballs rolling!

SEP

2008

I am all for selling advertising - the more $ AR gets, the more $ they have to pay people to supercharge this site and give me more free tools - like I can keep up with them now.

Call me naive, but keep the eyeballs rolling!

Brian - I knew you'd eventually show up and share that "Most Opinionated" voice of yours! lol~ I also hope you realize this was just my way of having some fun while all the AR Gods were away out of town. They left the network to me for a few days, so I decided to have a little contest with this post. I didn't even know myself why this feature existed and why most were not using it.

I laughed when Jon told me the story knowing that you must have been involved somehow. As you can tell, there were some great comments and insight shared here on how and why any member (just like yourself) would use this. This was in no way an attack on you or meant to be anything more than some trivia and fun for members.

You know how much I respect your opinion and even in your two previous comments, you continue to shed light and great insight and contribution to the rain. Thanks for taking the time to share, and don't ever worry about challenging mine or Rich's honor here, we know you all too well to ever think that.

I had never considered the "eyeballs" and "Advertising" point of view you mention and I find that interesting and as always...."Very Opinionated" and probably true. LOL. You made some great points about the disable feature that were not mentioned or brought up here. Reputation, others advertising on your posts, protecting your name and hard work, all GREAT points in why anyone would consider using this feature and option.

It's too bad you came so late, you could have won some bonus points if you would have been the one to guess the right answer! haha. Now, how about buying some advertising so I can go get my kids a pizza! :-))

I am all for selling advertising - the more $ AR gets, the more $ they have to pay people to supercharge this site and give me more free tools.

That's the quid pro quo of AR, Virginia. I get and applaud it. You are so right

I had never considered the "eyeballs" and "Advertising" point of view you mention and I find that interesting and as always

It always riles Rich up so I always say it. There is, however, value to the eyeballs. ...and, again, I"m totally cool with it. I get a call a day from Active Rain; only 10% of those calls ever become loans but, without a doubt, I'm in debt to Active Rain for the platorm I have here.

It wasn't taken that way. I aways find crowd behavior interesting, though. So many people are quick to condemn without understanding the motivation for someone's actions.

I"m still not disappointed- good work (both you and Rich, et al).

THIS is the real reason I disable comments on my mortgage market reports; it drives the e-mails and calls...so, Anne really won. The idea came from a suggestion Ardell Della Loggia gave to Rhonda Porter, on Rain City Guide. Ardell suggsted that Rhonda disable comments (they were all loan scenarios) to drive e-mail and call volume...and it worked. It works for me, too.

ANNE SHOULD GET 1000 POINTS for the correct answer:

How about, they want direct e mail instead of comments so they can easily capture the address as a lead. . . . . .

Anne Hensel

09/20/2008 06:15 PM

by Anne Hensel Real Estate Professional buy or sell St. Pete

Hey Brian - did I mention the "eyeballs" see ads too, and the comments are automatically disabled? lol~

Make it a pepproni, and my kids said hi and thanks! :-))

BTW - Can you keep a secret? I gave EVERYONE 200 points that so much as commented on this post up until the contest was over, maybe I should do a post, disable the comments, and give everyone 10,000 points who can figure out a way to leave a comment with them disabled, now that would really ruffle some feathers! haha.

I love a good contest!!!!!!

Hey Brian - did I mention the "eyeballs" see ads too, and the comments are automatically disabled? lol~

Make it a pepproni, and my kids said hi and thanks! :-))

I love a good contest!!!!!!

Brad- that is an interesting idea...an impossible one, but surely would be funny...can you imagine the number of emails that you would receive?

Whaou, great article, I am so greatful I have been able to read it. Very use full information that I will embrace.

Thank you so much

Aloha

Jeremy - did you say impossible? I know it's illegal to gamble in California, but not sure about online here at AR? Care to make a wager? :-O Your dealing with ActiveBrad here, there's nothing impossible. LOL~

Michael - winners have been announced, but you'll have to read the above comments if you want to find out who the winners were and what the answer is. :-)

Surely, Brad, you will disable comments on this post st some point soon so that this does not go on indefinitely. Or are you really wondering how long this can go on? Is this some kind of an endurance test?

SEP

2008

I bet if I try, it will last several months :)

SEP

2008

Debbie - now why would I do that? I have only disabled 1 post ever on ActiveRain, I think there may still be some great comments and input coming from other members who find this late, and if I disabled the comments, other readers would never get to know what those ideas or suggestions are. I think I'll let this one go indefinately. :-)

Jeremy - haha. You do have a way of doing that to some of my posts don't you? lol~ Thanks for keeping it alive buddy, but sorry, all out of "Bonus" points on this one!! ROFL :-))

Susie - I still want to know how you got the answer right???? LOL~

OCT

2008

Hi Brad . . . I just learned how to add MUSIC . . . BUT now I realize it's a script and might be at risk of loss. I LOVE music on site. Please don't remove it . . . PLEASE!

Thanks Much

Aloha

Jim

Jim - I know how you love music, I remember you showing me your library of music and the sites you use at your office. I think there are some music widgets that are NOT script, so there will be some options still available. No worries my friend, we're not going backwards, we're moving forward always. I'm off to check out your Blog again now. Aloha. :-)