Oh Stuart!

These things are bloody awful IMO.

You are generating so much good juice and interaction with your readers that this will cheapen your blog IMO.

Using written comments is the closest thing that you can get to a personal conversation other than speaking.

I will write up on Landscape Juice about the comment icons and link it over to T'n'I as an example and see what the consensus is

Phil

Well, isn't that the coolest? but how about the other side - options like "Boooooring" or "Oh, brother!"

Philip - do you really believe that it cheapens my blog? I'm not usually a 'goer' for these things but I thought that it was quite novel and looked more professional than others I had seen.

It is still in the undecided box for me at the mo' so I'm keen to hear what others have to say. Do you agree with Philip, or are they a distraction?

Susan - I'm not sure I'd want to know if someone thought my post was boring - I mean, I do and I don't.

It would certainly be helpful information but I'm not sure I'd want to find out that way...

Hey there. Thought I would join the conversation. I too just found this "clicking comment bar" (but I am not saying where from)and that while I think it is cute smart and easy, it definitely eliminates that personal touch. I am contemplating putting it on my blog www.growseethis.com Even if I do, please know that I prefer your words to your pointed mouse. Take care Stuart.

Beth

Thanks, Stuart, for my five minutes of fame!

I don't know what I think about the buttons...maybe just one that says you read it? Something better than having to check a stat to see who was there, but without having to attach a particular emotion to it?

I really wouldn't like one with negative stuff! I mean, who says it's boring??! Nobody makes you read it. My son has a blog with very highbrow intellectual stuff on it...and it probably would be boring to a lot of folks (especially those who don't understand it...which, given the topics, would be many)....but he's not writing for them, anyway.

So, I think you're on to something here...and thanks for putting it all out there!

Stu

I noticed that you have taken the comments down - what was the final reasoning on this?

I see Postreach have modified this slightly and now have a negative button too.

"ClickComments is now hotter.. Based on your feedback, we have some hot new
features: recommendations, new icons and customization.

Our new recommendation feature tells readers about your other posts that
might interest them. This should keep them on your blog longer.

We have reduced the number of icons based on reader feedback. We have
also introduced optional negative icons. You can also customize the color
of the ClickComments box. Just log in and click on 'Blog Info'."

Philip - while I still love the concept there are a few reasons why I have taken this down.

Firstly, they changed the widget on me without informing me or letting me opt for the new version. If third parties aren't ethical in this process then my blog could become a target for anything they decide to include. A little risky when you need to consider your audience.

Second, every third party widget you add to your site slows its loading speed and many new visitors won't hang around if they can't readily access the information they need.

Finally, the icons weren't really helping me understand my readership because they were so vague. Someone thinks the post is 'Cool' while another states it 'Touched my Heart'. How do you interpret that?

But, having said all that I'm still looking for helpful options in this area....