Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST DECEMBER 30TH 2009

Evening Everyone!  I hope your holidays were everything you hoped and more!  Jay and I spent a quiet one with my Mom and his Mom here for dinner on Christmas evening.  I wanted to thank all of you who sent me beautiful Christmas cards!  I was thrilled with each of them and I will keep and cherish them always.

On to tonight's post.  I'm not posting any projects tonight, because I wanted to dedicate tonight's post to a movement that is going on in the blogging world of card makers.  It is the subject of how everyone has their comments settings set for their blogs.

As we visit our favorite people's blogs, we are asked to jump through hoops (sometimes many) just to leave a comment on a blog.  First you have the word verification, then some have it set when you leave a comment and hit submit it takes you to another window where you have to do word verification and then click another button just to leave your comment.  Then there are others that you have to scroll down past all comments before you get to leave your comment.  This is very time consuming, and I personally feel that if our visitors are kind enough to want to leave us a comment, we shouldn't make them work so hard to do it.

On some blogs that are joining this movement, some folks are stating that they will no longer leave comments on those blogs that make them jump through these hoops.  I don't subscribe to being that over the top.  I'll leave a comment on everyone's blog no matter what.  But I would like to ask that you at least think about changing your settings so that you can make it easier for people to leave you comments.  Here is what I have done (have for a while now) and these settings make it the easiest for people to leave comments while giving you complete control:

1.  Click on "customize" at the top of your blog (in Blogger).

2.  Click on the "settings" tab.

3.  In settings,  click on the "comment" tab.

4.  Look for "Show Word Verification" make sure "no" is checked.

5.  Look for "Comment Form Placement" and click "pop-up window".

6.  Look for "Comment Moderation" and click "always".  Then make sure you enter your email address in the box provided so that you are notified when there are new comments waiting to be approved.

7.  Click save settings.

It is so simple to do.  I changed mine a few months ago, and I've had absolutely no problems.  The annoying posts that idiots try to leave can easily be rejected when you moderate your comments.   The advantage to the pop-up window is that it allows the commenter to see your post or scroll to a place in your post without having to come back to the comment window.  This makes it easy for them to comment while looking at what they are commenting on.

I do agree with one of the bloggers that I visited last week when she said "Why would we want to make it harder on our visitors to leave us a comment?"  That is why I have made several changes to my comment settings over the last few months.  Not once have I had an issue by taking the word verification off of my blog.  That was taken off 5 months ago.

So, I urge you all to think about this and to go in and change your settings.  It will save so much time for your commenters.  How about making it a New Year's Resolution!?!  LOL

Well, that is it for this subject.  I hope you all can jump on this bandwagon with me and make it easier for all of us to comment on each other's blogs.

I will close this blog post with a very sincere wish, in an original poem I wrote for all of you:

May your sorrows be few and far between,
may your laughter be loud and strong,
May your blessings be the biggest you've ever seen,
may your life be happy and long.

May you be surrounded by the ones that you love,
may your worries be little and few.
May the angels protect you from the heavens above,
may your skies be sunny and blue.

May your enemies be few and your friendships be many,
may your riches be plentiful too.
May this coming New Year be better than any,
for these are my wishes for you.

Written by:  Curt O'Brien

The Happiest of New Year to all of you!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

"God, please help me be the person that my dogs think I am."

49 comments:

dpkennedy said...

Oh, that's a lovely poem! I changed my settings a while ago...it does get annoying for sure! But it doesn't stop me from making a comment if I really want to! Thanks for spreading the suggestions! Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Kimberly S said...

Sounds like you had a nice Christmas and I hope that your New Year is a happy and healthy one. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely poem! Now I'm off to double check my comment settings. Thanks for the heads up! :)

Leslie said...

I will jump on this comment band wagon too. I have been to a few blogs that I would have commented on but was in a bit of a hurry to fill out the forms required. Comments are such warm fuzzies to me that I don't want to make it difficult for people to do so

Thanks for the great poem.

Here's hoping your New Year is the best ever!

Patti J said...

First, dear sir, thank you for the wonderful poem! It's so nice to know that there are still good people that care so much about others! Next, I LOVE the pic of the boys in the snow!!! (your pic of the week is fabbie too!). Also, I am happy to hear that your Christmas went well, and that it was a nice, quiet day for you and Jay. We certainly need those now and then. Last, but not least, YIKES! Off to check my comment settings!!! Thanks for the heads up - I don't want to lose any of my good friends!!! Big hugs, and enjoy your New Year's celebrations!

Jackie said...

Thank you for your thoughts on the comments, I think I will change my settings as well, but the pop up box won't work on mine, for some odd reason. It might be the template I'm using. Your poem is beautiful and I wish all of those things for you and Jay as well. You should have a stamp made - that would be a great one! Happy New Year!

Jackie said...

Well, I was wrong - the pop up thing does work on my blog. Duh.

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt, That is one lovely little poem you have written for us all - thank you for sharing! Great photo of the boys in the snow and also I love the picture of the week.

I am happy that you and Jay had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you both a happy and healthy 2010. I so look forward to seeing more of your artwork and photos! Oh and thank you too for the set up for comments - think mine are almost like that but will check!!

Cheers, Jean

Carmen O. said...

Sounds good to me! Sounds like you had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas...some day I may have one of those again *grins*. Thanks for always taking the time to stop by!

Wishing you and Jay a Happy and Healthy 2010!

Jan Scholl said...

Curt-I have been reading all the comments on blogs about the word verification. So I took mine off. And within 20 seconds I started getting spam. I put up with it for a couple of days but the sort of spam I was getting was so nasty, I put the word verification back up. Anyone can post a comment on my blog even an anonymous person. But I don't want to see the garbage out there anymore. Sadly, today I got some of the same even with word verification. I don't know what else to do other than have it be no comments at all.I dont get many visitors and even less comments but that isn't why I have a blog. I have worse issues with those whose feeds are not full, so I am slowly deleting them from my Reader. I have no business wasting a whole afternoon reading 800 blogs anyways. I could be picking cat furs off my black sweatshirt.
Have a great jump into 2010. It can't be any worse than 2009. And maybe my sofa slug will find a job. See ya on the flip side.

Ila said...

Great post Curt!!..your directions are Wonderful...and it nice to see this issue mentioned.
Your poem is Beautiful!!...Thanks for sharing..Have a Very Happy New Year!!...Holiday Hugs, Ila

Lorraine A said...

What a gorgeous poem Curt :-) you really are multi talented !! :-)
As you know I am trying to get people to turn the word verification off too ,,, I would not stop leaving comments because of it either but is is just soo annoying ,,,and I find more than 50% of blogs have it ON !! I invariably get the letters wrong too ,, so have to do a couple of attempts ! :-( I will copy this and pop it on my blog if you don't mind :-)

Hope you have a lovely New Year and wishing you all the very best for 2010 :-)
Luv
Lols x x x

p.s the envelope is finally in the post !!! :-) x x

Mandy said...

What a lovely poem thank you for sharing it with all of us...Being fairly new to blogging I get caught out sometimes thinking I've left a comment only to find out I haven't because of word verification..love all of your pics they are adorable..hope you all have a fantastic 2010...
Mandy xx

Becky said...

Beautiful poem Curt..and I totally agree about the comment settings.

MaryAnn Grove said...

Oh, Curt, you are just too much. Thanks for all you marvelous cards, your great tips, you sharing of your life, and for just being you. The boys (doggies) are the best, and I hope you enter your photos in some contests also. Just being Curt is the best gift you can give to us. A Blessed and Happy New Year from me to you and yours.. MaryAnn

Jan McConnell said...

Lovely poem Curt, thank you so much! Going to check my comment section. I sometimes have had to go through the drll two to three times to get a comment taken, very frustrating. Have a Happy New Year. I love tree lined streets & roads, reminds me of the growing up years where there were many of them around.

Jane Wetzel said...

Happy New Year Curt...the photo of your dogs is AWESOME! I LOVE my fur babies too! Your poem is nothing short of OUTSTANDING...wow..Wishing you blessings in the New Year!

stampinganja said...

Very nice poem,thanks for sharing.
I am gonna do what you suggested, I don't get very many comments but that's okay, I keep making cards anyway LOL! Wishing you all the best for 2010! Oh, and the pictures are awesome, enjoy looking at them!

Scossie Jane said...

Beaut poem Curt, same back at ya...

Thank goodness someone else agrees with me about word verification - I have a sign on my blog in the left margin saying NO - you can take one for your blog if you wish - I cannot recall where I got it originally, over a year ago (I have a funny feeling it was "Scrap Happens" - I will check it out and let you know....

Here's wishing you and Jay a safe and prosperous New Year...

Gosh - I've only got 40 minutes left of 2009...

Hugs Jane from Oz xx

Anonymous said...

thanks so much for sharing this curt :) i'm hopping off to change my settings most definitely-you are so right.
what a wonderful poem-i love it-i wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year :)

xoxo
sarabeth

lisa808 said...

I wish you a wonderful 2010 full of happy times and lots of crafting!

Krissy said...

what a beautiful poem! You are so talented! and your creativity is an inspiration!

I plan on working on my blog tonight (while my hubby sleeps on the couch, and I wait to ring in the new year with Dick Clark!)....I will be changing my comment settings. I'm new to the blog world and am still learning. Thanks for sharing!

Happy New Year - may 2010 bring you and Jay good health, deep peace and unending love!

-Krissy
www.paperinkspirations.blogspot.com

Gina Wrona said...

Happy New Year Curt!

Love your pic of the week, very peaceful and tranquil.

And, your new year's blog greetings is so awesome. Love the blue background, very easy on the eyes.

Hugs,
Gina

stampinfrog said...

Curt your poem is Fantastic! I am sooooo glad you enjoyed your Christmas and I wish you a Happy,Healthy,Prosperous and a Crafty New Year!
I checked my comments settings and was already doing everything except the pop up window. I have changed that, I hope!Computer Stupid here!!!
Hugs,Connie

mE said...

I just found your blog via another friend's blog and am excited to see all of your artwork. I am loving what I'm perusing this morning!

Thank you for your tips and thoughts on blog commenting. It's definitely something to think about.

I love your poem!

Have a Happy New Year!
~Inky Smiles!
Erin

sandyh50 said...

Happy New Year to you! I love your poem and your blog! Keep up the good work.

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

I also changed my settings awhile ago...haven't heard any complaints so I guess I did it right! LOL!
I just love your poem...you should get it published! Happy New Year!

Nina said...

Happy New Year Curt!! May it be full of sunshine, smiles and love and of course paper! :O) Love you poem, and I think my settings have been set like this for some time now, I always hated the word verification thing! :O)

Percy said...

Thanks for the information about the comments, I have to check mine, and change it if I have problems!

I love your poem, you are a very talented person Curt.

May your New Year be as good as you want it to be! Blessings for you and your family!!!

Jeni Glee said...

Your poem brought tears to my eyes, Curt....it truly touched my heart!

Bravo on the comment settings!

Happy New Year to you and Jay; I love you both so very much!

Rita said...

Happy New Year! Luv the poem!

Diane said...

Happy New Year To You and Jay and the "boys" of course!!! Loved the poem...so nice of you to think of all of us...are we all a great "bunch" or what.....LOL!!!
I did change my settings and will keep word ver. off unless I get alot of annoying spammers....I hardly even get any spam at all in my email spam....hope it stays that way after opening up my big mouth...lol....."see" you next year...haha!!!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! I changed my settings about a month ago - and nothing "bad" has happened! I didn't make it so that I had to pre-approve anything - do you believe that's really necessary? I check my comments daily and will delete anything that's not appropriate anyway. ??

I appreciate your post on this subject - I'm new to blogging (less than a year) and not much of a techie.

Happy New Year!

Sue from Oregon said...

Lovely poem Curt!
I have the same comment set up as you have now, but I miss what I used to have. I used to have it set up so that the comment box came up with the original post...you didn't have to click on Post a Comment or anything. I took it off because one person could not comment with it. Thinking of going back to that...it made commenting so easy. I think I found it in Blogger in Draft at the time. Happy New Year to you and yours.Sue

Kristy Hansenwi said...

Great Poem--I don't have a blog-but visit many often to get ideas and new techniques....I am new to all of this-started in June.....But you are right about having to do a lot to leave a comment. thank you Happy 2010-
kh

Papier Creatif said...

Curt!

I only care about your comments anyway! ;) lol ... I made one change on pop-up window. I'll be expecting 50 comments tomorrow or I'll be back here to complain!

Oh! I can't complain ... New Year's Resolution!

Here's my word for New Years ...

*HARMONY*

Sound good?

Glad to hear that you've been spending time with your family over the holidays!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!

Juls~

Sharon Caudle said...

Curt, a very safe, happy, and healthy New Year to you and Jay! Thank you for all the wonderful inspiration you provide, and I'm so blessed to have gained you as a friend! I wasn't able to get Christmas cards out this year, but you never know when something might show up in your mailbox. :) I'm really looking forward to another year of your fabulous creations. Big hugs!

A Consuming Passion said...

What a beautiful Poem Curt! Clever you!
I do so agree with you regarding the comments issue.
I took the word verification off my blog months ago and didn't click in the 'always' box for 'Comment Moderation' and have never had a problem.
I've gone back in and clicked that box now and will, like you put a post together regarding this issue.
It's way too time consuming when you blog hop.

Happy New Year to you, Jay and your families - I'm going to be doing some following in your footsteps soon too!!!!!!!!! Hope I will do as well as you did.

Janine said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND JAY TOO CURT!!

Laura Lipe, Pisgah Forest, NC said...

Happy New Year, Curt! I enjoyed your poem. Love the new picture of "the boys" in the snow!! Gabby is pooped since the grandkids went home today. They wear her out! ha! Have a great year!!
Smiles, Laura

Christine said...

Hi Curt well said on the word verification... it is time consuming & like Lol have to have a couple of attempts to get it right..bad eyes or the little grey cells are receding at an alarming rate...fab poem loved it..my your 2 dogs are LARGE they look giants!!!
can you tell me the name of the HM stamp LOl won plz???
Best wishes to you & Jay for 2010

teamie Christine xx

Anonymous said...

oooooooooooh please tell me .....
How did you get your dogs to pose (sit) ..or is that photoshopped?

love your blog...

ansa

6 wacky women said...

Happy New Year to you and your family, Curt
I just love your poem, very touching!! You are a man of many talents!!

Thanks for the tips, I have changed mine to the pop up window now.

Hugs
Karen x

mudmaven said...

Happy New Year! I made those changes to my comment settings - thanks for the detailed instructions - I had turned on word verification a couple weeks ago because of some spam, but the comment moderation seems like a much better idea. I love your poem - I'm going to print it out and keep it on my desk! All the best to you, Jay and the boys! ~chris

Lauri said...

Thanks, Curt! I just moved my blog and had to remember to change the settings! Sorry to say I started to get a lot of spam on my old blog...but thank you for the reminder on the settings! My new one is all changed up and stay away spammers!!

Unknown said...

Curt I swear you are Irish, even if you don't realise it!!! LOL, the poem is awesome and reads just like an Irish Blessing!!! It so needs to be made into a stamp my friend!!!And I just fixed my comment thingies, I didn't realise I was making it so hard!!lol! Big hugs to you and Jay, hope 2010 is everything you both desire!!

Dawn said...

Wow I love your poem Curt - is there no end to your talents....

DeeDee said...

Well Curt, that is one awesome poem! You are just multi-talented aren't you!!! I used to write poems when I was in high school, but stopped doing it...you've given me the inspiration to try again! THANK YOU Curt! HUGS!

Deb Neerman said...

Ahhh, it's all coming back to me now! Must be the meds ... lolol

I absolutely think you're right ... I've always had the pop-up window but I can't/don't use the comment moderation anymore. I did for awhile some time ago and blogger did not email me to let me know nor can I even find 'em to read 'em! Truly weird, I know. Right now, I have on my Dashboard a notice that says I have 13 comments to moderate but when I click on the link, nada. But the notice never goes away ...

You should create a button thingie for all of us to put on our blogs to help spread the word about the pop-up window thing. You make such bee-you-tea-full l'il banner-thingies!

Thanks for steering me in the right direction, Curt!

Anonymous said...

It was extremely interesting for me to read this post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Best regards
Jeph Normic