Trying Out an Interactive Commenting System

Posted March 18, 2010 | Laura Christianson

An increasing amount of blogs are implementing interactive commenting systems that encourage readers to engage in conversation — not just with the blog’s author, but with each other.

I’ve enjoyed participating in these forums on others’ blogs, and after evaluating several commenting systems, I installed Disqus (dis·cuss • dĭ-skŭs’), a free, easy-to-use comment moderation tool.

You can use Disqus on many popular platforms, including self-hosted WordPress (the platform I use), Blogger, Moveable Type, Tumblr, and more.

Disqus gives you all sorts of one-click customization options. It also ramps up social media sharing for the truly narcissistic by allowing commenters to broadcast their comments to their Facebook and Twitter feeds.

When I installed the Disqus plug-in, it captured the existing comments on my archived blog posts, so I didn’t lose any of my previous comments (you should back up your database before doing this, just in case).

So, let’s give Disqus a test-drive. In the Comments area of this post, tell us the most interesting thing you’ve done/learned in the last 24 hours.

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18 responses to “Trying Out an Interactive Commenting System”

  1. Katie V says:

    The most interesting thing I've done in the past 24 hours is learn a new technique for tying / knotting leather cord for a bead bracelet.

  2. Katie V says:

    The most interesting thing I've done in the past 24 hours is learn a new technique for tying / knotting leather cord for a bead bracelet.

  3. sefcug says:

    Actually, I just started it running before the meeting started. Participated fully in the discussions regarding layoff language and retirement issues, even though I am no longer part of the negotiating committee, by my choice, I still interact with those still on it.

    I try to do more than one thing at a time, as long as they do not interfere with each other. For example I am now editing one of my newsletters, so I can get it out to the printer next week, as well as replying to you.

  4. sefcug says:

    Actually, I just started it running before the meeting started. Participated fully in the discussions regarding layoff language and retirement issues, even though I am no longer part of the negotiating committee, by my choice, I still interact with those still on it.

    I try to do more than one thing at a time, as long as they do not interfere with each other. For example I am now editing one of my newsletters, so I can get it out to the printer next week, as well as replying to you.

  5. Katie, Your comment makes me glad I'll be in SJ this week! Spring has officially sprung in Washington state (as of March 20). It has been sunny and in the high 60s. OK… well, today it's raining (just the usual sprinkle), but YESTERDAY it was sunny and in the high 60s. And all the flowering plum/cherry trees are blooming. That means spring.