WebWord is Open, Again
Once upon a time, WebWord was a free and open web site, where people could post comments without being registered. That stopped after two things happened. First, WebWord blew up. The content management system I was using (Movable Type) decided to implode. The database driving the site ate itself and I was left alone and out in the cold. The Six Apart folks were nice, and even looked into the problem, but there was nothing they could do for me. Without a database, you ain’t got no web site!
The second problem was that WebWord was getting tons of blog spam. I didn’t have the time to prevent the problem, and didn’t even know if there was a solution. However, posting after posting filled up with blog spam. Everyone was angry about it but I couldn’t stop it. The advice was to set up a registration system.
So, after several months of letting WebWord wallow, I picked things up again and kick started WebWord. This time, I used PostNuke. And this time, I set things up so that if you wanted to comment, you would have to register.
I thought this was a great idea because I wasn’t getting any blog spam. However, the level of commenting on my postings dropped to almost nothing. Registration is such a hassle. Is it really worth it? For almost all WebWord readers, the answer seems to be NO. It isn’t worth the hassle.
In light of this, I recently decided to open up WebWord again. Any user can comment now. Just click on the comment link at the end of any posting and tell us what you think. It is easy enough.
I hope everyone likes this change. More BIG changes and announcements are coming soon…
July 6th, 2004 at 9:48 am
I changed verb tenses about 30 times in that posting. If I really, really concentrate I can overcome this problem. However, rather than waste time doing that, I just write. That is probably not the best way to write!
I need to read more about changing tenses. Do you have any advice? What guide(s) should I use? I want to be a better writer. Help!
July 6th, 2004 at 10:55 am
John, I think you are worried about something that you shouldn’t worry about. It’s one thing to write as a blogger, it’s another to write a book or a paper. Just about everyone understands the writing notes, comments on the web is prone to grammatical and syntactical errors. Rarely is this a problem.
Writing an article or a book by it’s nature is more closely edited and reader’s expectations are higher in terms of the errors you mention.
So relax…
July 6th, 2004 at 12:16 pm
Thank you so, so much. I attempted to register numerous times but never received my password. I requested my password numerous times but never got any email from your site. Not really sure what’s up with that. I even emailed you but maybe it didn’t go through, because I never heard back from ya.
So yeah, glad to see comments opened up, though I would still like to be able to register as it would be nice to have a profile (with links and whatnot) on every comment.
Thanks again!
Tinuviel.
July 6th, 2004 at 12:40 pm
Nice to see changes and to hear more are in the work.
July 6th, 2004 at 12:59 pm
Finally!
I’m coming back, John! :)
- MadMan
July 6th, 2004 at 2:33 pm
If you want people to know who you are, you’ll have to add your signature manually. If you didn’t register before, it is too late to sign up now because I’ve turned off registration. I’m trying to fix this bug, but it won’t be easy. Changes to code take a long time here! (Obviously.)
John S. Rhodes
john(at)webword(dot)com
July 7th, 2004 at 12:14 pm
Here’s a book suggestion on grammar and punctuation: “Eats, Shoots & Leaves.”
Title refers to a joke about a panda bear who goes into a bar, orders a sandwich, pulls out a gun and fires off some shots into the ceiling, and leaves. His problem? Description of the panda bear in some guidebook is mis-punctuated.
July 12th, 2004 at 11:02 am
I tried registering in May and then again in June, but yeah, never got my password… also when I tried to re-register my username was already taken, so obviously the first registration was taken - it just doesn’t like my email address for some reason. Any idea what’s up? Can you fix it for me, since I *am* registered, it just wouldn’t send me my pw?
Thanks,
-Tinuviel.
Sulwyn.net.