1. Do you look at the comments sections, or do you just come to the site to read the blogposts?
I look at the comments on every thread 30%
I sometimes look at the comments 52%
I rarely look at the comments 14%
I never look at the comments 4%
I have to say that I am surprised that 82% of you regularly look at the comments. The mystery is why more of you don’t comment yourselves, and like to remain lurkers.
*2. Although the site gets a huge amount of comments, they are from a comparatively small section of the blogs 80,000 monthly readers. If you don’t leave comments, why not? *
I never comment on blogs 43%
The people who comment on WHTID seem too cliquey 11%
There’s too much meaningless banter between the same old people 23%
I don’t think anyone would be interested in what I have to say 16%
I’d start commenting if Iain or SJ Chandos and other authors contributed more to the threads 7%
(ID On the latter one, I think we have rectified that and all post authors are encouraged to take part in the comment threads, and I do myself as much as I am able. The percentages on cliquishness and banter between the same old people are slightly concerning. I quite like the fact that there are a dozen or so people who seem to comment on everything, and often, but it can mean that others think they’re not welcome. That’s not the case of course. I then asked you to leave comments on the whole area of commenting on the blog. Here are a representative sample. Where you see bold writing, that’s my reply to a particular point.)
Last season there was some terrible troll like wind ups , normally during match time which was incessant and quite dispiriting, hard to prevent I know, but it stopped me taking part.
(ID: I think the new commenting system seems to have eliminated much of the trolling that had been prevalent on the site.)
Limit comments from any one individual on any subject to say maximum of two.
(ID: I don’t think that would either desirable or technologically possible. I know where you’re coming from, though)
Most sites seem cliquey. I have tried making comments on one or two and someone usually shoots back and puts you down as if opinions are copyrighted! I prefer reading the considered views of the professionals so no worries, keep it up.
(ID: A fair point. I don’t think there’s too much shouting down here, although I think that was an issue a while back)
Comment threads are the home of the idiot. Everyone scrambling over each other to make themselves heard… everybody shouting, nobody listening.
(ID: I think that is true on some sites, but not this one. I think there is some real insight on our comment threads)
I’m from Australia.
(ID: Bully for you, cobber!)
I like the friendliness of the bloggers but i do think that there is so much irrelevant banter which on the previous format of being unable to collapse comments meant scrolling through endless tripe. I do miss a lot of the older members that have left, which I think could have been avoided as I sometimes find Iain a little rude in his responses. A majority of those people are intelligent long term supporters, something that this site misses. An apology to the likes of Tom, Devo, Celtic, Matt, Headmaster and co on the C&B site could go a long way to fixing some bridges.
*(ID: I’m not sure what I have to apologise for, but as I have made clear, I don’t believe in feuds, and I am pleased that Matt has commented on here recently. Tom comments regularly and I would be very happy if the others made a reappearance. There is no bitterness on my part and I occasionally comment on Claret & Blues myself.)
I would comment more often but I forgot my password!
(ID: Change it then! It’s very easy. Just click on the top right hand corner and follow the instructions.)
Sometimes when you post and nobody responds it is disheartening and you feel your comment wasn’t spotted or interesting enough. The thumbs up/down is another way to get encouragement from the very silent minority. The bulk of posters need a forum to have a good moan with very unrealistic strong opinions regular commenting on posts by the contributors would make people feel more engaged with the process.
(ID: The thumbs up/down is being worked on now and should go live soon.)
I’m still finding it difficult to express myself properly in English, although I live in England.
(ID: You’re not alone, mate!)
This is a good question. I post comments occasionally and am always ignored, however I have not ever said anything too controversial so perhaps I should experiment. Shall I suggest Brooking was rubbish or Harewood was a tactical genius? I bet I’d get ignored though. I really like it when you or SJ answer back.
Block the childish and very annoying “first post” contest
(ID: I agree, it’s getting rather boring, and I will ask people to desist.)
In the past I only left the odd comment but I think with the new format i will get more involved, in the posts that interest me. In the past more control was needed when certain contributors started going over the top.
Have moderators available to delete inappropriate comments.
(ID: Easier said than done. We all have day jobs. To be fair, since we put this new version of the site live, I think I have only ad to delete two comments.)
May be you could have a thread per month with a topic to invite new people to comment for the first time. E.g New comments welcome, we value your opinion. Coming from the host may urge them to do that. I, along with many and again, classic e.g, longtime lurker took a year or two to comment. Why is hard to answer. I would say it is because this is the first site I have ever replied too and does anyone really care what I think. So to welcome new posters once a month may get a few more on board
(ID: That’s a really good idea. Let me think about how it could work.)
I have commented on WHO and KUMB since they first began but do less and less as the years go by. I guess that what was once a novelty is wearing off now. In WHTID’s case it’s just one site too many. But there is another reason. WHO and KUMB are neutral fan sites, run by fans for fans. There are no ego’s on display from those who make the effort in running the sites. I’m deterred from contributing on here because basically I’m not a fan of Ian Dale. I’ve had a run in with him on his radio show last year when he had David Gold in the studio and he demonstrated an embarrassing ability to brown nose him and take me to task for having the temerity to criticise the O.S. project. Also, he’s too ready to take a pop at people; to wit, his recent reaction to those of us who won’t sign up to Twatter.
(ID: It’s not a case of having a pop at people, it’s a case of not agreeing, and then arguing back. Some people have very thin skin and take argument as insult. I recall the radio incident, but your reaction to any disagreement is very over the top. As, no doubt, this will be. And my reaction to those who won’t sign up to Twitter was to compromise on it. Otherwise you couldn’t have left your comment!)
Open a section for foreign readers in which they’re able to communicate in their home language (regular reader from germany)
(ID: Leider kann ich das nicht machen. Es waere zu kompliziert und ich zweifle ob viele tielnehmen wuerden. Tut mir Leid!)
Again if the site was probably more user friendly for mobile/ tablet devices i maybe more convinced to post. Would be an extra nightmare seeing replies afterwards having to scroll to the bottom with one comment at a time on the devices i use to view this site. Bring back the old comments system please.
(ID: I can only think you were under the impression the old system was still being used. The site is now fully mobile.tablet compliant. If you are having problems, let me know via the Contact button.)
Registering for sites puts me off so for the few times i would comment then ‘guest’ comments would entice me more.
(ID: That way lies anarchy. If you have something to say, you should be able to stand by it. It takes 30 seconds to register. If you really can’t be bothered to do that, I’m sorry for you.)