The Cosmos Comments!

Dear Readers,

As you know, Hot Flashbacks, Cool Insights is all about noticing the cosmic hints all around us. Same goes for my other blog, The Radical Virgo. I got two of those hints in one day this week. Readers reported having technical difficulties making comments on blog posts. They were eager to do so because of the current comment contests running on blogs.

This was a revelation to me! I thought comments were a little sparse of late because people were shy to “talk” on the public wall. It had never occurred to me that another reason might be that they didn’t know how to do it. Another hint I had in the same 24-hour period was two people dear to me sharing their challenges with technology. I admit it; I tend to forget something was originally difficult once I’ve mastered it. Thinking back on it, I was all thumbs myself a couple of years ago, when I made my first comment on a post. I was also mentally muddled on how it worked and how to do it.

I’m grateful that the atmosphere of my online community is warm and friendly enough that readers felt comfortable e-mailing me and letting me know they were having difficulties. To help you join the Comment Contest and to help all readers in the future, I’m posting these directions and will leave a link to them at the bottom of each post. These refer to Blogger, the software I use to publish my blogs. (That means any blog where blogspot is part of the URL, such as http://radicalvirgo.blogspot.com.) The directions will vary slightly on other blogging programs.

How to Comment on Blogger

1. At the bottom of the post on which you want to comment, there will be a number and the word Comments, such as 0 Comments (if you’re the first to comment), 2 Comments, etc. Click on Comments and it’ll take you to the page to enter your comment.

2. Write your comment in the Leave A Comment box.

3. Next, Choose an Identity. This is where I think people are most likely to get confused.

   a. If you have a Google account (gmail.com), it’ll automatically default to this choice (the dot will be filled in) and Blogger will “know” who you are, if you’re signed into your e-mail at the time. Optional: If you want to be e-mailed when there are additional comments on the post, other than the one you are making, check the box below Your Name (Google account).

   b. Open ID. If you don’t know what it is, don’t click this choice. It’s a way to have a universal ID and pic online where you’re recognized across many types of blogging programs and websites.

   c. Name/URL. This will be the choice for most people. Click on this dot if you want to leave your name and/or a website or blog name. Leaving a website URL is optional.

   d. Anonymous. If you want to comment anonymously, click this dot and your comment will appear with the name Anonymous.


4. Click the blue PREVIEW button, if you want to preview your comment before you send it with an option to edit it if you want changes.

5. Click the orange PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT button when you’re done and ready for it to be published.

Your comments are forwarded to me for review, and I have the option to publish or reject them. I only reject comments that are advertising or objectionable in content, such as personal attacks or anything mean-spirited or negative to a degree that I don’t want that energy to be part of the atmosphere of my blogs. So far, I have never had to reject a comment, except for a few instances of people using Comments for the sole purpose of advertising a product.

Now that I’ve seen the light about giving directions for people new to commenting, I’m delighted to know that the contests can be a vehicle to “open a new window, open a new door” for some of you, as it says in that wonderful song from the musical version of Auntie Mame (my heroine).

Hoping to hear more from you,
Joyce


Photo Credit: COSMIC ABSTRACT STRUCTURE © Cluckva Dreamstime.com

AND THE WINNER IS …

Congratulations to Susannah from the UK, whose name popped out of the hat to win the Spring Comment Caper. The name of every individual making comments on blog posts from March 20 until April 22 was placed in the hat each time they commented. Susannah won a copy of Capital Crimes: 15 Stories by Sacramento Area Authors, the mystery short story anthology published by my local Sisters in Crime chapter. It includes my story, “Digital.”

But wait, there’s more! The winner is really YOU! Susannah has decided, generously, to put the prize “back in the hat,” so to speak, so we can still play. The contest will resume and continue till the end of Spring through June 19. The new winner will be announced on or about the Summer Solstice, June 20.

A prolific blogger herself, I love to visit and comment on Susannah’s blogs: Susannah’s Blogger Profile. She is a winner in every way!

For a real upper, follow Susannah on Twitter: http://twitter.com/joyfrequencies.

Spring Comment Caper!

Visits to Hot Flashbacks, Cool Insights have been up 40 percent in the past month!

Thank you, readers, both tried-and-true as well as newcomers. To my new readers, welcome! I love reading the blog stats each night and finding out the many cities, states, and countries that make up our eclectic audience of Cool Insighters.

While visits are up, comments are down. I love an interactive blog, so I’m hosting a spring drawing to encourage more of you to “talk amongst yourselves.” Each time you do, I’ll put your name into a hat. The more you comment, the better chance you have to win!

The drawing period will run from Spring Equinox (March 20) through Earth Day (April 22). On the April 23, I’ll draw the lucky name. You’ll receive an autographed copy of the mystery short-story collection written by the authors in my local Sisters in Crime Chapter. It’s called Capital Crimes: 15 Tales by Sacramento Area Authors. My story, “Digital,” provides the comic relief. Questions? E-mail me at hotflashbacks@gmail.com. Meanwhile, let’s spring back with more Hot/Cool conversations!