...I gues it's all about what you want from blogging.

If you are the type that just wants their ego stroked by flattering messages, it doesn't matter who posts...

But if you are the type that is trying to build a network of like-minded blogging aquaintences, then the conection becomes very important.

For example, I always check out the site of someone who has taken the time to comment on my site (if they have one)...And if I like it I bookmark it for inlusion on my daily 'blog tour' list...

I then try out links from their site...And that's how my circle of like-minded blog chums grows.

Some people, like myself, also comment deliberately - like an introduction or calling card - it's like saying 'I like what your saying, come visit my site'.

Again it builds a web of like-mindedness.

...What's nice is when - on your travels round this web - you eventually bump into either a link to a person you already know OR find a link to your site on someone's you don't know - it kinda 'closes the circle'!

Dunno? Anonymous ones can be fun...kinda like a blind-folded spanking in the dark.

I've always agreed. How strong is your conviction if you can't even put your own name on it?

However, on a somewhat contradictory note, I couldn't own an opinion if I bought one.

i know my year would never have been the same without all the return attention.

and 'Hello!' - blindfolded spanking!?! dare I suggest it as a theme for the next party?

xoxo

Thanks Beaty, you saved me from having to type out what I was going to say LOL. I agree with you and find that is one of my greatest "joys" of blogging. It's great to read different views, meet different people and it does spread and we all end up coming full circle.

I will always leave my name. If I have a problem with leaving it do due the possibility of backlash, then what I have to say obviously lacks the confidence. If one weren't afraid of their voice, leaving a name wouldn't matter.

Okay off to visit Beaty's site!

Jimbo, it amazes me how 'scummy' people are... nearly all the negative, flaming comments on the dog site are from people who do not leave a name. If they use the response form, they use a phony address. - Free expression of thought is fine, but at least have the 'jam' to put a name, your online alias, or a valid email address to those thoughts. - I agree with you: "Annonymous commenting is for pussies".

Do you think anonymous blogging is for pussies? (using a psuedonym to blog with ).

I don't really mind anonymous comments. The thing that bothers me horribly is spam comments -- the ones that have nothing to do with anything you've written, but are just a way of driving traffing to a commercial site.

I rather like trolls.

"However, as this is a PERSONAL site, and these are my PERSONAL opinions, if you are going to take the time and the effort to criticize, the least you can do is be up front about it..."

That's the way you're wired, that's how you are. I'd prefer it that way too. Unfortunately, not everybody's the same - while most have opinions, either they can't articulate those well enough, or, as someone else said above, don't have enough conviction. Is this necessarily a bad thing? Having the guts to stand up for what you think is all well and good... but sometimes, just having an opinion is good enough for me. Maybe their exercises in anonymous commenting will develop their backbone.

I guess I just believe that part of having an opinion is respecting/acknowledging others' as well. Even if you don't know them.

But then again, that's just my 2 pieces of round metal with some arbitrary value depending on the dollar ;p

ps. Spam, of course, is another matter.

Yeah, OK. You caught me.

Vague is not my real name. The real one is almost as odd though.

I have disagreed with you sometimes. I hope I have been polite about it though.

Since you did not like my last dirty joke I found another one for you.

What is the difference between being erotic and being perverted?

Erotic is using a feather. Perverted is using the whole damn chicken.

Ba-da-bing.

Most bloggers--and their friends--have problems with dissenting opinions. I rather enjoy opinionated people who are not afraid to be different. I don't appreciate insults, though.
Insults--anonymous ones in particular--are the arsenal of the spineless.

Using a pseudonym is hardly the same thing as being anonymous. Anonymous commenting is for pussies. If you plan to troll, flame, or whatever, at least have the guts to offer a place to be flamed back. I never turned anonymous commenting on, simply because I am someone who wants to know.

See, I like being able to pin-point users that I know are reading my blog via their computer configuration, browser, IP and the like. Especially the psychotic exgirlfriends. They don't comment, but they DO leave emails... I'm not sure which is worse.

You had to expect one.

I agree.

Therefore I am said "pussy"

i've never left an anonymous comment in my life, and i'm not planning on starting now...if i don't like a person i just don't fucking read them...i dunno...if i disagree w/a person that much that i feel the need to comment on whatever crap they've posted, i sure as hell am not going to hide behind an anonymous comment...i think you are right, they are for pussies...and while i have a pussy, i sure as hell am NOT a pussy ;)