Turning off blog comments

Written by

Matt Gemmell on the decision to turn off comments on his blog:

It’s been a very difficult decision (I love reading comments on my articles, and they’re almost unfailingly insightful and valuable), but I’ve finally switched comments off. Since I used the excellent Disqus service, the easiest way was simply to disable it globally, which also removes (but doesn’t delete – I still have them) comments on all previous posts too.

I must admit, I’ve considered this approach too, but decided to leave them on.


  • Anonymous

    As an occasional commenter here on The Loop, I hope you can continue to allow comments.  While technically, I could support a Blog, I’m not likely to create one.  In the same vein, while I browse items with Twitter, my account is restricted as I don’t think feel like sharing all my comments with the world.  I feel my occupation would not benefit from an easy connection to all my online posts.  I may end up writing something that favors one client over another, for example.  Always a risk on the Internet.

  • http://www.smiley-dread.com kiil

    Repost — your sites comments appears not to have withstand the server transfer.I for one do appreciate those who allow commenting. I do not blog or otherwise submit commentary for publishing on the web which means that sites which do not offer commenting can’t “hear” from me. Although it is possible to send an e-mail; most authors/publishers are too busy to answer whereas a reply is not necessarily what I want. The comment section offers a chance to obtain further information or corrections from others without leaving the page. I get that the web is all about linking, but going back and forth or links that open a new tab/window is a pain in the ass. I am happy that more and more sites are using Disqus which I find to be quite convenient and while not perfect, keeps things sane enough. It is a pleasant surprise when Disqus lets me know that such and such website has joined them and that it appears there exists previous comments that might have been made by me when viewing my profile. That feature of having a single repository of my “wisdom” is what I like best.So Jim and Peter — thanks!IanPS: I am an American who has been living overseas for over 20 years. Commenting on the web is a grat chance for me to brush up on my English

  • http://kneppgamer.de/ Arne Punkt

    Yes. After this whole Comment on, Comment Off discussion I decided to switch comments back on too. Its hard to put in words why, but it is just the feeling of a community. And also, who browses the web about answers to this one post, posted on other blogs? I think the majority of the readers dont.