Open Blog - Week 26

I have decided to run an open blog for a few weeks, to see how things go. Basically, it’s a place where all of can talk about things that would be ‘off topic’ anywhere else. I sometimes go to blogs and I’d like to discuss something with the blog owner and his visitors, but there’s nowhere to ask, or talk about it.

Literally, you can ask anything; from asking for advice for your blog, to discussing what you think the next version of WordPress should have, to talking about something completely unrelated to blogging!

Let me get the conversation started (you don’t have to answer it, you can talk about something else completely).

I’ve been wondering over the past few days, should the blogs that have their comments ‘DoFollowed’ not have another field in their comments form entitled ‘Anchor Text’? I feel I should really write my name in the name field, but having a link with my name as the anchor text is useless. I’ve tried to mess around with the php in WordPress’s “wp-comments-post.php”, and the form in my theme, but to no avail. I can get the extra field no problem, and I can get the link to go to the new field rather than the name field, but I can’t get it to display when I hit submit.

This blog loves links - it loves them so much that the NoFollow attribute has been removed from all links that appear in comments. That means comments equal Google Juice!


Comments

33 Responses to “Open Blog - Week 26”

  1. Chris Lodge on June 27th, 2007 4:05 am

    This is a tough one: I’m all for passing on the link benefits, and if regular commentators want to use relevant anchor text that’s fine with me.

    But, when your one and only comment from someone is from ‘make money online’ it just reeks of spam.

    I use the link love plugin, which doesn’t pass on ‘dofollow’ until a set number of comments have been made (in my case, 2) so they don’t get the benefit any way :-)

  2. Armen on June 27th, 2007 7:05 am

    Chris - With very little alteration (I think), that plugin could work for what I’m talking about aswell. I just think it would make more sense to have an anchor text field.

  3. Pixel Head on June 27th, 2007 3:09 pm

    The do follow movement is indeed a great thing. I find myself being a bit more selective with what comments I accept. I would like to use the link love plugin, but my theme is a bit of a PITA with updating. Got to get around to updating…
    I was thinking about using the Cutline theme, as I really like the job that Jonathan ofSmartwealthyrich did of updating his blog recently.

    Got any other favorite themes?

  4. Pixel Head on June 27th, 2007 3:15 pm

    I have another question.
    I just made a comment, and wanted to be updated about the comments, but failed to click the notify box.
    I know that there is place in the dashboard to set it to be automatically clicked. Does anyone have any opinions on doing this or not doing this?

  5. Armen on June 27th, 2007 7:16 pm

    Adam - First of all, congratulations on your recent marriage. I trust God will grant you a happy and healthy future together.

    If you tell me what you’re after in a theme, then I’ll be able to advise a little better. How may columns, whether you like a background, etc.

    As far as the email comments notification, I find it frustrates people if they forget to remove the tick from the box. So it’s better to leave it unchecked by default.

  6. Rebecca on June 27th, 2007 7:49 pm

    “do follow” ? I have no idea what you guys are talking about.

    Email notification on comments? That I understand. I wish I knew how to get it above the “submit comment” button, because I always choose it. That could change, I suppose, but I always expect people to respond to my comments and I would much prefer to have the response in my in-box.

    But it probably depends alot on the blog. If it’s a huge blog, with lots of comments that are not really a conversation, then it would be an annoyance to get them all via email.

  7. Armen on June 27th, 2007 10:08 pm

    Rebecca - By default, when someone leaves a comment on your blog with a link, that link carries no ‘weight’ with Google. They do not count it as a ‘vote’ for the site because it’s not ‘followed’. By removing the NoFollow attribute, the links your visitors leave in the Site’ field of your comment form, will be followed by Google, and will give weight to them. It’s just a little way of showing appreciatiion to those who contribute to the discussion on your blog.

  8. Pixel Head on June 28th, 2007 6:28 am

    Armen,
    First of all, thank you.

    Secondly, I am looking for in a theme:
    1. three column
    2. adjustable header image
    3. widget ready
    4.adsense ready or easily adaptable
    5.no background images
    6. prefer a white or lite colored theme
    7. I also like the newer wider themes.

    I believe that is it.

  9. Rebecca on June 28th, 2007 8:08 am

    Thanks, Armen.

    So how do you do it?

  10. Armen on June 28th, 2007 8:41 am

    Adam - I heartily recommend Brian Gardner’s themes, and he has a few that could fit that bill. Not all of them may fit it straight out of the box, but I could give you a hand. His coding is easy to follow, and I could easily help you out with what you want (if you needed any help that is). HIs Vertigo theme is probably his most popular, but I used his Silhouette to design Dietriffic.

    They’re all widget ready, and it’s simple to reposition sidebars, and place Adsense. Have a look and see what you think.

    Rebecca - Read the open paragraph of 1 Stupidly Simple Tip… and see if that helps. There’s a link to a plugin there, and a link to a post of Andy Beard’s which might enlighten you a little too. Any problems, let me know.

  11. Michael Weir on December 7th, 2007 8:00 am

    Pixel Head,

    My website uses a modified version of a set of themes that fit your specifications. I’m offering the original themes at http://cashmachine101.com/InstantWordpressThemes/

    If you want I can give you (or anyone else on who’s commented here) an exclusive discount.

  12. Racing Schools on July 6th, 2008 12:04 pm

    Good content. However, is there something wrong with your css? The layout looks a little blend.

  13. Denis on November 25th, 2008 4:02 pm

    О, это что-то, недавно где-то уже о таком слышала. Ваше мнение имеет основание быть. Вы понимаете то, о чем пишите. Немного почитав, хотелось бы узнать больше.

  14. grouddyfard on December 19th, 2008 1:43 pm

    Hello! simply super resource

  15. round trampoline on May 16th, 2009 5:53 pm

    hmmmmmmmm

    Thats gr8 use of technology

    Regards,
    Adora

  16. German Translation on July 6th, 2009 2:59 am

    The anchor text is really important for seo.

  17. IT Service Providers on September 3rd, 2009 12:58 am

    This is a your nice effort.Good resource.thanks

  18. Free Online Films on September 13th, 2009 6:21 am

    I like this idea! Having an open blog for a few weeks could be a great way to get some new content added from some of your readers.

  19. golf set on September 28th, 2009 11:02 pm

    good ideal!I’ll try it.

  20. ttzsxgquyupe on October 5th, 2009 4:57 pm

    okrthzsutdsa

  21. WebGuru on October 7th, 2009 10:07 pm

    This is a great idea. I’m creating a site for my dad. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and want Replacement Windows and Doors, check out the new site I’m working on.

    Thanks,
    WebGuru for my dad.

  22. WebGuru on October 7th, 2009 10:10 pm

    Thanks. This is great.

    If you live in Thousand Oaks, CA and want an Affordable, Honest, Cosmetic and Family Dentist click on the link.

    Thanks again.

  23. Richard Nelson on October 15th, 2009 8:58 am

    Good luck!!

  24. Coolinar on November 4th, 2009 8:09 am

    So interesting information - Thanks, this is real good idea!

  25. Web Development Company on November 9th, 2009 6:11 am

    It’s a Good idea! thanks for this post.

  26. hot single girls on November 26th, 2009 5:50 am

    Thanks for the post very Interesting .

  27. PHP Web Development on November 30th, 2009 2:05 am

    I like your idea! Having an open blog is a great way to get some new content from some of your readers. I will try it.

  28. tiensstore on December 2nd, 2009 5:07 am

    This is really good and nice efforts.The anchor text is i think is important for Seo. Great job

  29. Cleaning services Ottawa on December 6th, 2009 12:59 pm

    This blog site looks really interesting but I’m looking forward to see new post,Kindly update ..I’ll come back to see what you’ve got here next time.

  30. Replica Vertu on December 14th, 2009 7:18 am

    Very informative, your writing style is very interesting, i am really very impressed.

  31. Гаджет on January 5th, 2010 10:37 am

    Отличный пост, прочитав несколько статей на эту тему понял, что всё таки не посмотрел с другой стороны, а пост как-то очень заинтересовал.

  32. Chinese on January 16th, 2010 9:17 am

    Thanks for sharing such a useful information. I am definitely going to consider it next time.

  33. Taylor on February 27th, 2010 6:13 am

    I just wanted to say, “You think different” and “You are too creative”.
    Nice to have contact with you here. Do keep in touch.

    Regards,
    Prince

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