Unlike some blogs, I don’t restrict comments, although I reserve the right to blow them away if they fail to meet common-sense standards or fail to follow the rules one can read in the FAQ page<<link.

That means that all you need to comment is a valid email. You don’t even have to use your real name and WordPress and me will be the only ones who will see your email.

“Oh, wise and powerful Disperser. Please, tell us how we might comment on your blog!”

*Sigh!*

Oh, OK.

So, at the bottom of almost every post, you will see this box:

Note: you won’t see the purple border; I added that here to separate the box from the text.

It should be fairly obvious to anyone over the age of four and to almost the entire English-speaking planet (and most non-English speaking folks) that someone wishing to leave a comment has to point the mouse cursor inside the box and click the right mouse button . . . but, just in case . . .

Again, Right-Click. That means you press whatever finger is on the right side of the mouse down until you hear a click or equivalent programmed noise letting you know you actuated the function of the Right-Click key.

Note: there are some people — they call themselves “lefties” — who map the key functions on the mouse so that they can operate said mouse with their left hand. Obviously, if you reassigned the Right-Click function to some other mouse key, then use that key.

Note 2: If you are using Windows (and, I presume iOS), there are ways to move and operate the cursor without the use of the mouse. If you are reading this and got here without the benefit of a mouse, I will presume I don’t have to explain how to do so.

Once you click inside the box, magic happens and your screen will now show this:

Now, now . . . don’t be afraid.

Here, let me show you this, and then I’ll go over everything.

That seems pretty self-explanatory: write a comment, enter your email, choose a name (any name), click the notification box if you expect or are interested in a response, click the other box if you want to subscribe to the blog (or unclick if you no longer wish to subscribe), and then click the oval box labeled “Post Comment”.

If that’s all you were interested in, stop here and happy commenting. However, if you want to know more, or are unsure about any of that, read on.

Part 1 – The Comment

So, since you just clicked within the box, you can just start typing your insightful and important comment. I don’t mean to put words in your mouth, but something like this is perfectly acceptable (as are other arrangements of similar words):

Dear Disperser: you appear to be the most wonderful and amazing person. I, one of your adoring readers, just want to express my appreciation for the awesome content you provide with seemingly no effort at all.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Again, it doesn’t have to be exactly like that, but anything along those lines is greatly appreciated.

Of course — although less appreciated, but still acceptable — you could also say something like this.

Yo, Disperser. You suck!

As an expression of personal opinion, I would let that stay. If however, that is all you ever commented, day after day, and never included an explanation as to why you think so, well, after a few months, I’d probably ban you.

Part 2 – The Email Address

The only requirement for posting a comment is a valid email address. Meaning, I don’t allow anonymous comments.

Now, realistically, there are many people who get bogus emails specifically for the purpose of annoying others with little to no repercussions.

Since my active following is fairly small, I don’t (yet) worry about trolls, so I just allow all comments.

If at some point I have to start worrying about trolls, I will likely institute the additional rule that the first comment by anyone (meaning, anyone new to the blog and leaving their first comment) goes into moderation (meaning, I will have to approve it before it becomes visible to others).

Again, right now, and if you’re not a troll, just enter a valid email address. No one but WordPress and me sees the address, and I generally don’t look at them because the number of people I want to engage with via email is very small and getting smaller.

There are other reasons your comment might go into moderation is if you use certain words or include more than two links. Also, sometimes WordPress screws up and moderates a comment that should not be moderated.

The current list of moderation-inducing words are:
bitcoin
SEO
marketing
vitamins

Understand, you can still use those words in a legitimate comment, and I will release it. Try to sell me something, and I’ll delete the comment.

Bottom line, if your comment goes to moderation and you are not a round turd, I will approve the comment.

Part 3 – The Name

Almost any name will do. Some people use their own names. If you have a WordPress account, you can use your WordPress name (WordPress usually recognizes emails with WordPress accounts and will default to them).

I suggest common sense (meaning, read the FAQ about profanity and offensive stuff).

I’d avoid trying to represent yourself as someone else (i.e. TheDonaldTrump). I consider it common courtesy if — in the absence of a WordPress account — a person uses their own name, but it’s not necessary. I’ve had some people leave insults using a bogus address. It’s rare, but humanity is mostly scum, so some of it is bound to drift in my corner of the swamp.

Part 4 – Notification of Responses

That’s the other function of your email address (aside proving you are a real person). If you check the notification box, WordPress will send you an email notification if anyone responds to your comment.

HOWEVER . . . be aware you’re actually subscribing to all subsequent comments. meaning, you will get a notice whenever anyone leaves a comment.

HOWEVER HOWEVER . . . after you receive your response — and are done with the exchange you had — you can unsubscribe from the rest of the comments.

Note: this does NOT unsubscribe you from the blog post notifications (nex box).

Part 5 – Subscribe to the Blog

It says “notify me of new posts” but it’s the same as subscribing to the blog. Meaning, checking this box results in you receiving an email notice whenever I publish a new post.

If you are already subscribed, this box may or may not be checked (there are some glitches). If you are currently receiving notices of newly published posts, you need not subscribe again.

If you are not receiving notifications of my posts and wish it were so, check the box.

The Grand Finale

When all is set and just the way you like it, click “Publish Post”. Magic happens (again) and after a quick screen refresh, your comment may (or may not) appear on the screen.

99% of the time, it immediately appears. Sometimes, there is a lag before it appears.

Sometimes, if you failed to head the simple rules, it may be held in moderation.

Sometimes, you did everything right and the WordPress gods still decide your comment should go in limbo for a bit. Be patient.

If it’s been a few hours and the comment has not appeared, shoot me an email. If you can’t figure out how to email me . . . well, that’s a whole other post.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it’s copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intentions, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

Note 2: it’s perfectly OK to share a link that points back here.

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If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, you should read both the About page and the FAQ page.