I've had a surprising number of conversations over the past couple of weeks about blogging - so it seems like a good time to revisit the subject.

Let me say again that you can look at blogging in two ways.  First, in the traditional sense of blogging as a conversation.  You blog, readers comment.

The second part of that equation is where I find most potential bloggers stop short. And unnecessarily.

Many times potential bloggers tell me they don't want to blog because they don't want abusive or controversial comments on their blog.  I can't emphasize enough how unlikely this will be.  There are several reasons why:

First, when using the ANR blogging software you have the option to moderate the comments.  As author, you can choose three options for comments -

General Public Moderated Comments - means anyone can comment, but author approves all comments before they are posted.  This setting can leave you open to SPAM - as I discovered several months back.

After that experience, I chose the option of Registered Users Moderated Comments.  This setting means readers must register before they can post a comment, and again, you, as author approve all comments before they are posted to your blog.  Registered commenters need not be UC affiliated - anyone can register as a user.

The last option is Registered Users Freely Comment - with this setting all comments are posted without approval by the author.  Those choosing to comment must register, however.

At the bottom of the blog posting interface, you can check a box to be notified by e-mail when someone comments.

Once you receive a comment, you can view it and then elect to "post" or "kill" the comment.  You're in control.

Second, you will likely be surprised at how few comments you actually receive.  Now maybe I just write a boring, uncontroversial blog.  But in the almost two years I've been writing this blog I've received fewer than 20 comments. (Not counting the SPAM.) Most of them helpful and constructive.  (Not counting the SPAM, which I couldn't read as it was in Cyrillic.)

My guess is that most reluctant bloggers are thinking of newspapers or political blogs where the comments can get vitriolic.  I doubt that will happen to you.  And if you do receive an inappropriate comment, you don't have to post it.

You also have options on who can write posts to your blog.

Only Blog Owner May Post is self-explanatory.  If you're the owner, only you can post.

Blog Owner and Moderators Freely Post - using this setting you can add Moderators to your blog and they can post without your approval.  This is a great option if you want to share authorship.  Unlike Users, Moderators must have some ANR affiliation.  Anyone with Portal access can be added as a Moderator to your blog.  There are a couple of Master Gardener blogs that use this option.

And finally, All Registered Users May Post (Moderated).  This is the most conversational option - even more than comments; but you as owner still approve all posts.

Next time - other uses for the blog software . . .