When it works HaloScan is a great commenting system. There are times when I’m dealing with comment spam that I would love to install it in this place.
However, there are days, like today, when it is a major PITA. The sites that use it are not loading, because it isn’t loading. If you do get them loaded, you have to save your comments for later.
When it works, it is great… when it works.
On-line Opinion Magazine featuring annoyed rumblings from the leading edge of the Baby Boom firmly tied to a reality-based world.
Established: 21 November 2004
The opinions expressed in Comments are those of the individuals making them. Truly absurd comments and opinions are subject to being cruelly mocked, but "flame wars" will take place on someone else's dime.
Your first comment, all comments with extensive links, and random comments that the software decides it doesn't like for no discernible reason will be held for moderation.
[Be aware that for unknown reasons the software rejects comments shorter than 15 characters, so if you want to leave a short comment fill the gap with periods ........]
8 comments
Sorry Bryan but us less than competent in the arcane world of HTML and all the java and stuff have to rely on someone like haloscan to give us comments that work like we would like. I”ve looked at just using the built in comments from blogger but I lose too much functionality. Our other option is to vacate blogger for WordPress or something but the techy stuff is the show stopper.
Honestly, I think I could figure it all out with some time but that is one commodity that is in short supply.
You go to blogging with the commenting engine you have or something like that.
It is a lot less hassle than WordPress when it works. I assume it’s growing pains [OK, scaling, as you are supposed to say when you are professional].
Even for HTML adepts with server-side scripting skills, commenting systems are far too complex to develop on one’s own… too much effort for too little reward.
HaloScan has two advantages: a) it is independent of the blogging technology or other technology from which it is invoked, and b) in situations that require the first advantage, it is, as far as I can tell, just about alone in the field… in other words, apart from adopting full-blown blogging software with built-in commenting, there’s only HaloScan, take it or leave it. I take it, but it is bloody annoying much of the time.
If it hadn’t become so flaky lately, I was seriously considering switching after the last bout of garbage comments started flowing in dozens at a time,
Disqus seems to be a good alternative as well.
Someone just switched to Disqus, and the big problem seemed to be too many choices. If I was to switch, I would be looking for something simpler.
One reason why I’ve stuck with Blogger commenting (I’ve used Haloscan on previous blogs) is because a) it’s simple as dirt, and b) *usually* Blogger catches the comment spammers (occasionally I have to remove a few by hand, but it’s rare). I’ve run my own blogging software in the past, and frankly, just did not have time to keep ahead of the spammers, scammers, script kiddies seeking security holes in my installation, software version updates to deal with same, and general bad guys. So now I let someone else do it and pop over to post nonsense from time to time just on the general principle of being a misanthropic penguin.
My problem with WordPress is with the fact that once again I have to get into all that software configuration, customization, blah blah blah stuff. Just not enough time in the day for my real work without making more work for me…
– Badtux the Bloggin’ Penguin
The newest version is much better that the 2.0 that I started with here, and I close posts after 30 days, which was the real spam problem. Still, from time to time I have to do some work.
I’m working on a PhP, mySQL project, so some of it is related to the project I’m involved with, even though the project is not going on the ‘Net. The client has decided that it is easier to deal with his people using a browser and an HTML interface, than a stand-alone program. His choice, his money.