Prologue
Once I was asked why I had a blog?
The question, which might sound an easy one to answer to, actually isn’t. I guess that the motivations to write are different from person to person but we, bloggers, all have one thing in common: we are egotistic enough to believe that we have something to say that people will be interested in. My main motivation to blog is to share knowledge or to rant about things. This is one of those posts.
There are many posts out there from so called experts telling how you should blog but I still have to find a post that focuses on the reader. Yes, you!
The idea for this rant post started to take shape when I recently saw a comment that made me think that something was wrong, really wrong: Ruhani Rabin has been making really useful reviews of the HTC Desire and among all the comments there was this : “forget the htc, iPhone 4 RULES”.
Unless the person that made the comment has an IQ inferior to that of a mosquito (which I doubt since the last time I checked mosquitoes have no IQ) this is just plain rude.
To me there are 3 types of readers and they all behave in different ways:
This Blog Is My Second Home Reader
This type of reader appreciates the effort that is put in writing a blog post. There can be a difference in point-of-view but this reader always tries to put some added value with the comments it makes thus generating discussion. This is the type of reader that sees a blog as a round table and not as a stage and they take the time to sit down and give their honest opinion about what is being discussed.
The Silent Reader
This is the most common type of reader these days, unfortunately. I don’t believe it’s not Twitter’s fault, like I have heard so many people say. The silent reader, like the name clearly points out, reads, shares, bookmarks without leaving a trace apart from statistics in Google Analytics. These are very important readers and are a challenge to every blogger to get them, at least once, to comment on their posts. The silent reader sees all the comments from the Type-1 readers and often feels like what they have to say isn’t valid or there is a party going on and they weren’t invited.
The Listen to ME Reader
This is someone that sees a blogger as someone that is on a stage and feels compelled to shout and be really succinct (in a negative way). This type of reader wishes he had a blog and still didn’t find out that everyone can have one, for free. They tend to use CAPS and the comments range from the “You SUCK” to the “You RULE” passing by the more complex “YOU ARE SO FULL OF SHIT.”
The person that made that “forget htc, iPhone 4 RULES” is this type of reader. Someone that could’ve pushed the chair, sit comfortably and tell Ruhani why, in his opinion, the iPhone 4 will be better than the HTC Desire. But this takes time and an IQ superior to that of a mosquito so, this type of reader prefers to stand at the door and shout. This type of reader sucks. Why? Because this type of reader is the one that still doesn’t know that there is an alphabet that goes from A to Z—that if you put some of those letters together they turn into words, and if you put those words together, oh! rejoice, you will be able to express an idea. AMAZING! Comments like “You /Your post/this app/this product SUCKS” only deserve the answer “So does your include-family-member-here and he/she/it doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable with it.”
Epliogue
A blog, as I perceive it, is a room with a round table where the door is always open for discussion so that all involved can learn, grow intellectually and establish relationships that might even go beyond online-life. All comments that bring something to that table, no matter if they are positive or negative toward the content, will contribute to that discussion and will probably invite others to participate.
On the other hand, if your idea is to make it personal and express yourself by using caps (like the use of caps will make you right) and adding nothing to the discussion, I am really sorry to tell you but YOU SUCK!
Credits: Post edited by Donna M Winter
Strategist, Sound Designer, Electronic Music Producer, New Media Artist, Activist, Blogger, A&R of the 
[#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://goo.gl/fb/OODX2 [TheZargon]
For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://bit.ly/90wKiF
RT @fjfonseca: [#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
jajaja very good post fernando RT @fjfonseca: [#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
jajaja very good post fernando RT @fjfonseca: [#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
RT nice one! @fjfonseca [#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
very interesting as always is RT @fjfonseca: [#Zargon] New Post: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
You SO do not SUCK, FF. First of all, LOVE the new bloggy blog blog. So much snazzier than the other one. Love it!!!!!!
And I totally agree with everything you’ve said. For me, a blog isn’t an act of ego, it is an act of love. Being brave enough to toss my thoughts and feelings out there, share them with the world, invite community, interaction, criticism and crazies.
You left out one. The person who uses YOUR blog comments to promote themselves. Who comments and then says, “by the way, I’ve just written something brilliant about an unrelated topic and you should read it – here’s the link.” Blech. Hate those people.
Bravo, Fernando. Bravo.
Shelly
@shellykramer
http://v3im.com
Shelly, you are right, I did miss those #douchebags but are they even worth mentioning? #nomercy Usually I don’t approve those comments
I exactly know what you mean @Shelly dear, sometimes I really get upset what they do with my posts .. They post comments like inside 20 posts randomly. Yes they are really really annoying. Lately I’ve been using Disqus.com to manage my comments.
forgot link! Comment on commenting at @fjfonseca's new post "For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You" http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
Good post. I kind of hover between those who make comments and those who read silently. I make comments if I feel I have something to say that someone else hasn’t already said, but otherwise pretty much remain in the shadows. I comment on some blogs a lot more than others (ie: yours!) Glad you crossed out ‘rant’, this was too thoughtful and well considered to qualify!
For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://ht.ly/22Ofa by @fjfonseca
For People Who Read #Blogs, This Post is For You – http://ht.ly/22Ofa by @fjfonseca via @ruhanirabin
For People Who Read #Blogs, This Post is For You – http://ht.ly/22Ofa by @fjfonseca RT @ruhanirabin #in
RT @fjfonseca: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://bit.ly/bWNGJa
I’ve been waiting for this post =) As you’ve mentioned here Fernando, people likes to Jump to conclusion where they could have made a sincere judgment. Apparently that is human nature and we need to deal with it every day as a blogger. Heck I am not even a full time blogger. All I do is over nights.
I go to peoples blogs, add their RSS if they have interesting thing that indulge me in anyway. Read them when I have little time and comment if necessary. Some topics are laid out for others to learn and some sparks discussions.
I know you’ve noticed that comment at my HTC Desire review. The fun part is I was not even comparing Desire with iPhone 4 .. anyway that is people .. I need to deal cautiously and in a smart way.
Basically this is what I do If I get comments like that or even worse ones.
1. Never reply those comments (A argue with a fool makes it two of them)
2. Delete it silently
3. Block the Email/IP if he/she becomes intrusive
Under every post I asked my readers to share their opinion as honestly as possible .. I do care what they are willing to share.
Besides your absolutely amazing writing, I must say I like the simplistic design approach of this blog (The Typography too).
Thanks a lot for including here, yes! Finally someone cared
@ruhanirabin
[#Blogging] For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE
You need to read this: RT @fjfonseca: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://bit.ly/bWNGJa
Ok, first of all, you don’t suck, and @Ruhani’s Reviews are the best I could find on the net.
I do agree with you on all the point, and you need to know that I was one of these “silent Readers” in your blog, *hiding my face* but you pushed me to comment. You wouldn’t have asked me to, I would have definately commented anyway. (Does that make ny sense?).
How to deal with douchebags it’s eaaaasy, Ignore and pass, and as Ruhani said, *delete it silently*. That’s what I do, I blog Geek posts and poems, and believe me what am talking about. hehe.
Oh I was about to leave a link, but @Shelly would be mad at me. =P keep up the good work Fernando, and beautiful blog you have here. =D
#DouchebagsFightingFront #UNITE
I am also a cross between the silent reader and the commenter. As a matter of fact, I might not have commented on this post. Yet, here i am. You see, the comments thus far have already said what I might have. So I’ll just add one thought: YOU ROCK!
Thanks, Fernando.
Debbie,
It is not the first you comment and you always add so much to the discussion that you really should get rid of that silent commenter that lives within, send it to the Bahamas and keep those comments coming
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, it is much appreciated
RT @fjfonseca [#Blogging] For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You @ http://bit.ly/9YsMfE | Im the Silent reader:) #blogchat
RT @DKKipp: You need to read this: RT @fjfonseca: For People Who Read Blogs, This Post is For You http://bit.ly/bWNGJa /Yes
First, I’m glad I found your blog (via Debbie Kipp). I wonder how many bloggers/readers will read this and have nothing to say?
I think this is about support. If readers can take the time to use your blog, enjoy your writing and take something away, you deserve their support.
On the other hand, when I see 185 comments, 375 RTs and readers sucking up to the blogger, well, I feel my comment will go unnoticed.
Personalities and bloggers are so many and varied.
Hal, thank you for posting your comment
I totally agree with Ruhabi when he says that a good blogger never leaves a comment unattended and should nurture the discussion that arises from it.
Welcome to the Home of Zargon: your comments here will always be very welcome
@ohal RThx and thank you for your comment at http://bit.ly/bWNGJa
@Hal brown, you can see your comment didn’t went unnoticed
Any good blogger would pay close attention to the comments no matter what
so comment more.
Do you contribute to the conversation or do you SUCK? http://bit.ly/96nk5X #rant #android #blogs
For People Who Read #Blogs, This Post is For You – http://ht.ly/22Ofa by @fjfonseca RT @ruhanirabin #in | RT @trulytazz
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How to read blogs, even if your IQ is smaller than a Mosquito: http://bit.ly/cQVZrN
hiya.. I don’t blog myself as you know, but do have a few people who I generally check out every few days. In my early days of reading blogs I didn’t always comment (one of the silent people..
) i felt self concious, but now i feel i have to , or more like want to, I have a couple of friends who blog and I know how much they appreciate it when someone takes the time to comment, so now even if its just I love this post i do try and leave positive comments. Which brings me to… Love this post… 
also loving the new layout. Keep up the good ranting.. oops.. writing… 