You will notice a new comment system on Sellsius. It’s called Disqus. It allows replies to be displayed beneath the applicable comments (along with your snazzy avatar). It looks like this:
Disqus is a plugin. It’s pretty easy to install. If you want to try it, here’s what you do:
First, sign up for an account at Disqus. Continue to Add your blog URL, blog name and subdomain name. Then choose a download (JavaScript or API)
I installed the JavaScript version. Vlad uses the API for SEO purposes (javascript comments are not indexed by the search engines). Disqus says the API is out of date. Thus, is does not support recent enhancements, like the Seesmic video integration. Alas. Undecided on which one to install? Read this post and decide.
Upload the files to your blog, and activate the Disqus plug in from your Dashboard Plug in section.
After activation, go to Manage Settings and add your Disqus Forum URL name and choose a comment option. Pick the middle setting that says “replace all entries with no comments (including future posts)” or you will be surprised, as I was, when all your old comments disappear– no worries, change the setting and they reappear– whew.
Overall, I think the Disqus comment system is the best way to follow a conversation. Friendfeed does it this way too and it’s one reason I prefer it over twitter (although I do think twitter has enormous value). Another neat thing about Disqus is that you can post a reply to a comment via an email reply — just remember to delete the comment you are replying to in the email.
Downside?
As I see it, the downside is the comments are hosted on Disqus– which means you risk losing the comments if Disqus goes down. The precaution is to set up an RSS or XML feed from your Disqus account and have a comment backup (thanks Vlad for that tip). But even with the backup, you’d have to manually add them back, no?– that would be a bummer).
Anyone out there using Disqus that can allay my worries about losing comments/ re-attaching comments from the feed?
In any case, I am going to run with it for awhile and see how things go.
Technorati Tags: disqus, blogging tips, technology, wordpress plugin
