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Thursday, April 09, 2015

H is for HELP OUT - when the voice of distress is yours.

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Welcome to Pearson Report.
I am participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge.

Yes, I will be adhering to my THEME Calendar.


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Hello my sweets - I’m terribly sorry I was not here, yesterday, to answer the door when you came calling with your deep and meaningful comments about LOYALTY.

I had a little medical emergency and needed to show my body some loyalty… damn little piece of doggie poop was acting up and needed a little lube, oil, and filter. Suffice it to say, I have meds and I’m going to live, for the moment. 

Crisis averted, but, no replies from me as a consequence… will you still love me and be loyal! (I heard, somewhere, grovelling works at wearing people down… is it working, hehehehe)


OKAY… HERE WE GO…


Today I am giving my blog over to my 2013 HELPING OUT post. 

This is a little something extra for new Bloggers wanting help with 
SPAM,
COMMENTS,
and
CHANGING YOUR PASSWORD.

In light of the problems many of us are encountering out in Bloggerville I thought it couldn't hurt to share this… again! (take two) Please feel free to share this with other bloggers if you think they could benefit. 


OKAY… HERE WE GO - TAKE TWO…

Occasionally, during the A to Z Challenge, I encounter the voice of distress and frustration in the form of a blogger who is unsure of what to do about spam; how to handle comments and change a password.

SPAM AND COMMENTS

When you first sign into your blog you arrive at the page which shows your Blogs and your Reading List.

Click on your blog’s name, this will take you to the Overview Page of that blog.

In the Overview Page, on the left side is a vertical menu bar - Click on Settings (#1 in my screen shot). Next, Click on Post and Comments (#2).

Now you are on the page where I took this screenshot. 

Zoom in on it to enlarge.

Look at #3 - Who can comment.

Anonymous lets anyone comment which is often where spam comes into play. 

Registered User, including OpenID is definitely a preferred option as bloggers leaving comments are identified. (I have linked you to Blogger’s Help page for Comments - worth looking at)

The last two options for who can comment are self-explanatory.

Next up is #4 Comment Moderation 

 Always  means that every comment will require your approval before going public on your blog.

I use Always when blogging sporadically to have control over comments when I'm not around.

Sometimes can be a useful tool. You can moderate comments on older posts while allowing some freedom with current posts. 

During the A-Z Challenge I have it set for 7 days; if someone is leaving a comment on a post older than that I will have the chance to see it first before it goes to my blog. 

If you use Always or Sometimes for Comment Moderation - then you must provide an email address (#4a) for those comments to go to. I do recommend having an email address designated for blogging comments - it's easier that way. 

If you chose Never then all comments will go directly to your blog. You will still see them in your email Inbox but they will not be moderated. If there is a comment you don’t like you will need to manually delete it in the Comment area (circled in green), on the vertical menu bar. 

Remember to report spam to Blogger - they do try and block as much as they can but they need our help to keep on top of it.

A note about Word Verification - it does cut spam down - but it also deters commenting. It is a frustrating step and many visitors will move on rather than jump through the hoop. So try the other options listed above first. If all else fails with cutting down spam then try word verification. 

Last, #5 Comment Form Message - if there is something specific, or just a simple salutation, you want to leave for your visitors that are commenting this is where you do it, they will see it when leaving a comment.  

This is what I have at the end of my comment section.

CHANGING YOUR BLOG PASSWORD

Click on the little arrow on the right side of your avatar which is located in the upper right hand corner of your Dashboard.


Once open Click on Account Settings... the rest should be straight forward.
Anytime you see a little ? next to something it means there’s an explanation for that item you're looking at. 

Note: within each of the Dashboard pages there is a Send feedback button on the bottom right-hand corner - I use this often when I am having a problem. Although Blogger does not respond directly to them they do take feedback seriously. So don't be afraid to give them what for if you're having a problem.

That's it!

I hope this has been helpful - I remember what it was like as a new blogger; it can be very frustrating and lonely out there when you're trying to figure things out behind the scene.

I'm far from being an expert but I like sharing what I do know and what seems to work.

Good luck!

How are you finding commenting during the A to Z Challenge is working for you?
(Both on your blog and while visiting others.)


Cheers, Jenny  

To those with a few more blogging miles under your belts:

How many of you remember those early days?
Do you miss the old Blogger Dashboard? Or are you liking the current setup?


A special shout out to Arlee Bird, from Tossing It Out. He’s the Founder and Creator of the  April Blogging from A to Z Challenge, As well as being a blogging friend, he is a great motivator and an inspiring leader. Thanks Lee - you rock!

41 comments:

  1. I like the current layout of Blogger a lot. I would be upset if there were more changes to it though :D Well thought-out useful post.

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    1. Hi Shailaja - welcome to Pearson Report.

      I'm with you, I would be upset if more changes came along. Everything is constantly being upgraded and not always for the best.

      Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, Jenny :)

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  2. I have such a bad memory that once changes are in place, I forget how it was originally.

    I'm also very lucky that for a reasonably busy blog (comment wise) I don't get much spam... although I've tempted fate now, haven't I?

    Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

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    1. Hahahaha - me too! Though that seems to be with many things!

      As to the spam, I don't get any - I thing that's because I don't allow anonymous. (Yup, we've tempted fate!) LOL

      Sending smiles your way. :) :) xo

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  3. I wonder if I can do the 'sometimes' option on disqus too, that would be helpful so I can see the posts on older comments before they are posted. but with disqus I can just go to the page and see the most recent comments on the blog, that too is very helpful.

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    1. Hi Diana - Welcome to Pearson Report.
      Sorry for the delay in getting back to you regarding this comment.

      I was just over at your blog. Since you are with Blogger I'm surprised you're not using their options. Disqus is not one of theirs that I'm aware of, and few Bloggers sign into it.

      I wanted to leave a comment regarding your N post - so I'm going to leave it here in the event you come back this way… so here's what I wrote you…

      Hi Diana - what a funny cooking story. I've had a few close calls too. That's part of life's rich pageant. I'm glad to have discovered your blog (via your comment on mine - thanks, by the way).

      I'll be back to read some of the past letters as I'm a fan of Germany. I pop over there now and then to visit friends. My last visit was in 2009 to Stuttgart. Such a beautiful city. My folks are from Austria, hence my interest in Germany.

      This is such a great A to Z theme.

      Sent with smiles, Jenny, Pearson Report
      2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
      @PearsonReport

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  4. what's making me mad... is they switched from CAPTCHA to this silly I am not a robot.. and they didn't tell anyone. thank you for your assistance.. and I like you call us sweeties, makes me feel special... :)

    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The robot thing is so lame - it doesn't do anything if you first click Preview. If you do it let's you bypass the robot and it automatically Publishes. So dumb!

      I like being a little helpful for the newbies! As to sweeties… that's what you are… lovely, sugarcoated, sweeties! Yum! LOL

      Thanks for visiting Jeremy - you always have a way of brightening up my comment area, and me! With smiles, :) :)

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  5. Nice tips!!! I'm thinking about going to this cute "I am not a robot" captcha. I think it's quick and simple and still keeps the spam away.

    Hope you start feeling better soon. Healing vibes are being sent your way!

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    1. Hi Dani - Are you having much spam? Do you let anyone comment? Seems spam is quite often a bother when anyone can comment. I've been quite lucky not having any spam, which I have always credited to not letting anonymous comments on my blog.

      Thanks for the well wishes - I received your healing vibes… they worked wonders. Hugs to you… xxoo

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  6. Very informative! So glad you're okay. I have yet to have a problem with spam (my blog is almost three years old), but knock on wood!

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    1. That's right, knock on wood. I've been lucky too, Anne Marie, with no spam. I think that's because I don't let anonymous comment to appear. I hope that's the reason I don't get it! LOL

      Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, xxoo

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  7. Taking off anonymous comments cleared any spam up that I once got. Haven't had one in years, besides the obvious "I followed you" or "followback" or other crap like that

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    1. Pat - I'll second that - or first it! LOL I've never allowed anonymous comments and as a result I do not have spam.

      Al - thanks! :P

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  8. Anonymous7:47 am

    Thanks for the info! I don't understand the new Captcha...You can just skip it and it works.

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    1. I know - how weird is that. I think what it does is it recognizes bloggers that comment around Blogger and let's them comment without the hassle of the captcha.

      Hope life's happy! Smiles coming your way… :) :) xo

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  9. Good points to stop spammers. I had some trouble while with blogger, but it wasn't as bad as some. I never really understood why some got more than others. Maybe, my blog just didn't seem worthy of attack. That's okay, I'm not complaining one bit. Glad to hear your medical crisis has been diverted!

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    1. Hi Cathy - Welcome to Pearson Report.

      I think you're right - some blogs just seem more spam worthy - hahahaha - that doesn't sound right! But, I do think spammers target certain blog - who know why!

      Yes, my medical crisis was diverted - and I'm feeling 100%. Thanks for dropping in and taking a read - much appreciated. Cheers, Jenny :) :)

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  10. I allow anonymous because I know some people that read my blog and have mentioned trying to comment and they don't have an account. My husband, for one, has no intention of getting one, but he feels like he is supporting me by commenting. That is pretty much on yummy stuff. Welcome to me seems to get spam on old posts, not new. I have noticed some spammers getting crafty and having an account.

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    1. I hope you are feeling better.

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    2. Hi Ruth - do you find you get spam because of having the anonymous feature turned on? Spammers are a breed unto themselves - crafty and slimy!

      Thanks for the "feel better" - I am over the worst. Sending smiles, :) xxoo

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  11. Hi Jenny - I have someone and I've seen her around other blogs - why she bothers I can't understand - but I delete as soon as I see them - and I'm not acknowledging they annoy me - as that will make matters much worse. I don't do anonymous ... but seem to be ok. Thanks re the account details ..

    I too hope you're feeling better ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary - I notice certain individuals show up on blogs I've visited and I wonder why the bloggers let them comment.

      My view is this comment area is for real bloggers, with real opinions, not for spammers, or advertisers. I'm glad you delete problems as you come upon them.

      I'm feeling much better - all these wonderful well wishes did the trick. Hugs and Love, Jenny xo

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  12. Great tips that help. I hope you are felling better

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    1. Thanks Birgit - yes, I'm feeling better. Hugs, xxoo

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  13. I am glad you are feeling better. I let anyone comment. However, I have it set to moderation. I hate captcha and I'm one of those that sees it and moves along (Sorry). Not all the time but sometimes when I do the captcha it is hard to copy and I get frustrated. I get an email every time someone comments. I used to let anyone comment without moderation and I got a lot of spam. Not anymore though :). I just wish there was a way to know if the person commented on my comment without subscribing to the slew of comments.

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    1. Hi Lisa - don't apologize for moving along when you see a captcha - I do too, most of the time. I do have a few (very few) blogging buddies that still use it and I've discovered that when leaving a comment on their sites I don't have to jump through hoops. Must be that Blogger recognizes return commentors.

      Thanks for stopping by - always a treat. :) :) xo

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  14. Sorry about your health crisis; hoping for a complete recovery! Great info you shared here. I am still having a heck of a time commenting on people's blogs with Google Plus, can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I have comment moderation set up for 14 day and older posts and did take away anonymous comments because of spam, sad I had to but that darm old spam was just getting too much to deal with.

    betty

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    1. Hi Betty - yes, health crisis is in full recovery! I'm glad you liked the info. That Google Plus irritates me. I seen no purpose in it, at all! I have comment moderation set at 7 days, though 14 is a good option too. Sorry to read that the spam was getting to be too much… have you tried it on toast. LOL hahahaha
      I couldn't resist!

      Thanks for stopping in Betty - always a treat seeing that lovely bench and that beautiful sunset in my comment area. Hugs, xxoo

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  15. Hope all is ok?! Like you, we had to figure out all this blogger crap the hard way. It's nice of you to share it with newbies or those who haven't been able to find what they were looking for. You're just the best!! Hugs XX

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    1. Those of us that have been at if for years had to learn it the hard way - lots of trials and errors. I like sharing bits like this for the new ones, I wished we had it so easy!

      Hugs my friend - xxoo

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  16. Word Verification will never deter me from commenting. I always have something to say.
    I'm annoying like that.

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    1. Really, you annoying - nevah! Wesa love our Allie-poo and his special brand of humour… kaka, poopoo Haiku too-too.

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  17. These are great tips, Jenny! And exactly the settings I use. Thanks for sharing!

    2015 A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Matthew MacNish from The QQQE

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    1. Thanks Matthew, for stopping by, reading, and commenting.
      I hope you're enjoying this year's A to Z - it's a good year! :) :)

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  18. I love spam comments. It makes me feel special - well until I read them that is.

    Bushman
    2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
    @jwb81074

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    1. LOL - you crack me up! Between you and Mr. Bones I don't have to worry about getting old - all this laughter is keeping me young! So, thanks!

      I don't get spam - now I feel like I'm missing out. hahaha

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  19. I never used the old dashboard the way some did. I'm good with the dashboard they have now. I don't read that many blogs though, so it keeps things real clean and simple.

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    1. Well, Mis Ivy - just reading that last line makes me feel very special. Thank you for having me on your "clean and simple" blog roll. I'm sending special smiles your way… these are just a little broader than my regular smiles…. :-)

      See - these have noses too… :-) :-) Hugs, xxoo

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    2. I'm enjoying your posts and the fun you have.

      Keep being YOU!

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.