Okay, I think I have everything set up properly on this-here blog. But … I might not have, so I need your help, please.
First question, for those who read via RSS: are the complete posts coming through now? I’ve had several people ask me to make sure the complete post goes out via RSS, not just the bit “above the fold.” To be sure, this question is above the fold, but there’s more below. Please let me know if you do not see the remainder of this post in your feed. Thanks!
Second question: I have had a few people who registered with the site but did not receive their welcome emails and were unable to post. I think I’ve now fixed the problem, but might not have. If you experienced a similar problem, please drop me a personal email (pax at Cornered Cat) so that I can get you sorted out. If you haven’t yet registered but intend to, I’d take it as a kindness if you would do that now, and then post below to let me know you were able to register and login without problem.
Final question: Even though I’ve been online since forever, I still don’t know all the ins and outs of etiquette among bloggers. If I have a small bone to pick with something someone said on their blog, do I name them because it’s polite to drive traffic their way, or should I name them only when saying nice stuff about them?
I ask this last question because years ago, one of my firearm training mentors taught me the rule for professional interactions among trainers. That is, if you agree with another instructor, or want to share a technique you learned at their school, you always name them. But if you don’t agree with their technique, you never name them. It’s much classier to just say, “Some instructors teach blah blah blah, but I disagree with that because …” This rule has stood me well over the years on the range, so I want to be sure that what’s polite among trainers isn’t downright rude among bloggers. What’s your thought on that?
Re the bone picking, I’d name them but NOT link to them. We will point out how/why we disagree, rather than just slamming them. We try NOT to have are the flame wars that were(still are) prevalent on the forums.
And ‘we’ at least on the gunblogger side (with a couple of notable exceptions), ALWAYS give credit. That is just common courtesy.
Just my .02 worth…
Thanks, NFO. That really helps!
I agree with what Old NFO said, except that if someone disagrees with what I write on my blog, I’d appreciate a private email to the effect of “hey, I wrote about what you said about XXX and wanted to offer a different perspective, so you might want to check it out.” I know that I am always learning and growing and evolving my understanding and knowledge, so I personally appreciate differing perspectives. I know, though, that not everyone is that way.
And the RSS feed is showing full articles for me.
Thanks, momwithagun. Much appreciate the advice, and the feedback on the RSS feed. 🙂
I’m getting the full posts on my RSS feed and didn’t have any problems with the registration email coming through.
As for disagreeing, I go with “link and quote”. Bloggers are used to being disagreed with politely, especially if you explain why you disagree. As long as there’s no insulting involved generally everything is kosher and greatly appreciated.
Now some bloggers will take great offense if you disagree with them publicly but honestly they’re not worth bothering with. Anyone who starts a flame war is immature to begin with, if they can’t engage in polite debate and disagreement then there is something wrong with them, not with your protocol.
Always, always, always link and attribute even if you disagree. It’s no different from engaging in public debate; you want your audience to have both sides of the debate so they can make their own decisions.
The is one exception to the linking rule: attention whores who live off the traffic, good or bad, that bloggers send them. Generally you’ll be able to spot those.
The RSS feed seems to be working just fine, and I got my emails.
As for disagreeing, I really can’t add much that hasn’t already been said. Most people will accept polite disagreement gracefully. Those who don’t, well, I guess I don’t read their stuff for long.
Unless someone is a real twerp that I want to completely disassociate from, I’ll usually link to their opposing viewpoint in my post.