Tweet version: “We need a ‘blog applause’ widget. It’d let people express their appreciation in a simple and authentic way and reduce comment noise.”
Do you ever read a post, enjoy it, and then move on without leaving a comment? I do it all the time.
I don’t like commenting unless I have something to say that adds some value. Sometimes I’ll find a way to make, “Great post!” sound interesting, and other times I’ll send an email. Really though, I just want to have a quick and simple way to let the person know that requires little time and no thought.
So we need a blog applause widget. It’d be a simple button, an icon of clapping hands or something. You click it and the author would get a little notice that said, “Nice work. You’ve got 20 people clapping for this one.”
I know there’s stuff out there that’s kind of like this. But what I want is this. Exactly this. No rating system. No sharing. No bookmarking. No submitting. No logging in.
I mash a button. The author knows someone appreciated the post. End of transaction.
**Humorous (to me) Addendum**
My friend Ashley just IMed me seconds after I posted this:
Question - how do I tell you I agree with your blog applause button without said blog applause button?
I responded:
haha
great point
i kind of just doomed my blog to never get encouraging comments, didn’t i?
So just so there’s no misunderstanding, I like getting those comments especially compared to the alternative of crickets chirping. It helps me know people like what I’m doing. When I get my applause widget, then you can stop leaving them. Deal?
Image by Multiple Fragments of Tissue.
