Blog Upgrades
Hello Dream Home fans! It looks like some of you keen eyed readers have already discovered this, but I wanted to formally announce some of the upgrades we made around here recently. This morning we added the Intense Debate application to all of our HGTV blogs. There are a bunch of new features to the comments area that Intense Debate brings to the table. You’ll notice that comments are now paginated as well as being threaded. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the confusion we have where the page scrolls on for days and days. You can also subscribe to posts by email, as well as comment by email. It also adds the ability to report individual posts to us.
You’ll notice a few login options at the bottom of the page. You can login with an Intense Debate account, created at http://intensedebate.com/signup, your Facebook account, a Twitter account, or OpenID. We’ve also gone ahead and left the old method of posting, you just have to supply the same fields as always – Name, Email and an optional website.
Our hope is that all of these features will let all of your take your already passionate comments to the next level.
Please leave any questions, concerns or feedback below.
~ Chad P
HGTV Community Guy
CHAD P= This is Great! I LOVE IT! But need help, please!
1. How do I post a picture of myself?
2. When I sign on to (twitter) —was going to do it this weekend, maybe– how do I then combine it and connect it with the HGTV blog?
Thanks- Diana
Wow, HGTV can now compete on all levels! Thanks Chad P!
Can't wait to check out the Intense Debate section.
Comment Here
Hi Chad! I wanted to test this post…I left you a message on the Dream Home blog. We'll see what happens here…..
Living the Dream!
Hmmmm…that worked….I will try to post on the 2010 Location Revealed again….that seems to be the only one I am having a problem with. Thanks so much!
Living the Dream!
Hi Diana –
1) Go to http://intensedebate.com/editprofile and you should see an option to upload an avatar on the right side of the screen.
2) On that same page is an option to load in your Twitter account URL. You then have a couple of options below that for further Twitter integration.
Chad,
Question: Your comment, "Our hope is that all of these features will let all of your take your already passionate comments to the next level," what do you mean? Will these comments be posted on sites other than HGTV? Just want to know what the "next level" means.
When I checked the intense debate site, the example shown did not reflect any HGTV connection. Want to know how this will be integrated into the HGTV format we know and understand.
Chad,
I have another question. When replying to a blogger's post, why are you taken back to page 1, if the person you responded to is on page 3?
Chad,
Will there be 24/7 comment approval by the site administrator? If so, what's the average post time?
Nope, everything stays here on HGTV. Just meant that we're trying to give you the tools to better communicate with eachother. A lot of the threads around here get pretty long, and we think things the ability to reply to an individual comment, and not just the whole thread, will help foster more discussion.
IntenseDebate is a plugin for WordPress (the software that runs all our blogs) that is owned by Automattic (the makers of WordPress).
Nope, looking into that now. Looks like the moderation queu is working overtime today. Should have that resolved soon.
Hi Chad P – thanks for the shinny new toy. You guys are good…knowing now that the GH winner and DH & GH locations are both revealed – there was a lull…so you gave us something new to keep us busy, lest we bloggers get antsy.
Questions:
1. Will HGTV be able to "pre-approve" frequent bloggers to help out with the moderation cue. That way only new and/or guest bloggers would go into the cue?
2. How about a "suggest removal" button – or will the thumbs down serve that purpose? or maybe the answer to 1 above will solve the need to have this functionality.
Thanks again
For some reason I am having trouble uploading a pic. I went to edit profile and did browse then uploaded it. I can see it on my profile, but not when I blog here.
For some reason I am having trouble uploading a pic. I went to edit profile and did browse then uploaded it. I can see it on my profile, but not when I blog here.
Hi Cathy Maineiac! That happened to me this morning but then it started to work. It will not be on comments previously posted before today but should show up on your new comments. If it is something more than that, I'm sure Chad will get back to you. Good to hear from you! Hope this helps!
Living the Dream!
P.S. Can't wait to see your picture!
Hi Lynn! Thank you…
On the bottom of the post new comment box – what does the subscribe to drop down box have to be on?
CHAD P=
THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!! YOU ARE VERY NICE!!!!
I really mean that, because I know that HGTV is not like the "Computer Technicians at Best Buy or at a computer store", LOL
I'm sure that I'll figure out how to do it now. Thanks for the Direction. First, I have to download pictures onto my computer, and then I'll do it. Probably this weekend or next weekend.
HGTV is GREAT!!! and this New Blog is going to be so much Fun. HGTV Really did take it to the Next Level— (Live) Tweets– this is Awesome!
THANKS
Hi Glenn -Once you have an approved comment, it should let you through, just like the old system. Trying to make sure that we closely monitor the site for the next few days to reduce the approval time.
I just went and added the Report button on all of the comments. It got turned off somewhere along the way. The thumbs up/down should be used if you just don't like the comment. The report button should be used if you think a comment needs to be taken down.
Yup, what Lynn said.
I can see your avatar just fine now.
Hi Cathy,
I'm going to hopefully try it this weekend, maybe you could help if I run into any snags—- Thanks!!!
But First—- I have to download the pics from my camera into my computer
Diana
Hi LYNN — saw your blog to me on the other Blog—- THANKS for OFFERING your HELP! I appreciate it.
I'll try doing it this weekend—- (and hopefully catch up with you if I need any help—- Thanks! ) But Chad P. led me in the right direction— I think that I'll figure it out.— I'm sure I will.
But first—- I have to download pics from my camera into my computer—- and then try it. If I don't do it this weekend— definitely next weekend, but at some point— I'll try to catch up with you if I need any help.
Thanks Again
Diana
Wow, Lynn and Cathy… nice pics. You are both very pretty ladies. It's good to finally put a face to the blogs. Does anyone know when the televised walk through of the green home is? I know I should move on to the dream house but I'm still stuck on the green home. I love that house. Oh well, I'm better now. LOL
This is going to take us till the 2011 Green House Giveaway to figure this new sytem out ..99 days maybe??
Hi Guys!! Good to see everyone getting their pics up!! Cparizman, don't you mean that the thumbs up and down are there for you to choose if you like the comment or not… meaning hit a bloggers thumbs up for agreement and thumbs down if you do not agree…which will not happen here to much, as we all get along so well!! Just making sure that is cleared, as I have already put thumb ups on some of my buddies today!!! I have more research on it, but have filled out most of the bio, etc!! Have fun!! Love life by living green!!!
It is so much fun to put faces to everyone and looks like it will not take till 2011 to figure this new system out.. Chad are you saying we type too much?? I love everything people type-quotes, what they are feeling, etc etc that what makes the blog so much fun, we all have good days and bad and that is how we get to know each other and figure out clues, etc etc. it isn't like we are wasting paper on here..
I am not sure about the Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down icons..it reminds me of the Roman Times…Words from Roman History:
These men once were horn-blowers and attendants At every municipal arena, known as trumpeters in every village. Now they present their own spectacles, and, to win applause,
Kill whomever the mob gives the “thumbs up”.
—Decimus Junius Juvenalis; a.k.a. Juvenal (c. 55-140 A.D.), “Third Satire”
It's just an opportunity for PRs to gather info. Everyone has to make a living.
Thank you, CHAD,
. I like the challenge.
it is only a little bit like going into maize and find the ways….but we have to go with the flow, challenge our brains, not to get rusty in "old ways"
Love HGTV, great tv station to watch. It is more useful than many others. Great siter to go to, and great blog community!
I meant great site to go, not siter, my mistake, sorry :-/
Love the new setup!! Go HGTV, now draw my name for that home in Plymouth, MA and I will be your best friend!! hehehe
Beverly
This is not fun hgtv. Shame on you. I would only tweet if I were a bird and face my book, every night as I do, reading in bed. Trying to get the younger guys and and gals?
HGTV: I am very sorry for my last comment. Just so very frustrated with the new "setup" as Beverly called it. You know I have been a fan of yours for many years. I have admitted several times that I am old and I have low vision (that white on light blue is very hard to read). I can't seem to post on the latest blog. A password? I don't think I have ever had a password before, so don't know what to do. Must Katydid forever be gone from the blog? Please help me, HGTV. Thank you.
Hi Katydid – A password isn't required for anything other than the Thumbs Up/Down function. You can continue to use the blog the same way, just putting in your name and email address. Let me know if you have any other problems.
Dear cpanzman: If this works, I will eternally grateful. I just want to post about the location for the Green Home in Plymouth, MA. Here goes.
It did work, you are "the man". I guess it was "much ado about nothing", except I couldn't figure it our without your help. Thank you so much.
Hi Chad,
I really like this new system. Thanks for implementing it.
Chad,
I can't always follow the comments. If it's an original post, I see it, but I don't know when a response is a reply or to whom it was written. Is there a way to know for sure?
Hi Lessie – Not sure if I understand your question but I'll give it a try:
When you are reading the posts in the blog, if there are comments to a person's post – there will be a green link that say's "replies #" (showing the number of replies to that post). You just click it and the replies will show.
I think part of the confusion is that sometimes when reading the blog – the replies are already showing for some posts and sometimes you have to click the green link to see the replies in other posts. (At least that's how it has been working for me).
One other thing that helped me figure if I was reading/responding to a reply is that there will be an arrow (bent at 90 degree angle) that shows to the left of the comment when you are reading or posting a reply to someone else's specific comment. No arrow when reading or posting a general comment.
OMG – I was trying to help – but I think I just confused myself! posts, replies, comments, arrows….LOL
Hi GlennNYC,
Thanks for responding. You nailed my confusion. When I open the blog, I immediately scan the Newest Comments section at the right. That's the method I previously used to keep us with recent conversations.
When a reply appears, I don't know where to find it if it's not an original post. If I can't find it quickly, I stop searching and go to something new. Guess I don't have much patience.
Just checking to see if there's an easier method to read original posts and the replies to them quickly so I can keep up with conversations.
I think GlennNYC may have something—do we need to post an APB (All Pilgrims Bulletin) for Renee loves Green?
Good afternoon Lessie! Thanks for all of your wonderful comments!
If you look at the top of the comments where it states 'Sort by: Date Rating Last Activity'…this is right below where it says you are logged in…above where the comments start…if you click on 'Last Activity', the newest comment will show first. If it is a 'Reply' to someones comment, then you may have to click on the 'Reply' button, but it does show you how old the comment is when you look at it.
Hmmmm…let me just disclose to you that I 'think' this is correct…..If I figure out anything differently, I'll let you know!
Living the Dream!
Lessie, I feel your pain! The "reply to a comment" issue is not so much confusing as it seems to break the reading flow, since under "Newest Comments", you can't tell whether it's an original comment or a reply to another comment, and it can be a little tricky to track down.
I will admit that I have decided to basically post my comments AND replys under the "Post a new comment" box rather than use the "reply" tab. It's just easier to keep the motion without too much commotion.
Oh, and I certainly must not forget to mention that it's good to see Marie Miller, and Katydid, posting like pros on the blogs now. We seem to be getting the hang of this newfangled blog format slowly but surely.
By the way, since writing about cupcakes and chocolate buffets this morning, I'm going to have a slice of chocolate cake and a stick of celery for lunch. What a combination, but at least the celery is "green".
Lessie, You are correct. It is a bit different to track the newest comments now. One thing that may help is that you can track certain bloggers by clicking on their picture or name and then there should be a green bar that says follow. Click it and then when you view your profile on Intense debate – it will list all the comments of people that you are following. You will also get an email notification with the comment in it from Intense debate..which might be overkill….
Forgot to mention that you can only "follow" people who are registered with Intense Debate – won't work for guest posts.
Lastly, the green "follow" button only comes up when you click on a person's photo or "not photo" section. If you click on the name, it will take you to their profile.
Is it just me? Am I losing my grip on reality? I just got an email notification from IntenseDebate that I'm being "followed", but every time I look over my shoulder, there's no one there!
Ha ha – DBCoop. I'm the follower. Sorry could not resist. All that talk about lobsters and then desserts/chocolate….
Thanks Lynn,
From now on I'll scan the newest comments section just to get an idea of what's happening, then I'll use the Intense Debate sort to help me follow the latest activity.
Mmmm, seems like I need to play with this a little more.
Thanks GlennNYC,
This is really helpful information! I definitely must use this feature.
BTW: Can't believe you visited the Green Home and didn't tell us!!! Do you have more pictures? You look so natural on the roof top deck! What did you enjoy most about the home?
You should have some really great questions for Kari.