Why I Intensely Debated But Decided to Disqus
Comments are a strange part of blogging. I love ‘em, and I hate ‘em. The majority of comments I get seem to fall into the camp of: “Gee, Micah, I really liked what you wrote.”
But, the comments I love are the ones that extend the discussion. Sometimes those comments spill over onto Twitter, or direct emails, or lunch discussions the next day. And those are the comments that I would love to capture. Those comments I would love to extend beyond my blog. Those comments I would love to make interactive.
When I started to get back involved with the Colorado tech scene, I got to know one of the founders of Intense Debate, Josh Morgan. Fantasic guy. Clearly in over his head, but a hard worker. His partner, Jon Fox, is a brilliant developer, but needed direction. Still I really liked what they were doing.
So, I added Intense Debate.
After a couple of weeks, Intense Debate began to really bog down performance wise. Plus, it didnt have trackback support. Knowing the guys, I finally made the decision to pull it off my blog, and go back to the default comments. I explained why (performance and lack of trachback support). I figured the default comment system would be good enough.
Over the months, I watched Disqus continue to grow and Intense Debate languish. “They will do what they are going to do,” I thought to myself. “I hope that ends up positive.”
And, Disqus continued to innovate and extend their reach. And, finally, Disqus got funded.
And while there has been minimal innovation with Intense Debate, Disqus has continued to add features and even developed an API (which as a non-technical person always means to me that one can do more cool stuff with the product).
And, even more importantly, more and more of the blogs that I interact with were using Disqus.
Still, I stayed loyal, and added no comment system to my blog.
Fast forward several months.
My blog has grown. Many times, I get a dozen or so comments on posts. Its no 100+ that some people get, but its more than 1 or 2. So, I started reviewing comment systems again.
For those that dont know, I run business development at Lijit Networks, and one of my roles is finding additional content sources for our technology to index. At Lijit, we are content agnostic. We will index any RSS/OPML feed or URL.
I often say, “Google wants to index everything. At Lijit, we only index the information you care about.” So, if you want to index Disqus or Intense Debate comments, we want to make it easy.
So, I emailed Daniel Ha over at Disqus and Tom Keller at Intense Debate.
Five minutes later, I got an email back offering development and business development support. Access to a private API, basically whatever we needed. (It didnt hurt that Daniel and his business partner were both UCDavis–my alma mater–*ahem* almost grads).
I was completely amazed at the speed and willingness of Daniel to make sure that the two companies worked well together and produced a superior integration.
And even then, I didnt add Disqus. I stayed true to my word, not adding any comment system.
This post: http://www.jangro.com/a/2008/04/08/hacking-disqus/ became the straw that broke the camel’s back for me personally.
Why? Because the community had begun to choose which comment system they wanted to use by hacking it, and if you read the comments, Daniel jumped right in and has taken some of the hacks, and integrated them into the system. Disqus had embraced the community right back.
Then, with the addition of video comments (something I want to play with, and would rather do than write a comment), Disqus became too good to not use.
So what does that mean? Its simple enough. In this world we all work in, if you dont embrace (and be embraced by the community) you cannot succeed. If you dont continually innovate, you cannot succeed.
Moral to the story: If you dont embrace the community, and you dont innovate, you die.
And that is why I chose to add Disqus comments to this blog. Will they stay? I dont know. It will depend on if Daniel and team continue down their current path. Could Intense Debate produce something that is interesting enough for me to walk away from Disqus? Sure, and frankly, I hope they do. But, for now, Disqus it is.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Micah, I just caught this post and wanted to sincerely say thanks. I try to stay active within the community because I understand, as a web enthusiast/early adopter, how it feels to reach out to a service and be ignored. We have the luxury of dealing with an incredibly vocal userbase. If we do something wrong, they'll tell us. If we manage to make them happy, the let everyone know. I love this.
Regardless of what service you decide on using, it's been a pleasure learning from your feedback. Based on some of the notes you made about improving our SEO, I've been dong a lot of reading and have consequently learned a bunch.
BTW, regarding trackbacks, we're in the designing stages of something very cool. I am very excited about this one and I hope you'll agree.
Oh, and go Ags. ;)
I don't know the disqus guys but I do know Jon and the rest of the team behind Intense Debate and I wouldn't count them out just yet :)
Thanks Daniel. I hope that the message is read loud and clear. I stay a fan (just like folks will stay a fan of lijit) as long as we continue to listen to the community and innovate (publicly – which when focusing on internal issues can be hard).
I am a big fan of having two players in a space that continually push each other to be better. I hope that Intense Debate and Disqus continue to have this type of relationship.
Good luck!
Oh, and go Ags. (I hope your mom is going to make you go back and finish.)
Jon blows me away with his skills, and like you, I dont count anyone out. I just want to see innovation, innovation, innovation, and then some innovation. And even more so, interaction with the community. Which is the same for EventVue, buddy!
The web has become community driven. We all need to understand and embrace that.
Great post, and you touched on one of the things that has impressed me with the Disqus team, their strong dedication to the end user. Lots of companies preach customer service 2.0, not that many practice it.
PS: You should pitch me on Lijit some time, I've seen it around the place, both for a post + I might even run it on The Inquisitr.
Daniel, please consider joining a wider discussion about how comments should be routed back to blogs rather than coming up with a Disqus only solution. There's been some early discussion amongst Habari and WordPress developers, and one of the founders of ZicZac recently started http://www.commentback.org/ to enable further discussion, with the aim of developing a standard. I even sent you an email about it a while back :)
I went through an “Intense Debate” as well, and ultimately it was a technical factor that pushed me toward Disqus (the API integration of comments on the backend). But Daniel's ever-presence made me feel good about relying on a third party for something so critical where I might have just stayed with the old school comments.
Both things are slipping. The API version is lagging in features and Daniel has been more absent. I totally appreciate how busy Daniel is, but it's important and I hope he can find a way to balance that.
I've seen hints on Twitter that the API version is getting updated. I'm happy to see that as I was getting worried.
As for the community presence, at this point it's got to be you, Daniel. Find a way to work it out.
Dude, I completely agree. I think one of the best things a company can do is get out there, meet their users, and listen. Your users will tell you what they want.
It'll take some work to get out there and form a relationship with them but when you do it will be the most important thing you ever did.
Justin,
It has been eye opening for me at Lijit. I have spoken to all kinds of users, both in terms of size, stature and subject expertise. All of them, as I am sure many people are with any third party, leery of giving up a critical component of their publication to a third party.
So to help alliviate that, we are fanactial about support and listening.
Like any good relationship its how the relationship is protected when things go wrong versus when things are easy and simple. Hopefully, I am learning more about that every day, and acting on it.
Thanks Scott.
A balance if priorities will always be difficult, but I'm trying. We've been expanding both service and team, but our releases are still on track.
I like to be tranparent in what we're doing: the API plugin is undergoing a lot of design right now. We hope to get that released in June. This is not a “company-endorsed” ETA, but rather just my personal assessment.
I really appreciate the support.
You should expect groundbreaking innovations from Intense Debate – you'll be blown away soon enough. We hope to have you back – as Rob said, I wouldn't count us out just yet!
I certainly look forward to the innovations and new features. Usage is highly important as well. Go get 'em!
Duncan, I would love to pitch you, in fact we have a new business development guy who should be setting up a call with all of us…You might know him, he is a good dude.
I really like to think that understanding the importance of community engagement is the difference maker for many companies. And, of course, that Lijit has a pretty cool product that is focused on supporting and partnering with publishers.
(ok, enough pitching…)
Look forward to talking to you soon.
I was just checking this out this morning. Thanks for the link.
Gee Micah, I really liked what you wrote.
Ahem. I mean .. cheers. Before this post, I'd only come into contact with Intense Debate. It'd be good if one of their people come and comment here, give some alternative feedback.
Was just thinking, the more “hackable” a 3rd Party product is, the less likely it is that people will want to change. Intense Debate is very easy to pull in and out of a blog at the moment. But if you invest time in an API, like Disqus .. it's just one more little step that ties you to the product.
I'm off to check out Disqus more.
I don't see this as a competition between DISQUS and Intense Debate. Both services have their advantages and disadvantages. What's happening instead is that we, the content producers, and we, the commenters, are being torn apart by the “Comment Divide”.
Either producers integrate both services DISQUS and Intense Debate, (remove that FriendFeed comment system on blogs… useless IMO) and have the best of both worlds.
I thought about this concept. Basically, I would allow readers to
comment as they want, ID, Disqus or FF.
But, its impossible to have the cross pollination of content, given
that ID and Disqus are both companies looking to eventually generate
revenue…
I don't see this as a competition between DISQUS and Intense Debate. Both services have their advantages and disadvantages. What's happening instead is that we, the content producers, and we, the commenters, are being torn apart by the “Comment Divide”.
Either producers integrate both services DISQUS and Intense Debate, (remove that FriendFeed comment system on blogs… useless IMO) and have the best of both worlds.
Ahh, good point.
Sooner or later, if they both decide to start charging for their services (or a premium), we'll end up spending more than we ought to be. Then we'll have to drop support of one service, and goodbye all comments.
Hmm, they really must join the Open Comments Workgroup and develop well “open comments”. http://open-comments.org
Sigh…
I thought about this concept. Basically, I would allow readers to
comment as they want, ID, Disqus or FF.
But, its impossible to have the cross pollination of content, given
that ID and Disqus are both companies looking to eventually generate
revenue…
In talking with both Tom and Daniel, they seem very open to the idea
of creating a “bill of rights” for commenters. I think its a great
step in the right direction…
Ahh, good point.
Sooner or later, if they both decide to start charging for their services (or a premium), we'll end up spending more than we ought to be. Then we'll have to drop support of one service, and goodbye all comments.
Hmm, they really must join the Open Comments Workgroup and develop well “open comments”. http://open-comments.org
Sigh…
Ah yes, I've read about that. It is very interesting actually, and Intense Debate initiated the idea and the discussion. It's great news that the two are open to collaborating in any form. Truely “Community”, or “Open”. Gone with the old of keeping to oneself.
Can't wait what else they can do together. (And can't wait SezWho and Outbrain to join these two… )
In talking with both Tom and Daniel, they seem very open to the idea
of creating a “bill of rights” for commenters. I think its a great
step in the right direction…
Ah yes, I've read about that. It is very interesting actually, and Intense Debate initiated the idea and the discussion. It's great news that the two are open to collaborating in any form. Truely “Community”, or “Open”. Gone with the old of keeping to oneself.
Can't wait what else they can do together. (And can't wait SezWho and Outbrain to join these two… )
How do you see Outbrain be part of that conversation? Arent they the
rating widget?
I agree
I agree
Gee, Micah, I really liked what you wrote.
Gee, Micah, I really liked what you wrote.
Ahahaha, nice.
Ahahaha, nice.
Have you had any problems with deep threading not cutting off at the right number?
Have you had any problems with deep threading not cutting off at the right number?
Example: http://riseuprochester.org/2008/12/01/why-indiv...
Example: http://riseuprochester.org/2008/12/01/why-indiv...
There is always a risk when it comes to business advance. As you have seen, the global crisis has taken down even major companies so when you start a business, you have to take a risk.
There is always a risk when it comes to business advance. As you have seen, the global crisis has taken down even major companies so when you start a business, you have to take a risk.
How do you see Outbrain be part of that conversation? Arent they the
rating widget?
How do you see Outbrain be part of that conversation? Arent they the
rating widget?
These two platforms are really amazing. I still think you did the right choice thought :)
These two platforms are really amazing. I still think you did the right choice thought :)
nice blog, thanks for the post.
nice blog, thanks for the post.
I used Intense Debate for about 24 hours then changed to Disqus and never looked back.
The clincher for me was that Intense Debate wold not allow me to edit comments, or my replies after I had submitted them (ok you can get around it, but that's not the point).
I get the sense that Disqus has become somewhat more evolved since a lot of these comments were made. I have to say I'm enjoying the Disqus experience right now.
The decision between one or the other is a difficult one though, they are both pretty solid applications.
I used Intense Debate for about 24 hours then changed to Disqus and never looked back.
The clincher for me was that Intense Debate wold not allow me to edit comments, or my replies after I had submitted them (ok you can get around it, but that's not the point).
I get the sense that Disqus has become somewhat more evolved since a lot of these comments were made. I have to say I'm enjoying the Disqus experience right now.
The decision between one or the other is a difficult one though, they are both pretty solid applications.
Very helpful as I seek to make a decision whether to go with disqus or stay with blogger's system.
Very helpful as I seek to make a decision whether to go with disqus or stay with blogger's system.
I started with Disqus on my personal blog. I liked the features, I liked the layout, I like the whole Disqus/ID concept. However, when changing a SEF URL on my site broke Disqus, and I mean completely broke it, I received no answer to my support inquiries. None. Not one. I found a dirty fix on my own by storing comments on my server instead of at Disqus, and that fixed the problem. Once I did that, I switched back to the default Disqus-based solution. It fixed the problem, only now my comments don't register under the article title but the url. End of the world? No. Ugly? Yes. I again received zero response from Disqus in trying to get this problem fixed.
I demoed JS-Kit and IntenseDebate, and I am using ID now. Fact of the matter is, Disqus is the best of the three. I have deleted my site from Disqus, and if they actually ever do delete my site's comments from the database I will import them back in and see if a clean slate fixes the issues I had. If not, I am staying with ID. The sad part is, I will go back to Disqus because it is the best product, but I will also know that they do not respond to their users. Both JS-Kit and ID have been very quick in responding to questions and validation issues.
Great product, but no one answers the phone.
I started with Disqus on my personal blog. I liked the features, I liked the layout, I like the whole Disqus/ID concept. However, when changing a SEF URL on my site broke Disqus, and I mean completely broke it, I received no answer to my support inquiries. None. Not one. I found a dirty fix on my own by storing comments on my server instead of at Disqus, and that fixed the problem. Once I did that, I switched back to the default Disqus-based solution. It fixed the problem, only now my comments don't register under the article title but the url. End of the world? No. Ugly? Yes. I again received zero response from Disqus in trying to get this problem fixed.
I demoed JS-Kit and IntenseDebate, and I am using ID now. Fact of the matter is, Disqus is the best of the three. I have deleted my site from Disqus, and if they actually ever do delete my site's comments from the database I will import them back in and see if a clean slate fixes the issues I had. If not, I am staying with ID. The sad part is, I will go back to Disqus because it is the best product, but I will also know that they do not respond to their users. Both JS-Kit and ID have been very quick in responding to questions and validation issues.
Great product, but no one answers the phone.
thnx for your review.
thnx for your review.
Nice article. I have been looking for a comment system for a couple of months that I thought would be dependable and had some cool features and was free ofcourse. Was going to go with intense debate but it looks like disqus might be the better choice.
Nice article. I have been looking for a comment system for a couple of months that I thought would be dependable and had some cool features and was free ofcourse. Was going to go with intense debate but it looks like disqus might be the better choice.
DISQUS is great because it is try to provide bloggers with an opportunity to get what is missing out of their native blogging platform.
Disqus now brings us the ability to comment using your Twitter account. You don’t have to give up your actual Twitter credentials since Disqus takes advantage of Twitter’s support
I've been using Disqus for a while, but found recently that it's caused major problems with WordPress. I prefer how it looks and works to Intense Debate, but have had to revert to the default comments for the time being.
I've been using Disqus for a while, but found recently that it's caused major problems with WordPress. I prefer how it looks and works to Intense Debate, but have had to revert to the default comments for the time being.
Disqus is the top commenting platform in my opinion. Not only is Facebook Connect integration nice but allowing users to also use their Twitter accounts to leave comments is awesome.
Disqus is a great tool, I have it on many of my blogs already. It will only get better in the next few years..Disqus is a popular commenting platform…
I like the fact that Disqus also wants feed backs from its users just to let them know what you think about their service. It also helps them in future improvements of their service.
I like the fact that Disqus also wants feed backs from its users just to let them know what you think about their service. It also helps them in future improvements of their service.
Disqus is Great! Currently there are some “comment plug-ins” which can let a page have function of comment.The best one I know is Disqus With greater control and commenter profiles. this plug-ins is really cool, I love it. Thanks for Sharing..
Disqus is Great! Currently there are some “comment plug-ins” which can let a page have function of comment.The best one I know is Disqus With greater control and commenter profiles. this plug-ins is really cool, I love it. Thanks for Sharing..
I say it offers a lot of things and sure interlinks major blogging platforms great …
Thanks for the information, will definatly come in handy
very interesting article, will share this with my friends, thanks!
Awesome that this post of yours is still topical after a couple of years. It's been nagging us too on our own blog, but for now Disqus has been keeping up. Also, I cannot stomach registering for yet ANOTHER service. As long as Disqus continues to innovate, we'll keep it.
Plus, our regular commentators love it. We just let them go off on their own tangents, and the blog practically writes itself. hahahah :)
Great article, thanks!
It fixed the problem, only now my comments don't register under the article title but the url. End of the world? No. Ugly? Yes. I again received zero response from Disqus in trying to get this problem fixed.
i loved it also. i’ve learned a lot. thanks