Hmmm, so I thought about whether I should post this or not, to not come of as whining but then again, fuck it, might as well get this off my chest. And I threw some boobs & beer in there to get everyone's attention...
So , since I posted the third volume of the We've Got You Covered: Lowell George & Little Feat two days ago, about eighty people have downloaded that comp.
You know how many of those eighty have said 'Hi' or 'Thanks', or, anything really? Yup, that's right, it's a big fat zero.
Normally I don't mind, though there really haven't been many 'Hi's or 'Thanks' going around here lately, or really much of anything in the comments section. Well, I get it, I've seen bigger blogs with way more traffic than mine that struggle to get to a handful of comments, so this is nothing extraordinary.
The goal of this blog was and is to share this music that I find interesting or exciting in one way or the other. Making people jump through hoops to get it by having a minimum of comments or what not was never in the cards for me. It doesn't work, and I'd rather have some sort of natural conversation - or as natural as possible on that here internet - than some folks forcing themselves to write something to satisfy a random and ultimately useless quota.
But that is also not why I'm writing this public service note. No one had anything to say about the Lowell George tribute comp, yet there is a comment, two in fact. And let's be clear: I'm not going after that specific user, anonymous and unknown as he might be. It's more of a general thing.
The comment states that Volume 2 of the series doesn't work. Which is totally normal, I set an article link to Volume 1, so I upped the music link. No direct link to volume 2, so I didn't reup right away, thinking someone would ask for a link if interested.
Except there is no question being asked. "Link doesn't work" or "Link is dead again" (a comment on a Gene Clark post a couple of weeks ago that rubbed me the wrong way) aren't questions, they are statements, kinda like computer error messages. They state a fact, sure, but they don't incite or entice me to do anything about it.
You know what would? If that unknown visitor would add a little 'could you re-up, please?' to that statement of fact and then - gasp - even sign his or her post with a nickname (you still can stay an anonymous user in terms of Google, folks). That would be, you know, a little nicer.
I don't ask for people to sing hosiannas in my honor, I mostly do this stuff for myself, and share it because I think it might bring enjoyment to other people. But if I can't have a ton of comments, at least a little bit of courtesy would be nice. Don't say "doesn't work!". Ask to make it work, nicely.
It's written right on the front page: "If you find a dead link, just ask for a re-up in the thread and I'll post a new one as quickly as possible". Any major dude around here will tell you that if you ask nicely for a link, you'll have it, normally a couple hours tops after asking.
Any "link is dead" kind of post will fall on deaf ears, though. If someone's got a problem with that very simple and I believe quite reasonable demand, that anonymous someone can take his or her behind and their non-existent business elsewhere.
[rant mode off]
Oof, there, a little better. Regular programming will restart tomorrow as scheduled.
See you then.
P.S.: Don't be a stranger...
Just thought I’d throw in my two cents to your two cents. I’ve been doing NSS blog since 2007. I can’t even imagine how many times these same thoughts have crept through my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been getting more & more traffic as years go by, but comments never seem to lift off the floor. I never really mention it as I’m one of those kinda guys that doesn’t really give a fuck what others do. They can kiss my ass & enjoy the music.
I share the music that I share for one person only, really. My selfish self. I don’t care if anyone comments, even as the number of downloads per share grows to the 1000+. & I’m not really put off when someone just blurts out the computer error message “Links dead” (& more often than not from “anonymous”). After all, I worked hard (or not) to share an item & I’m glad to find out when links are dead. I don’t have the time to check back on all of the shares, so I look at it as someone else doing my grunt work for me, thank them.
I have come to the decision that the majority of people who (not all, as I have a loyal base of Frenz of NSS who are wonderful chaps & chapettes) visit my blog have the audacity to believe it is my duty to gift them free, good music & their simple lot to help themselves gratis, without the least politeness of a “Thank you”. I’m Nothin’ special in the music world, I just like sharing what I’m listening to at the time. Most of these slackers could already be aware of & have this music if they cared about music like I (& you) do. They think its my (& your) durty to feed them their pablum.
But my simplest advice is this...I don’t care & you shouldn’t either. You obviously love music just as I do & what you do here should be reward unto itself. I very seldom download music from other blogs, as 1.) I don’t really listen to compilations much, perferring bands conceptual album complete (even with their stinkeroos & all), & 2.) because I have so much damn music that I’ve become very, very selective in my old age. But whenever I download music from someone, I always leave a comment acknowledging the debt of thanks I feel. It’s basic civil manners, which most people these days don’t know nor practice.
Nathan sez.
Nathan sez it better than I could. The rudeness, sense of entitlement, and (most of all) the lack of acknowledgement can be disappointing. Especially after you put a lot of effort into compiling something that you're excited about sharing. It would be great to get more feedback, since we're all music fans. But (like Nathan), I've made a few frenz (like Nathan), and those folks make it worthwhile. Not to mention being pleased with your own work when a project turns out well.
DeleteThe only reason I look at download stats or the hit counts on Blogger is to get an idea of what interests visitors. But I mainly post what interests me.
The guy who does the Black Lodge Relics blog just passed 800,000 visitors -- but he also gets some nasty, abusive feedback. Not all visitors are well-behaved. I agree with you, OBG: "please re-up" is much nicer than "link doesn't work."
The petty complaints and squabbles that occasionally appear in the Twilight Zone comments section are another problem that I'm glad to do without. Taking something free without saying thanks is one thing, but to actually COMPLAIN about what you were given is a whole other level of ingratitude.
DeleteI really like what you do, even if, in all honesty, there isn't much I download and even less that I keep (because I have plenty already; already have much of what you post that I do like; and despite having some overlap, I have different tastes than you do). You have introduced me to stuff I generally hadn't pursued out of lack of interest, but was compelled by at least something the artist did; you offering a mess of them gave me a chance to take their catalog for a ride (Beach Boys and Gene Clark come to mind). I am heartened to see how many downloads you report, as I worry that the lack of comments equates to lack of interest, and I, selfishly, want you to continue. I've never, I think, asked for a link, but I think I've let you know if a file is bad, and asked if a new/improved version is available.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your statement-makers will feel somewhat chastened and do better next time they ask something of you!
C in California
I'm pretty new to this site but totally get your frustration. I see both sides as I also post and very rarely get any comment but then again I'm also guilty of downloading and run (I mean to comment after listening, then forget).
ReplyDeleteI would be miffed though if a reader came across as rude and/or entitled. People need to mind their manners.
You are right and guilty as charged. We should appreciate the work that you guys do for us so that we can enjoy it as I do everyday! Thank you and so sorry for not saying so before.
ReplyDeleteMark
The Boobs & Beer strategy NEVER fails. Thank you for being there. Apologies for not always thanking enough -in any of its many different possible forms-
ReplyDeleteI spend HOURS digitiziting vinyl, and over at VW it often goes without comment. We're getting better these days as we've begun to attract a few who like to chat.
ReplyDeleteI agree that "tone" is important in how we communicate. To keep myself from asking for more than I get from My Beloved Audience, I try and keep a few things in mind: We have a worldwide audience; English is not everyone's first language. My Spanish is terrible. I speak entirely in the present tense, screw up the reflexive verbs, etc. Occasionally I drop a comment on blogs using a translation program. I have NO IDEA of the tone comin' out on the other side.
I assiduously avoid some topics. No one wants to know DRaftervoi's opinions about politics or religion, in particular.
Another is timing: I may download something that LOOKS interesting but with all that's goin' on, I may not get to it for days, or weeks. I'm raising a 12-year-old grandson (my son-in-law and step-daughter died from drug overdoses); life is school lunches, homework, laundry....and a bit of music. By the time I get around to listening, I may have forgotten where I got it.
Anyway....I like your work. I like your writing. I like what you do. And I like the girl on the far left.
ANON RF: Many thanks!!
ReplyDelete