Disqussion Stymied

Lately, I've been feeling unwanted.

Don't worry, this is not another, "My query isn't getting anywhere" post. And it's not to complain about how no one is reading this blog, because a lot of you are—or at least you're stopping here. I have no idea how many of you are really reading anything, but at least you're dropping in. No, what's making me feel lonely and unwanted is the growing number of blogs that use Disqus as a portal for interaction. I'm being frozen out.

Several times now, I've wanted to comment on a post, only to find myself stymied by the Disqus login. It's the same sort of login you see on any number of blog pages, whether they're powered by Blogger or WordPress or it's some fancy, custom-built site using who-knows-what platform: screen name, e-mail, password. It even has little buttons along that sign-in that indicate you can sign in using your Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, or Google accounts. However, if you try to sign in using one of those non-Disqus identities, it either asks you to register, or it asks permission to gain access to your Facebook or Twitter.

Now, the registration for Disqus looks pretty innocuous. My info—screen name and e-mail—is already filled in. All I have to do is fill in a password and click the 'register' button, but I hesitate. Why? Because I know nothing about Disqus, and I'm not going to sign up for one of these third-party things without knowing what they're all about, or what they're going to do with my info. On the registration form is a link title 'benefits of Disqus', but to be honest, it’s a very short list. As far as I can tell, Disqus is some sort of comment management system, like a HootSuite for comments, that allows you to check on and participate in blog commentary without having to leave the comfort of the Disqus program (and most of this was learned from googling the name; about the only thing I learned from the Disqus website is that it's staffed by a bunch of kids who get to play foosball in the office, at least on photo day).

You're not going to mess with him, are you?

Maybe this is a 'Get off my lawn' reaction, but I'm just not seeing how this program benefits the people who install Disqus on their blogs, how it would benefit me (except that, apparently a lot of people are using it, and if I want to be heard in those places, I'm going to have to do it), and, finally, I don't see the benefit to those foosball playing kids in the Disqus home office in San Francisco. They must be getting something out of it, but since there's nothing on their site that tells me what it is, they ain't getting anything from me.

Disqus is supposed to facilitate discussion. For me, right now, it's keeping me out of the loop.

Do you use Disqus? Does it help? And what are we signing up for? Have a great weekend!

Oh, by the way, the Phytophotodermatitis looks a LOT better.