As I was updating my Proto-Portfolios the other day, I got a strange feeling that the numbers of comments I'd sent out were much lower than they should be (row five). Indeed they were. Although I expected to have missed counting a few odd comments here and there, the total displayed in cell 5K turned out to be off by over a hundred!
What was the problem? I'd been doing my best to remember to toggle the follow-up comment option ON, whenever I started to write a comment on someone else's blog. When that option is ON, before you preview or post, it looks like this if the page display is in Japanese.
 |
| Comment window: "Follow-up comments ..." ON |
Not only do I get a copy of my out-going comments sent to me by mail, to collect and count monthly for entries on row five [of] Proto-Portfolios spreadsheets, I also receive mail notification of answers to questions or responses to suggestions that I post in comments on other people's blogs. Mail notifications include links that make it easy to follow-up on follow-ups. Forgetting to select that option a few times a semester wasn't the problem.
The problem was searches that I'd used to retrieve mail messages to remind me of comments on other people's blogs were missing a large proportion, more than 80%, of previous comments from first semester. A typical monthly search started like this:
Today it finally dawned on me why that kind of search had missed so many recent comments. Such searches failed to retrieve mail reminding me of comments that I'd left on blogs whose owners set them to display in Japanese. Sifting through All Mail archives by hand, I discovered numerous automated mail messages with Japanese lead-ins that had been slipping through my searches.
The following search, using the Japanese message lead-in, turned up over a hundred more comments to add to Proto-Portfolio tallies for first semester.
Granted, it may be possible to refine each of those two searches with additional words or characters, for example, "... new comment [on]" (blogs set to display in English). Nevertheless, I'm satisfied that combined search results reflect the bulk of comments of which I've elected to get follow-up mail notifications.
The key to gathering info. automatically for entries on row five of Proto-Portfolios is still the same: Remember to switch follow-up comment notification ON before posting comments on classmates' and peers' blogs. The same is true for following up easily on written exchanges started or continuing in comments on blog posts: Switch follow-up comment notification ON before posting!
The problem was searches that I'd used to retrieve mail messages to remind me of comments on other people's blogs were missing a large proportion, more than 80%, of previous comments from first semester. A typical monthly search started like this:
 |
| Search terms from English notification message |
The following search, using the Japanese message lead-in, turned up over a hundred more comments to add to Proto-Portfolio tallies for first semester.
 |
| Search terms from Japanese notification message |
Granted, it may be possible to refine each of those two searches with additional words or characters, for example, "... new comment [on]" (blogs set to display in English). Nevertheless, I'm satisfied that combined search results reflect the bulk of comments of which I've elected to get follow-up mail notifications.
The key to gathering info. automatically for entries on row five of Proto-Portfolios is still the same: Remember to switch follow-up comment notification ON before posting comments on classmates' and peers' blogs. The same is true for following up easily on written exchanges started or continuing in comments on blog posts: Switch follow-up comment notification ON before posting!
[442 words]
1. All the time.
ReplyDelete2. Once I did but it doesn't work.
3. I remember that how many comments I posted.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I usually reply when someone ask something.
1. I usually leave my blog display set for English viewing but I think that I have to do it at once.
ReplyDelete2. I always remember to select the follow-up mail notification before I post comments.
3. I want to comment over 10.
4. I expect to get less comment than I give out on the blog.
5. Comment that I get is usually their impression.
1. I never set for English. So I want to change setting for English.
ReplyDelete2. I always select the following up mail notifications option.
3. I am going to send more 7 comments.
4. I think I will get more comments than I send comments.
5. The comments what I got are questions.
1. I leave it set sometimes.
ReplyDelete2. Never.
3. A few comment more.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I answer to some comments which have some questions.
1. All time
ReplyDelete2. Never
3. 2 or 3 more
4. Yes, I do.
5. I answer comments which have questions
1. I set for English viewing anytime.
ReplyDelete2. I don’t know the option.
3. I note down the counts on my diary every time I write posts.
4. No, I don’t. I want to effort to leave more comments on classmates’ blogs.
5. I always write about impressive things. And I leave some questions.
1. I always set for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2. sometimes.
3. I don't have a plan.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I reply to only comments for essays.
1. I leave it sometimes.
ReplyDelete2. I've never do that, because I didn't know that.
3. I remember.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I reply to question.
1 I always set for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2 I have heard about it, but I don't know this option.
3 I remember it, but sometime I forget it, so I write down on the note.
4 Yes, I do. If I got many comments, I would be happy.
5 If you asked my personal question, I most frequently reply.
1. I always do so.
ReplyDelete2. sometimes
3. I don't have a plan.
4. Yes, I do.
5. To only comments for essays
1.I didn't leave my blog display set for English viewing. So I want to set for English viewing from now on.
ReplyDelete2.I remember all time.
3.I don't plan.
4.Yes, I do.
5.To only comments for Essays.
I don't leave my blog display set for English viewing. So I want to be careful. I want to leave my blog set for English viewing.
ReplyDeleteI always remember to select the follow-up mail notification option before my post comments on classmate' and peers' blogs.
I don't plan to count my out-going comments for the month of October.
I expect to get more comments on your blog this month than I give out on the blogs of others. So I am happy.
I reply essay and free-writing.
1. I only display set for English the blog.
ReplyDelete2. Maybe I select it
3. I don't plan it.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I don't reply but I only reply to essay.
1. I always set my blog display for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2 .I often forget to select it.
3. I view my blog posts and G-mail.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I hardly rely comments, so I will reply.
1. I sometimes leave it set for English viewing
ReplyDelete2. I have never do that.
3. I don't plan.
4. Yes, I do.
5 I reply to question.
1. I’ve never leave my blog display set for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2. I didn’t know this option. I want to use this option.
3. I write on my schedule note and I counted it.
4. No, I don’t. If I want many comments, I should give out comments to many people.
5. I frequently replay questions to friends.
1. I sometimes leave my blog set for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2. I never do that.
3. I only memorize it.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I want to answer various question.
1. I sometimes leave my blog display set for English viewing.
ReplyDelete2. I never do that.
3. I plan to make a note.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I reply comments asked question.
Hello.
ReplyDeleteI'll answer the questions.
1. I changed my blog display today.
2. I've never done that. I'll try to do that.
3. I usually make a note.
4. No, I don't. I should give out comments more.
5. About foods.
I leave my blog display set for english viewing almost every time.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember.
I don't have ay plan.
Yes,I do.
Interesting comment
1: sometime I contributed in my blog.
ReplyDelete2: I don't remember.
3: I didn't have plan in October.
4: Yes I do.
5: funny comments.
I always leave my blog display set for English viewing.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember.
If my friends give me a comment to my blog, I will return the comment.
Yes, I do.
I frequently reply easy question.
1. I used to Japanese. I switched today.
ReplyDelete2. Sometimes.
3. Five.
4. Yes, I do.
5. Easy question from my friends.
1. once.
ReplyDelete2. I sometimes remember.
3. Five.
4. Yes, I do.
5. I reply easy question from my friends.
I changed once my blog display to English. After that, I leaving in it. Only one time when I was taught to select the follow up mail notifications option before I post comments on classmates' blogs. I will check my gmail to count history of my out-going comments on October.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect to get comments more than my out-going it. It is easy for me to reply that I get comments such as question about somethings.
I read and I will answer questions.
ReplyDelete1. I leave most English viewing.
2. I don't remember to select it.
3. I remember my out-going comments.
4. No, I don't, because I always reply to people who give me comments and I comment from me, too.
5. I usually reply all question.
Hi,Mr. pab!!
ReplyDeleteMy display set always in English.
Sorry, I've never done that.
I pant to remember my out-coming comments.
No, I don't.
It is easy for me to answer to suggestion.
I'm never changed my blog display to English viewing, because ...? I don't know, how should Changed, but I changed it now for my blog English display.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mr.Pab.
ReplyDeleteI always set in English on my blog display.
I've never done.
I plan to count my out-going comments by memorizing.
No, I don't.
It's easy for me to respond for suggestions.
Hello, Mr. Beautifait.
ReplyDeleteI always leave my blog display set for English view.
I have selected the follow up mail notifications option once.
I plan to memorize count my out-going comments.
I don't expected that.
I can reply frequency if the comments are suggestion.
I changed it now for my blog English display. Because I don't how to change English display. But I could it.
ReplyDeleteI never change my blog display for English viewing. Because I don't know
ReplyDeletehow to change it. I change it now.
I changed two times my blog display in English. After that leaving in it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was taught it I selected mail notification option.
I will out-going comments for the October.
I expect at least five comment on my blog this month. So I expect more comment than I give out on the blog of others.
I can't write good English so I'll try to write all post every week. So I want to get comment every post.
Hello Mr. Beaufait,
ReplyDelete1, I have never change my blog display set for English until I saw your document today.
2, I never remember to select the follow-up mail notifications option before you post comments on classmates' comments on classmates's and peer's blogs.
3, I'm going to count comments by watching my blog.
4, I don't expect to get more comments on your blog this month than I give out on the blogs of others.
5,The question I answered most frequently is which do you like better, ~? or, ~?
I changed two times my blog display in English. After that leaving in it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was taught it I selected mail notification option.
I will out-going comments for the October.
I expect at least five comment on my blog this month. So I expect more comment than I give out on the blog of others.
I can't write good English so I'll try to write all post every week. So I want to get comment every post.
I changed once my blog display to English. After that, I leaving in it. Only one time when I was taught to select the follow-up mail notifications option before I post comments on classmates' blogs. I will check gmail to count history of my out-going comments for the month of October. I don't expect to get comments more than my out-going comments. It is easy for me to reply that I get comments such as question about something.
ReplyDeleteI changed two times my blog display in English. After that leaving in it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was taught it I selected mail notification option.
I will out-going comments for the October.
I expect at least five comment on my blog this month. So I expect more comment than I give out on the blog of others.
I can't write good English so I'll try to write all post every week. So I want to get comment every post.
Hi! Mr.pab.
ReplyDelete1. I have never left my blog display set.
2. I don't remember that.
3. I will remember that how many comments I write.
4. No, I don't.
5. I often write comment of essay.
I sometimes update my blog, but I have never set my blog for English viewing.
ReplyDeleteI have never done the function.
I have checked it sometimes.
Yes I maybe think so.
I usually use questions, for example, what, where when etc.
I changed my blog display in English once time. I forgot to select the follow-up notification so probably I did it once. I will do select the follow-up notification from next time, and I remember to commenting for the month of October. So I will plan to count this way. Number 4 question's answer is "Yes, I do". I usually comment on a classmate's blog after the person commented on my blog.
ReplyDelete1. I leave my blog display set for English most viewing.
ReplyDelete2. I don't select the follow-up mail notifications option.
3. I plan to note by my self.
4. I often go to comment than be gone someone.
5. If the comment is question, I reply it.
I've never set for English my blog display.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this thing, so I've never.
I had no plan about comments. I will plan after.
No, I don't. However, I will post interesting sentences to get comments.
I write my impression about sentence.
I sometimes update my blog, but I have never set my blog for English viewing.
ReplyDeleteI have never done the function.
I have checked it sometimes.
Yes I maybe think so.
I usually use questions, for example, what, where when etc.
Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments in response to this post about tracking down wayward comments:
ReplyDeleteWhere had all my comments gone? (2010.10.21).
One answer to that question is many went to posts on blogs whose owners left their displays in Japanese. However, with an additional search for follow-up comment notification messages sent automatically from those blogs in Japanese, I believe I've found most of them.
Here, as a reminder for you and your classmates, and as background information for your peers and other visitors, are the questions to which you responded in comments today:
1. How often do you leave your blog display set for English viewing?
2. How often do you remember to select the follow-up mail notifications option before you post comments on classmates' and peers' blogs?
3. How do you plan to count your out-going comments for the month of October?
4. Do you expect to get more comments on your blog this month than you give out on the blogs of others?
5. To what kinds of comments do you most frequently reply?
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Cheers, PB