I’m wracking my brain – yes, the correct term is wracking, not wrecking although that can apply too—over what to do during Giveaways, etc. so that EVERYONE has a chance to enter and win.
First off, you have to know that the SPAM and SCAM bots are TERRIBLE if I don’t do something in the commenting process to keep them at bay.
And this is such a busy blog --- imagine slogging through 100 spams a day, just to get through to the messages that are really real?
I don’t have time to moderate all comments. It’s impossible. And many times those who comment as ANONYMOUS are just not nice people, and I want to keep their comments away too.
I want EVERYONE to be able to enter during give-aways ---and the only way I have figured out to do that is to open up the commenting to EVERYONE, but that means that the word verification thing – that horrible process that we all HATE with a passion – has to be enabled to keep the baddies at bay.
And that is what I am doing.
If you are here looking for the Giveaway for 100 blocks volume 8 --- click HERE to the correct post to comment.
But yes, you’ll have the word verification.
And you still won’t be able to comment through blog-lovin’ or through a link you clicked while in Facebook on a mobile device – you have X yourself out of those programs to be able to comment. In blog-lovin and other readers, and in Facebook, you are just viewing the blog page through a portal, but are not really ON it. Click somewhere on the screen to “open in browser” so you are REALLY on the page.
If you have an iphone, click on the arrow on the bottom right of the screen and choose 'view in safari" that will take you OUT of the facebook portal.
After giveaways I may revert to registered users again.
I’d like to encourage everyone to get a Google ID so that commenting is easy for you (when you are not trying to comment through blog-lovin or facebook!!)
Click HERE for more info on what can stop you from being able to comment!
I hope this helps everyone – even though I know I’ll be hearing grumbles and complaints about the word verification.
My hands are tied – it’s the only way I can think of making the give-aways available to all!
I’m sitting in the airport at Houston waiting for my next flight! The pull to get home is strong ---I can’t fly home fast enough!
Come home Bonnie. North Carolina isn't the same without you! I've lived here all my life and I'm so glad you now live here too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leslie!!
Deletegood for you, Bonnie! I've never minded the verification process (sometimes it's fun to see what words Google can come up with!) because it is necessary to keep the spam out, and keep the comments enjoyable for all. Hope your flight home is a good one.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to 100 Blocks every year. Thanks for giving us a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteYou need not worry - you can't please everyone and some people are easily pleased. You are giving an opportunity to win something for nothing, except a little extra typing. Thank you for trying to be fair.
ReplyDeleteRe commenting - do what you need to do - no dramas from me. i can't believe you ahve the energy to keep up with it all!! Re travel - my experience is - the closer you are to home the longer it seems to take, but eventually, we get there!!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to apologize to anyone, Bonnie. #1: It's YOUR blog and you can do whatever you want with it. #2: You are constantly sharing your time and talent with all of us. #3: Those who complain are the same unhappy people who will complain no matter what you do/don't do.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
DeleteAgree! No problem here!
DeleteAbsolutely no apology needed ... you give SO much of yourself and ask for so little in return! Linda
DeleteWell said; completely true!
DeleteYou should do what YOU need to do to make it work for YOU. Thanks for all you do for us quilt lovers out here.
ReplyDeleteI don't really mind the verification words. Thanks for the drawing!
ReplyDeleteTheresa W
foleywestrup(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Sounds like a reasonable solution. Have a safe flight.
ReplyDeleteThough I rather dislike the verification system, it doesn't keep me from commenting to those blogs I love. I have one post that someone has broken into and keeps sending out spam advertisements in the reply. I wish there was some way to block comments from that particular post. Maybe there is, and I just don't know how. After all, I am a quilter and not a computer guru!
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you one bit and it sounds very reasonable.anything to keep them spam out! You do so much for us. I don't mind taking the extra time to do something to help you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are having so much problem with SPAM. Word verification is no problem. Thanks for thinking of your followers with this drawing. I very much love your blog and quilt cam. Amber (nuzfutz@att.net)
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice of you to be considering that everyone gets a chance to win. You do what you have t o do and know we all are very appreciative of your time and efforts. Thank you Bonnie
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you again April 2015 in Kansas!
ReplyDeleteIf we commented this morning before you aded the verify, should we comment again?
ReplyDeleteNo, if you commented earlier you are still there!!
DeleteYou need to do what is best for you. Thank you for all you do.
ReplyDeleteso many have word verification that I am used to it. one thing I have found out is that you can put everything in lower case and it goes through, you do not have to put any caps in if you do not want to. If you can not decipher the letters click on the little almost circle thing(first symbol) next to it and it will give you a new set which is usually easier.
ReplyDeleteYou are so busy....do what's easiest for you!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteYour energy and creativity are contagious! Thank you for sharing your passion!
ReplyDeleteActually, I sort of get a kick out of word verification. I was frustrated because I could never comment on blogs because I didn't have a google ID. Today I finally signed up so I can register for all the great giveaways out there instead of just the few that would allow me to do it without the ID. It will be good for just general commenting, too. : )
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI ould love to in the ne 100 block book. I ill still be there folloing you even if I don't win. You inspire all of us.
I just straightened up my magazines and noticed I have a couple of those! But I would love the newest one! Enjoy your quilt cam and blog!
DeleteBonnie I would love to be considered for a chance to win the newest 100 Block book.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for all this information on bogging.
ReplyDeleteHope I can be considered for the drawing
I would love a chance to win this book.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at the pictures of all your classes - great glimpses of what others are making. When I've been quilting long enough I hope to have enough leftovers to do one of your scrappy patterns. Thanks for the chance to win "100 Blocks."
ReplyDeleteI would love to join your mystery but the subscription button doesn't like me. Is there a way you can help me with this please?
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win the new book with your block in it! And as far as everything else goes, you do what works best for you, Bonnie. You give so much to your fans so freely already that you shouldn't have to worry about catering to every single whim and social media application out there! We will always find you on your blog and web site-----that should be enough for everyone :) Thanks for all that you do for the quilting world!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this book! Never mind that I will probably never live enough years to make all the patterns and quilts I would like to!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that you take the time "why" you do certain things, such as word verification. I'm sorry that others give you grief when you are so giving. Thanks for everything you do! Travel safe!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Whatever you need to do, then that's how it will be. Thanks for all you do to make our quilting lives a little easier and a whole lot more fun! Don't know how you find enough hours in a day to accomplish so much, whew! But anyhoo, if we have to do a few extra key strokes, then so be it! It's kind of interesting to see how few tries it takes me to get the "words"correct . They are a tad bit difficult for my poor eyesight to decipher on my small phone screen. But hey, I can't go a day without reading your blog. My day is just not complete until I've read your comments! On a side note, I stumbled across a 1903 Singer treadle that just had to come home with me. It is the most gorgeous machine I've seen . So much fancy engraving on the head and beautiful decals that are still intact. Best of all, she (Annabelle) sews beautifully.
ReplyDeleteTake care and hope you're safely back home by the time you read this .
Do what you need to do! We love your posts and giveaways.
ReplyDeleteJust keep on keeping on and we followers will follow♡
ReplyDeleteNever mind the "lemons" with their sour comments - add sugar and make lemonade! (aka just ignore them!)
ReplyDeleteAll the trouble you go to and time spent is always much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your trying to let everyone enter. I know that your blog is very well received by the quilting community. I try to never be mean in anything I post, it is never my intention. Like you, I do not like mean people. I simply don't understand them. I had all of the books that have been published, my Mom (who was 87) really enjoyed them. She had marked blocks that she intended to make, so the books were at her house. She died in May. Her house burned to the ground in Aug. I had not gotten a lot out of the house as I was using it for overflow. There were 2 issues that were saved. I would appreciate winning the latest issue. I am anon at ohsirius7 at Hotmail dot com.
ReplyDeletesuch a shame there are others out there sending spam etc, you are right to have the verification if it cuts out all the rubbish, fingers crossed that it works and all you get are comments from your followers.
ReplyDeleteHi, Margaret. Seems we meet all over the internet? I agree. Bonnie needs to do what is necessary for her sanity. It's a small thing to use word verification for us. I hated it at first but now I have gotten much better at deciphering the letters and it's much easier.
DeleteI so admire what you do in dealing with all the comments, emails and other messages you receive and still manage to look after your family and home whilst travelling all over your wonderful country. So what if we have to use the verification code, if it makes things easier for you, I'm all for it. You do a magnificent job with you great followers. Safe journey home.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Linda Hodges
You go to a lot of trouble keeping things fair and adding joy to our lives despite how crazy busy you are. From my little corner I thank you!! ♥ You are an amazing woman ... do take a little time for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the word verification. You share so much with us you must do what makes life easier so as not to drive yourself crazy! I'm amazed at all you do get done!... especially if you must deal with so much spam too! Thanks for everything!!!
ReplyDeletehelenmarie in Tn
I agree with Helen Marie and others. Word verification is SO easy, and saves so much of your patience and time.
DeleteMost of the time I do not post for a giveaway. But see, at times, over 700 posts! That tells it all, either that or perhaps there are many who never leave comments during the daily blogs? Whatever the case!!!! PLEASE USE IT.
Smiles,
JulieinTN
Thank you, Bonnie, for your patience with the rest of us. Even though we are not the ones leaving inappropriate comments, it would have been easy to not include us in the drawings. Thanks for allowing us to be parting of your quilting family.
ReplyDeleteI love all your tips on how to handle my scraps so they are ready to go, especially size options to have ready. It is no trouble doing a verification word when commenting.
ReplyDeleteSo happy about quilt cam tomorrow and Celtic Solstice. Working on Pineapple Crazy tonight!
ReplyDelete