Rise Up And Revolt!

The Comment Revolution has been thoroughly written about in 3 journal items. Please read all 3 before making a comment.

The Comment Revolution
The Comment Revolution: Part 2
The Comment Revolution Progress: Slow And Steady

Welcome to the Comment Revolution. What exactly do I mean by that? Well, sit back and read on.

You've noticed the rating system before. Maybe you don't use it, maybe you do. Perhaps you ignore it, wondering "what's the point?" Perhaps you are the type of person to leave the kind of feedback that deserves a "1" and therefore you don't rate other comments because you are lazy.

What I'm looking to do is to change the way people comment here at deviantART. I'm not talking about personal comments. User pages and journals are a place to have fun. The only time I've rated a comment there is when it's either very very good or if it's rude and worthless.

I'm talking about deviation comments. There are very few times when I receive comments that really make me happy to read them. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Few deviants take the time to write worthwhile comments on other people's work. Sure, it takes a bit more time and a little thought, but those comments are worth 100 of the "very nice, I really like it a lot" comments. We, as artists, learn from these. You, as critics, look somewhat intelligent and gain respect.

What I Propose

Each time you go to comment on a piece of art, think before you write. Look at the piece for a few seconds (I usually spend 10-60 seconds looking before writing). Then write.

Be specific about your likes/dislikes. Use positives and negatives, not one or the other. Give ways to improve the piece. Use examples. Sound intelligent. Use proper grammar.

It's not hard to do, really. It takes you a minute or two more than usual, but the results can be quite satisfying. You get better at analyzing art, and the artist learns from your critique.

I am thankful for every comment I receive, but many of them don't do much for me. I reply with a "thanks", but what did I gain? Another pageview? Another comment? Meh.

What You Can Do

I've outlined what you can do as commentors, but I would like to do more. I'd like to highlight those deviants who go above and beyond the call of duty for leaving useful comments on deviations. I want you, the deviants, to point them out. Let me know who they are so I can let everyone else know.

Last month, `justthorne received the Deviousness award for his outstanding comments. I'd like to bring to light more deviants like this. Send me a note if you know someone like this. Maybe you have someone who added you to their devWATCH and they always leave outstanding comments. Maybe you noticed someone like this commenting throughout the site. Tell me about it.

I'll offer up subscriptions to those deviants who are worthy. I'll spread the word of their excellence. I'll get their name out there.

And don't forget: Help them by rating their comments. The comment threshold doesn't seem important, but it is. People who have something meaningful to say will be brought to the front of the pack. Help them out by taking a few seconds to read their comments and rate them.

In Conclusion

There you have it. Let me know of anyone who can "comment like a banshee." What does that mean? I don't know, but if a banshee left comments that were well thought out, gave relevant advice and critique, and were above the threshold, then those are the type of banshees I'm talking about.

Do your part. Make deviantART a better place.

Update (Monday, May 3rd):

It's Spreading!

After I posted this, it seems the word is being passed along. It helps that both *blind-ice and `justthorne have posted links to this entry in their own journals as well (*blind-ice has also added it to his signature). Much thanks to them as well as anyone else who is linking to it. The more the better!

Also, I have received a few (8-10) suggestions of deviants who are good comment givers. I shall be checking them out (I have looked at a few) in the next few days and posting them here. Stay tuned!

Update (Tuesday, May 11th):

The Comment Revolution: Part 2 has been posted! Update your links!

___________
=splat
Patrick Haney
splat@deviantart.com
http://splat.deviantart.com