Comment Exchange

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Page name: Comment Exchange [Logged in view] [RSS]

2006-08-20 17:41:49

Last author: wildmage92
Owner: HiddenFire

# of watchers: 40

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(comment exchange banner by [jojo-kun])

Have you ever heard of a traffic exchange? The concept is simple: one visits member's sites in exchange for visits to one's own site. So in an effort to increase the exchange of comments in peoples' Elfwood galleries I, [HiddenFire], decided to start this comment exchange.

The problem:

Have you ever tried going on massive commenting runs? That's the way most amateur artists get their source of comments. They spend hours upon hours sitting in front of the computer commenting on picture after picture, hoping that a few artists will be kind enough to return the favor. What do they get out of it? Just a handful of measly comments or none at all. It's a gamble really, there is no guarantee that any artist will be the kind and curious type, and comment on your gallery in return.

The solution!

Well that's where this wiki comes in. We have taken the gamble out of it. Now it is simple to receive comments in your gallery. You are provided with links to members sites who promise comments in return!

Below is a link to the list of members. If you are starving for comments you should visit some of their galleries and leave some comments. It's not very difficult to gain comments in this way: if you only leave one comment in each gallery, that would mean you would gain at least one comment for EACH gallery you commented in. There is no guarantee you will receive more than that, but you will certainly not receive less. You actually get something for your hard work commenting. What could be better?

Or, alternatively, you could take one of the Comment exchange tours which have been put together with artwork from our members, and comment on the works you see there. You would recieve a comment back for every comment you gave out.

Constructive criticism (CC) is valued more highly than the “kool pics” comments. So leave as much CC as possible, they are more likely to return the favour with a larger number of comments in return.

You don't even need to be a member to benefit in this fashion!

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View members or sign up at Comment Exchange Members

All members are asked to submit the url of an image they would like featured in a Comment Exchange Members Tour.
Tours already put together can be found at Comment Exchange Tours!

What are the benefits of joining?

Why not just swing by and leave comments on member's galleries whenever you need comments? Well, as well as you commenting on other members' galleries and getting return from it, people would also come to you for comments if you were a member! it only takes a little more effort on your part. There is nothing wrong with simply swinging by whenever you need comments but it's extremely easy to become a member and reap the benefits.

Make sure to read the rules before going and commenting on members' sites or if you wish to join.

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We now have a page to post your updates - Comment Exchange News

Please watch that page and add to it whenever you have an update! This should help the older members and the newer members to blend a little bit better. Also, keep an eye on it for the tours!

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Rules (ok, guidelines):

Members should return the favor, but are not required to return comments in the same number they were recieved
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Rude comments can be ignored (you don't have to return the favor in this case... it could lead to a feud)
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Comments are suggested to be returned in kind (if someone simply says "kool pics" then members can simply say the same on their page)
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Members should state on their galleries that they are members and what that means for those that comment on their work. Also check out Comment Exchange Declaration for some *suggested* HTML you can add to your Elftown bio. (I don't know why but everyone seems to ignore this one, this is a STRONG suggestion as it shows random stoppers by that you will return comments)
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If you wish to join the Comment Exchange simply sign up here Comment Exchange Members
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Currently we only support Elfwood galleries/libraries. When you sign up to be a member you MUST have a link to an EW gallery/library. Failure to comply to this rule could get you (or at least the non-EW link) deleted from the members list.
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When you sign up, try to comment on a few members' galleries, this will help to produce an internal circulation of commenting
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Eventually your comment load may become too great, you may not have the time to return comments, or you simply consider this wiki training wheels and decide you don't need it any longer. Then simply remove your name from the list, no big deal
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The rules are subject to change. Notification of the members will be attempted. If the rule is of particular importance a vote may be held. It is suggested you watch this page for any possible changes which may occur.

Many members may decide to apply their own stipulations on top of the rules here: they may add a few rules about their returning comments, or what kind they like to recieve. Those rules may eventually make their way into the official rules here if they seem to benefit the majority.

Discussion of possible new rules, suggestions, suggested chages in structure, or just gripes and complaints can be held at Comment Exchange Propositions

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Comment exchange members View members or sign up!
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http://ngal.fateback.com/random.html View a member's site at random here (requires javascript be enabled, updated sporadically)
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Comment exchange tours View the current tours put together of comment exchange members work
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Comment exchange members tour Sign up for the next tour here!
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Comment exchange propositions Where new suggestions etc. can be posted
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Comment Exchange News Where you can find the latest news and add let people know about updated sites!

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Related wikis/websites of interest:

*New* Elftown Comment Exchange
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The constructive criticism club
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Constructive Criticism Wiki
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New Art Comment Club
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Comments for the comment hungry
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Wyvern's Writers United
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Fine Art Institution

Some advice about giving and recieving comments and criticism is found in these FARP articles by "Ellen Million". ~(referred by The constructive criticism club)~
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http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/guides/givecriticism.html
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http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/guides/takecriticism.html

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Feel free to ask questions, add comments, express your ideas, or voice your opinion below, in the comments box. Feedback is welcomed as it would help this community grow and develop.

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Bullets and dividers by Elftown Graphics

2004-02-09 [Mordigen]: Rule #1 completely contradicts rule #4

2004-02-09 [Athene Noctua]: I think it means that you have to comment for comment, but if you receive 10 comments, and comment back 9 times, then you shouldn't worry.

2004-02-09 [Mordigen]: well rule #4 says that members should state that they promise to comment for comment....which sounds like they're pretty much taking an oath to comment on people's work who comment on theirs, yes? but then the first rule says you dont have to comment for comment if you don't want to....so they completely rule each other out, it doesnt make sense to me

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: no it says "comment for comments," that is a 'singular comment' for "plural comments.' in other words, one is not required to comment the same number of times as they got comments... thats silly and would take FAR TO MUCH TIME.

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: i reworded rule #1. is that better?

2004-02-09 [Mordigen]: yea

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: thanks for pointing that out. we texans have our own language @.@ i didnt realise it was open to interpretation until you brought it up @.@ i just like that @.@ googly eyes @.@ i'm easily ammused @.@

2004-02-09 [Ocean Dreaming]: I'd like to point out that Elfwood has its own random visits options...

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: but not specific to memebers of this wiki. of course i would have to update it myself, putting each member into the code one at a time. we'll see how it works out.

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: but not one specific to members. we'll see how it works out.

2004-02-09 [Ocean Dreaming]: It bottles down to the same thing though.

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: i just thought i might make things more fair for those that are not at the top of the members list. i noticed that if we were to get a ton of members then the ones in the middle of the list could be neglected. most people would only go and comment on the first or the last few. that's not very fair is it?

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: in any case it gives us something unique and its fun, everyone loves randomness!

2004-02-09 [HiddenFire]: of course i would have to update it manualy all by myself durring my own time... lets just see how it pans out...

2004-02-09 [Ocean Dreaming]: Oh... Now I understand, it's your own creation. I didn't realise that.

2004-02-10 [HiddenFire]: i used some stratagies from the main pages of traffic exchanging programs to make this page MUCH more inviting.

2004-02-10 [HiddenFire]: i got rid of any mention of this wikis being in its infancy. i decided it might sound discourageing. so this will be the only mention of it... right here... or rather earlier in this comment here. doodle doodle doo!

2004-02-11 [Paul Doyle]: I'm definitely "watching" this page. I've fallen behind on both my Art and Writing commenting (I have both types of Elfwood galleries, my Wyvern's Library being the main one) because I am finishing my first novel. Yet as soon as I can, I will definitely actively join this page! Ideally, I give about 2-3 times the number of comments I receive . . . and, ideally, I answer all comments intelligently.

2004-02-12 [Lerune]: Just so EVERYONE knows...I will NOT leave fluff comments. If I take the time to look at your work, you can count on quality, constructive criticism, so please don't be upset if it takes me a while to get to everything. I feel like the commenting system is to help us all out as creative minds, and a simple: "Hey, cool pic!" is not going to help anybody. =0)

2004-02-12 [HiddenFire]: i'm sure all of us will not argue with you in that respect. that one rule is to actually discourage "kool pics" comments, and not frustrate those who feel they must give awesome CC's for such measly comments. oh, and i just added you to the 'random members' link, so you're not left out. :)

2004-02-12 [HiddenFire]: somthing WACKY was going on with faiths url. it took few tries but i eventually got it working. i still dont know what the problem was, the url was correct but when you clicked on it it stuck dashes everywhere. well, its fine now. all fixed :)

2004-02-12 [suss]: what if one does not have a elfwoodgallery? =/ but a "private" one since not all pics are fantasy or sci-fi

2004-02-12 [HiddenFire]: i knew this would come up at some point... im realy not sure how to work it out... myself, i wouldnt mind commenting on your artwork... still i have no idea how to work this into the system... there would need to be special instructions... grrrrrr... a number of your pieces would fit in elfwood... but i dont think they're accepting new members until they bang out all the bugs... i think the real issue is that special instructions would need to be given... i'll have to think about that one... and im late for class... *dashes off, though not too quickly so as to have enough time to dash off and type this sentence...@,@*

2004-02-12 [suss]: well its possible to become a member now.. it was already possible the 5th of february... Heh. I tend to stay too long on elftown at breaks aswell..

2004-02-12 [Paul Doyle]: I promise when I finish my novel I will join this excellent wiki.

2004-02-12 [Ocean Dreaming]: Oh, I should note that I am NOT good at critisism for artwork. Worse when said artwork is pencil and a light sketch. Monitor issue.

2004-02-19 [HiddenFire]: dang this place cooled off quick!

2004-02-19 [Ocean Dreaming]: These type of wikis take time. Don't judge it just yet. PR a little bit more. It might be a good idea to run the page text through a spellcheck, ^^;; Some people place a ridiculously high value in correct spelling. Worse than Xith and I do ;)

2004-02-19 [HiddenFire]: i'm pretty sure i did do a spell check. i ran it all though word to correct my many errors i know i do all the time... its just that i have no patience... i know it takes time... im glad it doesnt all happen at once or i wouldnt be able to keep up!

2004-02-19 [Ocean Dreaming]: It'd take about... five minutes really ;) Then again, the spelling might as well NOT be the cause of it and it's just the lack of PR for the page. Latter is actually prolly more likely.

2004-02-25 [HiddenFire]: i did a bit of moving around, and seperated the members list into a new page. i also updated the random link to include our new members! hurray! we're up to 11 members! we are officially something of a group!

2004-02-27 [hullabaloo]: hello .. eh.. i'm new, just wanted to say hi :)

2004-02-27 [Ocean Dreaming]: Just fixing some links and such, decided to tackle the few typos I found as well. Hope you don't mind! And welcome Hullabaloo! ^_^

2004-02-28 [HiddenFire]: Thanks! i was sure i cought them all but i suppose i didnt. and yes, wellcome to all our members! i'm very pleased with the numbers we've gotten thus far.

2004-03-09 [Chel.]: Check out my Fashion Art Contest although it's over you can vote for your fave at....<poll:15689>

2004-03-28 [HiddenFire]: I just added a new section called Comment Exchange Propositionsto allow the memebers to have a bigger voice in this wiki. there members will be able to suggest possible changes to this wiki. they can also add gripes and complaints that might influence the propositions.