Lisa,

For some reason the server refused to post my Reply to your, um, Reply. Let me try this again ...

"I have to disagree with your broad paintbrush assessment, because I see WI bloggers making corrections and updating with new posts on an ongoing basis."

I apologize if you thought that I was blasting *all* of the Bloggers at once. Several of the writers here - you, David Bowers, Matt Rossi, and Zach Yonzon, among others - go out of their way to be communicate with their readers, and to integrate comments or suggestions into their work. Quite frankly, however, I find several of the writers here to be either disinterested in actually connecting with their readers (Amanda Dean comes to mind - I've never actually seen her correct typos or respond to readers' input, unless it was praise) or so focused on being the first to come up with an exclusive (Amanda Miller's "Stable Slots" post, for example) or the first to generate click-throughs via controversy (Adam Holisky) that they sacrifice the quality (read: "truth") or integrity of their work.

And yes, before anyone else says anything, I know, it's "just a Blog," but *someone* has to set some sort of standard. Otherwise the entire community of readers is at risk for being badly mislead or misinformed (not to mention misrepresented).

"I can't say that I feel a need to acknowledge every single comment that presents a different point of view than something I've written. While I will always update an error of fact, I trust my readers to make sense of sensible feedback from other readers."

Well, I certainly don't expect any of the Bloggers here to acknowledge EVERY SINGLE COMMENT. That's just unreasonable. However, I admire and respect the writers - especially you, Lisa - who really put forth the extra effort to integrate what their readers think and say in regards to their work. It's the sign of a good writer to be able to accept commentary of all types, whether it's high praise or constructive criticism.

"Sometimes, an author reply is nothing more than trying to get the last word, when a strong reader comment or consensus should really represent the final say."

Well said! ^^

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