Cross-platform feedback widgets maker JS-Kit just added a feature that enables users to enhance comments with pictures, on any of the 600,000+ websites using its custom commenting system. I’ve always been curious to know why major blogging platforms don’t simply add such a functionality to their commenting systems, while there are already companies like Seesmic, Viddler and Blipback focussing on taking a step further by adding video commenting features to websites.
There are custom picture commenting plugins for Wordpress and Movable Type available, but we should note JS-Kit is not only meant for blogs, as it can be installed on any Javascript-enabled website. According to the blog post announcing the new features, JS-Kit users can now attach multiple images to each of their comments on sites running its commenting systems. Images will be auto-thumbnailed and can be clicked on for full-size viewing.
The new features comes right after the announcement that Facebook Connect had been made available to any of the 600,000 blogs and sites that are using the JS-Kit commenting widget, and after the system enabled commenters to add YouTube videos to their feedback.
In other news, JS-Kit has also been upgraded to support OpenID 2.0, not really a surprise as DataPortability co-founder and evangelist Chris Saad works for the company.
This one’s in the sickpool.
Re: “I’ve always been curious to know why major blogging platforms don’t simply add such a functionality to their commenting systems”
Because it adds nothing to 99% of conversations?
I’m not sure why a blog post was even made on this subject, it’s not like this is a major new feature. It’s an extra, and it’s.. nice.
I’m not so sure it doesn’t add anything to conversations. I’d use it if a picture would help make my comment make more sense, at least.
WP for as long as I can remember has had the ability to include pictures in comments, though the support is frequently removed due to spam.
You woud have to have them hosted somewhere else, that also supports hotlinking.
With images counting as a complete commercial work, there is also the problem of of policing copyright something YouTube nows about all too well.
i can now offend many more people graphically.
/b/tards everywhere rejoice
This is great news for users of JS-Kit but won’t this just clutter-up comments to look like many message boards? I don’t mind the avatar but starting to stick pictures (later video, slide shows etc.) sort of takes away from the medium… sort of like adding all these features to SMS would defeat the purpose of using said technology in the first place.
Jon
http://Woodmarvels.com – Create Unique Memories
Spammers will have a field day with this feature..
Not just spammers, this has the real possibility of bringing the majesty of MySpace commenting to blogs the world over.
HAY GUISE, WERE PLAYIN FRIDAY IN ($town 500 miles away). CHECK OUT THE FLYER
JS-Kit Comments have “Mark as offensive” so the community can easily police inappropriate material.
better than disqus?
You tell us Paolo
it would take 2 minutes to make their logo less offensive…. what is this?!
test comment via facebook connect.
how you comment with Facebook?
With so much of technical distractions available, readers seem lost in sea of features after features. The art of commenting should be alive and kicking not because of features, images etc. These enhancements or the features should not lead to distractions.
Consider JS-Kit as a palette of features that the site owner turns on and off to build a specific experience.
Some blogs may not need photo or YouTube video, others, say, a blog about automobiles, may love the ability for readers to submit cool images.
Co-Founder JS-Kit
the problem is logging into the site you want to leave comment with, then logging into another site to actually leave the comment. Registration sucks.. thats why i love techcrunch commenting system so much.
Cease actually with JS-Kit Account Binding we can integrate with the parent site’s authentication system so that once a user is logged in they are logged into our widgets as well.
Including pictures while commenting may leads to distraction ,the content of the post should be given more credit through the comments ,than giving credit to the comments through pictures will distract readers from reading posts.This is my personal opinion only.
Just a atest comment throw facebook.
thank u for information
thanks
More great news about a great development. I worked with JS-Kit last year and something that people tend to overlook is the incremental development of these technologies.
As Khris said, the widgets are a box of tools essentially. If you think of adding images as a developmental step, perhaps one might extrapolate new functionality to come from this.
As far as Disqus and other companies are concerned, JS-Kit effectively outdistanced themselves in the traction game with the announcement of Halo Scan. The equation now is obviously continual refinement of the elements, and OpenID fluidity.
Images taken to the next logical step, well you think about this. I think Chris has got the data portability aspects covered. Remember tho, KIT is a work in porgress always.
Always,
Phil
aknyLH hi! how you doin?
For webmasters that like a bit more control and want to pick and choose, this is a pretty clean install … a webmaster’s dream