Let's copy 'static comments' from Jekyll

[ralsina]

Because immitation is a form of flattery, let's flatter the heck out of this:

https://github.com/mpalmer/jekyll-static-comments

[Kwpolska]

This is ugly. Let’s just sum this up (1 list element = 1 dumb thing):

1. Use PHP to
2. e-mail the site owner, which
3. is meant to moderate and add manually, and then
4. rebuild the site manually

In other projects (@hyde mailing list IIRC) I’ve heard an almost-as-misguided idea, like this:

1. Use PHP to
2. save comments to a
3. world-writable directory on the server,
4. and rebuild the site
5. using a system() call.

[ralsina]

Oh yes, it's a completely dumb solution! However, for some people, using a 3rd party comment system is dumb too.

I have a better alternative for the second idea you describe:

1. Use PHP to
2. save comments to a
3. word-writable directory on the server
4. and then pick them up via JS and not rebuild the site

[Kwpolska]

that’s not too static, which is the idea behind the first two systems.

So, you want a build-your-own file-based comment service? Why not do it on databases? I’d normally say Python, but on many servers that is impossible.

Or have people trust DISQUS, which runs on Django.

[ralsina]

No, I intend to copy theirs. And there are different meanings of "static". Static to me means "doesn't run anything server side" which of course this Jekyll thing does, so the name sucks. I have nothing against JS on the client, though.

[gour]

Just few more links...

• Juvia - but that's like Disqus, just open-source
• ŧalkatv - similar but not sure whether it still alive
• HashOver Comments - it looks it is still developed (PHP)

[posativ]

I know of a different approach used by a popular (german) blog: add a link where you can leave your comment with mailto:input@example.tld?subject=Test. This will open the default mail client and sets the title automatically. This has two great advantages: automatic spam filtering and works without PHP/Python/whatever on the server. Disadvantage: manual copy/paste into the website.

The mentioned talka.tv is no longer actively developed and has no support for anonymous comments (duh). I am currently working on a similar project called Isso which supports anonymous comment, and a live demo.

[ralsina]

@posativ well, that disadvantage is quite a large one! :-D

I am playing with writing a unhosted comment system using something like Firebase but it's a lot of work :-/

[Kwpolska]

manual copy-paste? Well, if you own a server and you host your mail, you could automate that.

[ralsina]

If noone did this in 2 years, noone will do it.

If someone wants to do it, he can do it.