I have been searching for a while for one simple (not so simple if you asked me a week ago!) solution. I came to realize that on some websites the default order of comments, where oldest comments are shown first and the newest last, did not really do anyone good. I know, you may thing why on earth would I want to reverse the order in which comments are displayed?
First I would never do it here on this website. I am lucky to get a comment now and then on my posts and I actively participate in the conversations on this website. Reversing the order of comments on this website would probably turn into a disaster.
There are however times that you may want to have the default order of comments reversed. If you like me use WordPress as a publishing tool for your affiliate websites. I have a few of those powered by Data Feed File Import script. Using that script you have an option to keep you comments closed, while I personally do not recommend doing so and always keep the comments open. This gives your visitors an opportunity to leave a short review if they desire so. While I have several of such websites, I never responded to any comments and really there are no “conversations” taking place on those website. In effect they have become sort of “review websites” where you just provide basic information about product or service and let the visitors voice their opinion. On such websites it may not be such a bad idea to reverse the order of comments for obvious reasons- you want your readers to be presented with the newest “reviews” comments first. It may not be a huge issue if you have just a few comments on each, but if you have long-time plans for your website you just may find yourself looking for a solution.
So how it can be done? First of all there is very easy, via a plugin, which reverses the order of comments (Do not be alarmed! The zip file includes installation instructions in English). Dane from Blog Strokes found this plugin when I asked him how it can be done.
Meanwhile I have found another way with which no plugin is required. Following tutorial on how to reverse the order of the comments in WordPress offers you two methods to do that. First involves modifying one of your core files- which may need to be done every time you update your WordPress. The second method involves modifying your theme’s comments template (comments.php)- with this method you may not need to repeat it every time there is another WordPress update, as long as you do not need to modify your theme.
Enjoy!
Nobody more agree to let comments in “normal” order. first first and latest last.
Is also easy to follow eventual discussions apeared there between commenters. Even near at hand to “stir” it up – the discussion – if going on good / wrong direction …
😉
Nobody more agree to let comments in “normal” order. first first and latest last.
Is also easy to follow eventual discussions apeared there between commenters. Even near at hand to “stir” it up – the discussion – if going on good / wrong direction …
😉
Valentin,
I would not advise you to implement this on every website. But on the websites that you do not really want a “conversation” to take place.
Valentin,
I would not advise you to implement this on every website. But on the websites that you do not really want a “conversation” to take place.
Intersting idea, Vlad, implementing “up side down” comments on sites where you actualy do not want conversations ..
Comments will actually look more like some testimonials or simply feedback, so one may assume comments actually play the similar rolle like answers to a quiz or survey ..
For sure, as i`m a fan of open dialogue, hard to belive I`l want to implement .. 🙂
Intersting idea, Vlad, implementing “up side down” comments on sites where you actualy do not want conversations ..
Comments will actually look more like some testimonials or simply feedback, so one may assume comments actually play the similar rolle like answers to a quiz or survey ..
For sure, as i`m a fan of open dialogue, hard to belive I`l want to implement .. 🙂
Valentin,
You have nailed it. The “reverse” comments can look like feedback/reviews. Again I would never do so on this blog or on any other blog that I respond to comments.
Valentin,
You have nailed it. The “reverse” comments can look like feedback/reviews. Again I would never do so on this blog or on any other blog that I respond to comments.
hi,
why?
– a guestbook.
especially if you use wordpress' own comment feature to power your guestbook – then reverse order comes up nicely.
hi,
why?
– a guestbook.
especially if you use wordpress’ own comment feature to power your guestbook – then reverse order comes up nicely.