How to Comment
As you view the home page of Footnote, you will find that there are millions of images uploaded in the huge database. Along with these stats are the ever growing number of members of the Footnote community who are creating their own story pages, posting spotlights, uploading personal and historical photos, and making annotations on historical and interesting images online. These are only some of the activities you can perform as a member of Footnote.
One feature that makes Footnote an interactive and intellectual community is the comment feature for the members. A comment for any historical image or document is more than just a few words written about it, but it can also be a means or providing further info and insights on certain persons, places, and events for that image or document.
What is the purpose of making a comment on Footnote?
Comments are a means of creating links between you and other members of Footnote. Aside from this benefit, it facilitates a flow of discussion, where people with the same interests on Footnote can share their insights and even provide additional info for those who want to learn more about a specific topic.
Comments aim to provide constructive criticism on certain documents or write ups given by members in Footnote. You can say anything useful on a story page of a member, or fill in the "What do you think?" box beneath a spotlight you have just viewed. In a way, comments made to your contributions let you know how much helpful your files are, and how other members appreciate the contribution you made to Footnote.
The comments made to you by your readers and viewers should influence you and inspire you to update your photos, share more tales on your story pages, and others. As mentioned, constructive criticisms can serve as a driving force in enriching and improving the collections in the Footnote database.
Why else is commenting relevant? Because there are millions of files at Footnote, it can take a while to find what you really need, so you must make a search query. Searching for a document, image, or any other file on Footnote may be narrowed down by selecting the result type. While searching, you may find comments that were relevant or related to the search query you made.
Also, if you click on the "Member Discoveries" tab on your navigation bar above the homepage, you can check out the most recent comments made by the other members on Footnote.
How to comment on Footnote
You must be logged in with your account to be able to make comments on the Footnote website. While you are in the signed in state at the homepage, click on the "Member Discoveries" tab, or make a search query to find images that you want to view. When you have selected an image you want to comment on, your browser will open the Footnote Viewer mode.
Click on the right hand frame labeled as "About this Document" to view recent comments made by others on the image. If there have been no comments made so far, then you may be the first to add one. Simply type in your comments in the text box provided and click the "Add Your Comment" button when done.
Story pages are also excellent spots to post a comment on, just click on "Member Discoveries" tab on the home page to view the latest and most popular story pages for the given time. If you want to comment on a story page that you find interesting, simply scroll down to the bottom of the story page you have read, and click on the link "Add a Comment." Type in your thoughts on the text box and when you are done, click on the button "Post comment."
Spotlights are portions of an image or a whole image which members of Footnote find interesting to discuss further. If you can make a spotlight to focus on any image in particular, you may also make a comment on spotlights written by other members on Footnote. Again, click on the "Member Discoveries" tab to find the most recently posted spotlights so you can make a comment on them. When you land on a spotlight page, simply type in your ideas on the "What Do You Think?" text box below it, click on "Post comment," and you have made your comment.
Tips on writing comments
You have the freedom to put in as many comments as you like, and as often as you like on the files you find in Footnote. Here are some helpful hints on how you can make a good comment.
- Check on other photos or images that contain several comments from other members. This can give you an idea of the way people provide opinions on certain topics. They may direct it towards the historical event being discussed, or they may comment the contributor for providing a good image to the collection.
- Offer constructive critiques on whatever content on Footnote you are viewing. It is best to give compliments or kudos to a fellow member for finding such relevant stuff on the database. Most members would simply say "thanks" to a Footnote member for adding something important to the collection.
- You can also make a comment based on the historical event being discussed, and not only on the image or photo you are viewing. Feel free to share your insights on why you think such an event in world history or American history should be deemed significant.
Note that whenever you make a comment, other members can be directed to
your profile page, so it will be a good idea to make good quality comments so
that others will look forward to checking out your Profile as well as your
story pages, spotlights, and others. Should you wish to view all the comments
you have made on Footnote since you have started your membership, simply check
your Profile Page and look under the heading of "Comments."