please empty your brain below
Oh dear, and I bet the new thing doesn't work properly with W98.

Debster | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 11:00 a.m. | #

Meeep. I've been thinking of moving to Wordpress but the only thing holding me back is not being able to export my comments.

I think I can now, so that's where I'm going...

zed | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 11:13 a.m. | #

Just been over to the Echo page. I use Opera Mini - do you think I can add a comment to their page?* Sorry you've been put in this position DG, I can imagine how frustrating and annoying it must be. Why don't they realise one size does not fit all - after all, Russell Hobbs still make separate toasters and microwaves, they don't try to sell a combined device only.

* the answer is no, funnily enough :-(

Ewan | 12.12.09 - 11:20 a.m. | #

Hello -

Have you looked at IntenseDebate? That's the standalone WordPress comment system. I have no idea if it's any good, or even if they charge for it, since I tend to use the server-run WP installation for blogging (although you can run a free blog on WP.com, they charge for extras but not the basic service.)

But it may be a solution to your dilemma: http://www.intensedebate.com/

AstroGirl | 12.12.09 - 11:44 a.m. | #

You ought to be able to export the haloscan comments as an xml file. If you're a premium haloscan subscriber then there's apparently a feature to back-up comments. If not, there's a python script you can use.

Blogger does have an inport/export facility so you just need to transform your Haloscan file to one that can be imported into Blogger.
That's where it gets a bit tricky as there doesn't seem to be a direct conversion.

If you import everything to a temporary Typepad or Wordpress blog then there are tools to move those back to blogger.

andrew | 12.12.09 - 11:47 a.m. | #

A plea not to go to Echo from me as it will mean I will not be able to view or make comments at work. Flash is disabled on our corporate system to stop us wasting time on videos and games. So assuming it is Flash based I vote no

Peewit | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 12:33 p.m. | #

And I was hoping that you were going to come up with an answer.

I wonder if there is anything I can run on my server?

Ham | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 12:49 p.m. | #

It's a bit of a bitch, I suppose.

** CLICHE ALERT **

But nothing in the world is for free.

So, I guess that the answer is pay up, or lose the posts. Simple as that!

Go on DG, I'm sure you can spare the $10...

:0)

gimmerugga | 12.12.09 - 12:51 p.m. | #

If you're primarily concerned about not losing the comments and have no other option, you could still extract the Haloscan links from all your blog pages (a two-line sed script, I guess) and use a HTTP grab tool to save the comment pages.

Contact me if you'd like more detailed instructions.

Joachim | 12.12.09 - 1:43 p.m. | #

ouch. When my original blog platform started to fray at the edges I was able to import everything, comments and all, into a free wordpress.com blog. (I couldn't export it from my old site though - I had to save every page as html and then use a script to get it into the right XML format) As Andrew says, from there you ought to be able to import back into blogger, but whether you could import the comments to your existing blog, I don't know.

FWIW, I really like wordpress, it should import direct from blogger and it does to have excellent spam detection for comments without forcing users through hoops and while it doesn't allow much in the way of javascript bells and whistles I'm guessing that wouldn't be too much of a problem for you.

disgruntled | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 1:56 p.m. | #

I think the problem is not so much exporting the old Haloscan comments (that can easily been done), it's rather finding a new comments platform that

a) is as simple and minimalistic like Haloscan, and
b) allows the saved, exported Haloscan XML files to be imported

Gimmerugga: I would happily pay for a comment system as described above, but I'm certainly not paying for a comment system where I'm being bullied into paying, which is exactly what JS-Kit are doing at the moment. I really don't think anybody has a problem with those 10 Dollars, the problem is more how the message is coming across from Js-Kit. Also, like DG, I really neither want nor need all this social networks bullshit and videos and whatnot.

The Cartoonist | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 2:02 p.m. | #

*shrugs*
I've always said that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

But - didn't someone offer to help you out last time you mentioned this?

Blue Witch | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 2:26 p.m. | #

First of all, and most importantly, download the HaloScan comments as XML ASAP.

It *is* then possible to import XML comments into Blogger - but as far as I can see it's quite difficult. An XML-friendly friend and an afternoon should do it though.

john b | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 2:33 p.m. | #

We hate Disqus :@

sboy2010 | 12.12.09 - 3:36 p.m. | #

dg says:

1) Hmmm, IntenseDebate. Worth investigating.

2) My Haloscan comments are supposedly exportable in 42 separate files. But every time I try to export the first chunk, I get "An internal server error occurred. Please try again later".

3) Even though saving the old comments ought to be fairly easy, plugging them back in via a new system looks bloody hard.

4) I don't think Echo is Flash-based, because my Firefox Flashblock extension doesn't block it.

5) I can easily afford the $10. But I don't see why I should pay for a service that isn't what I want.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 4:12 p.m. | #

Another good thing about Haloscan comments is that the layout and design is simple enough so that I can use it easily on a WAP-based mobile phone. By the looks of things, I doubt Echo will be so mobile friendly.

Andrewh | 12.12.09 - 6:42 p.m. | #

A little thought: how about offering JS-Kit $10 a year *not* to 'upgrade' you and to keep Haloscan commenting exactly as now? I would happily chip in ä dollar of that.

Ewan | 12.12.09 - 6:57 p.m. | #

Trapped between a rock and a hard place. There is no easy answer.

It took me about three years to transition my blog from Blogger to Wordpress. That included all posts and comments adding sensible titles tidying up HTML issues and adding tags to each post.

I would start seriously looking at alternatives to blogger as well for your content.

I struggled with the simplicity issue but in the end I don't trust these blogging companies to provide me with a solution I trust long term or pull the rug out from underneath me when they upgrade the templating system or something.

Look whats happening to Livejournal - a once thriving blogging ecosystem is dying. I suspect it will be the next Geocities.

Darren | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 7:21 p.m. | #

could your problems downloading the xml be browser related? I've just had no problems using Opera

Ham | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 8:07 p.m. | #

If JS-Kit actually value their (potential) customers, they'd be looking at allowing them to keep the commenting system intact, and offering new customers a choice of system - the existing one, or the one with bells and whistles. They should remember the customer is always right: without them, there's no business. I'm wondering if you've already contacted them to ask if you could pay the $10 to have that choice of keeping the system you have now. Win-win: they get their tenner, you get the commenting system you want. Surely any company with a decent customer service ethic could see that logic? Best of luck.

Josie | 12.12.09 - 8:22 p.m. | #

Here's what JS-Kit have to say about the reason for Haloscan's demise:

While Haloscan has a been a trusted friend for many, the reality is that the servers and the software are beginning to fail and our small startup is unable to continue to support two platforms. We recognize that change is always difficult and daunting, however we hope that the new features, great support and constant innovation on the Echo platform will offset the challenges of any switch.

They were doing quite well there until the word "challenges".

diamond geezer | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 8:53 p.m. | #

I was going to suggest looking at IntenseDebate also - although I've never used it so can't vouch.

For selfish reasons, I'd rather you switched to Wordpress than install Blogger comments, which remain rubbish for those of us who use different gmail accounts...

JonnyB | Homepage | 12.12.09 - 11:40 p.m. | #

I don't suppose that Echo have a "social comment" based on the letter V by any chance. No. Thought not.

Dave | 13.12.09 - 10:03 a.m. | #

I'd be happy to help you import the comments into a new system (once you've settled on it )if you can export the comments as XML from Haloscan

Dan | 13.12.09 - 11:28 a.m. | #

Oh, dear. They really should have accounted for that in their business plan :-/ That "challenge" would have been part of the SWOT analysis, and instead they're potentially losing customers instead of gaining them - not a good move for a start-up!

Hope you find a commenting platform that does the trick for everything you need it to do... wish I could help, but I know little about these things.

Josie | 13.12.09 - 11:32 a.m. | #

I spy an opportunity for someone to make a Haloscan replacement for people who want only a Haloscan-esque product (and there must be hundreds if not thousands of them).

Now,I'm sure the techies amongst you can work it out between you...

Charge, say, a one-off payment of £20 each for lifetime usage and it should more than cover the future hosting costs.

Blue Witch | Homepage | 13.12.09 - 12:32 p.m. | #

Re: commenting, I think I've heard this story before.. http://diveintomark.org/archives...05/14/freedom-
0

O | 13.12.09 - 2:37 p.m. | #

Q is going insane trying to import the comments from my site to WP. He's set up a new blog on WP for me, but trying to export nearly 44k of comments from my present blog to the 'new' one is driving him close to suicide.

zed | Homepage | 13.12.09 - 6:00 p.m. | #

@Zed: pah, serves him right.

The Cartoonist | Homepage | 13.12.09 - 6:42 p.m. | #

@the Cartoonist - do remember that I know where you live...

zed | Homepage | 13.12.09 - 6:51 p.m. | #

Oooops …

The Cartoonist | Homepage | 13.12.09 - 7:11 p.m. | #

Well, I got to thinking and looking dispassionately. First, I have never been asked by Haloscan to renew my subscription, I have all the paid features, but I only ever paid once, so I almost owe them. Second, I believe in a paid model. Third, to be fair, they have been bleating about this upgrade for a long time, so although two weeks sounds short, it is their ball. Fourth, none of the available options are as clean and appealing as the existing Haloscan and it would take more time than I have (precisely none) to do anything about it. So I've signed up and paid up. I'm not out of pocket and so I'm not worse off. Let's see what it is like. I may just ditch it and go back to blogger comments.

Ham | Homepage | 14.12.09 - 5:59 p.m. | #

Good news folk.

It IS possible to to import comments to WordPress!

See the post on my new site.

There are still a few things to sort out and I do regret moving from Blogspot, but at least I've avoided the bells, whistles and ads.

And you can too - if it's not too late.

Jakartass | Homepage | 22.12.09 - 2:40 p.m. | #











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