i can't comment on blog (error something) so I do here: I guess many companies will fear for negative comments, but they should fear for NO comments at all :) - Gianluca Diegoli

indeed, that might be the case for many sites - on the TypePad comment system, for some reason, some users find it hard to comment there... I submitted tons of tickets, but so far, no resolution. They usually want to know exactly what happens, have screen shots, etc. I think that secretly they'd like us to tell them how ti fix it, too ;) - Valeria Maltoni

Chris, is this much different than having a FriendFeed conversation automatically show-up in a sidebar? We've seen discussion about "stealing comments" before... I think it's bull. As for moving data "into" Google: Google has quite some efforts for dataportability going on... I expect a user can backup their comments to another service as they please. Likewise, all my FriendFeed comments are automatically pulled into Backtype. - Meryn Stol

I see it also has some similarities to Diigo and other annotation web services... These have existed for ages... I just think Google repackages this a bit, with better UI and such. I really don't see the problem of it. The big difference is Google Toolbar's reach. Many people don't even know of Diigo probably. - Meryn Stol

I expect that friendfeed, facebook and twitter will start very soon with similar tools, that simulate visual integration with connected and commented sites. So, I prefer openness of Google to FB walls... - Gianluca Diegoli

linked this thread in the TypePad comments - it's very sad that the native software would not offer integration, given the developments we're discussing... probably why more and more bloggers are moving to WP :) - Valeria Maltoni

right! WP FTW :) - Susan Beebe

It sounds interesting but since it requires the use of Google Toolbar I think I'll pass. I don't have room for any toolbars. - Sue - Friendfeed is best

That's a very valid concern, Timo. I have no idea of what Google plans to do with it, but on a first blush, the add on bar is distracting, almost "rude" as it intrudes on an existing page flow - I was never a fan of add on bars, whether they come from left field or are at the bottom of blogs. Esthetically, they detract from the user experience and make more visual clutter/graffiti. - Valeria Maltoni