Hmm, the idea of the commenting post is a good idea. I think I’ll grab your idea and run with it.

I learned point 4 the hard way. When I first got this domain, it was mostly to showcase some mIRC scripts I created. The name heritage-tech itself was derived from an IRC channel I frequented.

I then started doing regular updates to the site; both content and presentation wise.

I proceed to do write regular posts using a CMS. Essentially, it was blogging although the term wasn’t coined up yet then.

Since I started using WP, I tried my darnest to stick to writing tech stuff. But there’s only a certain point where this was bearable. Hence my decision to go nicheless.

In hindsight, I wish I had done this earlier.

As for point 7, links are a commodity. I don’t like the fact that it turned this way, but it has already happened. So I just go with the flow and advised accordingly.

I somehow knew that if you were to comment on point 8, although I expected something with more meat

For me, it’s not a question of want, but more of need. If you were to ask me about this topic two years ago, it’s definitely a want thing because I was virtually broke back then.

So yes, money is a motivation but it’s not a reason for blogging; at least for me.

As for the commenting bit, you should write a post on this. You are a world-reknowned blog commentator; being a Suanie Award Winner for Blog Commentator Of The Year and all!

I like point number 4. I think that’s important. A lot of people I’ve seen have started blogs and had no idea what they were going to do. They just thought it’d be kewl to have a blog or they were copying everyone else. Their blogs die off when they struggle to find their footing within a niche, though as you say, often the niche finds the blogger and not the other way round. But, sticking within a niche is important, otherwise the blog seems aimless and pointless at times.

Point number one could be just ten ideas for posts ready. Some of those ideas don’t need to be well thought out either, as long as they are in their embryo stage and the blogger feels confident enough that they’ll be able to bring them to fruition within the first ten days.

Five is also important. Quality will keep readers returning.

Get linked? Um, I don’t think I ever sort to get linked anywhere in particular. [Not that it hasn't happened]

Point eight is only important if you want to make money from your blog. I’d say, know why you blog before you start. Different people blog for different reasons. If the reason is money, then point eight is important.

Number nine is a good way to make friends. Not everyone reciprocates as some people have blogrolls bursting at the seems [so they can't or won't have time to read your blog and might not reciprocvate no matter how often you comment on their blogs].
I think commenting is important, as blogs aren’t just monologues. They are often dialogues between the blogger and the readers, and some great ideas are often contained within the comments.

I don’t pay enough attention to my statistics. But, though they are important [as I'd like to know people are enjoying my writings etc], it won’t kill me if I’m never a femes blogger like some people are.

Comments should really contribute to the topic covered in the post. It’s really a fine balancing act.

For me, if I have something quick to say about a particular post, I’m more likely to comment.

However, if I want to elaborate more and/or have some links to share as well, I might write a post and link to the original post.

I think that makes more sense.

However, there are times when I don’t comment simply because I don’t know whether the post is sincere or just made up for commercial reasons… and it’s becoming quite a problem for me these days.