OK, here is my 2 cents worth.
On the subject of comments. I enjoy the comments I get! On the other hand, I moved to the Poser gallery to get more informative comments. Yes we all love the OMGs and EXCELLENTs, but I would like to see more of " the lighting is a little off maybe you could .......".
I don't give critisism well,
number 1. I don't have the skill or knowledge yet,
number 2. People can be really hurt sometimes if you don't do it in the right way, "the right way being different for everyone"
I would never want to hurt someones' feelings!
Then you have the comments like "It's interesting, I'll give it that". Well, the image with this comment was one that I was not happy with.
"This is my first attempt at compositing more than 3 renders. I'm not very happy with it but practice makes perfect, right?

Thanks as always for taking a look and your comments or crits are needed and appreciated!"
Taken from my post.
Not a malicious comment but,hmm, no help there! I have also had friends get angry on my behalf. I try to difuse it whenever this happens.
I leave comments when I can, I'm on dial up at home. It takes forever to keep up with my favs and then check out the galleries. But I try to look at everyones on the page, I don't jump around looking for the most viewed or commented. Fairs' Fair after all!
On the Hot 20,
It's not something I worry about. I don't check it very often. Mainly because the images in it are from the same people, over and over.
One thing I do want to mention and I feel very strongly about this, why do people feel the need to solicit comments? Why do some people insist on sending me generic IMs, saying "Thank you for your comments on my image blah blah. Your comments mean a lot to me. ps. new image posted"? Umm, you are already on my favs list. I have a name you know!
If it's going to be a popularity contest, I'll just go on and opt out. I left that crap in High School!
~WHEW~ I feel better now!