I didn't attach too much importance to comments back when I had a gallery - I attached the photos just to prove I was who I said I was. I was somewhat flattered by compliments, but that was tempered by the knowledge that the etiquette here was "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

That said, the comments/compliments from people I knew from the boards meant more to me than the ones from semi-anonymous gallery surfers.