Category: Weblogging

A graceful end to what could have been an ugly and unfunny blog war.

Well done.

(Yeah. Yeah. I’m going back to my writing. Just wanted to update a thread that needed updating. And NJ Meryl, a little tune just for you…just because I’m an evil woman.)

-earlier-

My apologies to readers for down time earlier (which is why I’m posting and not writing at this moment). I’m still waiting to hear from InterLand about the cause of the problems, this time.

Nex time I move, I swear I’m going to start hosting my own server. I may still have problems but I won’t have the following conversations:

 

• Me: So what was the problem?

 

Them: There were latency problems

Me: Due to….?

Them: Problems

Me: And….?

Them: The problems have been fixed.

Me: And why were there problems?

Them: Latency.

 

Arrrgggghhhhh!!

In the meantime, there’s been a little sizzle related to Jonathon’s Blogicon item.

BTW – Winerlog, I gave you a little link-love…

I read Chris Prillo’s Blogging Manifesto as well as the reactions to it such as Mike Sander’s and Jonathon’s.

Mike based a new question on this discussion — Who is the real you. Damn, Mike! Please promise me you’ll personally send me an email when you ask a simple question such as What’s your favorite ice cream flavor, would you?

The real me. I probably share more of myself online than many, but you all don’t know the real me. This isn’t an insult; I’m not rejecting the honor that you bestow on me by spending time out of your busy day to read my words, but what I write here isn’t the sum and total of me.

In college, I studied a theory called The Looking Glass Self. Simply put, from my perspective, this theory states that people can become what other’s see them as — in effect become a product of other’s expectations. Even the most complex of personalities can be thought of as a faceted diamond, with each facet the cut of yet another person’s view of oneself.

This theory fascinated me and fascinates me to this day. In fact, I even have a weblog domain called Mirror Self (www.mirrorself.com), that I thought I would use for something some day. (Come to think of it, the domain screams weblog, doesn’t it?)

From a weblogging perspective, I am concerned that my weblog can become a looking glass reflection rather than a forum for me to share thoughts, jokes, pain, happiness, and even trivia that happens to interest me. I find myself editing my posts more and more, because they “expose” more of myself, and would, perhaps, make readers uncomfortable.

Even with this trip there were things I wanted to write, to discuss, to share yet stopped because the emotions behind the same are raw, even primal, and there is a line that one approaches but does not transcend — not without sending the reader away.

At times I almost want to quit this weblog because I want to write things badly and don’t because I’m not sure myself where to draw the line of share or not share — how much of me goes into these pages?

So I have a follow up question to Mike’s: how much is too much? How much can a person share in their weblog before some line is crossed between a healthy catharsis and sharing of emotions and experiences, and a complete and uncontrolled dump of self. What’s your opinion? I really want to know.

One other quick note before I got back to the writing that pays me a living (sort of, if I don’t eat):

Meryl Evans from Meryl’s Notes – had an online interview with the famous Head Lemur, which also got mentioned at Zeldman’s. Congrats Meryl.

See — joining hands on the ground floor. Meryl is a strong adherant of the web standards movement. And we all know that not everyone in the web standards movement is overally fond of me (i.e. said Mr. Zeldman and said Head Lemur). But Meryl’s still my buddy. Aren’t you Meryl. Meryl? Meryl?

Okay, time to update the Blogicon; I have a whole list of Blogicon entries today.

I’m adding the entries to the Blogicon column and page, in addition to adding hypertext named references so that you can link to individual items. Give me a couple of days to make the updates.

Let’s roll:

The first new Blogicon is from New Jersey Meryl (she’s from Joisey, don’t muck with her). Meryl’s entry is:

 

Lone Blogger:

a blogger who doesn’t use any blogging tool
Meryl, that’s kind of like shaving by pulling your hair out with tweezers, don’t you think?

The following two items are a collaboration between myself and my *separated by birth twin sister, Sharon:

 

Photog:

v. Photoging – blogging with photos; n. Photog – photo-related weblog like Photographica

Blister blog: weblog that uses adult terms/strong language such as, well, uh, uhm, never mind.

I got the following idea indirectly from Gary Turner, aka Mr. Blogsticker:

 

Stickless:

generating blogsticker ideas and then not using them at your weblog
Other BurningBird contributions:

weblogmania:

going to weblogs.com and accessing every weblog in the list

•  – do not try while under the influence

 

It’s a small world blog virus: posting a song at your site that people canNOT get out of their head – All Day Long – Ohhh, Roll me over in the clover….

It’s been said that weblogs and Google go hand in hand like peanut butter and bananas. I should know; I have Google tatooed across my butt. Anyway, the next two entries are related to our favorite search engine:

The Google Effect

finding content via a search engine rather than using DNS aliases; letting domain names lapse and relying on Google style searches

•  via Dan Gillmor

 

Googlewhacking both a game and a phenomena: Precision Google searching Unblinking via Dane Carlson

Last, but definitely not least, is a Blogicon item from Jonathon Delacour – in the spirit of fun and GSOH that all webloggers exhibit (if they hope to survive among the blogs for long…):

Do a Dave:

•  substantially editing or removing content after having posted it to the web

I have a confession to make: I sometimes Do a Dave at Burningbird.

(I don’t know; did that last sentence not sound quite right?)

Anyway, that’s it for the Blogicon until the next batch. Thanks for the generous contributions!

*separated by geography, birth date, and parents

-earlier-

I’ll have more Blogicon terms to add later today. I’m holding off as I’m unsure about one of them. I found it at Jonathon Delacour Unplugged yesterday, and thought it was perfect! The term is “Do a __(fill in the name)__”, and means substantially editing or removing content after having posted it to the web.. I think you know who’s name to use for the blank.

The Blogicon tweaks, but only gentle tweaks – inviting those tweaked to laugh with us. I’m just not sure about this entry. Is it gentle? Is it mean? Is it funny? Is it art?

I may try Radio 8.0 myself. There’s been a lot of *hooplah on this product:

Karl Martino Radio UserLand – The Lotus 123 of weblogging

Dan Shafer – Radio UserLand 8 changes that equation forever. It is the Great Democratizer of Web Publishing.

SJL – Radio 8.0 – It’s My Secret Weapon

and so on…

Amidst the hyperbole, there have been posts that are very intriguing, particularly to someone with my interest and background in emerging technologies. Posts such as those from David Davis dicussing weblog updates through his phone using SMS; or from Dane Carlson, posting via email. It is the non-traditional communication capabilities of Radio 8.0 that intrigue me.

Since the Userland folks are kind enough to provide the product for a 30 day free trial, I’ll check it out. Join the party. Give into the momentum. Glow with the flow, or some such thing. Don’t be surprised to see a Burning Bird Radio Weblog. I want to see this beastie in action, for myself.

However, I have work on the RDF book that must be finished today for the editors tomorrow, so no more weblogging for me today.

On Another Note: Check out the title graphics that Sharon created, and vote for your favorite (top to bottom, post in comments or send email). So far, the top title is the unanimous choice. Sharon also found a lava light and other graphics with a more 60’s tone.

50’s: turqoise and flamingo pink, black and white, chrome, plastic, and the space age (Jetson’s type of thing). Duck and cover.

60’s: advocado green, autumn orange, harvest gold, lava lights, flower power, mother nature. Give peace a chance.

Can these two co-exist? You tell me.

The decision now is whether to stay a straight 50’s look, or go for a blended 50’s/60’s type of look. Call it: When the Formica meets the Flower

*hooplah — hype when the word hype has been too hyped

-earlier-

Dave Winer talks about how people are complaining that Scripting News is focusing way too much on Radio 8.0.

Dave has a point — Scripting News is his weblog, he wants to write about what interests him, and now, and probably for long into the future, his focus will be on Radio 8.0.

It will be up to individuals, then, to decide if they want to continue checking out Scripting News or not. Personally, I’ll miss the comments about issues that generate a lot of weblog buzz — such as open source. And I’ll miss the fun postings such as the one about Madge. However, I’ll be cutting back views of Scripting News, at least for the next few weeks until the release of Radio 8.0 “settles in” so to speak.

And I can always work on a filter for “…Radio Weblog” if I want to view a cleaned up weblogs.com.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the title graphics that Sharon created, and vote for your favorite (top to bottom, post in comments or send email).