Weekly Poll: Blogging
Monday, December 10, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
This week's poll will hopefully be far less contentious than last week's. If you keep up on the larger Stardock community, you're probably aware of JoeUser, our own blogging site with a community twist. What you may not be aware of is that the site is undergoing a major rewrite, the first since it launched in 2003 which we expect to have ready for public use early in 2008.
So this week I'd like to know if you "blog" at all. Not necessarily if you blog at JoeUser or if you would, just if you do at all. It's always interesting to me to see what kind of conceptual overlap we have between our sites.
Results, as always, to come next week.
2of3
Reply #2 Monday, December 10, 2007 4:21 PM
ME2
Reply #2 Monday, December 10, 2007 4:21 PM
And I actually loathe the term "blog." It's one of those horrible contractions that I blame our text-message-happy society "4".
ME2
Lantec
Reply #3 Monday, December 10, 2007 4:23 PM
Reply #3 Monday, December 10, 2007 4:23 PM
I prefer discussions to monologues 
Nothing against bloggers, but when I think of blogs I'm reminded of the quip "Opinions are like assholes............."
Nothing against bloggers, but when I think of blogs I'm reminded of the quip "Opinions are like assholes............."
vStyler
Reply #4 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:14 PM
Reply #4 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:14 PM
Don't write a blog, don't read blogs.
Blog free.
Far too much info online to spend time reading people's diaries.
Blog free.
Far too much info online to spend time reading people's diaries.
jamespaulp
Reply #5 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:25 PM
It was supposed to be that. These days it is anything but a diary. Many blogs read like books. One advantage these blogs have over books is that each chapter can be of different topic. But there are some very focused blogs.
Reply #5 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:25 PM
Far too much info online to spend time reading people's diaries.
It was supposed to be that. These days it is anything but a diary. Many blogs read like books. One advantage these blogs have over books is that each chapter can be of different topic. But there are some very focused blogs.
Snowman
Reply #6 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:49 PM
Reply #6 Monday, December 10, 2007 5:49 PM
Heck no.....
Ain't got time for time-wasting stuff like that!
Ain't got time for time-wasting stuff like that!
NightTrainthedark
Reply #7 Monday, December 10, 2007 6:05 PM
Reply #7 Monday, December 10, 2007 6:05 PM
I can read a rant by a blithering idiot that thinks they are special or I can Read a book by a proven author. 
Philly0381
Reply #8 Monday, December 10, 2007 6:13 PM
Reply #8 Monday, December 10, 2007 6:13 PM
I don't blog, never gave it much thought. After reading the replies though I think I may have found why I never will. 
LightStar
Reply #9 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:11 PM
Reply #9 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:11 PM
Never even read a blog, I find them annoying and people should really make better use of their time. 
BONEHEADdb
Reply #10 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:50 PM
Reply #10 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:50 PM
Always meant to read one but never did, too busy.
Larry Kuperman
Reply #11 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:56 PM
Reply #11 Monday, December 10, 2007 8:56 PM
Blogger.
It gives me an outlet for my thoughts and has given me a great deal of pleasure over the years.
Respectfully disagree with the "proven author" theory. Whims of the publisher might be a better description.
Let me, in one paragraph, tell you why blogging is worthwhile. Pictures of the war in Lebanon were discovered to have been doctored with Photoshop on a blog site. No one, not Reuters, not the London or New York Times, not the Wall Street Journal would have caught the fraud without a blogger finding it first. Everyone else "assumed" they were true because a respected media outlet carried them.
Blogging can be the dissenting voice that makes us think.
It gives me an outlet for my thoughts and has given me a great deal of pleasure over the years.
Respectfully disagree with the "proven author" theory. Whims of the publisher might be a better description.
Let me, in one paragraph, tell you why blogging is worthwhile. Pictures of the war in Lebanon were discovered to have been doctored with Photoshop on a blog site. No one, not Reuters, not the London or New York Times, not the Wall Street Journal would have caught the fraud without a blogger finding it first. Everyone else "assumed" they were true because a respected media outlet carried them.
Blogging can be the dissenting voice that makes us think.
vStyler
Reply #12 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:03 PM
The same can be said for the reverse effect... dissemniation of propaganda Larry
Reply #12 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:03 PM
Blogging can be the dissenting voice that makes us think.
The same can be said for the reverse effect... dissemniation of propaganda Larry
jamespaulp
Reply #13 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:04 PM
Dissent is not a good thing under certain ideologies.
Reply #13 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:04 PM
Blogging can be the dissenting voice that makes us think.
Dissent is not a good thing under certain ideologies.
Island Dog
Reply #14 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:05 PM
Reply #14 Monday, December 10, 2007 9:05 PM
I enjoy blogging, and I also have to agree with the points Larry made. Blogging is the "new media", and unfortunately it's becoming more credible than the so-called "media".
Blogs are not entirely made up of people who do nothing but rant and complain, although there is a fair share of that. I go through hundreds of blogs daily, most of them tech related, and I find more interesting reviews, tips, etc. from blogs than I do more "professional" sources.
Blogs are not entirely made up of people who do nothing but rant and complain, although there is a fair share of that. I go through hundreds of blogs daily, most of them tech related, and I find more interesting reviews, tips, etc. from blogs than I do more "professional" sources.
sViz
Reply #15 Monday, December 10, 2007 10:11 PM
Reply #15 Monday, December 10, 2007 10:11 PM
I don't blog, probably, never will. I've read a few blogs, but none consitently.
I agree, that they provide a unique alternative viewpoint or a dissenting voice. Lantec is right; it is much like that quote about opinions. While a great deal of blogging might be ranting there are unique voices amidst the noise. It's got the good, bad, and ugly. It's just another outlet for expression, like Youtube etc. Sure there are alot of sad idiots goofing off on there but such is life, and such is human nature. At least, unlike mainstream media, everyone gets the opportunity to have their voice heard.
The ability to express yourself online, instantly, is a powerful thing. To be seen, heard, and read around the world can be a great opportunity to affect positive change, enlight, inspire, or just make someone's day a little lighter. In the right hands, with the right attitude and responsibilty, blogging could be a positive movement. However, this is not Utopia and some people DO have too much time on their hands.
Ultimately, it's just about hearing what people have to say, and this is where it's similar to mainstream; you can listen or navigate away. To me, blogs are just like every other form of news/entertainment/etc., they're out there, and so long as I don't bother with the crappy stuff, it doesn't bother me.
I agree, that they provide a unique alternative viewpoint or a dissenting voice. Lantec is right; it is much like that quote about opinions. While a great deal of blogging might be ranting there are unique voices amidst the noise. It's got the good, bad, and ugly. It's just another outlet for expression, like Youtube etc. Sure there are alot of sad idiots goofing off on there but such is life, and such is human nature. At least, unlike mainstream media, everyone gets the opportunity to have their voice heard.
The ability to express yourself online, instantly, is a powerful thing. To be seen, heard, and read around the world can be a great opportunity to affect positive change, enlight, inspire, or just make someone's day a little lighter. In the right hands, with the right attitude and responsibilty, blogging could be a positive movement. However, this is not Utopia and some people DO have too much time on their hands.
Ultimately, it's just about hearing what people have to say, and this is where it's similar to mainstream; you can listen or navigate away. To me, blogs are just like every other form of news/entertainment/etc., they're out there, and so long as I don't bother with the crappy stuff, it doesn't bother me.
ZubaZ
Reply #16 Monday, December 10, 2007 10:44 PM
Reply #16 Monday, December 10, 2007 10:44 PM
I'm an infrequent blogger but I do it. Over the years I've focused on technology and politics and lately on my family.
I blog for me and once in a while outsiders see it. That's cool too.
I blog for me and once in a while outsiders see it. That's cool too.
Nimbin
Reply #17 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:24 AM
Reply #17 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:24 AM
i never have been into blogs, either writing them or reading them but each to their own.
if they feel the need to write their opinions and post them to the internet then good for them. it just doesn't interest me. give me a good topical chatroom anyday where you can actually discuss the issues live with people.
if they feel the need to write their opinions and post them to the internet then good for them. it just doesn't interest me. give me a good topical chatroom anyday where you can actually discuss the issues live with people.
jamespaulp
Reply #18 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:46 AM
Reply #18 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:46 AM
Nimbin, let me give an example of usefulness of a blog. When I was playing with Vista and XP dual boot, I had a few issues, I took notes and when I fixed everything, I posted the problem and resolution on my blog. That link has the highest number of hits on my blog to date. The entry was made 15 months ago. WWW Link
Just like here, where people download the content and do not pay or say a thank you, people found my post useful in resolving a specific issue but would not acknowledge. But that's beside the point.
You will also see a lot of rant over my blog. People don't pay attention to it. How do I know? Hit count. But I continue to write those so that I remember it.
I trust peoples experience more than expert opinion. I have very low trust for certified experts. This is where I read blogs most. I look for specific experiences. The more I read, the more I can form an opinion. Except of course politics and fan boy stuff.
Just like here, where people download the content and do not pay or say a thank you, people found my post useful in resolving a specific issue but would not acknowledge. But that's beside the point.
You will also see a lot of rant over my blog. People don't pay attention to it. How do I know? Hit count. But I continue to write those so that I remember it.
I trust peoples experience more than expert opinion. I have very low trust for certified experts. This is where I read blogs most. I look for specific experiences. The more I read, the more I can form an opinion. Except of course politics and fan boy stuff.
Disturbedcomputer
Reply #19 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:38 AM
Reply #19 Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:38 AM
I voted yes but then read what a blog is
and I need to change my vote to NO
see I thought the forums was a blog
and I need to change my vote to NO
see I thought the forums was a blog
winstar4
Reply #20 Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:02 AM
Reply #20 Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:02 AM
I don't blog, I do write poetry, maybe I should create a poetry blog, then again I should copyright them 1st (smile). I concur with Nimbin, a good lively chat suits me better. However, some blogs are helpful as in jamespaulp's example.
Also, a note to jamespaulp, posts like your dual boot post, along with forums like windowsbbs.com, have been invaluable help to me over the years.
jamespaulp, I too use vista/xp dual boot on my computers, luckily I found EasyBCD, a program that addresses bootloader issues related to Vista. It is here: http://neosmart.net/software.php
Also, a note to jamespaulp, posts like your dual boot post, along with forums like windowsbbs.com, have been invaluable help to me over the years.
took notes and when I fixed everything, I posted the problem and resolution on my blog
jamespaulp, I too use vista/xp dual boot on my computers, luckily I found EasyBCD, a program that addresses bootloader issues related to Vista. It is here: http://neosmart.net/software.php
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Reply #1 Monday, December 10, 2007 4:09 PM
And I actually loathe the term "blog." It's one of those horrible contractions that I blame our text-message-happy society "4".