Comments on: State of the Blogosphere, Part I

By: The Colossus of Rhodey

The Colossus of Rhodey — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 15:26:20 +0000

About us

If you hadn’t already noticed, we’ve finally added an “About Us” link (at right). You can thank La Shawn Barber for her “kick in the butt” to get that done. Mike M. got the “kick,” too. Gooch, who will indeed…

By: The Sheep's Crib

The Sheep's Crib — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 00:53:10 +0000

ABOUT ME: JOHN A. GILLMARTIN – NOW ARE YOU …

… happy La Shawn? And I’ve got an email address up too! Clink on the title link to find out why I did this.

By: Adam's Blog

Adam's Blog — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 04:49:56 +0000

My Blogging Mistake Checklist

Courtesy of Lashawn Barber, I found the top ten design mistakes for weblogs.

Anyway, compare myself to the list and see how I’m doing in terms of avoiding the mistakes:

Mistake 1: No Author Biographies

I’ve avoided this from day one. Honestly, if …

By: Mark La Roi

Mark La Roi — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 01:50:37 +0000

I’ve been trying to get things arranged more neatly and functionally, thanks for that site link La Shawn, I’ve bookmarked it.

The thing is, my “Say What Now” started as and remains a personal blog in which I just express stuff, so I don’t know if I’ll ever make much effort to make it “suitable” so to speak. My other blog is designed to get attention for my radio show, so I’ve been fine-tuning that one for the big launch. Heck, I may move to a private domain before that happens.

By: Down with Absolutes!

Down with Absolutes! — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 16:26:16 +0000

All about me

For all who care, I’ve finally updated the “About Me” section of the site. Click on the link at the top-right of the page. It’s not entirely comprehensive, but at least it’s a bit nicer than finding that ugly pic I posted.

Thanks to La Shawn fo…

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 14:50:55 +0000

La Shawn,

You’ve just given me further cause to continue to write my “About Me” page. I started it months ago, but it’s only yielded about two paragraphs and a really sexy photo of myself. No time like the present.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:35:38 +0000

Between the minimalist look I want and ad revenue I need, I chose revenue.

Isn’t capitalism grand?

By: John

John — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:24:08 +0000

Uh, oh. It looks like my html didn’t work. The address is http://www.cubbycorner.net for anyone interested.

(right click and open in a new window to see the full view.)

By: John

John — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:21:02 +0000

Oh! Before I go around criticizing tacky websites, I should not forget to own up to my own handy work. Go check out The Cubby Corner to see what I mean. Of course, being a Chicago Cubs blog, a certain amount of tackiness may be in order. I’m not completely sure.

By: The View From The Nest

The View From The Nest — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 12:28:40 +0000

Weblog Usability: The Top Ten Design Mistakes

Boy, do I need to get this place in order!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 11:28:02 +0000

I agree with John. Keep the flashing lights and banner ads on the used car lots.

By: Bookworm

Bookworm — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 03:25:19 +0000

Blogs should be easy on the eyes. Where one is faced with walls of text, blinking lights, gadgets, do-dads, and mystery links, the process of teasing out real information is simply too exhausting. This is especially true if, as I do, you drop in on dozens of sites a day.

I have to admit, however, that when I write my own posts, I have a fatal weakness for clever headlines (or, at least, what I naively believe are clever headlines). Sometimes, one sacrifices descriptiveness for a joke or word play, but I just can’t resist.

By: DarkStar

DarkStar — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 01:51:47 +0000

I heard a stat that said less than 2% of regular internet users read blogs.

If that’s true, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it was, then blogs and bloggers are over rated. I tend to think that is the case.

By: Mwalimu Daudi

Mwalimu Daudi — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 01:20:11 +0000

I am one of the 6.4 billion who are blogless. Doubtless I am the victim of a nefarious Bush/Cheney/Rove/Zionist/neocon/Christian conspiracy. Reparations, anyone?

By: John

John — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:31:29 +0000

I think web animations and background sounds are about the worst things you can have on a blog – or a traditional website. The way I see it, the more animations and other annoying nonsense, the less credibility the site has right out of the box. This also goes for colored scroll bars, anything that flashes.

The one exception I would make for animations is the American Flag. I have an animated flag at the top of my blog, and I think it’s a rather nice enhancement. I also have an animated WeatherBug at the bottom of the page. I agreed to put it there in exchange for a year of WeatherBug’s “Plus” paid service. I designed it to integrate nicely with the blog and placed out of the way at the bottom.

Another thing that yanks my chain is ads that appear in the main content area of a blog where real posts are supposed to go. If I see that, I will almost never return to the site in question.