February 5, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I saw this post on bloggers and responsibility from Simon Sabin this week and I thought it was interesting. I've had this argument at times with others about what a blog should be and how much quality and effort should go into it.
Unlike traditional publishing with an editor to look over things, blogs are more off the cuff statements. Now some people and some companies use blogs more like soap boxes or preaching points rather than a personal statement. I think Jonathan Schwartz's blog is that for Sun. I think he spends a lot of time on the posts and someone checks them. Since he's an officer of a large corporation that makes sense, but I wish more things like that were from the heart.
As much as I'd like to see Bill Gates' weblog, I suspect it would be more of a preaching place or a marketing platform than a "who is Bill Gates" entry.
And that's ok. There are some bloggers I read who I know spend time crafting their entries, working on them and putting the same effort in that they would with an article. Other people are like me; they just write something when they feel like it, off the cuff, and don't spend a lot of time checking it or worrying about the spelling, grammar, etc.
Kind of like these editorials 🙂
Actually I spend a little more time on these, rereading them and trying to catch spelling and grammar mistakes. On my blog(s), I tend to just write and forget, not worrying about them once they're posted. I tend to spend no time on my personal blog, just jotting things down more for me to remember them later than publish anything to the world. Also it allows family to keep up on my kids and my life.
On the SQLServerCentral.com blog I tend to only post things that I think are of interest to the community, more technically oriented, and things that I've spent a little more time thinking about and composing.
If it's going to take more than 30 minutes, it's probably an editorial for me. Plus I have committments for editorials, so they take some precedence and I try to "vet" them a little by double checking things I see.
Beyond that, if I'm going to spend a few days working on something and researching it, then I think it should be an article. Maybe I'm a little selfish, but it takes work and I want to be compensated for time away from my family. So I publish for a little money in my pocket and support for the site.
Any more than that and it has to be a book, two of which I am working on now.
Steve Jones
February 6, 2006 at 6:53 am
Steve... I for one like the laid back editorals and most days take the time to read yours.
In general, I think a high percentage of blogs should contain what the blogger is trying to say to his or her audiance.
For example, my blog is really a mindless diary of my hobby. Not really for public consumption, though if it strikes a note with anyone they are welcome to respond.
If your really bored this AM, take a look and you'll see what I mean...
http://newarcher.blogspot.com/
Bill
February 6, 2006 at 10:42 am
February 7, 2006 at 12:59 am
February 7, 2006 at 7:02 am
The one for the 70-443 exam and one (short) one on 2005 Maintenance Plans
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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