August 12, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Value of Blogging
August 13, 2010 at 1:05 am
Andy, I couldn't agree more. I have only just started but can already see the benefit. I used to have ideas that could have been put onto a blog, but I generally threw the ideas away, as the idea of blogging seemed too much like self-promotion.
I then realised that I could improve my communication skills through writing short articles to explain my ideas, and I am know collecting and writing them down. The next step is to fill them with detail and publish them.
Somehow it is still difficult to do, especially when you read the blogs of people like you, or other prominent names in the field. I often get the feeling of not being good enough, or doubting my view on things and this serves as a sort of writers block. I imagine this is normal, but it can be quite daunting for a beginner. The good thing being, if I make a fool of myself in the beginning, noone is reading it! 😀 The bad thing is, once it is published, it is out there forever so someone somewhere will read it :blink:
Regards,
WilliamD
August 13, 2010 at 1:28 am
WilliamD- (8/13/2010)
Somehow it is still difficult to do, especially when you read the blogs of people like you, or other prominent names in the field. I often get the feeling of not being good enough, or doubting my view on things and this serves as a sort of writers block. I imagine this is normal, but it can be quite daunting for a beginner. The good thing being, if I make a fool of myself in the beginning, noone is reading it! 😀 The bad thing is, once it is published, it is out there forever so someone somewhere will read it :blink:
I read an article by one of those bloggers once upon a time that basically said to forget about what anybody else has done and just blog it. Writing down the stuff serves as a great teaching tool. Even better is when you get the idea and then work your butt off to support the article - you learn a lot.
I would also recommend treating the blog as a sort of journal and reference material for self. Who knows, one day you may look back on an article and decide to rewrite it and make it better.
One last thing, if you find a mistake in your blog - don't hesitate to own up to it and then fix it.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
August 13, 2010 at 1:33 am
Since I started blogging, I feel that I have gotten better at written communication. I also continue to strive to get better at it. I see room for improvement and am thinking all the time about what I can write or how to write it.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
August 13, 2010 at 1:48 am
I'm considering starting a blog, but my main focus at the moment is a bit of a variation, whilst still giving me practice at formulating my ideas into words and explaining them in an entertaining way.
If you combine motorbikes and youtube you will at some point stumble across "MotoVLogging".
Essentially, sticking a tiny camera in your helmet to record what you can see and explaining your thoughts and ideas as you go. This will work wonderfully for me as I'll be able to use my commute into work.
I'd be interested to hear whether you think I'll lose or gain anything compared to a written blog?
August 13, 2010 at 1:50 am
Totally agreeing on this editorial
August 13, 2010 at 1:54 am
CirquedeSQLeil (8/13/2010)
I read an article by one of those bloggers once upon a time that basically said to forget about what anybody else has done and just blog it. Writing down the stuff serves as a great teaching tool. Even better is when you get the idea and then work your butt off to support the article - you learn a lot.I would also recommend treating the blog as a sort of journal and reference material for self. Who knows, one day you may look back on an article and decide to rewrite it and make it better.
One last thing, if you find a mistake in your blog - don't hesitate to own up to it and then fix it.
I agree with you there too. I am and will use my blog for just those reasons, but the feeling of being in the deep end is still there. I think this is something that is experienced by everyone at some stage.
I'll just have to keep at it and one day I won't feel so strange about publishing my thoughts. Who knows, maybe someone will actually read something I wrote and learn something!:-P
Regards,
WilliamD
August 13, 2010 at 5:16 am
I agree on all aspects for the full 100%, even while I do not blog myself. I say this on two basis:
* Responding to blogs myself, poking holes or getting counter arguments is a great way of teaching and leaning.
* I know from writing documentation that when you have to write in natural language something that is technical, you tend to look at things another way, often exposing flaws in previous thinking. If something you wrote is hard to explain in words, chances are a solution is over complicated.
In short, writing about something you made or designed is a learning experience from every angle you look at it. And in the case of blogs it is even more as you include others in the process as well.
August 13, 2010 at 5:57 am
Ben Moorhouse (8/13/2010)
I'm considering starting a blog, but my main focus at the moment is a bit of a variation, whilst still giving me practice at formulating my ideas into words and explaining them in an entertaining way.If you combine motorbikes and youtube you will at some point stumble across "MotoVLogging".
Essentially, sticking a tiny camera in your helmet to record what you can see and explaining your thoughts and ideas as you go. This will work wonderfully for me as I'll be able to use my commute into work.
I'd be interested to hear whether you think I'll lose or gain anything compared to a written blog?
Sounds like a fun idea, but it wouldn't have the capability to be very technical in nature, and you would have to be either editing the video feed, or be good enough to have one stream that you are happy with (not an easy feat)
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How best to post your question[/url]
How to post performance problems[/url]
Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]
"stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."
August 13, 2010 at 6:19 am
Andy,
Thanks for pointing out the value of writing in any form. In a world distilled to talking points, bullet points and PowerPoints we lose the ability to express ourselves clearly. Much of the email we receive is pointless and used to CYA.
I am in the midst of doing annual reviews for my staff and their communication skills can be greatly improved by writing out their ideas more clearly. Now to find a way to get them moving in the proper direction.
August 13, 2010 at 6:40 am
I completely agree and appreciate your Editorial today.
Brent Ozar is responsible for me getting into blogging and I love it.
I've found that this summer has been too busy for me to get much writing done (got married, moved, laptop screen died, two other weddings in the family as well etc...) But I'm looking forward to getting back into it this fall.
Something that I've heard people say is "I don't know enough to be able to blog" or "I'm too new to SQL". Both arguments couldn't be further from the truth. The thing with blogging is that you take something that you don't know, figure it out and write about it as you go.
You'd be surprised how many times that you think your an expert at some aspect of SQL but when you blog about it and try to cover all your bases, you learn a few more things about it.
The focus of my blog is SQL for Developers because there isn't any good training courses out there for them. They all seem to be either too basic or go off into DBA specific things that Developers don't need to know (backups, encryption etc.)
Thanks again for the great post Andy!
Kev -=Conan The Canadian=-
@ConanTheCdn
August 13, 2010 at 6:56 am
jcrawf02 (8/13/2010)
Sounds like a fun idea, but it wouldn't have the capability to be very technical in nature, and you would have to be either editing the video feed, or be good enough to have one stream that you are happy with (not an easy feat)
Good point - I would have to be able to overlay code to provide the technical aspect, and I wouldn't be able to walk through code etc.
Hmm... bit of a gimmick maybe!
August 13, 2010 at 6:59 am
I've been thinking about starting a blog about SQL Server adn the other computer-related things I do partly so I can talk about what I'm doing, but also just so I have someplace convenient to store various things I figure out or find and want to be able to remember easily.
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When you encounter a problem, if the solution isn't readily evident go back to the start and check your assumptions.
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It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.
What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams
August 13, 2010 at 7:14 am
Ben Moorhouse (8/13/2010)
jcrawf02 (8/13/2010)
Sounds like a fun idea, but it wouldn't have the capability to be very technical in nature, and you would have to be either editing the video feed, or be good enough to have one stream that you are happy with (not an easy feat)Good point - I would have to be able to overlay code to provide the technical aspect, and I wouldn't be able to walk through code etc.
Hmm... bit of a gimmick maybe!
HUD on the inside of your helmet? ;-):-P
---------------------------------------------------------
How best to post your question[/url]
How to post performance problems[/url]
Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]
"stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."
August 13, 2010 at 7:23 am
jcrawf02 (8/13/2010)
Ben Moorhouse (8/13/2010)
jcrawf02 (8/13/2010)
Sounds like a fun idea, but it wouldn't have the capability to be very technical in nature, and you would have to be either editing the video feed, or be good enough to have one stream that you are happy with (not an easy feat)Good point - I would have to be able to overlay code to provide the technical aspect, and I wouldn't be able to walk through code etc.
Hmm... bit of a gimmick maybe!
HUD on the inside of your helmet? ;-):-P
Now that would be awesome... distracting, but awesome 🙂
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