New place to play: Blogg Buzz May 25, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Uncategorized.add a comment
I’ve been scoping for a place similar to Digg that specializes in content made by Bloggers, and at long last, I found such a place: A place called Blogg Buzz. The creators write in their blog:
Blogg Buzz is a pool of Blogs and Bloggers. It’s not for the people who started it but for the bloggers. New or Old it does not matter for BB, If you are a good blogger you have a place here. The whole intention of BB is to bring all the bloggers to one place, to make it a home for all blogs where each blogger can show that “We might not be a journalist, but we can give the world something which can be more than news”.
I like this service because unlike Digg, Blogg Buzz specializes in blogger content, whereas Digg is pretty much everyone everywhere. If I wanted to find a cool new thing to blog about, I don’t have to spend hours finding an actual blog in Digg. All I have to do is go to Blogg Buzz.
Here, you can submit blogs to the site much the same way one submits them in Digg. You can Buzz (Read: Digg) links as well, but nothing so far about anything similar to the Bury feature on Digg.
Now, B.B is currently in alpha state right now, so you’ll need to request an invite to get an account on there. Be sure to specify a username as well. Also, please know that it’s not a complete Digg clone, that there are indeed several Digg-like things about BBuzz, but it is most definitely not Digg.
BBuzz…I like that.
And the Blogger Express runs out of steam….. May 25, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Uncategorized.add a comment
CROSS-POSTED from Primary Blog
Ain’t it amazing? One moment, you’re running with the creme of the crop, blog after blog after blog, then suddenly, CRASH!
I figured yesterday I would be able to blog while I was in a rather boring class. Unfortunately, that class was so horribly dull that I was fighting to keep myself awake during the second portion of the class.What’s interesting to know, however, is that I’m not alone. Craig Childs of Lifehack.com writes:
Something that almost inevitably happens to bloggers starting out their own niche site, is they run out of stuff to say. Generally, as a new blogger, you can shoot for around 3-4 months of solid content until the ideas begin escaping you.
In his article, Childs says that one thing you can do to increase things to write about is read about what your competitors are up to. After all, it’s okay to borrow, just give credit where credit is due.
15 Blogs you ought to read May 22, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
There are few better ways to learn how to do something then to watch others do it. In this philosophy, FreelanceSwitch offers 15 different blogs in order to boost your ability on the blogosphere.
Some of my personal favorites:
Lifehacker One of my favorite sites, the Lifehacker writing team is headed by Gina Trapani and Adam Pash. These guys can do how-tos and referral posts like nobody’s business, and do it with style.
As you probably know, this is quite possibly my favorite site on the internet right now. Not only does Lifehacker offer tips on blogging, its other tips on productivity help you not only with your blogging, but with your life in general.
Get Rich Slowly Along with Trent, J.D. Roth is the top in the personal finance field (which includes a bunch of very good bloggers). J.D., more so than most bloggers, comes off not only as knowledgeable, but humble and sincere — and that sincerity is what wins his readers over every time. Plus his articles are just extremely useful.
While not a blog on blogging per se, Get Rich Slowly is a must-read on its own, simply because there’s no better blog on investments and saving money! Definitely something for the penny-pinching ass in all of us, as well as the broke graduate student (I.E, me.)
You won’t improve until you learn from the pros, so you should read up on this list of blogs. Also, check out Web Worker Daily and Problogger, which are also on the 15 blog list.
Fifteen must-read blogs for Blog Writers – By Freelanceswitch.com
Using your blog as a resume? May 20, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Blog Style, Professional Blogging, blogging, business, freelancing.1 comment so far
I just posted this comment on a Lifehacker post regarding how the blog is becoming the new resume. Sorry to be pasting most of my comment from there, but this is pretty much my opinion on the matter.
What do you garner from a blog? If you only have a LiveJournal, that won’t look professional at all. I don’t have the money to get my own domain name yet, so I know I’ll look less on that part compared to somebody with their own name.
Also, how do you include your work experience? Your projects? It doesn’t really explain this. Now, I can see a blog working alongside the rest of your resume, but I just don’t see the blog AS your resume, unless you’re applying to a blogging job.
Yes, a blog can work for you when applying for a job, but if I was an employer, if you just sent me a cover letter saying “Check out my blog” without a resume (Unless your resume was in the blog) then I’d delete your email and laugh for hours.
Bottom line: Your blog is not your resume. Continue using it!
Finding your niche 3: What if your niche changes? May 20, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in niche.add a comment
I’ve been noticing something about this blog lately. Instead of talking about the blogging art, I seem to be writing a record of experiences of my time as a blogger. Slowly, the niche I carved out is giving way to a new one. Is it the same niche, only expanded? Or is it brand new?
I’m wondering. Do you notice anything? What should I stick with? Maybe just explanations of the art, or something else. Then again, I counted about 150 or so blogs similar to this one, so I should stick with my personal experienes with application.
Hard to be an innovator in the blogosphere sometimes.
Commenting: Because we’re in this together May 19, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Uncategorized.add a comment
I feel that the most important part of being a blogger is being a commenter as well on other blogs. Commenting shows bloggers that they’re not just talking to themselves, and they actually DO have readers! Face it, you’d feel kinda alone if nobody responded. Were it not for feed stats, we’d feel totally alone.
That being said, Chris Garrett of ChrisG.com offers 10 reasons why you should comment on other people’s blogs. The most important reason, in my opinion is #1: It would be the right thing to do:
It’s the right thing to do – people complain about not enough comments on their own blog but don’t take enough time to comment on others. We all like some attention or an occasional pat on the head for a job well done. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself!
Look bloggers, we’re all in this together. If we just stick to our own little piece of the internets, we won’t be going anywhere. If Al Gore The Internet God intended for us to not comment, he wouldn’t have put “Add Comment” on every blog in the universe!
10 Reasons Commenting is Good for Bloggers Via www.chrisg.com
Typing: The faster you are, the more you can blog May 19, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Blog Style, Blog structure, Writing, blogging.1 comment so far
Often, we forget that simply things such as how fast/accurate one can type can make all the difference in a deadline or a turnaround. It also allows you to type those blogs faster, and your reports quicker. Hell, impress your friends with your speed.
There’s a number of ways you can improve your typing. One way is to purchase software. The most popular is called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. It does exactly what it says it does. It’s a woman named Mavis Beacon…well…teaching you how to type.
What’s that? You’re a broke freelancer like me? No worries! Craig Childs of Lifehack.org writes about a program that’s free that teaches you how to type:
I generally accredit my ability to type on a computer to those days on ICQ during highschool.A better, more structured, approach would be something like this online typing tutor. TypeOnline.co.uk is a simple site that offers a series of lessons for keyboard accuracy, speed and other related exercises.
While not as full-featured as Mavis Beacon, this program will definitely help you to be a better typist. I personally can type 70 wpm. What about you?
Learn to type online (Via www.lifehack.org)
The power of a morning ritual May 18, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Writing, articles, blogging, freelancing.add a comment
From Freelanceswitch.com Leo writes about the benefits of creating a morning ritual for one’s blogging. This actually is something I would approve of as well, because I’m trying it out as well. Leo writes:
If you’re having trouble getting your writing done, try creating a morning writing ritual. You can get a lot more done each day, as an early boost of productivity will spur further productivity throughout the day.
Several of his reasons for this are useful, such as getting your most important task overwith, and the fact that routines help things get done. He also writes some tips about getting into this ritual:
Prepare the night before. When you first wake up, you’re not always thinking right. Prepare for your morning writing ritual when your thinking is clear, in the evening, and your morning will start off so much better. How can you prepare? Get your writing tool out and ready to go — whether that’s your word processor (Google Docs for me) with your document open and ready to go, or your favorite writing pad and pen, have it out and set up.
There’s plenty more tips that are definitely of use for the blogger to be.
A Code of Conduct for Bloggers? May 18, 2007
Posted by J.T Dabbagian in Blogging Ethics, Web 2.0, blogging.1 comment so far
Last April, the folks at O’Reilly, who coined the concept of Web 2.0, declared that they want to create a code of conduct for Bloggers. I actually was talking about a concept of ethics in Blogology 101, so this is something I want to further my opinions on.
While there is nothing in the code concerning payolas or reviews, a good deal of the code is geared toward that sacred duty Google knows all to well: Do no evil. Also there are things such as Taking responsibility for your words, something I inferred but didn’t outright say with my Zune post. In addition, that one would never say anything on a blog they wouldn’t say in person. Wow, that takes out..well, pretty much every emo kid in LiveJournal. I would also like to say that I enjoy the fact that comment deletion is left solely to the blogger(s).
But there are other things I have problems with. One of those is Keeping the sources private. This was obviously added because of when Apple tried to sue a few bloggers to reveal their sources. I have a bit of experience in the journalistic world, and I’ve been told to cite sources whenever possible, but that anonymous sources are OK, so long as they can be confirmed.
Another problem that I have is with the rule of “Do no harm.” Rather vague, isn’t it? This is what the rule says according to the draft of the code:
A blogger must not use his or her blog to willfully cause harm. A blogger must consider the impact of his or her actions on others. A blogger must not send his or her audience to harass other bloggers or people.
Sounds good, but then again, what if a blogger discovers that people are going to be causing a problem, either writing something bad, spamming a forum, etc. Should they not attempt to do something to stop the problem? You could argue that it’s for the authorities to deal with, and I’ll agree. But I feel that as a blogger, your duty is to the Blogosphere first, and and code of conduct second. If someone has issued a libelous entry, or has otherwise commited a wrong, other bloggers and their audience should have the right to stand up.
Now, obviously, if a blogger decides to go on a harassment campaign simply because he hates the person, that’s stupid. You end up looking like a troll.
All in all, it’s pretty good for a start. If it’s made official, I might just adhere to it. Whether you do or not is up to you.
