Initial Reaction to Ning

Ohhh Ning…As I first heard of this project and signed in for the first time, the first though the entered my mind was yet another wonderful “Google Sites” worthy aggravation. But…I was wrong. I was very wrong actually. Seeing as I ran into a few problems with Google sites, I was sort of pessimistic with these “start you own web page in minutes” sites that claim you have “full customization.” So of course the first thing I did was browse my way into the “full customization” section, and I have to say, I am more than happy with what I see. Because the first thing that caught my eye was the wonderful three letter C-S-S. What a relief. But I wanted to make sure there wasn’t any fine print such as:

Fully customize your site's appearance using CSS*

*Ning currently supports only 15% of the W3C’s approved CSS tags. This means you really can’t do anything. Yes that means we lied to you. And no we are not liable for the damage you cause to your laptop when aggravation causes you to toss is across the room.

So I took a look around, and not only Ning support CSS, they also offer tutorials, tips, and tricks so people who might not know it that well will know how to do it. Okay so after I got over my CSS excitement, I started to look more seriously at what Ning had to offer. And from what I can see, they offer pretty much everything. You can add streaming videos, chats, blogs, youtube, and hundreds of other options for applications. There is even and application available for you to use if you don’t see an application you like. The “sharendipity” application allows your members to build custom software and explore those created by others within your network…so far this is looking pretty good compared to the Google sites XML custom widgets pain in the ass. I also like that it seems pretty easy to get your site circulating quickly. I just hope my enthusiasm about diving in and getting going with Ning isn’t quickly suppressed like it was with Google Sites. If I was able to enjoy the last project, then I should love this one.

I just hope this project progresses better than it started for me. I haven’t been able to do anything for this project as of yet, and really need to catch up. But even though I haven’t been able to dive into yet, I already learned a valuable lesson in the last weak… even if you feel perfectly fine, when the doctor tells you to stay in bed, stay in bed. Believe it or not, he knew what he was talking about. Imagine that. And to whoever started mononucleosis…. I hate you lol.

Well, time to get to catching up. Looking forward to finishing up strong.

Wrapping up Google Sites

Okay so as I'm wrapping up this project, I have to say that I am very happy with it, but it was also very time consuming. I tried the photoshop approach for the sites logo and background, but that ended up taking alot more time than I had planned. I first tried to upload my custom logo and background and content area background, and realized even this was going to be a pain. Biggest problem with that was a constant issue with the spacing and size of the images. It really kind of ruined all the work that I had done and killed my layout idea. So I went back to the drawing board and am finally happy with how things came out. I set the site template to a blank slate, and in the colors and layouts section, I unchecked all of the "template defaults" and set them all to "none." This left me with absolutely nothing and gave me the range to arrange things the way I wanted. So now again my problem with having the background and content appear the way I wanted them to came back to haunt me. When you upload an image to google sites for a background, the image always appears the same size as it was saved, meaning that the background wouldn't resize accordingly, and therefore would look wayyy too different when the page was view on different monitors. So my solution to that was to create a background image that included the site background, top banner, and content area background all merged together. To avoid the problem of the image repeating or appearing too different on different monitors, I set the base layer (site background) to 1700 pixels wide by 3000 pixels high. Then I left about 30 pixels space between the top of the page and the title banner. This way the "google search" bar would fit nicely in this space on the website. Then I made sure that my content layer would appear as I wanted it too and where the content of the page was going to be. So after carefully mapping out my spacing, I got it just right.

The next thing that I wanted to fix was the navigation menu. Google sites only has the option of the vertical navigation in the left sidebar. But I didn't like the way the side bar appeared with my custom background image, so I deleted it so that the actual content would be centered in the page and fit well in its designated space. So now I had to figure out how to get my navigation to fit into my layout. So I made my own custom widget and added it to the site. I brushed up on my XML scripting, uploaded it, prayed, and thank god it worked. But my only problem with this was that I could only add the widget into the "content" section in google sites. But this would therefore Add the navigation bar into the white content area and screw up all the spacing. So I changed the site layout for the "header" space to be 200 pixels. This way the content (if it had a visible title or background color) would actually be overlapping the title banner. But I accounted for the titlle banner's height, the padding on the top, and where the content was actually going to appear. Then I saved the page and viewed it again (making sure to pay attention to how it looked when I previewed it as a viewer) and it works perfectly. Google search sits on top of the title banner, everything is centered, and the navigation menu appears just above the white background for the content.

Then I decided that I wanted a new little toy for the Homepage of the site, so I decided to create an Image scrolling marquee banner. Then I created individualized title images for each page and fit them into the design. Now all that's left is a few little tweaks to the alignment of the content, and everything looks good to go.

So bottom line with this project for me is that I spent a good amount of my time working in photoshop: 1. because google sites was too limiting, and 2. because I'm a perfectionist and I got a little carried away. But I have to say, I'm very happy with the work that I did in this project, and I think the site looks great.

Response to "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship"

Okay so I actually found this article somewhat interesting. The oral presentation that I put together covered Web 2.0, so therefore I already had a pretty good background on social-networking sites before reading this article. But I have to admit, even though I do have a facebook, I personally am not all that wrapped up in using sites like that. I am more like Clay Shirky from this article in that I simple see them as YASNS: “Yet Another Social Networking Site."

I did find it interesting however, that the article pointed out that they choose not to employ the term “networking” because networking emphasizes the initiation of relationships, and although it is possible through sites like Facebook and Myspace, it isn’t the primary focus of Social-networking sites. They then point out that these sites are unique because they “enable users to articulate and make visible their social networks.” In my opinion, as it is pointed out later in the article, this corresponds with what I believe to be a major factor that separates social-networking sites from other forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC): identity management. Sites like Facebook give users the ability to decide what information they want to display, distort, or withhold altogether. To some extent, almost everybody who uses these sites are guilty of being “Fakesters” (as the article calls them) at one point or another. Along with the ability to edit your information in order to create a “cyber” image of yourself, impression management is also impacted by which friends and groups you choose to be associated with. Unfortunately, in my mind, these abilities have almost turned sites such as Facebook into an online popularity contest for some users, especially college-aged. You want to portray yourself in the best light possible for the crowd you are trying to attract. And this is the primary reason that I became turned off from these kinds of social networking sites.

Getting back to the Web 2.0 aspect, I do think that social networking sites are a great platform for business, small business, and even non-profit organizations to advertise themselves, get there name out, and possible increase their success. I also find it kind of interesting that the boom of SNSs came from 2003 onward, which was during the first years following the “dotcom crash” in 2001. And hence, spawned during the birth of Web 2.0.

Progress on Google sites

Okay so working with Google sites soon became aggravating. I really want to change the design, look, and feel of the site, but you are really limited in what you can do. Sure there are hundreds of templates, but even if you change the colors around the site will still be boring. I want to give the site the personality that I feel it needs, so I really decided to pretty much scratch the idea of trying to do it within Google Sites. I think what I'm going to try and do is maybe photoshop some images and try and set those images as backgrounds for the page and content. Maybe I can try and whip up a nice banner for the site too. I think I'm going to have to create logos for the titles of each page too because you really don't have too many options for style with them period. Hopefully I will be able to figure something out and get this site the way I want it.

Introducing Google Sites

Okay so when I first heard that our next project is to redesign a website, I have to admit, I liked the idea. I really enjoy working with graphic and web design, and I have a pretty good background on it. I've have created pages from scratch using nothing but HTML code, and I'm also good with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, DHTML, and Ajax. That being said, this is where Google sites disappoints me a little bit. When I write my own code I have the freedom to do whatever I want, and I can rework the code in order to make everything look and work just the way I want it too. But with Google sites, I have some pretty strict boundaries and I can see myself getting frustrated with it at times. Granted Google sites is meant for simple, quick page design, and it's really good for people who have absolutely no idea how to write code. However, I feel like Google sites is more of a restriction than a stepping stone for people who have a pretty good background in writing code and script. Although I don't have quite as much freedom as I would like, I am determined to work with the site to get just what I want. I'm sure there are some tricks, back doors, and loopholes that I'll find/figure out along the way.

The end of a project, but not the end of the page

Coming to the end of this project, I have to say I am really happy with my addition to Wikitravel. I feel like I really helped contribute to the site and also added something that I think could be a popular page. Although it took some time for me to really get the "Understand" section completed the way I thought it ought to be, I really think it is both my best contribution thus far, and also it was a necessity to the new page in order to really set the scene of the Mohawk Trail. I think I did a pretty good job with the basics of the "get in" section. I used routes coming from Boston and New York, primarily because it includes popular highways that will make it easy for other people from different areas to get in fairly easily. As a base, I also added a few posts under "do" "see" "eat" and "sleep." I wanted to do add the beginning of a little something in order to give the page some depth and make it more appealing as well. Although the project is coming to an end, I don't plan on discontinuing my work with this itinerary. It's my baby lol. Eventually I hope to add to each section and then break them up into the different towns, cities, and destinations, and I think that will really help pull it together as an itinerary.


I have to say, I was wrong about this project in the beginning. I really didn't see it being something that I could get into like I did with the enthusiast blog, but I stand corrected. I put my own spin on it, took something that I cared about, and really feel like the page is already being recognized by Wikitravel users. The project may be coming to an end, but as I said before, I plan to continue watching and contributing to the growth of this page.

Mohawk Trail Discussion

I went ahead and created a comments page for "The Mohawk Trail" itinerary. If you are viewing the page and click on "discussion" up on the top left (near "edit) then you will be redirected to the comments/discussion page for the article. I took the time to briefly clear up that some of the info may be found here in my process blog, and I also explained that the itinerary was part of a group project and that I was looking forward to continuing to watch and help to make the new page blossom.

Everything is starting to come together fairly well if I do say so myself. I'm actually enjoying this project.

Wiki Travel: motivation

Yesterday when I was working on my wikitravel page for the Mohawk Trail, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that "my talk" had a red circle blinking next to it. I wasn't quite sure what it was, and flashing red when you're editing never really makes you feel to good, so i decided to check it out. When I clicked on it I found this message:

"Hey Jon, Welcome to Wikitravel.

To help get you started contributing, we've created a tips for new contributors page, full of helpful links about policies and guidelines and style, as well as some important information on copyleft and basic stuff like how to edit a page. If you need help, check out Wikitravel:Help, or post a message in the travellers' pub.

I really like the itinerary you have been working on, and I hope you keep filling it out! I noticed, though, that much of the content comes from what appears pretty clearly to be your blog [1]. Just so there is no confusion over authorship, you may want to make a note of this at Talk:The Mohawk Trail. Keep up the good work! --Peter Talk 16:50, 9 March 2010"

 When I read this, it kind of gave me a little bit of a feeling of an accomplishment. I stated working on the page only as a project for class, but knowing that people are actually looking at what I am posting and that it's live on the web, it really gave me some encouragement to keep working on this page even after the project. Having someone just drop me a message simply to recognize me work, compliment it, and offer me some suggestions is really, to me, what made this project worth while. And I think that was the whole point of this project. To throw us into and let us experiences something exactly like that...an information ecology you may say lol

Drafting for Wikkitravel

{{itinerary}}

'''The Mohawk Trail''' began as a Native American migratory game path. Today it is officially known as '''Massachusetts Route 2''', and it extends from [[Boston, Massachusetts]] to [[Buffalo, New York]].

==Understand== 

Like many roads in [[New England]], the trail got its start as a migratory game path originating somewhere west of the Taconic Mountains (in what's now [[New York]] state) and meandered eastward through what would eventually become [[Massachusetts]]. Native Americans, primarily the Mohawks in the west and the Pocumtucks in the [[Connecticut River Valley]] to the east, used the trail in their migrations and had long-established treaties regarding hunting and fishing rights along its length. Unfortunately, the arrival of the white man stirred trouble. Sensing that political unrest between the tribes would further their own ends, the English, located in Pocumtuck territory, and the Dutch, who were making inroads into Mohawk lands in the lower [[Hudson River Valley]], began to manipulate one tribe against the other. Eventually a full-scale war broke out, with the Mohawks ultimately gaining the upper hand. Since no one ever names anything after the losers, the path eventually became known as the ''' "Mohawk Trail." ''' 

With the end of the Indian Wars and the American Revolution, the old trail was gradually rerouted and widened to accommodate wagon traffic between the city of [[Boston]] and the interior towns, particularly [[North Adams]].

 

By the early part of the 20th century people began to appreciate just how beautiful the region encompassing the trail was, so in October of 1914 the [[Massachusetts]] State Legislature declared the '''Mohawk Trail''' a scenic tourist route.

==Prepare== 

The '''Mohawk Trail''' has become a popular motorcycle trail. If you are planning on taking a motorcycle, remember to bring a helmet because there is a helmet law in various states.

==Get in== 

The modern '''Mohawk Trail, officially [[Massachusetts]] Route 2, runs from [[Boston, Massachusetts]], to [[Buffalo, New York]], which makes it easily accessible from almost any direction.

 

If you're coming from the Greater [[New York City]]/[[New Jersey]] or [[Pennsylvania]] area, pick up 684 North and follow it until you hit the Route 22 intersection. Take a right on Haviland Hollow Road to Route 37 in the town of [[New Fairfield, Connecticut]], and from there take Route 39 North. Follow 39 to 55 East and about 2 miles later you'll pick up Route 7 North.Over the line in [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts]], Route 7 turns into Main Street, U.S.A. Farther up the road you'll come to the town of Adams, Massachusetts. When you do, start looking for the signs to Mount Greylock. The turnoff at Rockwell Road comes up quickly, but if you miss it you can turn around in the tourist information parking lot. Coming down Greylock you'll follow the Notch road to Route 2.

 

==Go/Walk/Drive/...==

==Stay safe==

==Get out==

{{outline}}

Wikkitravel Manual of Style: 3 Helpful Tips

1. One very helpful resource from the Manual of Style is the "where you can stick it" section. I think that this is a helpful resource because it gives you an alphabetical list of different kinds of information that people may have, and it explains what section of a page or article that it belongs in. I can see that sometimes it may be difficult to figure out exactly where to put a particular piece of information that you want to add, and if you were to look at this section, than you can find it, and add it. For example, if I wanted to add a new dance club that opened in Providence to the its city page, I might think to put it in the "do" section, but if I were to look at the "where to stick it section," I can scroll down to "d", find "dance club," and it tells me where I should add it: "dance club - the Drink section of the City page."

 2. Another helpful tip comes from the "article templates" page under "How to use templates." This section explains that there are two ways that you can use templates:

• You can use them to create a new article, by simply finding the Wikki markup for the type of article you wish to create, copying and pasting the markup, and then just adding your information appropriately. But if you do this, the page explains that it is important to remove italicized text (the instructions) because this makes it easier for other people to edit the article.
• You can use them to edit existing articles by referring to the appropriate template of the article that you wish to add to, and you can see how things are preferred to be organized.

This is good because it keeps Wikkitravel well organized and formatted in a uniformed manner.

 3.Another useful tip is to make sure that all "Section headers" are identical to the ones in the "article templates." For example: don't use Restaurants use Eat, and don't use Introduction but Understand. Again, this helps to keep all pages the same, and it gives the site a uniformed look. It is also helpful to make Wikkitravel unique.

Although the Manual of Style tells you how to do things and why they should be done a certain way, they also make it a point to say that if you make a mistake or are unsure, just "plunge forward" and add the information and somebody else will come along and edit it to make sure that it fits with the style rules of Wikkitravel.

Possibilities for Wikkitravel

1. My first preference would be to add a page for the Mohawk Trail. There are a few different articles that briefly mention the Mohawk Trail as a travel route only, but that is not what I would like to explore and write about. I want to add a page about what the Mohawk Trail truly is: the best motorcycle ride in the northeast. I will write about the best parts to travel, the different states it runs through, the highlights of the run, places you can stop, and things you can see while your on it. I think the best way for me to go about this would be to add a new Itinerary to North America, because the only one that exists as of now is the Alaska Highway.

2. My second preference would be to add to the already existing page for Cranston, RI. There are a few basic things about Cranston, but some of the better parts of the city are missing. As a local to the city and growing up around it, I think I can add some important details and fun things to do within the city. I would like to add to the "see" and "eat" sections, and I would also like to update the "buy" and "do" sections because they are a little outdated.

3. My third preference would be to add an itinerary for the Kancamagus Highway. There are brief mentionings, again, only as a route to get somewhere, but I think it deserves to have it's own itinerary because there are a lot of things to see, stop in, stay, and do.

beginning Wikki Travel

I have to say, by browsing those few links and stumbling through different things in Wikitravel, again I learned more than I anticipated. Similiar to my lack of knowledge on blogging before the first project, I have heard of Wikkitravel and similar sites, but I just kind of wrote it off and never really looked into it. Now I actually know a pretty good background on it. I like how the site is described as a community, where everybody has the same rights to post or edit anything...well that is except the administrators. But reading about the administrator and different policy sections also gave me some insight. I liked reading the section on "edit wars," and I always wondered what would happen if people continuously overwrote each other's comments. Now I know that they can put users into a cool down period and protect the page for a period of time so it cannot be edited. I'm also glad that the site clarifies that Wikkitravel is not to be used as a personal journal and I enjoyed reading about the tips for new users about what style exactly is permitted. I found that respect is key, and althought the goal is a professional environment, you are encouraged to write with personality...so long as it's not out right slang, swearing, or sarcasm. Although sarcasm isn't really suggested, I'm glad that the site encourages humor, as long as touchy subjects such as politics, locals, government, etc. are approached with caution. My favorite resource for Wikkitravel by far though has to be the, "no advise from 'Captain Obvious' " page. Sometimes people can get carried away with painstaking detail about every statement, but this page promotes concise, honest, and lively posts. I'm also glad that I read the part about speaking to the reader by using "you" but never to use "I" "we" "our" or "my" because it's a community of people posting, commenting, and editing...not just one individual. That being said, I'm interested in "plunging forward" like the site encourages, but I'm just not too sure exactly what I am going to be writing about. I'm a Rhody. Always been a Rhody. And never really traveled much. I guess I'm going to need to give some serious thought as to what exactly I'm going to provide some input on.

"We All Sweat the Small Stuff:" Why you should follow it!

The goal of "We All Sweat the Small Stuff" is to attract a unique kind of audience. An audience that shares a common passion of ranting and raving about all of the little things in life that simply piss us off. A group of people that are far from politically correct, enjoy crude humor, are commonly referred to as an asshole, couldn't care less what others think about them, and just simply can't believe some of the stupid shit that some people in this world believe, do, and let fall out of their mouths.

So why should you listen to what I have to say?

Well, if your a sensitive person with a warm heart that loves nothing more than helping other people and providing moral support...than stop reading right now, exit from my page, and have fun living in your little fairy tale world.

Still reading? Congratulations!...you're not a little bitch. And you most likely can't stand any of the people that would actually exit this page. You understand that the real world sucks. You know that life's a bitch, we're all stuck being married to her, and we are forced to deal with allllll of the bullshit that she throws our way. Am I right? Am I close? Are you thinking to yourself right now "wow this guy's a real jerk"?

Whether you answered "yes" to those questions, or just read right over them like they didn't exist (which is honestly what I would do because I hate rhetorical questions like that)...regardless, you're still reading.

And THAT is why you should listen to me.

In Class Enthusiast Blog Brainstorm

Topic: My blog will be about all of the little things during our day that never seize to piss us off. From genuine acts of kindness that come back to bite you in the ass to all of the things that make you ask: What the hell was that person thinking?

Audience: There are always times when you are driving in your car, walking down the street, or overhearing a conversation that leaves you mumbling comments under your breath or thinking something in your head. This blog will provide a place to actually make public what you've been thinking for all those years. I want to attract an audience that isn't afraid to say what's on their mind.

Personality: The style that I'm aiming for in this blog will combine blunt honesty, sarcastic responses, and crude humor. I think this style will work best for the type of audience that this blog is designed to reach. Seeing as this is the style, I need an outspoken sort of design with a vibrant style.

Potential Title: We All Sweat The Small Stuff

Five Possible Ideas for My Clubhouse Blog

1. A blog that explores the underground world of sport motorcycles.

-This blog would include topics such as new advancements in technology, concept ideas,events, fundraisers, and just discussions about the love of riding. I think it would make a good clubhouse blog because, when it comes to motorcycles, if you love them, you love everything about them and are always curious to find out more about them. I would enjoy this blog because I am a sport bike fanatic myself. My entire family rides and I myself have been riding for a few years now and recently just bought a new bike.

2. We all sweat the small stuff.

-This blog would be about all of the little things during our day that never seize to piss us off. A genuine act of kindness that came back to bite you in the ass. Things that make you ask: What the hell was that person thinking? I think this would make a good blog because there are always times when you are driving in your car, walking down the street, or overhearing a conversation that make leave you mumbling comments under your breath or thinking something in your head. This blog will provide a place to actually make public what you've been thinking for all those years. I personally would enjoy this blog because I would love to share my thoughts on all of the little things that drive me nuts.

3. A man's way of dealing with relationships.

-This would be a good blog because lets face it, men and women clearly have two different ways of thinking and handling different situations. This blog could catch on with guys because we are always looking for the perfect way to avoid the stupid arguments that we never know how we started, and it can provide a place to vent out about all of the things that we think are stupid WITHOUT getting in trouble for it.

4. Conspiracy theories: Getting to the bottom.

-Many people, including myself, are fascinated with the numerous different conspiracy theories involving government cover-up stories. It is an innate inhibition within many people to ask WHY? and seek answers. I would enjoy this blog because there are alot of valid theories out there, and alot of people that are just blowing hot air. This would give me an opportunity to shed some light and provide insight into what I believe to be the best explanations to questions that remain unanswered.

5. For the love of Music.

-To alot of people, music is life. This blog will include topics such as upcomming artists, where the industry is heading, and ranting about some of the unbelievably god awful stuff on the radio today. I would enjoy this blog because I love music, I enjoy looking for stars in the making, and I would love to be able to find other people that want to pull their stereo deck out of there dashboard when songs like "Birthday Sex" come on the radio.

My Reflection on "Blogs as Clubhouses"

As I mentioned in my last entry, I am still relatively new to blogging. So again, reading “Blogs as Clubhouses” was good to give me a little more insight into this new little world of its own. In the opening paragraphs of her blog, I liked how Suzanne Stefanac took all of the words that blogging critics use to put down this underground society of sorts, and she used the origins and etymology of these negative terms to just throw it right back in the faces of those who oppose her. In today’s language, dilettantes, amateurs, and cults may be used in the context of insulting terms; however, if you look back at the Latin roots of these words, the critics have actually described bloggers as delightful, loving people who are cultivating their own little community of blogs. And from my understanding as of late, that is exactly what blogging is. It’s a way for people to branch out, share ideas, let some steam off, or just simply pursue a passion (as odd or unusual as some may be).

It was also nice to learn some basic, beginner pointers for creating/maintaining a blog. From these pointers I have gained that the best way to run a successful blog is simply to be yourself. Without any “Google cred,” as Mr. Jalopy calls it, people aren’t really going to be searching for your blogs immediately; people are just going to kind of stumble upon them. So here’s how I look at it, if I was bored one day and just kind of browsing around the web, I’m not going to stop and read something if it doesn’t look interesting, and I’m not going to keep reading it if it doesn’t hold my interest. So what’s the best way to hold the attention of your audience? Chances are the people that have stopped to read your blog share something in common with you or your writing, so if you want to keep them satisfied just write your entries just as you think your thoughts. Stefanac points out a few of the ordinary points in writing, which most of us have been hearing over and over again for years, such as “do it for love, not money or fame,” “tie everything into the same topic,” “be creative, entertaining, and to the point,” “write to your audience,” and (my favorite) “don’t give up, just stick with it.” But she points out the most important tip when it comes to authoring a blog is, (as some of us may have already encountered through other pieces of writing) including your personality into your writing. Keep it exciting. Brutal honesty and a well-engineered opinion will always keep people reading. To quote Stefanac, the most successful blogs “are those that not only highlight the authors’ obsessions, but that also serve as showcases of their personality.”

Personally, I think Mr. Jalopy said it best in his interview. We all know that when your writing for print, there are obstacles such as a certain length, clarity, cleanness, and correct grammar. But when writing for a blog, there are no limits. No rules. No Boundaries. It couldn’t have been put any more precisely than Mr. Jalopy’s statement describing when he’s writing for his “Hooptyrides” blog:

“When I am writing for Hooptyrides, I am writing for my buddies. Fast and loose, peppered with dirty words and outrageous statements.”

To me it seems that’s precisely why people enjoy both reading and writing blogs. It’s our chance to break out of the norm, create our own style, and escape from the daily routine of listening to what the media/government has to say.

My First Look at Blogging: Reflecting on Rebecca Blood

I have heard a lot about blogs and blogging, but I have really never participated in or read blogs. So I guess you could consider me as a blog virgin. With that said, reading the Rebecca Blood Blog really opened my eyes to the history and growth of webblogs. I found it kind of interesting that within the last 12 years blogging really exploded. There were only a handful of blogs in 1998 and only around 23 in early 1999 before blogging began its uprising. It was interesting to see how blogging began to catch on, how blogging has evolved, and the different types of blogs that there are today.

But above all, there was one statement that really caught my attention. There is no sense in rewording it, because she couldn’t have said it any better. To quote Rebecca Blood in "Weblogs: A History and Perspective":

“The promise of the web was that everyone could publish, that a thousand voices could flourish, communicate, connect. The truth was that only those people who knew how to code a web page could make their voices heard. Blogger, Pitas, and all the rest have given people with little or no knowledge of HTML the ability to publish on the web: to pontificate, remember, dream, and argue in public, as easily as they send an instant message.”

I was never really big on the whole blogging thing because I guess I really just didn’t know that much about it. But now I can see why it caught on. A blog is a way for anyone to share their opinion, find others that share the same interests, or maybe just rant about something that aggravated them that day. Whatever your reason for blogging, it’s an opportunity to be heard, an opportunity to reach out.

After reading Rebecca Blood’s blog (which I consider to be my introduction to blogging altogether), I decided to do a little browsing to see how blogging has grown today, and I came across a website blog called The Future Buzz, and I found a section on web stats from a little over a year ago, posted by Adam Singer on January 12, 2009. The site has all types of different stats on it from FaceBook to YouTube to Google (here’s the link if you want to browse around http://thefuturebuzz.com/2009/01/12/social-media-web-20-internet-numbers-stats/), but the one that I wanted to see was the section on blogs. The stats he posted are as follows:

Blogosphere stats

· 133,000,000 – number of blogs indexed by Technorati since 2002

· 346,000,000 – number of people globally who read blogs (comScore March 2008)

· 900,000 – average number of blog posts in a 24 hour period

· 1,750,000 – number of RSS subscribers to TechCrunch, the most popular Technology blog (January 2009)

· 77% - percentage of active Internet users who read blogs

· 81 - number of languages represented in the blogosphere

· 59% – percentage of bloggers who have been blogging for at least 2 years

source

So how many blogs are there worldwide? I leave you with this. According to <http://blogs.forbes.com/digitalrules/2005/12/terrifying-internet-facts/>, as of the beginning of 2010 the estimated number of blogs worldwide is nearing 1 billion.

Introduction

My name is Jon Northrop. I am a junior at URI and I am double majoring in communication and public relations. I have a wide spread knowledge of technology as a whole, and I am looking to further expand that knowledge. Through this class, I hope to develop a more efficient and professional style of communicating through electronic environments.