My 2 Cents About Blogs

Published on April 26, 2004 By JillUser In Blogging

I have seen a lot of advice given lately regarding what to/not to blog about, when to blog about it, blacklisting, etc. The way I see it, it is your web log. Write about whatever you want whenever you want. If you are going to be knowingly offensive, restrict your audience. The only "don't" is don't put another blogger's name in your title unless it is complimentary.

You might want to take advice from others if you are worried about points, but otherwise, do your own thing. Your blog is your house here on JU. You have to abide by the neighborhood bylaws but other than that, it's your call.

Now, commenting is another story. Since you are then the guest at someone else's house, you need to mind your manners. I tend to stay away from blogs of people I know set me off. It is kind of like blacklisting myself

I try to stick to the subject at hand but have been known to get caught up in defending people that I am in agreement with or people I think are being wrongly attacked. I try to be careful about it and know that the blogger has every right to delete anything I say that isn't on subject or simply rubs them the wrong way.

Well, that's my 2 cents at least. Blog on!

Comments (Page 1)

dharmagrl

on Apr 26, 2004

Your blog is your house

I like that analogy. Very, very true.

I too try to stay away from certain people who's opinions and responses I know will just set me off..unfortunately it's hard to do when they insist on visiting my 'house' and leaving snide comments there. That's where the blacklist feature comes into play. I see it as a way of saying in no uncertain terms "you're not welcome here if that's how you're going to behave".

Good article, Jill!

crimson

on Apr 26, 2004

It is kind of like blacklisting myself

I do the same damned thing. There's a handful of blogs that I don't even visit anymore, because, in the end, I am just as tempted to leave a blogful of spew directed at the author. Not worth it. Nice one, Jill. I liked the fact that you didn't name names or point fingers; just managed to eloquently state your opinion.

Poetmom99

on Apr 26, 2004

Very well said, Jill...and, like Dharma, I thought the "house" analogy was a good one. Something for all of us to think about as we begin another week,

KarmaGirl

on Apr 26, 2004

I really don't think that there are do's and don't's for blogging. However, I really am getting tired of seeing the blogs that people make pointing out their views on other people then saying that they "don't mean to offend anyone". It's kind of like stabbing somebody in the eye and saying "sorry if that hurt. Don't get mad at me." It seems like people are forgetting that there is an actual person behind the post.

And, yes, your blog is your house. You have the right to say who come into that house. And, others have the right to decide that you are not welcome in their house, too.

Poetmom99

on Apr 26, 2004

"However, I really am getting tired of seeing the blogs that people make pointing out their views on other people then saying that they "don't mean to offend anyone"."

I'll second that one! If you have a problem with someone, handle it between the two of you, and don't drag the rest of the world into your disagreements or whatever. It seems so grade school to me!

JillUser

on Apr 26, 2004

I'm glad you guys seem so comfortable in my "house"

KarmaGirl

on Apr 26, 2004

I'm glad you guys seem so comfortable in my "house"

Yeah, sorry about spilling coffee between the cushions in your couch

wnx_decoy

on Apr 26, 2004

I'm so comfortable I'm gonna take you couch home with me

I don't think you should apologize for it unless if you intended for it to not hurt. If you were poking someone in the eye to get something out than you probably should apologize when you hurt them. If you stab them to see the jelly flow from their eyes than maybe you should foget about apologizing.

ooo... cheese balls!!! thanks Jill!

Party at my house!!!

Capt. over and out!

messybuu

on Apr 26, 2004

People definitely need to be respectful in other people's blogs. I'll troll in mine (not that everything I say is trolling, but sometimes I love to post inflammatory articles painting the opposition as some wacky group of buffoons), but I won't ruin other people's blogs with silly behavior, unless it's the theme.

MadPoet41

on Apr 26, 2004

Since you are then the guest at someone else's house, you need to mind your manners

Jill~I love the quote. And I think this article is very timely and wise. I have learned so much as a result of what happened in my own recent situation. Was it fun? NO! It actually hurt a lot. But I guess sometimes a little pain is needed to teach us how to figure out a healthier approach in the future. I am so grateful to you for writing this. It is so positive and bright. And that's really what we need more of around here at JU (IMO). You have such a knack for saying the most profound things in the simplist language. I admire that about you a lot! Thanks again for this wonderfully insightful blog.

~MadPoet

P.S. And thank you for the kind comment you left me before. It really did help me to feel so much better about everything.

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Apr 26, 2004

Madpoet you should not worry what a few people say to you on the Internet, It is better to be hated than loved old chap.

messybuu

on Apr 26, 2004

Don't you mean feared?

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Apr 26, 2004

Well you can't really fear someone over the Internet, even the mighty Sir Peter Maxwell so i changed it to hated

syrrusengr

on Apr 26, 2004

Nice one, Jill. You pretty much summed up what it took me four months to learn.

Blogging should be fun, and your way to speak your mind to the world. When I was just going to points rack-up I would try to type like a newsweek editor and avoid personal posts or anything I viewed would be "disinteresting." But I woke up, and realized it wasn't a terrible burdon on my life if wasn't in the top 25.

And as far as commenting goes - agreed as well. As I was reading through blogs the other night and was encountering some of my - ahem - less favored writings, I kept to myself and said nothing. Best not to start any battles just quite yet I figure - at least not until I've built a fanbase to defend me.

--Syrrus

BlueDev

on Apr 26, 2004

Great article Jill. Very good points as well. Hopefully it can serve as a reminder for us all to both be respectful and enjoy our own blogs.

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