I Didn't Promise Coherence
I'm sick, again. Twice! Twice in one semester! I'm sort of bummed about missing tonight's class because exploring the visual aspects of blogs sounds like a dandy way to spend an evening, but I promise I wouldn't be useful for anything other than spreading germs and blowing my nose.
The blog that Caitlin likes seems to be a perfect combination of visual stimuli and "wordsmithery." Caitlin and Dan discussed this a little in our comments thread. Each aspect appeals to me because I think the author is quite good at both of them. This is a blog I'll probably continue to visit.
As for the weblog usability guide that Steph found, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at the start because I'm (still) convinced that the anything-goes, frontier land quality of blogging is a huge part of not just its appeal but also of its identity. So maybe I wasn't the best person to read this. Regardless, I'm not convinced. Author bios and photos are, for me, the least important aspects of blogs. As this site explains: "What we tune in for is the author's voice, not their CV." I think what we're attracted to in a blog (and what makes us come back for more) is the voice, the writing, the ideas or emotions or even the particular slant of the blog. For me, knowing about the author always seems to take a back seat.
Also, Nielsen calls "mixing topics" a no-no, but wasn't randomness one of the primary "qualities of blogging" we listed in class? Part of the reason I return to the blogs I read is because I enjoy the surprise of what the authors say next. Variety is the spice of blogging, if you will.
The blog that Caitlin likes seems to be a perfect combination of visual stimuli and "wordsmithery." Caitlin and Dan discussed this a little in our comments thread. Each aspect appeals to me because I think the author is quite good at both of them. This is a blog I'll probably continue to visit.
As for the weblog usability guide that Steph found, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at the start because I'm (still) convinced that the anything-goes, frontier land quality of blogging is a huge part of not just its appeal but also of its identity. So maybe I wasn't the best person to read this. Regardless, I'm not convinced. Author bios and photos are, for me, the least important aspects of blogs. As this site explains: "What we tune in for is the author's voice, not their CV." I think what we're attracted to in a blog (and what makes us come back for more) is the voice, the writing, the ideas or emotions or even the particular slant of the blog. For me, knowing about the author always seems to take a back seat.
Also, Nielsen calls "mixing topics" a no-no, but wasn't randomness one of the primary "qualities of blogging" we listed in class? Part of the reason I return to the blogs I read is because I enjoy the surprise of what the authors say next. Variety is the spice of blogging, if you will.
Labels: Blogging
