Connect with your Teens
When email and then instant messaging first became popular, many articles were written about about proper etiquette while using them. However there are many people fairly new to online communications that don’t seem to have picked up on these do’s and don’ts. I’m not even speaking of kids and teens that weren’t around to read them then, because I don’t think they will listen to this advice anyway. I am writing this more for the adults that are newer to computers and communicating online.
Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology
The (full) title says it all! I’m so tired of parents who can’t stay up with culture blaming teens for listening to music, watching TV or movies, and buying technology that they (the parents) aren’t familiar with. But I’m one of them, too. Not a parent. Still, I’m from a different era: The 80’s (big hair). And so I understand that kids are born into a culture; they don’t know anything else; and I have to unlearn what used to be common knowledge and learn for the first time what they understand instinctively.
I never liked pop culture. I still don’t watch TV (to my detriment). And I’m not sure that the site author “gets it” either (she doesn’t state her age on her profile page). Sure, she watches TV. She uses the internet (she has a website, anyway). And she (apparently) reads books on technology and teens. Plus, she says her kids think she’s cool; though, sometimes that’s a bad sign….
Looking at the site today, I’m struck by how insignificant the TV shows she references are… to me. However, there are a couple of other current trends on the front page: 1. A story about Paul Newman and 2. A story about winning grains of rice that will be donated to the UN World Food Program. I’d heard about no. 1 but didn’t read up on it till now (thanks). No. 2 is less trendy and more a sign of dawning awareness than many of the other stories onsite (It’s an original idea. Her teens clued her in to it. And I approve). Plus, there are a few books referenced on back pages and a few videos…
So why do I recommend the site so enthusiastically? I know I need the heads up. I also want to stay young and hip (lol). And, mostly (like I’ve said), I think it’s important to connect with “kids” on their level. Anyway, it’s all “fresh”. It’s all “pop”. And it all shows that “dawning awareness” that clues one in to the fact that (at least some) adults are “waking up”.
It’s a new era: So where are the stories about rap? Where are the biographies of up-and-coming African Americans? Where are the Goths and Emos? And what about the dawning of new religions or the fall of capitalism? Not here! But the site is good… for what it’s good for. Some fluff. Some light-fare. A quick review of girlie TV. And bits of stories about real teens (hers) and the author’s attempt at getting to know them.
Good for a quick refresher (see the story about Internet Etiquette, quoted above). I “pop” in regularly. Wouldn’t hurt you to do so, too. BTW: Her articles seem to get lots of Diggs (don’t know what that signifies but it’s a good sign).
My Interesting Files
Dubai’s prominent developer, Emaar Properties said on Monday it plans to build one of the largest fountains in the world as the centrepiece of its Downtown Burj Dubai project. Arabian Business reveals what the real estate giant has in store.
World’s Largest Fountain in Dubai
This is the latest story on the site. It’s not my all-time favorite (I’ll share that one in a minute). But it has some of the best images of any onsite! What do you think of this image? Breathtaking!
I like the story about The Deepest Swimming Pool in the World:
The pool has two large flat-bottomed areas at depth levels of 5m (16 ft) and 10m (32 ft), and a large circular pit descending to a depth of 33m (108 ft). It is filled with 2,500,000 litres of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30 degree Celcius (86 degree Fahrenheit) and contains several simulated underwater caves at the 10m depth level.
And I like the video about Door To Hell in Antarctica. However, I don’t usually recommend videos as they load slowly, link to megasites, and often don’t work. AND this article has a sensationalistic title (ie. this story isn’t about HELL).
On the upside, this site has more images than videos (plus the aforementioned video is REALLY worth seeing). And it’s generally “what you think you’re going to read when you read the title is what you get when you read the article” (it’s not a site about hype or a come-on site that tries to trick visitors into visiting just to sell a product or a page-view).
In fact, I’m shocked that there are (relatively) so few comments. Each article inspires, in me, such awe! And anyone who takes the time to read an article must surely be moved to say something about it. Though they seem not to be so moved. Excepting, I’m guessing, people are so busy that they don’t take the time necessary to really check out what different sites have to offer (sadly).
To illustrate: I’m going to share another couple of images. And that’s something I never considered doing before since images increase page-loads and generally are superfluous to the content. These are from Invitation from the Groom’s Mother.
click to read
Now You See!
Just to show the wide range of topics on this site. Some are funny. Some are serious. Ok, only some are sensationalistic. ALL are interesting (good site title).
On a final note, these stories are not “original”. They’re shared from other places. And some people have a problem visiting blogs where they find content that can be found somewhere else online. I don’t have that problem. I like concept sites (as I’ve said before). And this site has an ORIGINAL CONCEPT. Plus, the author’s personality is evident in the topics chosen (I won’t go on-and-on about this pet-peave of mine). Anyway, if you want to search out all of these items using Google, go ahead. Personally, I like this site and I’m thankful that the author goes through the trouble of finding such great stories and sharing them with his visitors.
Nice site design, by the way! 
A Postcard a Day
The Stone Pillar of Tang Dynasty inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. Standing now in a primary school on East Zhongshan Road in Shanghai, this stone pillar was first erected in 859 in the Tang Dynasty.
Another concept site. And this is a concept I’d be proud to have come up with myself: A postcard a day (obviously). I like it for these reasons…
- A ready supply of original images,
- A wealth of information, and
- A storehouse of international trivia…
- … with a local flair.
In addition, you may find:
- Dates…
- Postmark information….
- And even snippits of private correspondences!
Dating the postcard seems especially useful. The postcards often have a historical theme. And postcards are, by design, meant to mark a point in time. Plus these images are sometimes “retro”. And so it is prudent to place them into a time period. And it is fun to reminisce. Readers are encouraged to share whatever memories the postcards inspire.
The postmarks speak of foreign places. There are towns and cities with exotic names. And so the reader might also imagine himself traveling across great distances to say: “Wish You Were Here” (Or, as in a favorite joke of mine from the Simpsons: Envision a postcard with a bikini clad woman and the inscription “Wish you were HER”)!
As a hobby, I assume collecting postcards would be inexpensive and infinitely rewarding. And a computer would allow you to store, categorize, and comment on your collection. Plus, a the internet provides a wonderful way to display (that is to share) your treasures. So, I can think of no other hobby that translates so perfectly to a website.
Add to this the irony: Snailmail in a digital world! The synergy creates exponential possibilities for your own re-creation.
Finally, visits to the site may be quick. Your stay on the site may be short. You might take in a lot with only a little effort. Or, you might decide to stay and browse… or comment. You might even find the author witty, friendly, or knowledgeable! But any way, I think you will enjoy your stay. You should bookmark this site and return often (even daily).
News Pie
The subtle flavor of each news trend reveals itself over a timeline of news “bytes”. Served up daily and portion controlled for quick consumption and easy digestion!
This is a review of one of my own sites.
I think the site deserves some explanation! I hope that by reviewing this site you will…
- See how topics are chosen.
- See where content is obtained.
- Understand a site “concept”.
On this site, concept is most important.
And since the concept is represented by the quote at the top of this article, I’ll start by explaining that quote.
The Subtle Flavor
It is assumed that (somehow and some sort of) a broad, general impression might be gained about the…
News Trend
inherent understanding or common sense of a news topic and the way in which it evolves over…
A Timeline
a developmental period limited by a start and end point and represented by specific increments and, as such, which is proportioned into…
News Bytes
the smallest possible chunks by which a single unit of meaning, or a taste, of a thing can be conveyed.
Developmental and incremental…
So an…
- impression,
- understanding,
- sense of a thing,
- or meaning
is suggested about something which is otherwise…
- broad,
- general,
- inherent, and
- common.
And this is accomplished using both a developmental and also an incremental strategy.
How to get a timeline to display in chunks:
- Limit the time period to 10 years.
- Limit the output to 10 results.
I call this my “10 in 10″ method!
Since this is 2008, I set the time span from 1998 to 2008 (10 years). And I set Google News Archive Search to display only 10 results for each topic chosen. And, yes, you could also search the Google News archive and display the results as a timeline limited to 10 years and 10 results though you might still fail to hit on an appropriate topic.
So how is a topic chosen?
A topic should be broad enough to be of interest to most people but also narrow enough to provide specific details. It should be about something that has occurred over an extended period of time. And it should exhibit change. The term used to name the topic should not cross news boundaries; rather, it should be specific to a particular field of interest. But most importantly, the topic should SCORE: When your formula is applied to the topic, it should produce winning results!
Do you have a Concept Blog?
- What is YOUR formula: Or, How do you choose topics?
- Do you think these kinds of sites are useful?
- Do you think they provide “original” information?
Unwelcome at Entrecard
Standards?
I know better than to disagree. However, I disagree. “Unoriginal” content may, in fact, provide value to the reader. On the other hand, it’s a good “standard”. On the third hand, STANDARDS are not laws; rather, they provide (usually unreachable) goals toward which people should strive. This is all to say, you are not providing standards, you are providing excuses for deleting blogs. And you are wrong to delete blogs (no excuses). While it isn’t necessarily wrong to encourage people to bring their blogs up to YOUR (arbitrary) standards. Nonetheless, this move is not “encouraging”. Rather, you are playing “judge, jury, and EXECUTIONER”. In fact, this is “illegal” (not *in the spirit* of the law). For example discriminating against foreign speakers (or, as in a previous case, against religions and charities): Such may be considered HATE CRIMES. Though perhaps this isn’t an ACTUAL crime; nonetheless, it IS a form of “hate”.
Unoriginal Content?
Do we have need of Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans when we have Campbell’s Soup? The medium is the message.
A Blogging Network?
As an (old fashioned) “blogging” network: You can promote only low-tech blogs if you want. But advances in blogging software will continue to outdo your definitions of what an acceptable “blog” is. Seems you are limiting your definition to journaling and to only one format (all posts on one page, newest first). Wordpress (for example) has improved that format. Now, there are blogs with aggregators, blogs with static posts, blogs with intro pages, blogs with magazine-style front-covers, photo blogs, blogs with ads, bloggers who accept paid postings, and bloggers who post all sorts of content other than personal diaries. Wake up!
Reserves the Right?
As I’ve said: You are looking at content when the answer is more artistic than that (the MEDIUM is the message). ALL websites ran on blogging software are “blogs”. And the appeal of them goes way beyond content. There’s a big difference in the message different blogs present depending on the way those blogs use design and technology to repackage even “unoriginal” content. So, you can “reserve” the right to remove whatever site suits your fancy. But that doesn’t make it right.
Illegal Files?
BTW: The internet isn’t capitalistic. Rather, it’s a free “nation”. And, as of now, capitalists are losing. Movies are still available for free online. And people still download them. You can choose to support the losing side of the battle if you want. The internet will be around long after the profiteers are gone.
Acceptable Content?
A blog is defined by a community of users. The different personalities of the visitors help make each blogging community special and different from other sites. The comments people leave, their special perspectiveve on the topics chosen (even if aggregated from some other place)… as well as the personality of the blog author all play a part in making each site “original”. The author, regardless, chooses the focus, the design, the topics to be included, and what content is appropriate (with feedback). Plus there’s regular posting, editing, and site upgrades on the backend . And all of this is more important than the “standards” you’ve chosen to make an issue of. It is just WRONG for you to decide what comprises “acceptable” format or content! And you’ve stepped WAY over the line refusing access to people of other ethnicities and religious beliefs (yes, this might end you up in a lawsuit that you won’t win whether fitting your definition of “legal” or not).
Value?
How can you judge the “value” of these sites: Sites with artwork. Sites with fiction. Even sites that attempt to define what constitutes a “good” blog. Will you apply your own “standards” to these blogs as well?
Specifically…
“[W]here did we say we were deleting any of the following? “blogs with static posts, blogs with intro pages … blogs with ads, bloggers who accept paid postings, and bloggers who post all sorts of content other than personal diaries.”
That pretty much sums up your genocide program except you presume to know how old the “static” posts should be, how many posts should be on the front page… and even how the site redirects from a front page to sub pages (as well as which sub-page it should redirect to). Re-read what Graham posted above.
A Troll
Hitler had rules, too.
My Idea…
My idea is to let the internet police itself. If people don’t want to visit “splogs”, fine. If they don’t then those formats won’t survive. My complaint is when self-righteous power-hungry people presume to know what constitutes a “blog”. Your record is splotchy on this. Your excuses are lame. And your tactics are inappropriate. You use force. You create rules. You delete blogs instead of helping bloggers reach your “standards”. And, in the end, you resort to statements like “we have stated our rule… and our rule stands” (which is a blatant example of what should NOT survive on the internet the counter-example being open discussion and reasonable debate).
An Aside
“I think Google can be quite a powerful tool when you know how to use it correctly.”
So what about a site run by an author who “knows how to use” Google? If the author skillfully chooses the topic, edits the content, and packages the results in a way that even those people who DON’T know how to use Google can benefit from the information… would that constitute a website which provides “value” or would that violate EC “standards”? Then, when the author shares his personality, and a community of users evolve — each leaving a piece of himself or herself behind in the form of comments and suggestions… wouldn’t that then constitute an “original” site or, rather, does that fit EC’s definition of “unoriginal”?
Entrecard Infrastructure
That’s the real problem? Your “infrastructure” (network, system)? You can’t afford a successful business? Who are you fooling, us or yourselves? If you don’t upgrade to new servers (your own, if you don’t have them), and regularly, then YOU will fail. Splogs will either survive, or not. But you aren’t powerful enough to make or break them, in spite of your self-aggrandizement. In the meantime, you abuse your authority to make yourselves look important, make lame excuses for your behavior, and otherwise operate like a fly-by-night organization. 1. You can’t discriminate, period. 2. It is wrong to mass delete blogs for no reason and without warning, and 3. You are not an expert on what constitutes proper blog format and content (In fact, Entrecard is NOT a “blogging community”: It is an advertisement widget community)! These are all forms of self-destructive behavior. And you will not survive such bad business practices for long.
Democracy?
Are your users playing hall monitor? But YOU set up the reporting process in the first place! And what’s democratic about setting rules? A broad “guideline” would suffice (short): Websites should be in good repair, regularly updated, and contain “useful” information (still, the word “useful” is troublesome). Then, a WARNING would be appropriate. Short: Your site doesn’t meet our guidelines: Make sure your links point to a valid address (or Update your posts more regularly, or Add more content, etc). Finally (three warnings are the general rule): We thank you for your continued support but regretfully inform you that your site is not appropriate for our network: Please remove our widget from your website. Speaking for “splog farm operators”: Perhaps you aren’t looking beyond the content (or, more specifically, you aren’t looking AT the content)? Nonetheless, there are sites with content that I disapprove of… and I don’t visit those sites.
