My home is not a place, it is people.
Online Journals Provide and Outlet for Writers
Published on February 14, 2005 By Cordelia In Blogging

There have been several posts now that deal with what should and shouldn't be posted on JoeUser. Some believe that this site should be exclusively for political articles, some think the site owners should not post articles that contain personal thoughts, and some think that JoeUser and WinCustomize shouldn't be linked.

 

JoeUser is a blog site. Blogging is defined by Google thusly:

"A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in chronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominently".
 

While most articles on JoeUser seem to have a political bent, it is by no means the rule of the website that only political blogs are accepted. I, for one, have no place posting political stuff as I tend to avoid doing the requisite research needed to post an intelligent article on most political topics. My interests lie elsewhere. Personally, I like the articles that are about people's personal lives, mostly because when I read about other people's lives I remember that I am not the only person on the Earth and it helps me get out of my own head a little bit. I also use my blog as a way of keeping in touch with friends who are across the continent, and I want to keep in touch with them about my daily life, and to hear about theirs.

 

Some people use their blogs to write articles, political or otherwise. Some write poetry. Some use it to keep in touch with friends, and some use it to work through personal issues. I admit to having read blogs that I wasn't happy about - blogs that bore me, or anger me, or otherwise make me unhappy. I read them, though, so I would never complain that someone shouldn't post it. I pick and choose what I read, often based on titles that seem like they might interest me. Sometimes when I realize that it's an article about something I don't want to read I...wait for it...stop reading.

 

There are a couple of sections that get posted on both JoeUser and WinCustomize. These sections are: Personal Computing, OS Customization, Tutorials. I'm guessing that articles posted in the Gaming section also get posted over on TotalGaming.net as well.

 

Occasionally someone over on WinCustomize might see an article in the Personal Computing section and wonder what the heck it's there for. Rest assured it's some JoeUser who had some experience with a computer that they wanted to relate, but they may or may not be looking for help.

 

I'm not saying people shouldn't be allowed to question what kinds of things get posted on JU - heck, post anything you want, that's what it's all about, right? I just thought I'd throw my two cents in about the topic because, well, because I can. Because it's my blog. And no hard feelings if you don't want to read it or you don't like it.

 

 

(BTW - did you know you can go to Google and type in "Define" and then the word and Google will try and give you a definition? Try it!)


Comments
on Feb 14, 2005
Witty and informative article Cordelia. I love the style.

And you are absolutely correct - ".it's an article about something I don't want to read I...wait for it...stop reading..." Funny stuff
on Feb 14, 2005
Great article Cordelia. I have been baffled at the (mild) uproar at the linking of JU and WC. You see the title, and if you don't want to read it no one is forcing you to click the link.

I too enjoy reading about other's lives. It provides a human connection to what otherwise would be a collection of electrons.
on Feb 14, 2005
People were trying to make joeuser all politics? And here I thought I was paying attention, I had completely missed that. I like the crossposting of articles based on topic, is a nice feature. Just need to be aware of it, or can lead to confusion I think having the various stardock sites linked as they are is good, it allows relevant information to travel between them. Diversity in blogging helps the community, that's what I say. We can't all be arguing politics, complaining about job, or writting poetry. To each their own, and happy blogging to all
on Feb 14, 2005

EXCELLENT point Danny. Just what I was trying to say - but you said it so much more succinctly. And thank you both foreverserenity and BlueDev.