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| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| Hi, all,
OK, not being a blogger, I have a question.
Some of the people in this non-profit are talking about putting a blog up on the
website, in an attempt to get more people to the site.
Personally, I think it's more a matter of "this is the latest - everyone else is
doing it" attitude, and they really don't know what they're talking about.
They already have a discussion board on the site with both public and private
areas. The board has optional email notification of posts (including the post)
and email reply to posts.
So, my question is - what would a blog provide that the discussion forum doesn't
already?
Thanks for any insights you can provide.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
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| TechnoHippie 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| Jerry Stuckle <jstucklex@attglobal.net> wrote in
news:39qdnVMNKrBpidDZ4p2dnA@comcast.com:
> what would a blog provide that the discussion forum doesn't
> already?
>
Better exposure. Forums are out, blogs are in ... you're right. But it
isn't just a matter of personal preference. Search engines love them. As
long as the blog owner pings the regular services and submits a google
sitemap (rss feed), anyone who wants to find thier info/site will find it
easier than a forum.
I doubt that they need both though, and if they choose the blog, they
should archive the forum (if it's populated enough to justify) and just
make the switch over. If they think they'd like to keep the forum active,
they should only use the blog for announcements and pointers to the forum
topics/posts. Just don't make it confusing for visitors ... they should
quickly recognize the function of both.
Judy
--
Trippy Triangle: http://www.technohippie.com
Bring Them Back: http://www.bringthembackfromiraq.com/btb/
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html
*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***
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| Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> So, my question is - what would a blog provide that the discussion forum doesn't
> already?
Content.
Provided they actually write content in the blog, instead of (ab)use
it as a discussion board of course :-)
I subscribe to a bunch of RSS feeds of blogs. I don't subscribe to
discussion boards.
--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Now playing: Pink Floyd - Sheep
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| William Tasso wrote:
> Fleeing from the madness of the LocusMeus.com jungle
> Els <els.aNOSPAM@tiscali.nl> stumbled into news:alt.www.webmaster
> and said:
>
>
> righty-oh.
Well, unless you call Usenet one big discussion board of course...
--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Now playing: Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
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| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| TechnoHippie wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle <jstucklex@attglobal.net> wrote in
> news:39qdnVMNKrBpidDZ4p2dnA@comcast.com:
>
>
>
>
> Better exposure. Forums are out, blogs are in ... you're right. But it
> isn't just a matter of personal preference. Search engines love them. As
> long as the blog owner pings the regular services and submits a google
> sitemap (rss feed), anyone who wants to find thier info/site will find it
> easier than a forum.
>
> I doubt that they need both though, and if they choose the blog, they
> should archive the forum (if it's populated enough to justify) and just
> make the switch over. If they think they'd like to keep the forum active,
> they should only use the blog for announcements and pointers to the forum
> topics/posts. Just don't make it confusing for visitors ... they should
> quickly recognize the function of both.
>
> Judy
Thanks for the info, Judy. I didn't realize the blogs did RSS, also.
The site map might be a problem. They don't have one right now, and one of the
things I'm going to have to do is create one. Oh well...
And no, they do not want to get rid of the discussion forums. They serve a
purpose also - and it's quite easy to keep up via email. We can get the
postings and even respond via email. No need to get on the board at all unless
we need to look at previous posts.
Trying to maintain both will be a problem, though. Sounds like it could be an
administrative nightmare.
Thanks again.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
| |
| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| Els wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Content.
> Provided they actually write content in the blog, instead of (ab)use
> it as a discussion board of course :-)
>
> I subscribe to a bunch of RSS feeds of blogs. I don't subscribe to
> discussion boards.
>
Thanks, Els, for the info. However, I'm not sure what you mean about abuse of
the discussion board.
One of the problems we have right now is little (ab)use of the discussion
forums, despite the ease of using them. Some people think a blog will
"magically" correct that problem.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
| |
|
| Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Hi, all,
<...>
> So, my question is - what would a blog provide that the discussion forum
> doesn't already?
Yes:
A hip buzz-word. "Forums" are SO 90's...
| |
|
| >So, my question is - what would a blog provide that the discussion forum doesn't
>already?
I'm not a blog expert. I look at a blog as a forum where there is
only one thread and it's moderated. Mileage may vary for all I know.
--
http://www.ren-prod-inc.com/hug_sof...?action=contact
| |
|
| Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Els wrote:
>
> Thanks, Els, for the info. However, I'm not sure what you mean about abuse of
> the discussion board.
Sorry, I don't mean abuse of discussion board. I meant abuse of the
blog as in using it as a discussion board.
I can set up a blog in different ways. I prefer the type where I, and
perhaps a few others, write posts about stuff that interests me,
regardless if anyone wishes to comment. This ensures the blog has
something worthwhile to read (at least in the eyes of the writer).
You could however have a blog open for anyone to register, so anyone
would be able to write posts on it. This would thus be similar to a
discussion board: no one is/feels responsible for the content, and
everybody can just write what they like. A lot of hit and run posts,
and no particular writing style people can get hooked on.
The power of a blog is that only one (or a couple) owner/contributor
is writing all the content, and all the rest can do is write comments
to it. These comments are also visually just comments, not blog
entries, so there is a clear distinction between the site-owner's
ideas/interests, and the reactions of the public.
People subscribe to the blog, not to its comments. (there are
exceptions)
> One of the problems we have right now is little (ab)use of the discussion
> forums, despite the ease of using them. Some people think a blog will
> "magically" correct that problem.
It will (no magic though), if you limit writing permissions to a
handful of people who feel responsible for regularly writing content
that interests potential site visitors. This blog could for instance
have a very detailed and opiniated post, which at the bottom has a
link to the discussion board's latest topic. Also, if they write
regularly enough, Google takes only a day (or two) to index the new
posts, so you can make posts about whatever is hot today, choose the
right (key)words, and get hits on that.
btw - about the "administrative nightmare" you mentioned in another
post: I don't see why. There's no obligation to respond to comments on
your blog. It helps if you respond sometimes, so people feel you read
their comments, but replying to each and every one is not doable (if
the blog is popular) or even expected.
A blog is really just a soapbox; you tell your story, and if people
comment, you choose whether you reply or not. Very much unlike a
discussion board :-)
--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Now playing: Yes - America
| |
| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| Els wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Sorry, I don't mean abuse of discussion board. I meant abuse of the
> blog as in using it as a discussion board.
>
> I can set up a blog in different ways. I prefer the type where I, and
> perhaps a few others, write posts about stuff that interests me,
> regardless if anyone wishes to comment. This ensures the blog has
> something worthwhile to read (at least in the eyes of the writer).
>
> You could however have a blog open for anyone to register, so anyone
> would be able to write posts on it. This would thus be similar to a
> discussion board: no one is/feels responsible for the content, and
> everybody can just write what they like. A lot of hit and run posts,
> and no particular writing style people can get hooked on.
>
> The power of a blog is that only one (or a couple) owner/contributor
> is writing all the content, and all the rest can do is write comments
> to it. These comments are also visually just comments, not blog
> entries, so there is a clear distinction between the site-owner's
> ideas/interests, and the reactions of the public.
>
> People subscribe to the blog, not to its comments. (there are
> exceptions)
>
>
>
>
> It will (no magic though), if you limit writing permissions to a
> handful of people who feel responsible for regularly writing content
> that interests potential site visitors. This blog could for instance
> have a very detailed and opiniated post, which at the bottom has a
> link to the discussion board's latest topic. Also, if they write
> regularly enough, Google takes only a day (or two) to index the new
> posts, so you can make posts about whatever is hot today, choose the
> right (key)words, and get hits on that.
>
> btw - about the "administrative nightmare" you mentioned in another
> post: I don't see why. There's no obligation to respond to comments on
> your blog. It helps if you respond sometimes, so people feel you read
> their comments, but replying to each and every one is not doable (if
> the blog is popular) or even expected.
>
> A blog is really just a soapbox; you tell your story, and if people
> comment, you choose whether you reply or not. Very much unlike a
> discussion board :-)
>
Thanks for the more detailed explanation, Els. I'm learning a lot here.
What I was referring to as the "Administrative Nightmare" would be to match up
the blog entries to the discussion board entries. I couldn't depend on the
person writing the blog to create the topic and link to it.
Thanks again.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
| |
| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-24, 6:56 pm |
| Els wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Sorry, I don't mean abuse of discussion board. I meant abuse of the
> blog as in using it as a discussion board.
>
> I can set up a blog in different ways. I prefer the type where I, and
> perhaps a few others, write posts about stuff that interests me,
> regardless if anyone wishes to comment. This ensures the blog has
> something worthwhile to read (at least in the eyes of the writer).
>
> You could however have a blog open for anyone to register, so anyone
> would be able to write posts on it. This would thus be similar to a
> discussion board: no one is/feels responsible for the content, and
> everybody can just write what they like. A lot of hit and run posts,
> and no particular writing style people can get hooked on.
>
> The power of a blog is that only one (or a couple) owner/contributor
> is writing all the content, and all the rest can do is write comments
> to it. These comments are also visually just comments, not blog
> entries, so there is a clear distinction between the site-owner's
> ideas/interests, and the reactions of the public.
>
> People subscribe to the blog, not to its comments. (there are
> exceptions)
>
>
>
>
> It will (no magic though), if you limit writing permissions to a
> handful of people who feel responsible for regularly writing content
> that interests potential site visitors. This blog could for instance
> have a very detailed and opiniated post, which at the bottom has a
> link to the discussion board's latest topic. Also, if they write
> regularly enough, Google takes only a day (or two) to index the new
> posts, so you can make posts about whatever is hot today, choose the
> right (key)words, and get hits on that.
>
> btw - about the "administrative nightmare" you mentioned in another
> post: I don't see why. There's no obligation to respond to comments on
> your blog. It helps if you respond sometimes, so people feel you read
> their comments, but replying to each and every one is not doable (if
> the blog is popular) or even expected.
>
> A blog is really just a soapbox; you tell your story, and if people
> comment, you choose whether you reply or not. Very much unlike a
> discussion board :-)
>
BTW - any recommendations as to which blog software to use? It doesn't have to
be free, as long as it's reliable (and not TOO expensive! :-) ).
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
| |
|
| Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Els wrote:
[blog][color=darkred]
> BTW - any recommendations as to which blog software to use? It doesn't have to
> be free, as long as it's reliable (and not TOO expensive! :-) ).
I've never seen any not-free blogs, but maybe I didn't look hard
enough ;-)
I like Nucleus: http://nucleuscms.org/
Never tried others though, so I can't compare for you.
--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Now playing: ABWH - Order of the Universe [Live]
| |
|
| Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Els wrote:
[blog]
>
> What I was referring to as the "Administrative Nightmare" would be to match up
> the blog entries to the discussion board entries. I couldn't depend on the
> person writing the blog to create the topic and link to it.
Right..
And with a bit of education? Like:
step 1: create topic on discussion board
step 2: copy url to topic from address bar to clipboard/text file
step 3: write blog entry and paste url
?
--
Els http://locusmeus.com/
Now playing: ABWH - Order of the Universe [Live]
| |
| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-25, 7:05 pm |
| Els wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>
> [blog]
>
>
>
> Right..
> And with a bit of education? Like:
> step 1: create topic on discussion board
> step 2: copy url to topic from address bar to clipboard/text file
> step 3: write blog entry and paste url
> ?
>
Els,
We're mainly dealing with consultants here. They make up their own
instructions! :-)
Seriously - many would, but there are a few who would regularly "forget".
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
| |
| Jerry Stuckle 2006-04-25, 7:05 pm |
| Els wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>
>
> [blog]
>
>
>
> I've never seen any not-free blogs, but maybe I didn't look hard
> enough ;-)
>
> I like Nucleus: http://nucleuscms.org/
>
> Never tried others though, so I can't compare for you.
>
Thanks, Els, it looks good.
But their current site doesn't have mysql available. So now maybe I can get
them to a more reasonable hosting plan.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
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