How Do You Do It?
This morning I’m thinking about all the options out there for bloggers and people online. I’ve been wondering if I should add my own page and information to MySpace because I see it come up all over. But there are just so many ways, places and tools out there. How do you keep them all straight? Which ones do you find the most meaningful and useful?
It seems like everyone is creating and re-creating networking blogs and communities these days. I like MyBlogLog for it’s simplicity and ability to create a central “hub” for each blogger housing all the blogs they author. The only problem is it’s so hard to keep it meaningful because most people are using it for growth only so go adding contacts with everyone they click on. It messes up the accuracy of what their profile represents because contacts aren’t just people they share interests with nor are the blog communities they join necessarily more than reciprocated memberships from others. Unfortunately, this makes the concept fun but generally meaningless. But it’s simple and the icon widget of recent readers is getting me back there several times a day so kudos to the designers on that. I dislike the forced default navigation though with page redirects and everything always using the same window - it makes it difficult to get or stay where you want to go sometimes.
The problem is there are so many different social networks for blogging, combining blogs and group blogging it’s just plain too much for me. I need an organization method to keep them all straight - like my Google Reader for subscriptions! *laugh* So what do you do?
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It’s funny you posted this. Not 5 minutes ago I opened a myspace account for networking purposes. I have been pondering these exact concerns. If you come up with a solution, I hope you will share with the rest of us.
Catherine
That is funny - glad I’m not alone!
Comment by Catherine — March 30, 2007 @ 9:36 am
I am not going to do MySpace but that’s just me (although my office mate…who does not know about my blog…keeps bugging me weekly about “You should open up a MySpace account!”
I really enjoy Maya’s Mom. I have the button on my sidebar. So far I’ve really enjoyed it more so than MyBlogLog. In fact, since joining Maya’s Mom I’ve quit checking out MyBlogLog!
I also write occasionally at a new website called Divine Caroline. I was asked for feedback on their beta site so I am one of their “advisers.” They are located at www.divinecaroline.com and they have a great self publishing tool!
That’s funny about your co-worker! I’ve never been to Maya’s Mom I’ll have to check that out.
Comment by Jamie — March 30, 2007 @ 9:46 am
p.s. I am a diehard Bloglines devotee but I am trying to switch over to Google reader since I added a “share” feature on my sidebar.
So many additions….so little time! LOL
Comment by Jamie — March 30, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Hi, I just found your blog through MyBlogLog and while I admit many might just bounce from blog to blog until they find something it is how I’ve found many blogs I like. As for keeping track of all of them, I’ve saved many in favorites. I have this massive list now, eeeek. The rest are in google, technorati and mybloglog.
Thanks for sharing your insights and for visiting! I like seeing who visits from MyBlogLog and I always return the visits - it’s a fun way to meet new bloggers!
Comment by Homemom3 — March 30, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
Nice blog !
Thanks Sharm!
Comment by Sharm — March 30, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
I’ve heard of MySpace and MyBlogLog, but I have not used either. As a dad, I have to say I fear MySpace when my kids get older. Later, I’m going to have to play with MySpace so I know more about it.
I know what you mean about kids and MySpace - I’m looking into it more to keep an eye on other youth I care about too.
Comment by Daddy Forever — March 30, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
I would rather stay away from Microsoft… and I do not like the MySpace set-up - it’s confusing.
I hated IE until their new 7.0 version. I don’t like confusing though!
Comment by TorAa — March 30, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
Profile Linker helps somewhat…
http://www.profilelinker.com/
Thanks Jason, I’ll have to check that out!
Comment by Jason - GorillaSushi — March 31, 2007 @ 8:57 am
I’m so lame that the only reason I even have a MySpace page is because some people on a parenting board I use to be on got one. LOL.
I’m really liking MyBlogLog and I agree with you that it seems it’s mostly used for networking but I personally only check out the ones that I think look interesting (like yours).
Thanks Jo - I find it easy to click on pictures and something about picture icons is better than text links for me. I’m off to check out your site.
Comment by Jo — March 31, 2007 @ 11:49 am
On the whole Myspace thing, I can’t figure out how to make it all nice like everyone else’s. Mine is plain but it is also ONLY for family, this is the only way I’d take part.
I guess I’ll have to look into it. My husband has an account and he keeps up with a lot of the youth in our family and of friends…he’s more hip than me.
Comment by Homemom3 — March 31, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
lol…I have to agree! People just hungry for traffic are messing up mybloglog. I try to only add communities I truly am interested in, although lots of people ask me to add them to theirs.
I cannot see where myspace is effective…I have accounts there…how can that help? I don’t get it.
I do use bloglines regularly as my RSS. Love it.
When you figure it all out, let me know.
Thanks for the feedback!
Comment by hummie — March 31, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
I just skip haphazardly through the blog world.
I find a few days when I do that but I guess I’m a little retentive because generally I visit many of the same ones.
Comment by Mitch McDad — March 31, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
I just try to check everything twice a week, honestly. I have a blogger blog, a livejournal blog,a my-diary.org diary, and a myspace account. It’s hard, especially with 2 little ones contantly needing things but I figure I’ll have more time later.
Wow - I only have one blog and few other social blog communities and I feel overwhelmed!
Comment by Vicky — March 31, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
I honestly hate MySpace. Of course, I have an account with them though (only because my friends begged me to get one). I haven’t found a perfect solution for keeping up with everything. My “bookmarks/favorites” is overflowing and messy. When you find a solution, let me know.
ROFL - I can relate more than you know!
Comment by Justin — April 1, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
I enjoy my blog log. I always have a myspace blog but never check it.
So far MyBlogLog has enough simplicity for me to connect easily too.
Comment by katkat — April 1, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
I use Bloglines, though I should check out MyBlogLog more.
I tagged you for a music meme, if you have the time!
Oh man, music is my worst. I’ll have to look into it. It’s hard to figure out how to manage all the options out there!
Comment by Mary (mert) — April 1, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
You’re right, there are way too many options. I have accounts all over the place but the only ones I use regularly are these:
- MySpace because it’s so large that almost every week I re-engage an old friendship.
- StumbleUpon because I find and submit some great sites that way and to me it just makes more sense than other site submission directories/catalogs/etc. like Digg
- MyBlogLog because so many other bloggers use it. I wish they had some more features, though.
- 2kbloggers obviously.
- Others Online and Google chat for chatting because neither are so huge that I get bombarded yet. I don’t really like chat, though, so I rarely use them. And when they get a larger user base, I will probably switch to a smaller chat program again.
- Technorati to see who is linking to me or who is discussing a certain topic I’m interested in. I wish they’d take themselves more seriously and develop better software. This whole “we’re a media company” is a cop-out.
I’d like to spend more time at BlogHer and 9Rules, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I feel too busy for them.
Comment by Elaine Vigneault — April 7, 2007 @ 1:55 pm