Feb 19, 2006 | blog
I agree with Dave Winer’s analysis about blogging is a part of life. The notion that an enabling technology being the news is misleading – the technology is just a mechanism for each of us to communicate our thoughts and ideas, in an easier, faster cheaper way.
Each new enabling technology (PCs, Email, Internet, MP3s, Digital Photography, Digital Video, etc…) is just another tool for everyone to leverage in their day-to-day lives. Saying that blogging is “dead” makes no sense, as there are millions of new blogs created each month. While some of this may be a fad that draws people in, I for one have become intrigued by the blogosphere and the conversations within it. Just like I was drawn into using the Internet as a research and communications tool. Of course, blogging may not be for everyone, just like Instant Messaging isn’t for everyone.
And Dave is correct when he says that new businesses will spring from blogs – the communication & collaboration is what drives new ideas and concepts. What do you think new businesses start from? Nothing? Ideas are what change industries and the world, and when you have clear, simple communications (i.e. Naked Coversations – see Scoble), you have the necessary foundation to build on.
Via: Scripting News
Feb 17, 2006 | blog
Welcome to the culmination of my blogging efforts for the past year. RickMahn.com is the place where I will talk about daily events in the technology space and blogosphere. About work, a little about life, and sprinkled with a few rants on occasion.
The reason for starting a new blog is both simple and complex. I’ve been using a number of blogging tools (Blogger, WordPress.com, MSN Spaces) with differing results. I’ve come to the conclusion that Blogger.com currently was the most flexible, WordPress.com the most powerful, and MSN Spaces – well… oh my, look at the time.
So after a lot of research, learning new technologies, blogging, thinking, and figuring costs and such, I’ve set up shop here at www.rickmahn.com. I’ll be here mostly every day posting on things that I find interesting, interacting in the blogosphere, commenting on others’ posts and so on.
So, come on back from time to time and check out what I’m doing – drop a line and let me know what’s good and what’s bad. See ya round the ‘net!
Feb 12, 2006 | blog
Ok, so I think I’m turning into a blog nut… I’ve been looking at tools, utilities, plugins, etc… for a number of reasons, mostly ’cause its fun. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I need to go “pro” at this – what I mean by that is to sign up with a hosting service, manage my own site with a professional blogging tool that I can customize to my needs and personal preferences.
So what I’ve found to date is that I’ll be building this site over the next two weeks (and last two weeks – I’ve already started) and getting it off the ground. This weekend has been one of learning some neglected (by me) web language technologies (XHTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, WordPress layouts, etc…) that are crucial to getting the site I really, really want to publish to the world.
My page layout and site design is mostly complete, I’ve got a site & domain name picked (I’ll post about that later), a hosting service identified, at least a temporary theme picked out that I have customized somewhat (check out my WordPress blog for a taste). One thing that I would really like is to be able to design a theme that really fits what I want to display for “style”. I’m not a graphic designer, or an artist – at least not skill-wise, I DO have opinions as most of us do.
One goal will be combine my two existing blogs (here at blogger, and my WordPress.com blog) into one. Though I will keep the two blogs I have, they will likely play a different roll which I can’t think of at the moment. What I have learned from both these blogs are some interesting things, for one – they both are drop-dead simple to get started, which is excellent because that means more people can start a blog without needing to understand the underlying technologies. They are both also very powerful. Blogger at the moment is more customizable right away, WordPress.com has only been available to the public since I think Oct 2005 and is a bit more controlled at the moment making customization unavailable right away – though Matt Mullenweg is working on this for future options (Go Matt!).
Well, there is much to do even though its a good start. I’ll post more information soon – maybe a few screen shots of things here and there as well.
Feb 5, 2006 | blog
Russell Beattie has gone “old school” as he puts it in his blog this weekend. He mentions how much time responding to comments takes up, and I’m sure it is a time-sink though I don’t have as much experience with that sort of blogging traffic.
Russ, in case you’ve missed it, there is a new comment-tracking tool that is currently in limited beta called coComment, and may be of help to you as you deal with comment overload. Interesting timing actually, the anouncement of this tool and your decision to turn comments off on your blog. Well I hope it goes well for you, and you find that extra time you’re looking for. In many ways, I don’t blame you, but I’m sure that you’ll get some feedback on the negative aspect as well. See ya round!
via: Russell Beattie Notebook
Feb 2, 2006 | blog
OK, I’ve fixed a few things here on my blog that were bothering me – just needed to take the time and find where to change the code in the template. I’ve updated the Permalink so it says “Permalink” instead of the time – thats bothered me for quite awhile. Next I changed the title so it always links to the permalink as well – call me something-retentive. Also, I added a small bit to place the any title link I add to the bottom of the post called “link”. Finally, I added a link & logo for w.blogger, which I find to be a very nice tool for posting – even at work.
When I get a few minutes, I’m going to see if there is an easy way to add Technorati tags to the bottom of each post as well – or at least to the tech-releated posts.
