Bloggers...abandoning blogs according to New York Times! Misleading info...

I would be remiss if I did not respond to the New York Times article just recently in which a reporter asserted that bloggers were abandoning their sites in droves. (06/07/09)

For starters, some of the reporter's statements were terribly misleading.

According to the journalist, one source - Technorati (the largest blog site in the world) - alleged that blogs were sitting idle and not being updated on a regular basis.

Although that bold-faced statement warranted a follow-up interview with at least a blogger or two to confirm the facts - the reporter was inclined to accept Technorati's observations as true.

In this instant case, the lack of journalistic ethic on the part of the writer, has left egg on the face of the New York Times staff.

The truth of the matter is that Technorati has been experiencing quite a few ongoing glitches at their site which account for the reason a handful of bloggers may have been reluctant to follow through in recent days.

For example, when I first signed up with Technorati, my blog posts at google's Blogspot (The Tattler) and WordPress (Pop Culture) were pinged on a daily basic; consequently, my material was always current and up-to-date.

So, time-sensitive notices about local and National events - and spur of-the-moment news flashes - were published quickly enough for readers to act upon them.

However, in recent weeks Technorati has been experiencing a number of technical problems which they have not been very quick to fix in spite of their professional obligation to do so.

Specifically, it should be noted in my own instant case, that although I wrote daily posts for weeks-on-end - on more than one occasion - Technorati falsely reported that no new posts had been published for days!

On those occasions did Technorati staff incorrectly assume I abandoned my blogs, too?

No wonder their data is out-of-whack!

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, once the flaws in the Technorati software came to my attention, I began to ping the posts daily since the automated system was not reliable from the get-go.

In spite of that dedicated effort on my part to ensure readers would receive all updated posts in a timely fashion, Technorati still managed to prevent material posting in a timely manner (sometimes for durations of twelve or thirteen days).

To make matters worse, Technorati's site crashes often, which adds to the frustration.

When a blogger attempts to log in, a bizarre message - The Monster got loose - may flash across the screen and instruct the individual to try back later (without any explanation).

Also, I can't count the number of times I have logged in to my account and received the startling message that my blog (The Tattler) didn't exist!

Duh!

As to the other issues raised by the New York Times?

The reporter asserted in the article that bloggers were abandoning their blogs because they were frustrated by the fact their arduous efforts were not panning out in spite of the fact they busted their butts - with the ultimate aim - of being "discovered".

For instance, the reporter surmised that because book deals (bloggers were eagerly anticipating) were not forthcoming - and fame did not come knocking on their door with a promise of untold overnight - that disenchanted bloggers were opting to jump ship.

If that was/is the case for many - who are now seeking recognition elsewhere because of their failed attempts on the Internet - the truth of the matter is that a multitude of artists over the years (in a myriad of fields of creative expression) have similarly offered up their talents in a non-paying capacity with the express hope they would be catapulted into the spotlight.

For example, comics have often signed up for open-mike night at celebrated nightclubs, with the express hope that a talent scout in the audience might recognize their talent - and ultimately - land 'em gainful employment.

Actors have also been known to perform on stage in equity-waiver theatres - to specifically showcase their talent - in order to land a starring role in a major production on Broadway or in a feature film.

All things considered, it appears that the New York Times really screwed up on this one!

Took a blustery blogger to set the record straight, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Technorati...ping malfunction renders posts "old news"!

For those of you with blogs that are fed through Technorati by "ping", I guess you're as frustrated as I am about the update malfunction at their site which is rendering posts "old news" items before they've had a chance to be read!

For instance, over the past few days when Technorati failed to ping the blogspot site automatically (www.ijulian.blogspot.com), I tried to facilitate the function manually.

But, to no avail.

For days, posts failed to pop up on the site.

When they did appear in the queue, the posts were not timely and amounted to "old news".

I'm recommending that Technorati readers go directly to the source for the posts, until the malfunction is sorted out.

I, for one, would prefer my posts to be read while they are timely and newsworthy - not stale and outdated!

Good luck sorting things out your way!

Associated Press...Monopoly of the news is un-American. Technorati bans AP!

There has been quite a fall-out against AP in the wake of their attacks on the DRUDGE report for alleged illegal misuse of quoted material and news clips.

Many blog sites are banning Associated Press from their band widths.

In recent days, AP big-wigs pointed an accusing finger at DRUDGE for linking up to their news reports and providing short quotations via reader submissions.

According to Tech Crunch, DRUDGE is doing nothing more that what Digg, TechMeme, Mixx and dozens of other sites do.

Obviously, because DRUDGE is the big honcho on the block - who savors a widespread influence in his capacity as an innovative news outlet on the world-wide-web - AP has elected to either ding him for the privilege of using their musings - or in the alternative, at least - shut him down altogether.

In the wake of the controversy, Technorati - numero uno blog spot on the planet - has banned Associated Press from their band widths altogether.

For good reason.

AP does not want people quoting their stories despite the fact that such activity very clearly falls within the fair use exception to copyright law.

As long as bloggers and reporters from news outlets give proper credit for the quotes, there should not be any problem, in my humble opinion.

If Associated Press labels the fair use activity as an infringement, then I say bullsh**.

In essence, AP is trying to secure a monopoly on the news.

And, in my estimation, that is un-American.

Notwithstanding, it should be noted that on any occasion that I have ever "chosen" to quote AP myself, it amounted to "throwing a bone" their way.

Because I attempt to give a balanced view of the news, I often include a myriad of viewpoints from a handful of news sources to add depth and dimension to the report. If ever I quoted AP, it was because I chose to, not because there was any pressing need for their material.

Personally, I can survive quite nicely without Associated Press.

If anything - they are stuffy and old guard and are ham-strung in many respects when they report on their white bread "news" - anyway.

A.P. Vice President Jim Kennedy says they will issue guidelines telling bloggers what is acceptable and what isn't over and above what the law says is acceptable.

Over your dead news organization!

He had the audacity to note for the record that AP intends to "define clear standards as to how much of its articles and broadcasts bloggers and web sites can excerpted without infringing on the AP copyright".

Boy, he's full of himself, isn't he?

Kennedy went on to warn that those who disregard the guidelines risk being sued by the AP even if those guidelines are in direct conflict with applicable Laws.

In my mind's eye, their downfall is surely on the way.

Who needs 'em?

Bloggers, blog sites, and Internet Web news sites are proliferating, and gaining respect and stature in the news industry; but, more importantly, are changing the face of the news arena daily.

In the near future, AP will be turning to bloggers for news stories!

Are the blogsters going to let 'em use the material?

The jury is still out.

Meanwhile, bloggers and blog sites are turning their backs on Associated Press.

AP is banned until they abandon their lunatic strategy.

Likewise, Bloggers will no longer quote 'em or link to 'em or even acknowledge their petty meaningless existence.

Voltaire once said,

We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard.