Rethinking This Site
For no reason I’m completely unhappy with how this site is. None of the posts are original. They’re all regurgitated news. It’s gone so far on a tangent away from what it originally was…
I’m wondering if maybe I should just completely overhaul this site (yet again), and turn it into a proper site. A blog with original content.
So I’m asking anyone that’s a regular: What’s good about my site how it is now?
If nothing, I’m going to change it. Drastically.
Uncategorized 
5 April 2007, 02:00
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Well, a good thing about your site is that it actually gets this regurgitated news to me. Because, I don’t really look around for news. So, your site presents interesting news to me. And the commentary on the news provides me with some entertainment.
But, what kind of overhaul are you talking about? What would your entries be like if you did go through with this? A “regular” blog?
Even though it maybe ‘old’ news, you still bring your readers news, especially the ones that don’t search around for it. The comments get pretty interesting from time to time too =D
I’m not a really regular vistor but I understand your frustration… I just went through the same thing a few weeks ago and decided to hell with trying to MAKE it something for other people to enjoy or be interested in, when I’m not all that interested myself. So do whatever feels best for you, I guess is my 2c.
A layout change would be awesome. The blog entries are seriously interesting, better than those who call their sites “blog sites.”
Right now, the hosting and the “About” pages are the main points of the site. More visitor content is strongly suggested, because people normally come to poke around the content.
Although a whole new different site is a bit tempting…it’d be interesting to see what you would do.
First off, wow this is creepy I just posted a similar blog eariler this morning before even knowing you posted this. (mine was posted around 1 in the morning eastern American time)Well the last paragraph at least matchs some of the feelings you showed in your blog.
Also, your blog shows me a lot of news I really wouldn’t have known about. And is often more intresting then news I find on my own. I also love the whole feel of your wordpress layouts. It’s so clean and simple (that might be correct though I’m second guessing myself, but that’s how I feel). The only things I could ever suggest doing differently is, you know how you see that blueish box down at the bottom. Having it there annoys me for some reason, so the only thing I can suggest is moving it to the side of whichever. But that’s just my habits kicking in. I have to have the page in a certian spot with everything perfect. So when it’s in that spot I only see the tip of the blue box and it annoys me loL! My own site annoys me like that so don’t feel bad. lol Very few sites do it “perfectly” for my petpeeve.
@Josh
My original idea when I realized my life was too boring to write about was: “No one reads the news when they’re young, so why not post about it?” I didn’t even read the news until I started regurgitating it on this blog.
No. I can’t do “regular”. I’m too antisocial and weird beyond repair to do regular.
It’d be a bit more like your posts and Maria’s posts, but I’d try to make it stranger and a little more…offbeat.
Basically, I want to make it a bit more personal, but never like my diary. My diary is separate for a reason. It will always be separate. I’d never make people read about my life.
Maybe this makes more sense. From my diary post:
@Phoebe
Really? The news is that dated by the time you guys read it? Or are you saying I should update more?
Sometimes the comments get interesting. The only time I recall was when some jerks attacked me on this post.
Also, sometimes I get really stupid people who didn’t read the post just bs-ing in the comments…
@Kriss
Thanks for the advice. I think I’ll take it to heart. I read your post, too. It pretty much sums up what I feel. At least in part. I know a lot that I can share with people, but it takes too @#$^#^ long to type up tutorials.
I guess what I’ve been thinking is getting back to the basics and making it fun for me again.
@Angela
Just for that this layout is gonna be up two more weeks guaranteed. Even if I make a new design tonight. XD
I guess Kriss inspired me to be in a “Forget you, visitors!” mood.
Really? That’s where everyone goes? I’ll have to check my stats just to see if you’re right. I did put “Visitor” first, but I think About will be moving up to it’s rightful place soon.
Yeah, I have as much visitor content as I have the time to put up.
What would you want in the visitor content anyway? I don’t do graphics/themes unless I make them for myself, then feel generous. Nor do I do “reads” other than opinion or possibly advice.
@Brittany
Mine was posted around 1 too…
Yeah, one of the few things I’ve got right is how to make a clean valid theme.
I don’t like having to have stuff down there, but honestly I hate hate hate columns in my designs, so…
The news is fine since I never have time to read the fun/interesting ones anyway (I blame the college bubble).
To change it slightly, perhaps you can choose a sort of theme? Here, you have the news, yes? Well, what if you were to have news and something interesting that might have happened to you? I remember the story about the neighbor who crashed the tree into your patio. See? That was kind of amusing to read and not exactly an everyday kind of event, at least for many people.
(Aww, you referenced me in your diary! =P)
Or you could do that too with the edited thoughts stuff.
It’s all up to you and whatever you choose, I’m sure that it’ll still keep me coming. ^_^
I think your site is cool; the news that you post are really interesting stuff. I think your posts are fine as it as actually..
I’ve been having many of the same thoughts myself recently. It’s quite depressing really, that so many people have interesting lives that they can write about, and the rest of us are stuck with a load of bs to write about. Personally, I love you regurgitating the news. It’s better than reading through the big news sites, because you can just get snippets of interesting info. Your site really does let me learn something new everyday.
And some people may think I’m weird, but I sincerely enjoy reading your journal. You have a way of writing which makes even the most mindnumbingly dull things seems quite interesting.
As for improvements, I love your layouts to pieces, so no worries there, but I think that if you could write more tutorials then that would be awesome. Your site is the one I generally come to if I want to know how to do something, simply because, as I said before, your style of writing is so easy to read and understand.
Well I’ve never been here before, and to give some advice, your life doesn’t have to really be interesting in order to post a blog. Blogging is like a technique, and if you master it, you can write only two sentences and get over 30+ comments on it (I’ve seen it done several times).
It’s basically “how” you blog, and not so much, what you blog about, because how you blog will make even the most boring posts become interesting!
Well, tutorials would be really nice. And just a couple more graphics, too. ^^ You know, simple banners that say “Closed” and “Hiatus”.
Yes, nearly everyone who comes to a site immediately go to the visitor content. I used to, and all my online friends still do, my offline friends, people blog about it once in a blue moon…Erm, yeah. ^^;
Ah, screw the visitor content! Nah.. Anyway, I personally pay very little attention to a websites visitor content, because I’m just not interested. If a blog entry is interesting, I’ll go and read more about the author. And that’s it.
I actually really like your little news bits here. Especially since most of them aren’t published in Finland. And, I also like the example you gave in your comment reply. That is how I’d want my site to be and I’ve been thinking about turning it into something more like that for quite some time (that is, if my site would actually work :/ )
@Maria
I like your idea, except that absolutely nothing interesting happens to me. Ever. That tree falling on the patio thing was like once in a lifetime news.
I’m cyber-schooled so I literally just stay at home all the time. I have to beg to go shopping or anywhere.
@Sharon
So I should keep it a newsclip-kinda blog?
@Evie
Yeah. People with interesting or cute lives like Jays of babydoll.nu were what inspired me to have a website in the first place. It drives me nuts that my life is so beyond boring that I can’t do that.
So you like the newsclips, too?
As far as I’m concerned my writing sucks. And has always sucked. But I was really tore down about it by an old editor, so I dont’ suppose I’ll ever get over it.
So my writing is good because I don’t put any thought into it? I never thought of it that way.
More tutorials…I’ve noted that.
@Trisha
Yeah, but see, I’m a very boring person most of the time. I don’t write about myself because of that.
Yeah, see, my writing technique stinks. On ice.
Thanks for the advice though.
@Angela
I don’t do those kind of graphics. I never have and I never will. If I don’t make it for myself, I don’t post it. That’s just how it goes.
And besides there are MORE than enough sites out there that already make those graphics.
Yeah, I’m a little more like Kaisa. I read the posts, then maybe check out the author section. Very rarely do I look through the visitor content.
@Kaisa
So you like the news clips too?
Do you mean the crap in the blockquote or what I said before that?
hey! i think your posts are fine! i mean, most sites are personal blog diaries already and you already have a journal! so i think keeping your news bits style of posting is fine.
i think it s fine. maybe you could make an online webshop! haha.
but since you arent on to making graphics, more tutorials etc would be good. or like more hosting services etc? that kind of full package thing you see.
but actually, this site is almost like a fully visitor orientated site. with hosting and visitor content and interesting bits of news.
Although I’m not a regular visitor either, I think you should do whatever you think is best! I like reading your blogs because its informative! Its a very interesting idea that you’ve pointed out making a newsclip of some sort! But I think your site is great where it is at right now :)! All the best with your decision!
I love the whole idea of the site, since I don’t really search for news and stuff, I enjoy reading the posts here and the comments. I haven’t read all the comments above because there seems to be a lot this time, but I also like how your layouts are simple yet professional looking- which someone might have mentioned already. Anyways, Whatever you decide will be awesome for sure : ).
@Pamela
More hosting services? I already offer all I can without giving anyone the ability to screw up my Dreamhost Panel.
Care to elaborate on that “more hosting services” thing?
Yeah, except that I don’t have a checking account so I can’t have Paypal. And who would buy my crap? XDDD
@Vera
Yeah, Scoble has a newsclip blog, so I figured why not try that if I’m disgusted with Misstuned.
@Kristina
Tell me about it. I have to answer them. XD
I think it’s your site do what you want with it. Change can be good, but I do usually find your blogs interesting.
I don’t really know what to say though. But good luck with it.
As long as you don’t get rid of the site all together. I’d be really sad if you did that.
@Becca
Oh, hmm, I didn’t honestly expect anyone to have anything good to say about it.
I’d never get rid of it. It’s my hobby. Also, I’d be kicking 43 people off my server and everyone would hate me afterwards. Hehe.
I looked at your blog title and I thought you were gonna close.
I actually think your posts are original.. I mean, there’s so many so called “blog” sites that have boringgggg blogs. Your blogs are actually interesting and I bother to read them. So what if they’re regurgitated news.. Most of the time, I’ve never heard of what you blog about.
“What’s good about my site how it is now?”
Well, your blogs are actually interesting, haha.
By the way, I’m veronica from overdrive.misstuned.com. I don’t want a site anymore so you can just delete it
Just give your site a new layout, and keep it like it is. Maybe think of an interactive activity to get more visitors…I have no idea. Do you know what you’re going to do yet?
News are always interesting and entertaining. Not to mention, informative especially for those who ignore such reports or who simply do not have the time to search for such matters (but who have the time to visit your site considering it’s their must-visit of the day ;p). But also, visitors are interested not only about that, but also about you, n’est-ce pas? You shouldn’t limit yourself (unless it’s your intention). Include your thoughts, your emotions, your discoveries, et cetera. Take a look at my msn webspace, maybe it can give you an idea what I’m talking about. But anyways, although I’m not a regular (although I wish I was), I admire your site and how it evolves. By the way, I am about to update my rotation this evening. I’ll write you a message here when I’ll finish. Hope all is well. Take care!
@Veronica
Lmao, everyone jumps to conclusions. I’d never close. Unless I died or something.
“YOU YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS DON’T READ THE NEWS?! YOU’RE STUPID!” I can just see myself sitting on a rocking chair screaming that at everyone in my age group.
Thanks for the heads up.
@Angela
I’m entirely serious about not changing the layout now. I made one two nights ago, but I’m gonna take my good ol’ time coding it. XDDDD
No, I’m not sure what I’m doing yet. Decisions are only best made on the spur of the moment while on the rag regarding relationships, not Internets. XDDDDD
Plus, it’s so easy to leave this post up and take care of my offline life while you all wait in twisting agony (hah, I think I’m funny).
Also, I never cared how many visitors I got. In fact I’m considering getting rid of my button exchange things…
@Nadia
It is VERY much my intention to keep this separate from my daily life. My journal is for me, and anyone snoopy enough. I don’t want to have to edit my thoughts for the general public. So I don’t.
Oh, I’ve seen your MSN thing before. I know what you mean, but that’s just not my style.
Yay! I can’t wait to put some new tunes on my iPod.
That’s what I thought. Keep on writing how you want to write ;p. So I updated at last. Forgive me for the long wait. I hope you’ll enjoy the new songs ;).
I like your site the way it is, I like you layout as well.
YUPP, I think your news thing is a pretty cool idea.. They’re all so interesting; I think its pretty good, actually.
Thank you Deanna.
I’m a little surprised. But I set the goal of today so I’m working. ^^ I wasn’t expecting school *meeting today for credit check, I just may graduate early!!* to keep me for over 2 hours today though.
Good luck with whatever changes you do here! I look forward to them! Very much so! (Sorry for replying here, I just don’t know where else too!)
Take your good ol’ time coding it. As for now, you seem really stuck. So, a blog is going to be here for certain, hosting certain, but you were wondering what the whole purpose of your site was.
Well, I really don’t know. There are hundreds of things to do; you just have to pick one up and start thinking about it.
Hello! I like your site like it was/is!
But, why aren’t I on your List of current hostees?
Anyways, thank you so much for hosting me!
See I would have to agree with Maria and disagree with you hun because you do have interesting things you mention.
Aside from the tree thing I seem to recall somebody blogging about snowball slushies! That is something original and cool. Why not try adding a bit more of your own personal opinions, twists and facts to the news entries as well to give it a quirky tone? Frankly I don’t mind the “regurgitated” news or the fun sites you find. I probably would not have found them otherwise. In fact I can only recall a handful of times where you blogged something I had already heard of and those were far and few in between.
I really actually like reading your news posts. I mean, I mentionned the stupid stuff the RIAA is doing when I was having a conversation about downloading music the other day (thank goodness it’s legal in Canada), and I remembered what you posted.
I on the other hand sometimes make political references, but I doubt anyone gets them XD I must be one of the few 15 year olds who watches the news (and who watched for 3 hours the Liberal Leadership Convention @__@)
Uhm, I say you just post what you want. I post random things a lot, and it works for me?
But I like reading the news you post, and the commentary. I am a commentary-enjoying sort of person.
“I’d never get rid of it. It’s my hobby. Also, I’d be kicking 43 people off my server and everyone would hate me afterwards. Hehe.”
ONE RIGHT HERE ;o
[...] to all the commentators on the last post, I decided what to do with this site. I’m going to continue writing the newsclip-style blog, [...]
Thanks for the comments everyone. I had no idea anyone liked my newsclip-kinda thing. I’ve decided what to do and have detailed it in this post.