We can’t all get along Jul27 '05

I’ve been subscribing to RSS feeds for quite some time now. RSS allows me to keep all the blogs and sites that I read in one spot (much like a bookmark list), and have all updates come to that spot.

Over time, I’ve added and subtracted feeds from certain sites. If I come upon a blog site that I haven’t read before - I subscribe to it, but in a folder called, "Pending."

This means I am not yet sure I want to keep that site in my main list, but I am willing to give it a try.

I usually give new sites about a month - and if, by then, they don’t peak my interest, or keep me entertained/inspired - I get rid of them.

This has nothing to do with the quality of that "Pending" site - but rather, our own individual personalities.

Blogs are mainly about an individual’s thoughts and ideas, and much like meeting people in the real, physical world - sometimes there is just no connection or relation between two people.

That’s not to say that one person is bad - it’s just a fact of life - not everyone gets along.

There are some really great web professionals out there that only discuss web-related things - things I would really like - but after giving their blog sites a read (over time), I find we are not seeing "eye to eye."

Even though that they are very involved in the same field I am - that doesn’t mean I can "come to terms," or "grasp" their concepts, ideas, and thoughts.

What I look for in a blog site

When I go through my "Pending" consideration of new blog sites, I look for many qualities and aspects, which will hopefully help me to consider them as part of my main blog list, in my RSS reader.

The main quality I look for is someone with an unobtrusive personality, with dignity and respect. Just like meeting someone in person, you can usually tell right away, if a person is like this.

Here are some qualities that instantly turn me away:

• Arrogance. Can’t stand it.
• Someone who doesn’t consider alternatives, simply because it’s "their way, or the highway."
• Constantly talking about themselves, or putting themselves on a pedestal. (You can spot this quickly by noticing how many times they use the word, "I," in all of their posts.)
• Someone who only says what their "supposed" audience wants to hear (in order to generate the most feedback and debate).
• Someone who takes news from other sources, and "shapes it," like it’s their own. I mean this in the most "extreme ways." It’s perfectly OK to reference news, and provide thoughts - but "spreading the news" like you created it is silly. (I’m referring to an Apple site with collective authors)
• Someone who doesn’t respond to feedback (comments) that are directed at them (whether positive or negative). Often times I’ll leave simple and innocent questions in the comments section, and never receive a response. Show me that you’re reading - and that you’re there. Show me there’s a person behind the post. If you leave comments open, you should have enough gratitude (and time) to respond to those who leave feedback. If not, close the commenting feature.

Of course, these qualities are over a "broad perspective" of blog sites that I have read over the past couple of years. None of these qualities should be "taken to the grave." I have room for slack, like most people do.

And, I realize that many people might find many of the negative qualities existing on this site - my own. I respect that. We are all individuals, and not everyone sees "eye to eye."

And I’m sure there are dozens more qualities that I can’t think of right now.

But, all in all, this is a pretty decent start.

Categories: People , RSS , Web Sites

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