Idea: No more blog archives Jul22 '07

Possible definition of a "blog":

A regularly updated, chronologically organized web site from an individual or group expressing opinions, ideas, or simply sharing information to a collective group of readers.

Notice: chronologically organized.

The most identifiable aspect of a blog is that it acts like a journal. It organizes posts one on top of the other, with the most recent post on top.

It also archives every entry, as if to form a historical essence; a sentimental value. Have you ever looked back at old blog entries, and felt a touch of nostalgia?

As the amount of blog posts increases, so does the amount of dynamic pages on your site - which can be navigated to find older entries. It's nice to have a search box that scans old entries to find the one you're looking for.

But who are we as bloggers? Are we in the nostalgia business? Are we in the archival, preservation business, like newspapers or magazines? Do we truly care if a post from four years ago is still accessible by local or external search engine queries?

I've looked at old blog posts and thought, "Who wrote that?" Obviously I know that I wrote it, but I was a different person back then.

This has led me to believe that preserving old blog entries is a waste of time (and space).

Rather, focus on your more recent, more relevant posts. Pick a handful... say ten, and display those on your site. Those ten can change, but only ten can remain. It's up to you to decide which posts exemplify your blog's meaning or personality.

This keeps your content fresh and relevant, and gives your blog more definition.

Categories: Blogging , Ideas

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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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