Why do you read blogs?
No, I really want to know. What are you looking for when you read a blog? News? Analysis? Enjoyment? Information? Research?
Think about the blogs you read. Do you read political blogs and special interest blogs? Do you expect your political blogs to cover only politics (or whatever the special interest is)? If a blog is primarily a "mommy blog" for example, do you skip the articles that cover the latest local election?
Do you comment when you read blogs?
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? Do you click on the links?
Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis?
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other?
How do you find the blogs you read? How often do you check them?
Do you prefer pictures or not? Does it depend on the post?
Do you use a reader, like Google reader?
Go with me on this. I have a point.
Discuss. All thirty of you that are still here, that is.
17 comments:
I'm probably not the best commenter for this one because I am a blog addict. I do read longer posts, if the subject interests me; otherwise I skim it.
Pictures are good.
I do click on links as a rule.
I am one of your 30 readers, just as I hope you are one of my 16.
Have a great Sunday!
Oh, and I have Google reader, but never use it.
I came to this blog post from Twitter, I keep up with Twitter, Facebook and the wonderful blog feed and links from My Bossier.
Why do you read blogs? Multiple reasons. News, political opinion from both sides, and entertainment. Sometimes I read blogs simply because I like the way the writer uses language.
Do you comment when you read blogs? Usually, but only when I have something, not necessarily significant, to add.
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? They need to capture my attention in the first two or three paragraphs, but that isn’t all that hard to do. If the long post has long blockquotes I skip it altogether. Do you click on the links? Sometimes; depends on the reference.
Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis? No. I want to know what you think. That’s why I came to your blog.
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other? Probably, but I quit reading the ones that are. See my comment about blockquotes.
How do you find the blogs you read? Mostly by referral, references in blogs and sources I read. How often do you check them? Daily.
Do you prefer pictures or not? Only when the picture has a purpose, illustrating what you did, for instance. The silly pictures at Balloon Juice are inane. Does it depend on the post? Absolutely.
Do you use a reader, like Google reader? No.
31 of us. Heh.I read them for news, analysis (some are echo chambers)but many offer different perspective, opinion. I usually comment on the ones I frequent(but not always)I frequent your place but have only commented a few times. I am a picture watcher(and user on my blog).
Good grief - that's a lot of questions for a Sunday morning.
I read blogs mostly for the comments. I get some of my best info from comments at places like American Thinker.
I use Google reader.
Long articles are fine as long as they're well written.
Pictures are not necessary.
I usually mouse over links and check where they are before clicking. If an article is completely littered with links to the point it's hard to read I leave.
Since I'm reading 90% of the content in reader, I don't always leave comments. I leave most of my comments at blogs where I've formed some sort of "personal relationship" with the blog owner.
I'm sure I've missed something, but my stomach is growling for breakfast.
I read mostly political blogs, because their "spin" is vastly better than anything I can get from the MSM.
Comment? Not so much, this being an exception of course. If there's something I'd like to say I usually turn it into a post on my blog.
Long or short posts? Depends on the writer. Some people drone on, others have a way with words that keeps me engaged. Yes, I often click links.
Headline posts? I can get that from Google News!
Echo Chambers? There's a lot of that going around. I call them "groupie blogs" and I rarely read them. If I want to know what Stacy McCain thinks I can read his blog, not the sycophants who vie for his top linker of the week award.
I find new blogs via Twitter. And I keep the ones I like on my blogroll.
Pictures - sure, if they're relevant. Your antiquing pics for example, I like to live vicariously through your travels.
No RSS readers for me; I'm a surfer.
Do you read political blogs and special interest blogs?
Most of the blogs I read anymore are by people I know or people I find hilarious. I haven't had internet for a few weeks, so my computer time is limited. I have found that I haven't missed anything not being able to read them every other day like I usually do.
Do you expect your political blogs to cover only politics (or whatever the special interest is)? If a blog is primarily a "mommy blog" for example, do you skip the articles that cover the latest local election?
I'm kind of over politics in general right now, so I'm not the right person to be answering this. If I'm reading a mommy (or sports or whatever) blog, I will read the political things if I know the person and I see eye to eye and even then it's iffy. Otherwise, I prefer not to know people's political opinions if I'm going to read them for something else. As a matter of fact I stopped reading a very popular funny blog recently because the author decide to start spouting off about the birth control issue and was very misinformed. I told her that I was disappointed that she decided to take this route with a blog that was suppose to be my escape from the real world, and she told me to go fuck myself (literally) because this was too important to stay quiet about.
Do you comment when you read blogs?
Rarely. I used to more but it's aggravating to take the time to do it when the blog owner doesn't respond.
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? Do you click on the links? Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis?
Depends on the topic
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other?
Seems like the political ones are these days.
How do you find the blogs you read? How often do you check them?
Again, I'm down to reading mostly people I know. Sometimes someone will suggest one. Sometimes I'll see something funny from one posted on FB or something.
Do you prefer pictures or not? Does it depend on the post?
I don't care, but in my own blogging experiences, I've found pictures are always better.
Do you use a reader, like Google reader?
No
well Pat I keep editing my reply down and it is still too long. Lest it has actually been going through anyway, I will post this to check.
:-)
Generally I read politically and culturally oriented blogs for news and others' perspectives on it.
I often comment to show off my incredible insights.;)
Long posts are skimmed first and thoroughly read if I'm interested. I generally check out links.
Headline type links are often useful.
There is indeed a cavernous echo chamber.
I stumble across blogs of interest mostly through links and recommendations. The blogroll has built up over time. My blogroll updates and lists blogs will newer posts on top so I will check them out shortly after something is posted.
I do enjoy pictures and photoshops since that is my own main stock in trade. Any single issue has a thousand good analyses, written by good commentators already, so a photoshop sums a lot up in one fell swoop.
No reader used.
Someday, SIGIS' grandchildren will be buying Grandpa John's framed photoshops at Millie's!
Why do you read blogs?
All of the above. I know PR gimicks & talking points when I hear them - I prefer real thoughts from real people.
Do you expect your political blogs to cover only politics (or whatever the special interest is)?
My very favorites are those that cover a wide variety of topics, even if I don't always read all of the local stories. I like blogs that reflect the person. As Heinlein said, specialization is for insects, and uber-focused blogs are in my bookmarks, not my blogroll.
I enjoy analysis and I really want to hear what the blogger himself thinks about it - your take on Louisiana politics gives me enough of a handle on it to help me think rationally about those events that do cross over into Texas or national matters.
Do you comment when you read blogs?
I like to comment when I have time, as much to show support for the blogger's effort as anything else. I will read disabled-comments blogs so long as there's a way to interact with the writer (eg Instapundit). If over time, there's no acknowledgement from the blog owner, I will eventually get to where I don't bother. I no longer even visit sites that only allow privileged commenters (eg Hot Air).
Do you avoid really long posts?
I read 300 words a minute, and the devil is always in the details, so I like long posts. (I had to edit this reply because it was too long to post... 943 words originally. *cough*)
I also admire those gifted with the ability to be succinct.
Do you click on the links?
I right click to open links in a new tab, and I leap from other people's blogrolls. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for listing Pecan Corner on your blog roll. I sincerely appreciate it! :-)
Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis?
Instapundit is the only site I read like that - and he offers
his insight with each link. I don't go to places like Drudge or Real Clear Politics & I run past Yahoo's homepage as fast as possible without looking.
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers?
I get very tired of hearing the same underlying themes. I love bloggers that are able to bring a fresh POV or interesting insight to their story. Nearly all of the writers on my blog roll are there because they have that ability to present an unadulterated, genuine opinion.
How do you find the blogs you read?
A good blog is hard to find. Blogging as a hobby over time is a real labor of love. I find them mainly through other people's blog rolls, even a few layers removed. It's really fun to find a great blogger via their comments on a blog.
Unlike Jim, I haven't gotten into Twitter, so it is not a source for me. If it is a jumping off point for good bloggers, perhaps I need to put some time into figuring it out - so thanks Jim!
I use my blog roll for the ones I read regularly - I can see when they are updated and go read as soon as I have time. The blogs I "Follow", get looked at a couple of times a month. Those in my bookmarks I only look at when I have a lot of time to kill or when that subject has come back around as an interest du jour.
Do you prefer pictures or not?
I originally used photos to illustrate instructions or show off a collection. Now my photos draw as many visits to my blog as my writing. On the blogs I read, it depends on the post, but I don't require pictures.
Do you use a reader?
No. And I don't use email subscriptions (except to threads I've commented on).
There you are. I'm enjoying reading everyone else's answers to this, and looking forward to seeing where you are taking us with it! :-)
I'm in northeast Kentucky and Kentucky's a fairly conservative state (Commonwealth)[see Rand Paul], overall. I like living in Kentucky.
But, I married into a passel of Democrats and they drive me crazy with the, "It isn't fair!"; "The oil companies are in collusion."; "The government should [fill in the blank]"; and just general inane, off-the-wall commentary.
So, to maintain my sanity, I read conservative or libertarian blogs.
Thanks ALL for your comments!
Do you comment when you read blogs? Rarely, and if I do, I tend to do it anonymously.
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? Do you click on the links? That all depends on the topic. If it is something that really interests me (healthcare policy), I will read a long article.
Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis? No.
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other? Likely, but I only follow a handful of political blogs. That cuts down on the echo.
How do you find the blogs you read? How often do you check them?
Through links or blog rolls. I usually look at Google reader daily.
Do you prefer pictures or not? Doesn't not matter.
Do you use a reader, like Google reader? Yes. If the topic really interests me, I go to the blog to read comments.
Do you comment when you read blogs? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Since I'm cruising at seeing what is being said in the 'sphere, I often read quickly, then move on.
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? Do you click on the links? Tend to skim, unless they are to the point. I do click some of the links. If the post is really long due to extended excerpts (which is bad form), I skim.
Or do you prefer quick, headline type links without analysis? Those are OK, such as what Instapundit and Tom Nelson do. I do not care for a couple lines at best then several paragraphs of excerpt.
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other? They are on the Left. On the right, people often tend to add something different to the discussion, because Conservatives want to bring something new to the table.
How do you find the blogs you read? How often do you check them? From other blogs, usually. Not as easy as in the old days, with different link sites and link-fests. I usually check most at least once a week.
Do you prefer pictures or not? Does it depend on the post? Depends on post.
Do you use a reader, like Google reader? Use Google reader, since it also doubles as my blogroll.
Want to know what real people are up to. Reporters who are told what to write are tiresome
I have 4 blogs bookmarked- and use links from those 4 to the others I read. Instapundit, bubbleheads, legalinsurrection, and theospark.
Looking for news and opinion. The news site I have bookmarked is Drudge, which links all major news sources. The blogs I read usually have links to the articles I ant to read.
Do I comment? I guess this answers that question.
Do you avoid really long posts or do you skim them? yes and no. Depends on topic and my interest in it.
Speaking of analysis...are many blogs just echo chambers of each other?
Few are echo chambers. Even when two blogs agree on an issue, they agree for different reasons.
Don't use a reader- I read the blogs directly.
I found you through the Dead pelican site
I think your blog is interesting and informative,
And I check your blog often.
Thanks for your insight into a number of local
And national subjects.
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