A Blogging "Dork" and His Media "Diet"

March 22nd, 2007 • Click to view Related Articles
Filed Under: Link Love • Listmania • Random Ramblings • The Lighter Side

The other day I revealed to Christine Kane something that probably was evident to any experienced blogger who came to my site - I am a blogging “dork”. To me, “SEO” stands for “Screwup Everything Openly“. I see these marvels of Internet sophistication construct perfect sites that are optimized to drive maximum traffic - I saw one yesterday that exclaimed “How I Got 656 Visitors Today (I’ve Only Been Blogging For 5 Days)“. Wow. Nice that he’s sharing though.

I can only dream of such things, since I still limp along in my basic Blogger software, painstakingly cutting and pasting my code wherever I think it belongs. I have little or no awareness of all the optimization acronyms (or techniques for that matter) out there. I just keep writing and posting, and adding a widget here and there.

So when I got “memed” recently by Tina at Omphaloskepsis to talk about my “media consumption diet“, I was a bit reluctant to reveal such naivety on the web side. She got it from Nancy White, and I ultimately traced it back to the originator, Jeremiah Owyang, who is one of those “tool” bloggers I should probably read a lot more often.

Luckily, there are other parts to this diet than just what I do on the web, so this won’t seem as “dorky” when seen in total - or so I hope. :-)

Without further fanfare, here’s my diet (thanks Tina for the tag):

Web (or my “dorkville”)

  • Browser - Explorer (is there something else?)
  • E-mail - Yahoo and Gmail (probably need to consolidate)
  • Bookmarks - I’m a Digger and a Stumbler
  • Aggregator - Newsgator
  • Wiki - nope
  • Groups - I’m in one at Google (Joyful Jubilant Learning)
  • Blog Platform - Blogger
  • IM - not up to speed yet on that one
  • Skype - nope again

Radio

WFUV, New York - best music mix I’ve ever listened to.

Music

My iPod, and my Pandora

TV

Don’t watch too much - American Idol (our guilty pleasure), Rome on HBO, the Dog Whisperer, some stuff on HGTV.

Books

Non-fiction, and lots of it - like to read as much as I can, and review them on this blog (see my most recent one).

Podcasts

Haven’t done this yet, from either direction (create or listen). Want to, soon.

Movies

Have been to a movie theater once in the last 5 years - I use Netflix and VOD now. With my traveling I don’t watch as many as I’d like.

Communication

I have a Blackberry. I cannot live without it. I’m addicted. (there, I said it)

Magazines

I subscribe to Entertainment Weekly, and that’s it. The rest I read online (or on planes)

Newspapers

The NY Times, every Saturday and Sunday

OK, who’s next to step up to the plate? Let’s tag Joe (condolences my friend on your recent loss), Ben, HART, Chris, and Leah - the “non-dorks” among us. Teach me something!

There Are 14 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Chris Cree on 22 March 2007:

    “Non-Dork”? Man! Don’t tell my high school gym teacher!

    [Captcha Poem]
    I
    Was
    Especially
    Slow
    For
    Jym
    Klass

  2. Comment by HART (1-800-HART) on 22 March 2007:

    Dork? Diet? .. are You trying to tell me something?

    Okay.. I’ll give it a shot, if you tell me what I’m supposed to do.. I’m too much of a Dork to figure it out :p

  3. Comment by Leah Maclean on 22 March 2007:

    Am I the only girl “non-dork” you know ;-) It reminds me of the mid 80s at telco conferences when they used to say “good afternoon gentlemen & Leah”.

    I will be more then happy to play as soon as I get back from playing a design geek at the conference I’m at this week. Have a great weekend!

  4. Comment by Joe on 23 March 2007:

    Hey Starbucker,
    Thanks.
    I’m like HART, if I can figure it out, I’m in.
    But like Leah, I will have to wait for things to settle down.
    I hope next week isn’t too late. ;-)
    Joe

  5. Comment by Robyn McMaster on 23 March 2007:

    Hi Terry, I’m in the same category as you as I review your list. However, on the growth side, yesterday I bought new cell phones that work like Magellan, an iPod and an instant texter. Truth is, I don’t know how long it will take for me to read the instructions so I get it all operational.

    I use Blogger as a platform as you do. I had bought two books on using Word Press which has more opportunities for individualization, but something in the process cuts me off before it’s operational for me. So there you have it!!

    Fun post!!

  6. Comment by starbucker on 24 March 2007:

    Hi Chris, HART, Leah, Joe and Robyn! Thanks all for stopping by.

    Chris, yes, despite your HS adventures, you are a “non-dork” to me. I will keep it from your teacher, however :-)

    HART, just follow my lead my friend - tell us your “diet”!

    Leah, you have a great weekend too and thanks for playing.

    Joe, next week is absolutely fine - no rush.

    Robyn, glad you enjoyed the post - I did indeed have fun with it.

    All the best to you all!

  7. Comment by Jodee on 25 March 2007:

    Terry:

    I, too, am a dork. OK, now I feel lots better! I’m here at Blogger, cutting and pasting exactly the same as you are. I haven’t figured out all the bells and whistles either, but people are still reading. As my business grows, my blog platform may change with it; I’m committed to playing BIG (are you coming to the Summit for Bigger Small Talk in Fargo in June???).

    Keep on keeping on, Terry. You’re inspiring wherever you blog.

    Dorks UNITE!

  8. Comment by Steve Sherlock on 25 March 2007:

    Good thing you put “dork” in quotes, that way it means you’re not serious about it… :-)

    never diminish yourself!

    I too have a captcha sentence with what is preventing me from leaving this comment until I replicate it exactly.

    How
    Would
    Someone
    Jump
    Into
    Vanilla

    the answer is: with both feet to make a splash!

  9. Comment by starbucker on 26 March 2007:

    Hi Jodee and Steve!

    Jodee, glad to hear I’m not alone in “dorkdom”. When in June is the conference? Sounds interesting. Let’s keep playing big!

    Steve, you and Chris are pretty good at those captcha poems! I agree that “self-diminishing” when it isn’t for fun is not the street I ever want to walk down.

    All the best to you both!

  10. Comment by HART (1-800-HART) on 29 March 2007:

    FYI .. haven’t forgotten this, but ME TOO in finding the time (very busy at month ends) .. but, have started a post so, probably finish it on the weekend. Is there a time limit?

  11. Comment by starbucker on 29 March 2007:

    HART, whenever you are ready my friend - good things come to those who wait! :-)

    All the best.

  12. Comment by HART (1-800-HART) on 4 April 2007:

    Well, don’t know if it’s a ‘good thing’ .. but, it’s finally done anyway :)

  13. Comment by C. B. Whittemore on 14 April 2007:

    Terry, your diet is perfect, including WFUV! Dorks rule!

  14. Comment by starbucker on 18 April 2007:

    Thanks C.B.! All the best to you.

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