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BlueDev

Join Date 12/2003

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Drama Queens need Joe User

-or- like flies to, well, you know

A blog along these lines has been kicking around upstairs for a bit. I thank iamheather for providing the catalyst for its creation with her article you can read here

JoeUser is a great blog site. I have had other blogs, but they just never interested me in the way JU did since I started blogging here. Why? I suppose because, deep down inside of me there is a bit of a drama queen (er, king?) that enjoys attention. Not a lot, I have always preferred to be a steady one, chugging along and remaining constant rather than exhibiting explosive, dramatic behavior. But I enjoy attention now and then. Who doesn't?

I actually have two Blogspot blogs. One that was sort of a general purpose blog and one that was for me to drop some of my creative writing. I posted there a few times but felt like I was screaming into the storm. Sure, I wrote some (what I feel to be) decent articles, but in the drone of electrical impulses that comprise the net they were lost just as quickly as they were posted. Each blog is quite effectively insulated from the next, and knowing the URL or stumbling across it by accident is often the only way to find it.

That just doesn't work for drama queens.

Those who are going to put on a show and prance off to set up shop elsewhere love the attention. No, they crave it. I would go so far as to say they need it. It is an addiction for them, and they simply aren't going to get that at any other blog site. Sure, there are services like Blog Explosion, but they don't do anything that even remotely comes close to the exposure you get here at JU with the top articles, featured articles, forums, recent activity in the sidebar, new articles in the sidebar, and syndication to sites like Politicalmachine.com and Wincustomize.com (that is the only reason one of my recent articles now has over 50 replies, that is a record for me and only happened because my article was syndicated to Wincustomize). That doesn't even take into account the easy of browsing the directory of blog sites and users from the sidebar.

All this comes together to equal blog readership unparalleled by that of any other site (unless it is one of those blogs that has been around and received a lot of attention and notoriety). I mean, seriously, look at some regular Joe Schmoe like me. I haven't even been doing this for a year, have only written slightly over 150 articles, yet have a respectable amount of comments, a fair number of other blogs that link to mine, and actually what I would call some "regular" readers (and I really do appreciate all of them, and enjoy their writing as well). This kind of attention simply is not existent at any other blog site I have seen.

It leads to a level of blog success that attracts those drama queens. In fact, I think the enhanced readership offered here can lead to the drama at times, for those who are already prone to acting up. Of course, it is also a boon for us who try to be regular users. And so I think we just have to put up with a certain level of theatrics. It is a necessary evil to the amazing amount of readership we have offered to us here.

I love the fact that I can write something and know someone read it (by seeing how many times it was selected) and perhaps even thought enough to leave a comment. There is no way I would have stuck around as long as I have, or enjoyed myself as much as I do, if I didn't think, no, if I didn't know that there are people reading what I write. So we can bear the drama, because while it may drive us nuts and make us more than a little sick, it is a part of the visibility each of us has here.

Thanks to all who have and do read what I write here. I try to do the same for you, and I think we can all enjoy our time here and avoid becoming casualties to over-exposure.

blogging

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I love the fact that I can write something and know someone read it (by seeing how many times it was selected) and perhaps even thought enough to leave a comment. There is no way I would have stuck around as long as I have, or enjoyed myself as much as I do, if I didn't think, no, if I didn't know that there are people reading what I write.

I CLICKED ON ARTICLE YOU'D WRITTEN AND LOVED IT! AND THE ABOVE "SELECTED" SENTENCES ARE EXACTLY HOW I FEEL TOO!!
AFTER I FIGURE OUT HOW TO "MAKE" A FAVOURITES LIST, YOU'RE NUMBER ONE!
THANKS FOR GREAT ARTICLES

TRUDYGOLIGHTLY

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"deep down inside of me there is a bit of a drama queen (er, king?) that enjoys attention"

As there is in all of us. You are not alone.

"It is an addiction for them, and they simply aren't going to get that at any other blog site. "

Why can they just not acknowledge the brilliance of JU? Why must they attack the owner that provides the addiction fix and attention they crave?

"And so I think we just have to put up with a certain level of theatrics"

Theater is not all bad. It can be amusing and fun. After all, some people pay large sums of money for theater tickets to dramas the likes of which we get for free at JU.

"There is no way I would have stuck around as long as I have, or enjoyed myself as much as I do, if I didn't think, no, if I didn't know that there are people reading what I write"

That is a wonderful thing about JU. Even if no comments are received, we know that we are being heard.

Great article, BlueDev. I enjoyed your insight.

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There is no way I would have stuck around as long as I have, or enjoyed myself as much as I do, if I didn't think, no, if I didn't know that there are people reading what I write.

Exactly! In my first experience at JU, I was absolutely shocked when I got a response to an article in which I posed what I thought was a rhetorical question. I couldn't believe people actually read the thing, much less answered me! I too have other blogs (and some I paid for!) I should say HAD because I've all but abandoned them since arriving here. It really is about connecting with other people (sappy as that might sound).
"Even if no comments are received, we know that we are being heard." - Yes, this is also true!

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seriously, look at some regular Joe Schmoe like me. I haven't even been doing this for a year, have only written slightly over 150 articles, yet have a respectable amount of comments, a fair number of other blogs that link to mine, and actually what I would call some "regular" readers (and I really do appreciate all of them, and enjoy their writing as well). This kind of attention simply is not existent at any other blog site I have seen.

i feel exactly the same way, bluedev !. i still thank my lucky stars that i stumbled across ju when a friend suggested i start a blog. i've seen so many quality blogs on other sites that, as you say, just 'sink' because there is no way for them to be found other than by direct links, etc. ju is unique and it's a formula that works.

great article, i really enjoyed it

mig XXX

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Those who are going to put on a show and prance off to set up shop elsewhere love the attention. No, they crave it. I would go so far as to say they need it. It is an addiction for them,

I gather from your blogs you are young, but this statement is very wise! You are doing well my young Jedi!

And you are right of course! Thank you!

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Trudygolightly: On the right side of your blog is the 'My Account' option. From that you'll want to select 'Manage Site Custom Links'. Then you'll make the section heading and add the links. If you mess up you can delete the links and try again. Hope that helps.
BlueDev: In addition to being read here and the attention that gains you, there is also the scoring system, a way to measure attention. Which would appeal even more to those in search of it. "Ha, I have more points then you, I got more attention." And other similar nonsense. Well written article

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I've tried blogging in another site but it was pointless if no one at all is going to read it. There's a greater chance for people to stumble on my article here than at blogcity or some other blog site, even if their features are cooler. I admit I need some attention.

I don't mind the threatrics sometimes - and I can usually tell who's acting up, even if I can't, I kinda accept that there are such things. Some of these 'threatrics' fuel my humor articles.

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Reply By: Danny BassettePosted: Saturday, December 18, 2004Trudygolightly: On the right side of your blog is the 'My Account' option. From that you'll want to select 'Manage Site Custom Links'. Then you'll make the section heading and add the links. If you mess up you can delete the links and try again. Hope that helps.

Thanks a bunch!!!

now if I can figure out how to change the text on the favourites list!

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Trudy: Thanks so much for your kind comments. Like I said, that is the kind of stuff that makes it easier to stick around.

That is a wonderful thing about JU. Even if no comments are received, we know that we are being heard.

Yes, it is. It is that community interaction that we get from reading and being read, from commenting and receiving comments, that make this site something different. I'm hooked.

I couldn't believe people actually read the thing, much less answered me!

I understand that feeling 100%. I posted my first article and BAM, minutes later there were folks commenting. Makes all the difference.

i've seen so many quality blogs on other sites that, as you say, just 'sink' because there is no way for them to be found other than by direct links, etc.

It really is sad, isn't it Vanessa? I mean, there are folks writing really interesting, insightful and excellent stuff, but it just gets lost in the blur of the information superhighway. I'm glad I stumbled across it as well. And the group I have "met" here is just second to none.

I gather from your blogs you are young, but this statement is very wise! You are doing well my young Jedi!

Thanks Dr. Guy! That is quite the compliment. Yes, I am pretty young still (28), but have been fortunate to have a lot of experiences that have helped me become who I am. But to be called a Jedi? That rocks.

"Ha, I have more points then you, I got more attention." And other similar nonsense.

Heh, well that does happen as well. But I appreciate the validation the points can bring. Even though I don't see it as a competition of any sort, knowing you are being read is a motivating factor. Thanks for the comment.

I've tried blogging in another site but it was pointless if no one at all is going to read it.

Yup, same reason I bagged my other two. They still exist, but the just don't see any action.

Thanks for the great comments, everyone.

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And the group I have "met" here is just second to none

Amen! And how thankful I am for this group.

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good article...it is quite nice to get feedback and responses from others..and to know that your work has been read...i guess there is a bit of drama queen in all of us now and then lol

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Great point BD!

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You know you are getting old when you are calling people aged 28 young! Where's my geritol? !

You are most welcome.

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guess there is a bit of drama queen in all of us now and then lol

And I think that is a good thing. It keeps us interesting. We can all be a little theatrical at times, helps makes us more than boring drones. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. . .

greywar: Thanks!

Where's my geritol?

Well, age is all realtive.

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Well, age is all realtive

Yea, and all my relatives suffer from it!

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BlueDev, once again you've produced a great article. You may be interested in checking out an online magazine called Argus (my brother is the editor/publisher). The address is www.argusonline.com.au. He is always looking for more contributors and I think you would be ideal. Your articles are always well written and insightful, just the sort of criteria he requires.

Cheers,

Maso

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Maso, I am flattered. I really am. Thanks for the comment and I will certainly check it out.

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WOW! BD, you go! Congratulations!

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Another factor I like about the site -- the referrals counter. I love seeing if it has anyone from the web has stumbled upon to my little space on the Internet.

I agree with you wholeheartedly, BlueDev. I tried Blogger, too but left after a day or so because I didn't like the layout. Everything felt so smushed together on the page and unless if someone knows some HTML, you really can't do anything spectalur.

Here at JoeUser, it's done already and someone with little to no experience with HTML can still have an easy to read page.

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Bluedev, I'm repeating what everyone said, good article. It's so true though, JU is unlike anyother blogsite around. I stumbled onto it while googling in June and loved the layout and the "people" from what I read and decided to stay. I've looked around out of curiosity at other sites, and really dislike the way they're set up, plus, there's no freedom to really speak your mind like here on JU.

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I just noticed that the most recent Drama perpetrator has come back (again). Sort of like a bad case of lice.

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Another factor I like about the site -- the referrals counter. I love seeing if it has anyone from the web has stumbled upon to my little space on the Internet.

Yep, and some of the most entertaining articles have come from what people found in their referrals. I have an upcoming article about a song that should garner some interesting referrals.

I've looked around out of curiosity at other sites, and really dislike the way they're set up,

Same for me. True, some other sites allow you have have more control over what your blog looks like, but I will sacrifice some eye candy for enhanced interaction with others any day.

Sort of like a bad case of lice.

Or scabies. As my littlest one would say, "Ewwww, yuck!"

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Excellent post! Insightful, I'd say, even. I love the fact that I can get read here. Even if it's just fantasy sports updates and pictures of my dogs (I do try to throw in some real stuff now and then, too). I experimented with blogspot for a while. I reposted about 100 articles that I'd already posted here, figuring maybe I'd get a different audience (I posted every article with multiple links back to JU really in hopes of roping people back here). I got exactly two comments in 4 months, so I quit the double posting.

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