I would like to…
Follow all the people who follow me on Twitter but….
There are only so many hours in a day.
I have a real life.
I need to cook and clean
I need to move, take exercise and rest my eyes from the computer screen
I have a blog to maintain and feed
So my solution is: If I don’t already know you, or your blog, or at least three people on your list of followers, then sorry not this time!
Learn about Facebook…
Again it is time consuming. I think had I realised what it was like at the beginning I might never have joined in the first place.
It is one thing to accept somebody as a friend, but when every single request requires opening yet another application – not my thing at all. I am not being rude but Facebook BORES me!
Be a Judge for the Irish Blog Awards…
I thought about it last year. I thought about it again this year but…
If on the off chance I am nominated, and there are practically no categories that I would fit neatly into, then it would rule me out of judging those. I have to admit that some of the categories I know little or nothing about, for example, technology, business and music, so they are out.
Then we have colour – that was the final straw for my decision to stay away. The blogs themselves are the problem. Black and some coloured backgrounds are a major problem for me to read. Today I opened a blog for the first time and I am sure the content was fascinating, but I was straining my eyes and the print was ghosting! I was unable to find where to comment to even inform the author of my difficulty because the print was so feint.
What is the point in going to the trouble of setting up and running a blog if people cannot read it?
I want to play my part, I owe it for all the fun I have had these past couple of years, but I would have Damien’s head turned, saying I cant’t see this one, or I know nothing about that subject…
OK I am no longer a youngling, and I do have a cataract forming in one eye, but I can still see and my eyes were tested recently and my glasses are fine!
I suppose I could offer an hour on the desk on the big night!
Darragh said,
January 16, 2009 at 7:36 am
I think we should give out hugs on the night GM, whaddya reckon?
elly parker said,
January 16, 2009 at 9:47 am
I think you should sign up, at least for the first round of judging. In that round, blogs (last year anyway) were judged on the same criteria - no specialist knowledge needed.
And beside each blog in your judging list, you have a button marked “abstain”. As the blogs in this round are allocated at random, it allows you to abstain from any where you know the participant well, or if you were having troubles reading or navigating the blog.
Personally, I feel that you’ve benefited a great deal from the Irish blogging community over the past few years and I think this would be a great way to give some time back - especially as you can do it at your own pace and in your own house…
Will Knott said,
January 16, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I’m planning on redesigning my blog soon anyway.
What is the best background and text colour for you to read?
Grannymar said,
January 16, 2009 at 3:21 pm
@Darragh - I am all for giving hugs!
@Elly - Food for thought!
@Will - A light background with black or navy print works well for me. The problem I have is with grey on black, the green family and the lavender backgrounds.
There are some blogs I will only read in the RSS feeder because I know they will be difficult, and if it is only part post…. well I never get to finish it.
Magpie11 said,
January 16, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I have to say that the cataract thing worried me until they sorted the worst of mine…..It was a revelation, So, don’t hesitate to get yours sorted when the time arrives.
As for Facebook…..I get requests from ex pupils…and interestingly only from interesting ones that I have great or special/important memories of. Like the child who was witness to Dad’s attempt on his own life and who cried and cried on my shoulder…they wanted to say thank you!
Grannymar said,
January 16, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Magpie,
I don’t see the cataract as a problem, more a nuisance. They seem to hit each generation of our family. Alas my maternal grandmother was unable to have surgery to improve her sight as in those far off days ‘a cataract’ had to ripen and hers didn’t. Needless to say her love of reading and the cinema were lost to her and audio books were unheard of. Mammy had both eyes done with great success. In more recent years one of my younger brothers has also had cataract surgery on both eyes, one more successful than the other.
It is good that your ex pupils seek you out for thanks. A good and caring teacher stays with you all your life. There is only one I think of in that way.
Darlene said,
January 16, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I agree on Facebook. I don’t have enough time to read, or answer, all of the blogs I would like to visit and Facebook is just another time consumer.
I had a cataract removed years ago and it was a piece of cake. It made my vision so much better.
Your blog deserves an award and there should be a category for general themes.
Why must a blog be only on one boring theme? Mine lives up to it’s name with all sorts of junk.
Paddy Bloggit said,
January 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm
My blog colours must be a nightmare for you so GM ….. and then to add in the slowness of it loading ….. I am well and truly not GM friendly!
Grannymar said,
January 16, 2009 at 6:28 pm
@Darlene - There are 19 categories this year in the IBAs. I won a great prize last year, it is now time for new blood to stand on that stage and enjoy the glory.
@Paddy B - Your blog has a white background and black type = easy to read. I will admit to it being V slow.
Primal Sneeze said,
January 16, 2009 at 6:54 pm
May I use “If I don’t already know you, or your blog, or at least three people on your list of followers, then sorry not this time!” as my official Twitter policy?
On Facebook: Facebook = Bebo.
While I’m at it … LinkedIn = A 1980s style Web directory underpinned by a Bebo-esque “be my fwiend” mentality.
(Sorry. Bad day. Listened to too much bull. Yours is the first sensible thing to pop up on my radar)
Grannymar said,
January 16, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Primal,
You should have gone for that pint earlier!
As for Twitter quote - use away!
Baino said,
January 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I agree with Twitter, not so much from a time point of view but much of what’s said is so mundane it’s hardly worth reading “I brushed my teeth this morning” (who cares!) Facebook I still log into on a daily basis but only respond to those tho have posted something or linked. It’s more a ‘fun’ thing for me but I agree with the mega applications so only accept the ’cause’ ones. As for reverse type, it’s a design faux pas. Any graphic designer will tell you it works in print but not on the web. As for judging, I think you’re more qualified than you realise, certainly for say, non technical blogs. Have a go!
kenju said,
January 16, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I gave up Twitter and Plurk, although I am enjoying Facebook - or parts of it. I don’t understand all the applications and I view most of them with a jaundiced eye.
Grannymar said,
January 16, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Baino & Judy,
Twitter has a good side, last night we had news & pics of the plane in the Hudson before news channels. Those who collect 8 or 9000 followers I block, and people I really don’t know are a waste of my time.
I could live without Facebook.
As for the Awards…. I’m thinking!
stwidgie said,
January 18, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I’m so glad to hear you say what you did about Facebook. I’ve been goaded into it by people at work, of all things, who see it as part of developing our government web 2.0 presence.
I’m happy when it connects me with people in my family and long-lost friends, but I feel plagued by the requests for plants, drinks, and other silly pestiferous things. I don’t think being your friend needs to involve me in a Tamagotchi-style cycle of interaction. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagotchi).
I’m interested in accessibility in general, and GM-accessibility in particular. Would you let me know if either of my blogs presents a problem that way? The photo blog is white on black (and in Irish, but that’s a different challenge).
Thanks for your great candidness as always, GM!
Grannymar said,
January 18, 2009 at 3:11 pm
stwidgie,
I am glad that I am not alone with regard to Facebook.
I will take a look at your sites again and contact you direct.
K8 said,
January 18, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Laughing so hard at your networking opinions!! It’s so true, what you say. Facebook applications can be ignored so easily though, it’s just mindless frivolity, I truly hate the flowery stuff though!
The best things that these have to offer are the links that people add… it’s the best way to keep up to date with current events and web interest stuff.
(e.g. Twitter link for breaking news)
I’m starting into the web design game… I might throw a few questions about readability your way in the future if ya don’t mind? Perspectives are a great thing.
Grannymar said,
January 19, 2009 at 3:38 pm
K8,
I actually like the idea of Twitter and an example of where it shines was the other night Twitter had news of the the plane in the Hudson River before any of the news programmes.
I enjoy a chat with people I know in the evenings but these folk who collect followers by the thousand are not for me, they need to get a life!