Help Wanted
Posted in Dusting the Historian's Library and tagged with Blogness on May 26, 2009Every year/season I like to think and pray through what steps I need to take to improve myself for that year/season. I love stability and consistency, but I like to improve and change that stability and consistency. You follow? (Yeah, I’m a walking contradiction.)
Well, it only makes sense to do that on the blog level as well. Problem is, I’m only a writer/designer/guru here at the Ignorant Historian, not a reader. When I read my own blog, I just want to fix the grammar, the bad jokes, and the spacing. Other than the bad jokes, you probably don’t care about those problems.
So, what I would like to know from you:
What is your favorite part about this blog, and/or what makes it unique?
What is your least favorite part about this blog and/or what can I do to improve?
Basically, I’m looking for constructive criticism. I like to read “Your blog is great!” as much as the next blogger, but it doesn’t make me a better blogger. Anything you can give me, I’d appreciate! And as a bonus, I’ll email ya back what I like about YOUR blog.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:44 am
what I like about your blog:
your wit, your book recommendations, your quotes
what I don’t like:
sometimes it takes a while to load (could be my computer) and it always freezes after I send my comment, the screen is in sending mode but never comes back to your page. So, I just assume you get my comments.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Favorites: Your writing, humor, candor, and the layout.
Least Favorites: As with the previous commenter, it’s probably my computer, but every once in awhile, the site takes a very long time to load. Hmmm…lemme think about others–I really enjoy your blog!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I am with the last two commenter’s…my favorite aspects of your blog is your writing and outlook on life.
My least favorite would probably have to be the few pictures you put on here. I really enjoy looking at life through other people’s eyes, so I enjoy looking at pictures.
On a side note, I never have problems loading your blog, but I use Firefox.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I love the humor, controversial posts, and the quotes. I love getting to know more about you since we don’t really get to hang out at church. I don’t honestly care for the blue layout though. I love the format of the title but just not the blue…shallow I know!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Thanks ladies…every bit helps.
@Julie: I love that you say I have “wit.” Just a fun word, and a fun subject! I do get your comments, or I assume I do, because I regularly get comments from you. I hadn’t heard before about problems with that; I’d love to find out if others are having the same problem.
@Amanda: Thanks. I’m thinking it might be the coding and IE, but I don’t have technical wherewithal to fix it. I’ll keep it in mind, though, when I have someone design my next layout.
@Jacki: Thanks…I know about the pictures, but I just don’t feel like I have anything interesting to take pictures of. This IS something I’m trying to work on, though.
@Elizabeth: That’s not shallow…the color bugs me too! I’m looking into getting a new layout, but it’s beyond my abilities, so I’m going to have to save up to get a new one. I’m hoping to do so early fall.
May 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am
I like reading your blog because I admire you and your convictions and how strong you are at this stage in your life. You are in a different stage of life than I am, so it’s nice to read a blog from different perspectives.
I like pictures too, Wish you had a few. I mean that picture of the bathroom stalls was good, but I want to see more about your town, your hood, quirks of your town, your peeps, your parks, the vegetation around you, not just where you tinkle during the day. ;) (you know I’m teasing on that one)
To be fair I did enjoy seeing the picture of your pretty room.
May 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
@Joy: Hey, I don’t know how much more intimate I can get, photo-wise. I suppose I could take a picture while I’m actually USING said toilet, but really, who wants to see that? Like I said to Jacki, I AM trying to work on this…I’m not trying to be secretive, just lazy. I’m much more of a words person than a photo person!
May 26th, 2009 at 11:27 am
As for positives, you’re very honest and true to yourself. You don’t apologize for your opinions or get all harpy. I like that.
The only negative I can think of is that you discuss books I’ve never read, so I feel like an idiot. I guess that’s my thing though….hmmmmmmmm maybe the color? That teal is awfully bright. :)
May 26th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hi Ronnica- first time reader and thankful responder to your blog comments on my blog!
After a quick glance around- I like that you don’t like orange. I have never quite understood it’s skyrocketing popularity, especially as it is often paired with brown.
I like that you are a NC’er too. I am a few hours away in Charlotte.
I have not read enough to find anything I don’t like yet. :) Except the fact that I have not subscribed… going to do that now!
-Jenny
May 26th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I don’t come by nearly as often as I should… but I’d have to say I love how strong you hold to your convictions and how “out there” you are. I don’t really have any negatives so far!
May 26th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
My only suggestion would be that you write a little more about your personal day-to-day stuff. I know you think it’s boring, but the last time you did it, I was most entertained.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
If you could make your blog like a pop-up book that would be good for me. But since I don’t think that’s possible, how about a few more pics? Not necessarily every post but I do enjoy photos.
What do I like? YOU! You come through loud and clear and I feel I know you. Your honesty is fabulous.
Twitter: One_Mom
Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I enjoy your posts about your life, plans and walk with God.
The blog loads fine for me (on Firefox), but the Teal and Purple combination is a bit much. (I know you already heard about this, but it’s all I have).
Twitter: One_Mom
Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
PS … the State of NC rejected me today. :(
May 27th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Why I come and read your blog:
1) It is well-written – I actually *do* notice the grammar ;)
2) It is REAL; the good, the bad, the ugly, and the totally stinkin hilarious.
3) You are clever and as mentioned already “witty”, not to be confused with a Whit… You are honest and have integrity. You don’t give what you think we want to hear – or read. You give us *you* and you don’t apologize for it.
4) I do not have problems loading and I am on Internet Explorer.
5) the teal and purple are not harsh for me, but perhaps it is my settings.
6) my fav posts are when you write about memories or things that have happened to you…I am *always* right there with you.
What I do NOT like about your blog:
1) I never seem to get my housework done because your blog distracts me…hehehe…ok – that’s *my* problem.
2) When you tell us about an Up-Coming post and then MAKE.US.SUFFER.AND.WAIT…so not fair!!!
Actually, hon, there isn’t anything I do not like about your blog.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Smoochiefrog: I NEVER want others to feel like an idiot. I’m a N-E-R-D so keep that in mind!
@Jenny: That’s exactly the kind of comment that will brighten any day! I felt the same thing when I read your blog!
@Mikki Roo: Yes, I’m definitely “out there.” Oh wait, I think you meant it as a good thing. ;)
@Liz: You’ll love tomorrow’s post then!
@Jennifer: I love how you think. A blog pop-up book? GENIUS. Wish I could make it happen for ya!
@OneMom: Yeah, all the comments may make me figure out how to get rid of the teal, possibliy substitute a nice baby blue or something.
@Emma P: Sounds like I’m doing my job…thanks!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
You all are now free to breath again! The teal had been bugging me, but I thought it was just me. After all, I look at my blog more than anyone else. I decided to dive in on your all’s proding, and figure out how to change the teal into a nice sky blue. If you are still seeing teal, you may have to delete temporary internet files (in Internet Explorer, Tools => Internet Options, “delete” under Browsing History, and then “delete files” next to Temporary Internet Files.).