Communists, that's who.
Since being asked to teach a blogging class for Saint Joe this fall, I've been on the lookout for material to share with my class. And I've not been disappointed. There was the "10 Things Your Blogger Won't Tell You" article in my first issue of Smart Money magazine, a subscription Luke scored free of charge thanks to his generous accumulation of Coca-Cola bottle caps. The Indianapolis Star recently featured an editorial from a doctor who cautions readers about taking stock in medical advice from bloggers hopping on popular treatment bandwagons without conducting the necessary research. I've stumbled across books on blogging I didn't know existed, and I've taken a new interest in resources and features that normally wouldn't have inspired a second thought.
Like Technorati. I've seen those "Technorati Tags" featured at the foot of someone's entry every now and again, and from what I can gather, it functions as a search engine specifically for the blogging community, monitoring updates and tracking links made from one blog to another. Before I accepted this teaching gig, that level of understanding would've suited me just fine; however, now that I'm charged with introducing ten to twenty undergrads to the most current trends in the blogosphere, I can no longer allow myself to turn a blind eye. So this morning I registered for a Technorati Profile that will enable "spiders" to capture my blog and make the contents searchable to the masses. Part of that process involved posting a link to my profile on my blog, which is the only reason you're seeing an entry from me this fine Saturday afternoon. Because I posted my Tragic Love Friday entry so late in the day yesterday, it's only received six comments so far. I hate the idea of posting a new entry when the previous one hasn't received its fair share of "air time."
Technorati says I can delete this post once they've officially "claimed" my blog, so I may do just that. But probably not, seeing as at this point I've already spent a good thirty minutes online, and dagnabbit if I'm going to let it all be for naught.
Next up: widgets; video (the ones from my wedding don't count, that was all Molly); podcasts (what are your thoughts on hearing Luke perform the theme song I wrote for my short-lived Chicago Chicks Club?); RSS feeds; maintaining a list of blogs to share with my students that vary in style, content, and popularity, the majority of which will probably never earn a spot on my blogroll.
My students better appreciate this come August.
TLF fans, please don't forget about your latest fix. This week is really quite fun. Plus, there's a contest! To win free things! And who doesn't like free things?
Free things? I am all about the free stuff, which is why I sign up for every b-day club and rewards points club I can find. Which also gets me my fair share of spam.
Posted by: Luke | February 24, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Good luck with the teaching and enjoy the conference. Teaching and conferences are two big parts of my life too.
I understand the worry about teaching. I am in the midst of my first real teaching assignment as a teaching assistant. It is a topic that I know well (Imperial Russia, 1801-1917), but it is another world trying to make this long dead world come alive for undergrads. I think I am doing O.K., but one of my sections is just horrible. They just don't care...and they are History majors.
Oh, and feel free to use my blog as an example of what not to do...or as an exemplar of the sort of curmudgeonly rambling that marks the nadir of the form.
Posted by: Bertie Wooster | February 24, 2007 at 11:09 PM
You are so going to be my all-knowing blogging hero by the time the semester rolls around. Teach me too!!
Posted by: Molly | February 26, 2007 at 10:12 AM
I *strongly* recommend the book Naked Conversations. It's about corporate/professional blogging, but the ideas translate to personal bloggers too. And since your perspective, at least here, is focused on the personal, it would be a nice balance.
Posted by: Liza | February 26, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Teaching is so much "fun". Yes, I mean that in a positive way. You like it alot. College teaching with people who want to learn is going to be the best intellectual action around.
daddy d [My HP laptop died, for now.]
Posted by: mjd | February 26, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Hmmm, I knew it; the Communists are responsible. The Communists must have broke in our home and broke OUR laptop too. Then, the evil ones signed under my name, mjd. Oh I see, it is Daddy D, and he always claims that he is a Democrat.
Teaching the blogging course should be great, and your faithful readers will learn some things too.
Posted by: mjd | February 27, 2007 at 07:31 AM
You're gonna rock the school house!!
(although "school house" probably isn't the best term for Saint Joe).
Posted by: Brittany | February 27, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Good luck with teaching the class. Not only could I not teach worth a crap, but I'm so technically challenged it's really not funny!
Posted by: Rachel | February 27, 2007 at 01:19 PM
You are going to know things I only wish I knew. I can't wait to follow you on this teaching journey.
Posted by: Silly Hily | February 27, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Luke--are you part of the Cold Stone Creamery birthday club? It's the best one ever. If you aren't part of it, you aren't really living. You too Mrs. Frema, you better join too. I am demanding it!
Posted by: Lindsey | February 27, 2007 at 07:50 PM
bree just checking out your blog. i love you , you go my girl. yeah
your dad,
peace
Posted by: Your Dad | February 27, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Okay, your Dad rocks.
And also, I recently found technorati and also love it.
Although I don't know what a widget is. Maybe I should be taking your class!
Posted by: Isabel | February 27, 2007 at 09:14 PM