Democrats & Liberals: Archives

So every editor has their own blog? How do we get to them?

If you to go the editor’s profile page their personal blog should be listed there.

Everyone doesn’t have one?

womanmarine, many of our writers have links back to their blog tied to their name posted with their WB article. A few of our writers came aboard before the requirement to have a blog of their own, was put in place.

I’ve applied twice in the past 2 months and never got a response. Now you folks want a blog. If someone had said so, I would have gotten one - or as I’m doing now, asking how one sets up a blog.

I guess you used to have to know somebody. Before the blog requirement.

Linda H.

There are several places where you can get a free blog at, like blogspot.com and livejournal.com that are quick and easy to setup. Good luck!

It doesn’t make sense, does it? Why would there be a requirement to have a blog, in order to write for a blog?

Adrienne:

I’m not going to fret it. I’d probably never get a response again anyway.

Adrienne, the answer is because some technical knowledge and experience are required to navigate WatchBlog’s software for posting, and writers should be aware of things like attribution laws and ethics, which comes over time with blogging experience.

Finally, WB management’s ability to review content on an applicant’s blog offers a way to determine if that applicant will be comfortable with WB’s rules of participation.

Managing Editor,
So for those reasons you’ve listed, it’s a few good bloggers rather than a few good writers you’re really looking for? I won’t ask for myself, because I already know the answer, but wouldn’t you agree that both womanmarine and Linda H. are both very intelligent and capable ladies who have been posting here (in the peanut gallery) for a really long time, and who have displayed few if any problems following the rules of participation?

Good writers with blogging experience as was stated forthrightly. You comment is argumentative for no good purpose. If you want a blog to be managed differently, find one that fits your needs.

Any further comments of this kind should be directed to my email: managing_editor@watchblog.com

Adrienne-
Google and other sites have free blogs set up.

You can set up a free blog site within minutes at Google … (i.e. it is run and managed by Google).
The hosting Google blog site/service is at: http://www.blogger.com
This free Google eBlogger program has the following features:

• lets you edit the html to customize the default style;
  
• lets you enable/disable moderation so that links are not visible until approved;
  
• lets you enable/disable WORD verification (to cut down on spam);
  
• lets you decide who can post (anyone, blog members only, or blooger.com registered users only);
  
• lets you set viewing permissions (anyone, only those you choose, only blog authors);
  
• it keeps a record of all postings and archives automatically (if enabled; monthy, weekly, daily);
  
• has automatic archiving of posts (by month, week, daily, or none);
  
• has the ability to enter a blog comment via an E-Mail;
  
• you can point your registered domain to your blog;
  
• you can select your blog address (e.g. foavc.blogspot.com); links to it could be on the home and other web-pages;
  
• enable/disable PINGs that some sites use to track blog changes;
  
• you can set the blog timezone;
  
• you can limit the age of posts to be displayed (days or total number of posts);
  
• you can specify an E-Mail address that notifies you whenever a comment is posted;
  
• you can enable/disable whether comments are in the same window or a popup window;
  
• you can set up an RSS site feed to syndicate the full content or the first 255 characters of each comment on the blog;
  
• There is a posting interface for posting articles;
  
• it is live and comments are posted immediately (unless moderation is turned enabled);
  
• there are numerous templates to choose from;
  
• you can customize your site to a large degree. You can edit the template HTML ;

• Here’s one that is only $2.99 per month. It has a lot of features.


• www.siteground.com/blog-hosting.htm?referrerid=14256&OVRAW=blog%20hosting&OVKEY=blog%20hosting&OVMTC=standard ($4.95 per month)


• http://www.blog-city.com/


• http://www.livingdot.com/


• bluehost.com/tell_me_more.html


• blogs-about.com/hosting ($10 per month and up)


• www.downtownhost.com/blog.html ($5.95 per month)

“You comment is argumentative for no good purpose.”

I honestly wasn’t trying to be. I was only thinking how great it would be to see womanmarine and Linda get a promotion from the peanut gallery to the rank of Editors at WB.

Stephen D.,
Thanks for posting that tip for womanmarine and Linda. Nice of you too, d.a.n. for your info.

For that matter, paying the minimal cost for a domain name, getting a tech geek friend to get a free version of MoveableType up and running, and then spending a bit of time learning to use it isn’t that hard, either.

Adrienne,
I really appreciate your support. My problem was simply that no one ever said anything to me about needing a blog. Are you an editor? You would make a great one.

I have attempted to set up a blog using blogspot. All I have to do now is figure out how to insert it on this page!

In a for-what it’s worth my new blog is located at:
http://highlandangel1.blogspot.com

If someone can tell me how to insert the link so it appears when I type in my name, I would be grateful!

Linda:
“Are you an editor?”

No, and don’t ever stand a chance of becoming one here.

“You would make a great one.”

Thanks for thinking so! I have written quite a few articles and opinion pieces in my time, but never for WB.

“If someone can tell me how to insert the link so it appears when I type in my name, I would be grateful!”

You mean how do you insert the link to your new blog here in Watchblog so that your name will be highlighted in red as a clickable link? If so, I believe you just need to type your new blog’s url into the url box located just above the “comments” box? Give it a try, and if I’m wrong here, maybe one of the other editors will give you another idea.

Linda H. wrote: If someone can tell me how to insert the link so it appears when I type in my name, I would be grateful!

I do not have my own blog and write exclusively for Watchblog. As David says, I came in before the requirement. It is not fair to David (or others) to imply some kind of insider deal.

I am very grateful to David for giving me the opportunity to write here. I have never met David in person and had never heard of him before seeing his name on this blog. I think he took me on because of some of my background and some published material I sent him. David puts up with my mistakes and unique personality. The idea that there is some kind of insider deal is just silly.

Nobody gets paid to do this and it might not be quite as easy as you all think. It is easier to respond than to create and it is often hard to write something that is SHORT enough for the blog format on a regular basis.

I am glad we will have a few more writers. I have confidence that they will be good ones.

I want to thank Watchblog for giving me a chance to write. My friends and relatives also thank you, since they no longer have to listen to my ranting so much. I am even grateful to all you liberals who seem to disagree with everything I am.

Just checking to see if the URL worked. Thank you D.A.M. for all the information you provided. I will definitely use it. And thanks to Dawn and Dan for posting their comments n my new blog. WOW - a new forum.

WOW I think it worked!!! Wonderful!!!!

Jack is right.
It is easier to respond and sometimes I have no idea what people expect from us.
I have been accused of being far left,far right - and just plain nuts.

I did not know David before I applied to the editor position. I appreciate his giving me the chance.

Your welcome Linda H.

I love Jack being the exception to the rule he’s defending. You appreciate being given a chance you want to deny others? You are a Republican to the end my friend :-)

Seriously, I would reconsider the rule. Jack is a perfect example of someone who contributes a lot here despite (or maybe because of?) not having his own blog. I would prefer good writers and thinkers to good bloggers. Also, I’m writing in my own self-interests. I would love to be an editor here, but I don’t want my own blog. I guess I can set up a fake one, but… it feels a little silly.

Good points Max.

I started a blog after being here awhile but could not attract enough people.
It is hard to build a following, as David knows well, and simply having an article or two online doesn’t always show what an editor would truly be like.
It’s not just the article - it’s the editors responses to people who comment.
As many editors know… it can be extremely trying and difficult. Not to respond with the first thought that enters one’s head can be a challenge.

Come on, people. David can set up the rules he likes. If he wants actual bloggers who’ve paid their learning curve dues instead of people who want the audience he can provide without bothering beforehand to blog, that’s his right. It’s not an unreasonable requirement. If you’ve never blogged, someone is going to have to spend the time to teach you the ins and outs. Good grief — some who are whining haven’t even learned basic HTML.

Max, Adrienne, and all,

The editor’s “ad” says, “Volunteer writers should have a blog of their own”. It doesn’t say they “must” have one. I’m sure anyone would be considered if they could show a certain degree of credibility through previous works of any nature that would convince the managing editor of the necessary level of integrity.

One of the reasons for controlling the editorial comment of a blog is discussed in detail in this Watchblog article:

http://www.watchblog.com/thirdparty/archives/004697.html

I personally find the “peanut gallery” sufficient to meet my needs and given my abilities it’s quite challenging. A quick look at the archives shows Jack has been around since 2004. He’s obviously “grandfathered” in, which IMO is good in spite of our obvious political differences.

There is no apparent bias regarding the views of the “managing editors”. If there’s any bias at all it’s that of trying to prevent the “managing editors” from presenting their own personal views (not as managing editors, but as individuals).

Perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned there. Maybe managing editors/owners should remain anonymous at all times?

To be honest, I’m surprised that anyone is griping over who gets to say what and where on a site owned by someone else. As Rhinehold said in the green column, “yawn”.

Or, yeah, shorter and to the point, what Trent said!

Sorry Trent, your post wasn’t up when I started typing.

Trent,

Good point.
I believe you are right about the simple mechanics of blogging being part of the reason.
New writers often require more attention in the beginning if they lack basic HTML and blogging knowledge. It can be time consuming to the managing editor, and all writers and the editor are volunteers. However, people that already have their own blog have more likelihood (not a certainty) of knowing some of the basic mechanics of posting, editing, and moderating blog comments.

d.a.n, established bloggers also bring some following over to WB, a very big plus.

Aaahhhh … yes.
I overlooked the most obvious benefit.

I’ve never seen an invitation bitched about so much. What really freaks me out is that so many people here on the “blue side” decided to complain. I hope we’ve not just become a bunch of whiners!

It’s an invitation with restrictions.

Sorry if I’m out of line but I find it odd that my cohorts would be complaining so much. There’s one complaint in the green column and none in the red column. Sheesh!

‘Sorry if I’m out of line but I find it odd that my cohorts would be complaining so much.’

KansasDem… you do???
Sorry. Couldn’t resist. :)

Like nobody here has ever kvetched at or about watchblog or the actions it takes.

I thought there was freedom to post opinion regardless of the topic?

Since I’m going to be called an argumentative whiner, I think I might as well live up to those insults because I dared to ask a couple of questions.
The reason I asked those questions is because I see only two regular female editors writing articles for Watchblog. One in the blue column (Rowan), and one in the green (Dawn, formerly red, now with VOID, yes?). That’s it. I see plenty of women posting comments, but only two writing articles. I also know from reading their posts for a long time that womanmarine and Linda are both smart ladies, who are highly interested in the news, process that news each in their own unique way, know how to spell, and who aren’t troublemakers (like I am) — so I thought I’d stump for them a little bit.

Recently Rowan (great writer) posted an article about company towns — in some ways WB is a little like that. It’s a real community of Americans (even though we’re all over the country) who have been talking and debating issues with each other for YEARS now, but none of us are allowed to stake any kind of claim on this place whatsoever, or are allowed to question management or the rules of participation. That’s not always easy. Especially for someone like me, who constantly feels the need to question authority — but I truly have tried hard not to let this factor get to me, so I could continue to make my contributions. If it is so wrong of me to make the above observations after posting for years to this blog, then perhaps it is time for me dissappear. Indeed, for all I know, even my making these comments may be considered grounds permanent banning.
If so, allow me to say that it has been a real pleasure conversing with the majority of you folks — including you, David Remer.

Kansas Dem:
“I’m sure anyone would be considered if they could show a certain degree of credibility through previous works of any nature that would convince the managing editor of the necessary level of integrity.”

If you’ll remember KD, the first time the The Sic Eagle wrote an article, he announced that he had actually been asked to become an editor here. Make of that what you will! :^)