anti-prose. random matter.
Published on January 16, 2006 By crimson In Blogging
In effort to prevent something short of a nuclear fallout, I've avoided all articles about race, homosexuality and abortion lately. I can be honest and state that I have some pretty strong opinions and automatically feel that people who express differing opinions than my own are Neanderthal, ignorant, and unintelligent. However, that's just gut instinct kicking in, and on more than one occasion, when I lift my own blinders, I understand the point that others can make in opposition.

It's difficult, though. I rarely want to hang out with someone who is just like me. But it's my own challenge to get by an opinion or response that I deplore, and not think negatively towards the one that expresses it. I am a hard person sometimes. And while I respect many people here, its out of respect that I don't comment. Because, probably, for the exact same reasons that I've listed above, I have opinions that apparently not a lot of people seem to voice alongside.

But, really, that's what I like about the place.


I've tried out a great many blogging areas. I've tried out/maintained sites at Livejournal, Blogspot, Blogger, Yahoo 360, Myspace, Diaryland, and typepad. Nothing really compares to Joeuser because, here, I've had the opportunity to make friends with some really decent people. But some of the other blogging places offer some great perks that aren't available (yet) here.

For me, customization for blogsites is a big deal. I'm no techie, but I like getting sites to look a certain way. IMHO, livejournal has the best layout features, but I love the fact that Myspace allows the opportunity to post/host my own choice of music. I believe that Yahoo has the same capability, but unfortunately, it seems like there are very few people that post there on a regular basis. There doesn't seem to be any sort of organization there and it feels like unless you know a great pool of people who are already members, there's no way to see new articles, or view bios.

I've been tweaking my own Favorites links, and for the life of me cannot get it set up the way that I want. And, I know for a fact that some names have disappeared from my list, somehow. Is there any way to get rid of a link that I've once listed permanently? Where do I find out how to include a picture in the sidebar again and how big can it be.

Questions, questions. Some tough, some that just flitter around idly in my brain.


Comments
on Jan 16, 2006
You know, I agree completely. My brother and I have a Blogger site we use for our music reviews. I would prefer to have it here, but the layout is just too blah. I desparately hope at some point we can customize things more here, though I understand Stardock is pressed in other (more profitable) realms right now.
on Jan 16, 2006
I think I was fortunate in that the first blog I ever started is the one I maintain here. I've tried other sites but have found them to be a little cold whereas JoeUser has become almost a second home. And you're right, there are some truly wonderful people blogging here.
on Jan 16, 2006
The people here keep me coming back as well. Good people matter more than good features (though good features would be nice!).
on Jan 17, 2006

I respect your insight into your feelings.  I think I will try to stay away from those issues for a time as well.  I have noticed I have gotten snappier on them, and that is not me.

As for Blogging, I am like Maso.  This was my first, and so far only one.