1K
This is the 1000th post on NOVA Geoblog.
I passed up the opportunity to engage in anniversarial navel-gazing this past December with the blog's second birthday, opting instead to dish out some recognition to other corners of the geoblogosphere. A thousand posts, being an arbitrary but satisfyingly round number, encourages me to think about what I'm doing with this blog, and where it's going. Today, if you'll indulge me; I offer a few reflections (#1-4) and a request for feedback from you (#2, #5).
1) I've been gratified with all the positive feedback I've gotten (via comments, via e-mail, and in person), mystified at the persistence of some readers in posting argumentative comments, disappointed overall at the lack of commenting, and annoyed at the increasing number of spam comments, which I delete as soon as they come in (a chore). Thanks to everyone who considers this site worth taking the time to read.
2) I'm curious who's reading. I get data that suggests a lot of people are stopping in, but not a lot of people leave comments. If you're a regular, but you don't leave comments, let me extend an invitation to you to say "hi." You can do this via the comments section below, or shoot me an e-mail if you don't want to be all public about it.
3) I enjoy blogging, but I'm also a bit compulsive about it. This blog has existed for 770 days, and the 1000 entries I've posted over that time works out to an average of ~1.3 per day. I'd like to tone that down a bit. In the future, I'm going to give myself permission not to post something every single day. Brace yourselves: I'm going to start applying the brakes.
4) This summer I hope to launch a new geology vodcast series. This has been in the works for some time, and I'm excited that it is finally moving forward. I'm looking for suggestions for a clever title for the series (feel free to leave a comment below if you have a good idea what to call it). It will be available via iTunes and a dedicated YouTube channel. I will also embed the YouTube videos in blog posts here.
5) Lastly, to better determine the future of this blog, I have put together a 5-question survey that I would like to ask you to complete. It is totally anonymous, and will take only 3 minutes of your time. I will leave this survey open for the next 2 weeks, but I ask you to please take the time now to click the link above and complete it. This is for everyone who is reading these words: it's not just for hard-core geologists or for other bloggers. It's for all readers. Thank you!
I passed up the opportunity to engage in anniversarial navel-gazing this past December with the blog's second birthday, opting instead to dish out some recognition to other corners of the geoblogosphere. A thousand posts, being an arbitrary but satisfyingly round number, encourages me to think about what I'm doing with this blog, and where it's going. Today, if you'll indulge me; I offer a few reflections (#1-4) and a request for feedback from you (#2, #5).
1) I've been gratified with all the positive feedback I've gotten (via comments, via e-mail, and in person), mystified at the persistence of some readers in posting argumentative comments, disappointed overall at the lack of commenting, and annoyed at the increasing number of spam comments, which I delete as soon as they come in (a chore). Thanks to everyone who considers this site worth taking the time to read.
2) I'm curious who's reading. I get data that suggests a lot of people are stopping in, but not a lot of people leave comments. If you're a regular, but you don't leave comments, let me extend an invitation to you to say "hi." You can do this via the comments section below, or shoot me an e-mail if you don't want to be all public about it.
3) I enjoy blogging, but I'm also a bit compulsive about it. This blog has existed for 770 days, and the 1000 entries I've posted over that time works out to an average of ~1.3 per day. I'd like to tone that down a bit. In the future, I'm going to give myself permission not to post something every single day. Brace yourselves: I'm going to start applying the brakes.
4) This summer I hope to launch a new geology vodcast series. This has been in the works for some time, and I'm excited that it is finally moving forward. I'm looking for suggestions for a clever title for the series (feel free to leave a comment below if you have a good idea what to call it). It will be available via iTunes and a dedicated YouTube channel. I will also embed the YouTube videos in blog posts here.
5) Lastly, to better determine the future of this blog, I have put together a 5-question survey that I would like to ask you to complete. It is totally anonymous, and will take only 3 minutes of your time. I will leave this survey open for the next 2 weeks, but I ask you to please take the time now to click the link above and complete it. This is for everyone who is reading these words: it's not just for hard-core geologists or for other bloggers. It's for all readers. Thank you!
Labels: blogs
23 Comments:
No! No applying of brakes! I love that I can come here and there is always something new and interesting. This post should be a list of 4. Great job on the blog BTW, keep it coming.
Hi!
I've been (quietly) following for a few months via RSS, just because I have become very interested in Geology as yet another way to understand the world around us. You write with great enthusiasm and passion for your subject, and that makes for a very pleasing combination.
I'm currently reading 'The Earth' by Richard Fortey, which, while toward the more popular end of the market, is already telling me hundreds of things I had no idea about, even as a science postgraduate.
Keep up the great work!
Wow. 1000 posts in two years. That's a lot. Can totally understand why you'd want to ease off throttle a bit. We'll be happy and grateful to read what you write and see your pictures at whatever pace you decide is best for you.
It's your blog - you can post what you want, when you want. In the recent survey of the geoblogosphere one of the key blogging motivations was fun. As long as you enjoy posting, I'll enjoy reading.
Now there are more geoblogs out there than there used to be I think I comment less, as I don't have time to comment on all and often don't have much to say. Doesn't mean that I don't read/enjoy your posts because I do.
Congratulations on the milestone (kilometerstone?) Callan. I'm glad you opened the comments way back at the beginning. I think the lack of comments is a broader theme in the geoblogosphere - I'm also missing the more conversational nature of the old days when there were just a few of us and we all read each others posts religiously. I'm sure I don't comment as much as I used to, and those I do make are scattered over a wider array of geoblogs these days. It's a shame, too, because the lack of comments leads one to wonder whether it's worth the effort sometimes. Well let me assure you Callan, I for one will continue to enjoy reading all you can post. Keep up the great work!
congratulations!... enjoying your blog at whatever pace you decide..
Congrats on 1K! With so many blogs either taking time off or calling it quits, I'm happy that you're going to keep going--even if it is less frequently :)
As to comments, I've noticed that its the non-geology blogs that deal more with life as a scientist (anonymously or not) that seem to get tons of comments. Oh, and the paleo guys who seem to constantly be throwing things back & forth with the creationists (if you consider flaming commentary...). It may be that the people who read more pure science / teaching ideas are more likely to email then post a comment for the rest of the world to read.
Callan, I can totally understand the need to apply the brakes, as you put it. I'm just glad to hear you aren't going on a hiatus or anything.
The lack of commenting is an interesting problem. Just yesterday I hosted an online Q&A w/ Michael Welland (author of 'Sand') and got very few comments. I was pretty bummed.
I wonder if it's related to the pace of things on the web -- it all comes at ya so fast, it's difficult for me to keep up. I really wish commenting was easier too -- for example, being able to do it in GoogleReader. Getting through all the spam stuff (word verification) is not that big a deal, but these little things all add up and I wonder if it makes the casual reader say "forget it, not worth it".
Also, it seems that some other science-y blogs that get tons of comments are often obnoxious (and perhaps entertaining) back-and-forth arguments between seasoned internet "debaters". That is, they hang out online and like to stir the pot and get into it. Which is totally fine, I'm not dismissing that. But, again, I wonder if that turns off the casual reader from making a comment for fear of some jerk purposely taking their comment out of context or something just to start something.
Anyway, enough of me rambling ... your blog is kick-ass and I read it religiously even if I don't comment. Rock on!
Hi!
This blog is the first and the only blog I have ever been consistently watching. I come here almost every day, and there is always something worthwhile reading! Generally I think there are too many interesting blogs out there to read regularly; it would take too much of my time. I chose one, and it is the NOVA GEOBLOG, although I am neither a geologist nor a geology student!
Regarding comments: There's always less comments than the author would hope for...
Hope you'll enjoy doing this for the time to come, and happy anniversary!
Congrats on the 1K! You post at quite a high rate - and your photo and field trip posts, which I greatly enjoy, must take a lot of time. Glad you will be keeping on, don't worry about doing it at a lower rate.
I've had to cut back on posting to maybe every other day, and don't always keep up at that rate. Am not really sure why. My overall commenting and overall reading has gone down, partly with the larger number of geoblogs (and others) to keep up with, partly with some kind of change in how I'm doing things.
As Brian said, it could be easier for me to comment sometimes if there were easier ways to comment, for example if I could always access comment forms on sites when I'm using my phone-mobile connection. Some sites work well, sometimes access seems erratic. Blogger is particularly erratic for access to commenting via mobile, so I don't always try. Also, some sites don't load well via mobile web.
I'm probably doing what Ron does, scattering comments here and there. Also, I feel more in touch in some ways beacause of other connections, like FB - I think those connections decrease ppl's commenting on the blogs. (And I noticed that commenting went down on geoblogs about a year ago, then found many ppl on twitter.)
Keep up the good work! (As much as you want to.)
Congrats on the magical 1000 post mark. With my rate of blogging I will hit that around 2020 and I've been doing this for almost 5 years now. The lack of comments gets me down as well but I don't post many myself so maybe I'm just being hypocritical. But I also have the problem of trying to write something I feel others might want to read. Just wanted to say I always enjoy your blog and can't wait till 2000.
Hey Callan,
I've been checking this since it became linked to your Facebook account. As a non-geologists, I like the photos, diagrams and posts about general scientific discoveries and the everyday geology - but I am probably not your target audience. :)
And I know my Dad's been reading too - he thinks you are exceptionally good at explaining complex theories and illustrating change over time.
Keep it up!
- Lisa
Great blog, Callan. I have to say I'm impressed with your rate of new posts. I only manage one post every 3.2 days, and it's all I can do to keep up that pace; your rate is quite an accomplishment, especially considering the high content level. Congratulations!
Congratulations Callan, on your blogging milestone. I am not a geologist or science professional, but very much enjoy reading and most importantly learning more about geology from your blog and others in the geo-blogosphere.
Thanks very much for all the time, effort, enthusiasm and knowledge you put into producing this excellent site. I also appreciate your frequent focus on important environmental issues.
Hi! And wow! a thousand posts is pretty impressive. I have to admit that I'm not a highly active or consistent commentator, which is rather hypocritical because, like you, I would really like more comments on my own blog. And as for post frequency, I'm routinely amazed at your output; you go ahead and do exactly what you need/want to do - I'll still be reading it!
Hi Callan
I follow the Geoblog from Brazil. I am a teacher of Geology and you inspire me to do the same for my students here. Congratulations
Hi,
Another quiet but dedicated reader of your blog. I'm from the Netherlands, doing a Geology master after I completed my Bachelor's Degree last year. My personal interest lies with the world outside and geology helps me explain and shows me what happened. That's why I like it so much, especially paleontology personally.
Your blog is good fun to read and I will stay tuned every day :) keep it up!
I am one of the anonymous followers of your blog. While doing a search on the Ordovician a couple of years ago, I found one of your posts. I have visited daily, since.
You do some really great stuff here, and I enjoy the virtual field trips.
I guess that I should add: this blog is probably one of the principle the reasons that I decided to return to school and finished up a BS that was started years ago.
Fortunately for me, my state has a program that encourages people with 90+ hours between the ages of 25-50 to finish up. And, it allows us to keep most of our credits!
So thank you, sir, and the people that developed Project Graduate in Kentucky.
Keep up the great work! It is much appreciated.
Callan--I love reading this blog. It is the only one I read and you never dissappoint! Your Sand discussion is an example! Although I am not a geologist, geology is the most fascinating study to me. I found your blog when looking for an explanation of the geology of the Shenandoah Valley and found your Geology of Shenandoah Nation Park. So, at whatever pace you choose, keep blogging!
I'd really like to thank everyone for their kind comments. Thanks for reading!
Congratulations for your first kilopost! I'm still amazed how you keep up both the rate and the quality of your posts. Your field trip phots and explanations are especially great. Thanks a lot!
Hi Callan,
I am an avid reader of your weblog despite being an amateur.
Your blog is one of the first things I browse in the morning along my cup of coffe. I think it is educational and fun for my likes, and a great gathering place for those in the know.
If there is a thing I have realised since reading geoblogs is that geologists are astoundingly busy. That might be a reason why they do not provide as much feedback as you wished.
As per non-professionals like myself, we simply do not have knowledge enough to dare to write a comment.
I would like to congratulate you for each of the 1000 posts. I will wait be waiting for new ones, regardless you post them daily, weekly or monthly!!
Take care!!
Alexis
Hi!
I stumbled on your blog when looking for information on asbestos for the industrial hygiene work I do. Best stumble I've made! Visiting your blog, I have learned so much! I stop by probably once a week. Your blog is extremely interesting, varied, and intelligent. I am sure it does take much time to post. Just wanted you to know your efforts are appreciated, and thank you for sharing your love of geology with the rest of us.
Post a Comment
<< Home