Youtube, wikipedia, urbandictionary, etc. and freeloading

[albionmoonlight]

We can all agree that the internet is for porn.

This question, however, relates to the 1.3% or so of the internet that is not hardcore gonzo porn.

Basically, you have webpages set up primarily as commercial services--your amazons, wal-marts, etc. Those are easy enough to explain.

You also, however, have some webpages that are set up primarialy as community information centers. They may make some ad revenue, but they are pretty much there to collect community knowledge. I am thinking here of sites (like in the title) like youtube, urbandictionary, wikipedia, etc. Sites where people know something cool, or have a cool file, and take the time to put it up on the web for the general public to access.

I find myself using those sites more and more. When someone was posting on the board the other day about an intentional walk pitch that was hit into the outfield, I went right to youtube to watch it. When I hear a term I don't understand, I go right to urbandictionary or wikipedia.

And, most times, they have just what I need. And, I find myself getting upset when they don't.

That said, I have never added something to any of these community knowledge sites--and I have no real plans to. I have nothing against adding information to the internet. I just don't want to be bothered to take the time.

I wonder, however, who the people are who maintain these sites, and whether they will eventually get tired of doing it. I am, shamelessly, freeloading off their efforts. What do they get from it? What motivates someone to put cool stuff on youtube? Why don't they just send it to their friends? Is there a presteige value to being one of the main contributors to such a thing? Is that enough to keep people doing it?

Basically, what is the dynamic (psycological, economic, etc.) that is causing people to provide me with all of these cool videos and knowledge--and is it sustainable?

[RendeR]

2/3

[QuikSand]

I think wikipedia is an unbelievably great concept... I'm floored that it ever got enough momentum to reach a critical mass, but now that it (obviously) has, I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

[Draft Dodger]

I think wikipedia is an unbelievably great concept... I'm floored that it ever got enough momentum to reach a critical mass, but now that it (obviously) has, I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

besides free porn. right?

[QuikSand]

Well, yeah. I was just following along with the silly premise of where we'd focus in this thread.

[albionmoonlight]

The porn thing wasn't even that funny of a throwaway joke. Certainly not worth letting my own thread get threadjacked before it started. Oh well, my own silly fault for dropping a p-bomb. Hard to ignore, those.

[Franklinnoble]

I think wikipedia is an unbelievably great concept... I'm floored that it ever got enough momentum to reach a critical mass, but now that it (obviously) has, I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

Agreed. And I have no idea who takes the time to write those articles. I can't imagine being bothered with it.

[MJ4H]

For what it's worth, I have often wondered this same thing. I think there are some people that get a little thrill out of contributing to these things. They think people will see their names next to a bunch of important contributions and eventually think, man that xxxx guy is great! Always on the ball with these contributions. So tireless!

Who knows really. I, too, am a fan of it, though.

[sachmo71]

Agreed. And I have no idea who takes the time to write those articles. I can't imagine being bothered with it.


People love to teach others about things that they care about.

[Suburban Rhythm]

For what it's worth, I have often wondered this same thing. I think there are some people that get a little thrill out of contributing to these things. They think people will see their names next to a bunch of important contributions and eventually think, man that xxxx guy is great! Always on the ball with these contributions. So tireless!

Who knows really. I, too, am a fan of it, though.

Isn't that similar to people who blog? I've never, ever, ever read a blog. Don't plan on starting. But, I imagine there are people who tireless add their thoughts to their blog daily, for all the world to read, and get some satisfaction out of it.

[Toddzilla]

Agreed. And I have no idea who takes the time to write those articles. I can't imagine being bothered with it.Therein lies the greatness. No one person has to write the long articles. Someone starts with a definition, and the user community adds, edits, and changes the entry. No one person has to be an expert, it's a collective effort.

[Franklinnoble]

I have no idea who writes the Wikipedia articles I read, and I've never bothered to check. So, I doubt they're getting much recognition out of this.

My guess is that they're posted by people (probably students and academics) who have already written papers on the topics for other reasons, and are sharing the work because it really doesn't take any more effort on their part.

[sovereignstar]

Wikipedia is an interesting site for sure. Just check out the article history to get a sense of how the articles are built.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jorge_Larrionda&limit=500&action=history

[lighthousekeeper]

wait a sec...

I haven't ever contributed to wiki. And I don't know anyone who has... And from the sounds of it, you guys don't either.

If no one we know is contributing, and wiki includes a crapload of information, then this is all leading to the logical conclusion that wiki is completely written by either (1) aliens or (2) god

.wow.

[BrianD]

It is interesting to see how many updates are done just to remove vandalism. Keep in mind as you use these sites that they are user-created and will not stand up to academic scrutiny. They are great bits of information and can teach quite a bit, but don't ever try to cite them as sources for anything else.

[cthomer5000]

This thread is perfect, it was a lunch conversation I just had with a co-worker. I think wikipedia is the most amazing site I've ever seen. I can easily say I spend 1 hour a day on the site, minimum. I'll often just find myself reading link-to-link, ending up in places I hadn't anticipated.


Now, I've never contributed anything major to the site, but I have made minor corrections or additions from time to time. Maybe I should set out to seriously add (or create) a page on soemthing at some point.


I think wikipedia is an unbelievably great concept... I'm floored that it ever got enough momentum to reach a critical mass, but now that it (obviously) has, I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

I agree with every word. I'm both amazed it worked, and floored by how good it is (and getting better every day).

[AgustusM]

wait a sec...

I haven't ever contributed to wiki. And I don't know anyone who has... And from the sounds of it, you guys don't either.

If no one we know is contributing, and wiki includes a crapload of information, then this is all leading to the logical conclusion that wiki is completely written by either (1) aliens or (2) god

.wow.

you forgot baseball players from Ghana...

[Desnudo]

This thread is perfect, it was a lunch conversation I just had with a co-worker. I think wikipedia is the most amazing site I've ever seen. I can easily say I spend 1 hour a day on the site, minimum. I'll often just find myself reading link-to-link, ending up in places I hadn't anticipated.


Now, I've never contributed anything major to the site, but I have made minor corrections or additions from time to time. Maybe I should set out to seriously add (or create) a page on soemthing at some point.




I agree with every word. I'm both amazed it worked, and floored by how good it is (and getting better every day).

These days I read it instead of a book before I go to bed. I love the following the links.

[AgustusM]

the people who contribute to these sites can't believe this is a forum which started as a place to discuss text football simulation (which is also beyond them) and has turned into an eclectic catch all of discussion. and its members come here every day - 99% of the world finds this site totally absurd.

also, I read this morning that YouTube has reached an agreement with NBC to promote their fall lineup (http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news.php?newsId=3777) Youtube is without a doubt a very commercial oriented site.

[rkmsuf]

These days I read it instead of a book before I go to bed. I love the following the links.

some night you should add that werewolves don't drive

[duckman]

It's pretty cool that someone even took the time out to put a small write-up about the game on there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Office_Football

[Desnudo]

some night you should add that werewolves don't drive

Do you know for a fact though?

[rkmsuf]

Do you know for a fact though?

Oh, I'm farily certain. No video has ever been produced of a driving werewolf as a werewolf. They even got it right on Seinfeld in the one where Jerry was itchy with his chest hair. Notice, he was on a bus and Kramer was driving.

[QuikSand]

It's pretty cool that someone even took the time out to put a small write-up about the game on there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Office_Football

Front Office Football Central (FOFC) is an on-line discussion forum dedicated to discussing Front Office Football game issues, other games in the text-sim community, and just about anything else going on in today's world. It is one of the largest and most diverse discussion forums on the internet today.

Anyone know if that's an acurate statement?

[rkmsuf]

Anyone know if that's an acurate statement?


Since Token Asian Guy has disappeared you may want to revise the diverse part.

[Desnudo]

Barkeep49 was one of the editors.

[Desnudo]

Oh, I'm farily certain. No video has ever been produced of a driving werewolf as a werewolf. They even got it right on Seinfeld in the one where Jerry was itchy with his chest hair. Notice, he was on a bus and Kramer was driving.

We shall soon find out.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060627124111AAC6aUI&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwIbtiF.05Ri5ziN_qqqZs3krKvCIXuSLR4vyMVq3SJedhUkbkwwIN3rIubkYbSNZDRA--&msgr_status=

[rkmsuf]

We shall soon find out.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060627124111AAC6aUI&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwIbtiF.05Ri5ziN_qqqZs3krKvCIXuSLR4vyMVq3SJedhUkbkwwIN3rIubkYbSNZDRA--&msgr_status=


Be clear that it is when they are the werewolf.

No way the American Werewolf in London was driving.

[sovereignstar]

Oh, I'm farily certain. No video has ever been produced of a driving werewolf as a werewolf.

That's what is called a hunch. You've got no hard evidence, man!

[rkmsuf]

That's what is called a hunch. You've got no hard evidence, man!


Nor do you, Mr. Scott Drove To THE Prom.

[sovereignstar]

We shall soon find out.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060627124111AAC6aUI&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwIbtiF.05Ri5ziN_qqqZs3krKvCIXuSLR4vyMVq3SJedhUkbkwwIN3rIubkYbSNZDRA--&msgr_status=

There are some very wise comments on that page. Certain people should take note.

[Maple Leafs]

Anyone know if that's an acurate statement?
I would say that in terms of size and diversity, we are certainly among the top 95% of forums.

[rkmsuf]

There are some very wise comments on that page. Certain people should take note.

I'm not buying your teen wolf hocus pocus. the majority will say not in human form.

[wade moore]

I would say that in terms of size and diversity, we are certainly among the top 95% of forums.

It may depend on your definition of forum too. As in, do you count every intance of VB, EasyBoard, PHPB, etc. installed anywhere on the internet? Then I'd say you're probably right, but then IHOF's Message Board might fit in the top 95% under that criteria.

[WSUCougar]

you forgot baseball players from Ghana...
Well, we sure as hell won't forget soccer players from Ghana.

[cthomer5000]

It may depend on your definition of forum too. As in, do you count every intance of VB, EasyBoard, PHPB, etc. installed anywhere on the internet? Then I'd say you're probably right, but then IHOF's Message Board might fit in the top 95% under that criteria.

I'm the Jeeber of IHOF.

[Mustang]

snicker....

I always like comparing versions on wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Front_Office_Football&diff=43343042&oldid=43342883

[WSUCougar]

I'm the Jeeber of IHOF.
So is IHOF Jeeber the cthomer5000 of FOFC?

[Desnudo]

I'm not buying your teen wolf hocus pocus. the majority will say not in human form.

Sounds like we have a confirmation.

marie l:

"Yes, I've seen them on the freeway."

[JeeberD]

So is IHOF Jeeber the cthomer5000 of FOFC?

You just blew my mind...

[Toddzilla]

From Wikipedia


# Front Office Football Central (FOFC): A general discussion message board devoted to the series
# SportsDigs.com: A news and discussion forum dedicated to text sims which draws an average of 3 visitors per day.

LAFF

[cthomer5000]

So is IHOF Jeeber the cthomer5000 of FOFC?
It's being researched right now by top scientists. We really don't know what he is. And we certainly dont know what I become if Jeeber someday becomes the Jeeber of IHOF.

[Hammer755]

There are some very wise comments on that page. Certain people should take note.

Teve Torbes would be proud.

[Bonegavel]

Contributors to wikipedia-type sites are, to a lesser degree, the same sort of people who man the volunteer fire companies and ambulance corps. They see something to which they can contribute and they simply do it.

I admire these sorts of folks, but I have no attention span to

[Celeval]

If no one we know is contributing, and wiki includes a crapload of information, then this is all leading to the logical conclusion that wiki is completely written by either (1) aliens or (2) god

It could also be an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters.

[Daimyo]

It may depend on your definition of forum too. As in, do you count every intance of VB, EasyBoard, PHPB, etc. installed anywhere on the internet? Then I'd say you're probably right, but then IHOF's Message Board might fit in the top 95% under that criteria.
It probably is... "top 95%" is a pretty low bar. :)

[heybrad]

People running these websites do have the opportunity of a payday down the road as witnessed by Jump the Shark being sold to TV Guide recently for well over a mil. That site was run by one guy.

[BrianD]

People running these websites do have the opportunity of a payday down the road as witnessed by Jump the Shark being sold to TV Guide recently for well over a mil. That site was run by one guy.

Stuff like this makes me sad. Such a silly little idea for a website...why couldn't that have been my silly little idea? :(

[Maple Leafs]

It probably is... "top 95%" is a pretty low bar. :)
Someone got it...

[cuervo72]

Someone got it...

He wasn't alone.


What is scary is that I have spent the last few nights reading Wiki, jumping from page to page as cthomer described...reading up on comic book characters.

*shudders*

[Buccaneer]

I think wikipedia is an unbelievably great concept... I'm floored that it ever got enough momentum to reach a critical mass, but now that it (obviously) has, I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

I fully agree with you and if you hadn't said it, I would have replied in the same manner (but as usual, I'm always late to the party). I find wikipedia to be indespensable for learning about popular culture. I read an article recently about the guys who started it and it sounds like it was truly a whim.

[Buccaneer]

I agree with top 95%, which puts us near the bottom. Every once in a while I stumble across a forum that has millions of posts and views and more threads than we have posts. But while I disagree about our size, I do agree about the diversity. That is a very good thing.

Back on topic, someone mentioned blogs. I never, ever read those except when searching for a technical answer through google. I know I have said this before but I don't get it. Here at FOFC we have many posts, including quite a number of thoughtful, intelligent ones. What makes such posts any different than blogs? Talk about grandstanding and self-importance.

Here are two questions I posed to a colleague that was interested in buying google stock:

1. How much do you pay to use the google search engine?
2. How much did it cost you to download google earth?

The internet has always been like that - the expectation of a free resource, which is why I believe sites like wiki, google, youtube has flourished in terms of popularity. But somewhere along the chain, real revenues (as oppose to shifting of revenues) have to be generated. Apart from selling a product directly (amazon) or fees (ebay), I never understood why it's still working.

albion is not too far off on the porn remark. It was the e-commerce model that everyone followed but was afraid to admit (as I recall an article in InfoWorld from 1997 or 1998).

[tanglewood]

Google makes money through advertising. Of courseall the dot-com boomer companies crashed because they found out you can't soley fund something on the internet via advertising, but Google is different. Firstly, they link the advertisements you see to what you are searching for and secondly they have huge, huge, HUGE numbers of people googling all the time, so they don't need many clicks per users to make money.

[Maple Leafs]

A side note on "free" sites like YouTube... many of them have a simple business plan: get traffic, get acquired. Build up to a critical mass of online awareness and then sell out to a giant. Nice profits for all your investors.

You'd be amazed how many free online resources have business plans that are basically "be acquired by Google". That's not even an exageration, their reason for existing is to eventually be purchased by Google. Profits aren't the plan, acquisition is. And recently it's worked for several companies.

[tanglewood]

A side note on "free" sites like YouTube... many of them have a simple business plan: get traffic, get acquired. Build up to a critical mass of online awareness and then sell out to a giant. Nice profits for all your investors.

You'd be amazed how many free online resources have business plans that are basically "be acquired by Google". That's not even an exageration, their reason for existing is to eventually be purchased by Google. Profits aren't the plan, acquisition is. And recently it's worked for several companies.

See: MySpace.

[sterlingice]

Teve Torbes would be proud.

At Buchanan? Dob Bole? Leslie Alexander Number 2?

SI

[Buccaneer]

Google makes money through advertising. Of courseall the dot-com boomer companies crashed because they found out you can't soley fund something on the internet via advertising, but Google is different. Firstly, they link the advertisements you see to what you are searching for and secondly they have huge, huge, HUGE numbers of people googling all the time, so they don't need many clicks per users to make money.

That's the point, "clicks", "eyeballs" does not equal real revenues. Enough people have to buy a product/service from the advertisers and even at that, it is marginal at best whether advertising on google or being first on the list got you that revenues. I am biased in that I think advertising (i.e. commercials) is a joke and I am too cranky to be influenced by promotional hype. But with the internet, I think it is more of a shell game.

[Groundhog]

I've contributed a few articles to wiki. I do it when there is something (or one)in particular I want to learn about and there is no decent article currently existing. I research it and write it up. Helps me learn about it, and helps others too.

[Maple Leafs]

That's the point, "clicks", "eyeballs" does not equal real revenues. Enough people have to buy a product/service from the advertisers and even at that, it is marginal at best whether advertising on google or being first on the list got you that revenues. I am biased in that I think advertising (i.e. commercials) is a joke and I am too cranky to be influenced by promotional hype. But with the internet, I think it is more of a shell game.
A couple of points:

- Search engine marketing actually works, unlike banner ads. People want to spend their ad dollars on something that brings in revenue. That's why google makes money, and most ad-supported sites don't.

- Online advertising spend is more directly trackable than most other forms of advertising. I can know who came to my site from a google ad, what they bought, etc. Yes, they may have found me on their own, but I can track revenue directly to those clicks... unlike, say, a generic magazine ad.

[Anthony]

I'm the Jeeber of IHOF.

you're a nerd with too much time on your hands and too little sex in your life?

[cthomer5000]

you're a nerd with too much time on your hands and too little sex in your life?

How are the revived Astoria Faggots working out in the IFL?

[Anthony]

How are the revived Astoria Faggots working out in the IFL?

hey, that's Fresno Faggots to you. we're only allowed to relocate teams in-game.

[Desnudo]

That's the point, "clicks", "eyeballs" does not equal real revenues. Enough people have to buy a product/service from the advertisers and even at that, it is marginal at best whether advertising on google or being first on the list got you that revenues. I am biased in that I think advertising (i.e. commercials) is a joke and I am too cranky to be influenced by promotional hype. But with the internet, I think it is more of a shell game.

Instinctually I agree with you, but Google has been profitable for a while now and has around $4 billion in cash waiting to be spent.

I think part of Google's long term plan will also be to sell subscriptions to it's MS Office-type products, etc.. So that will be an additional revenue stream.

You'll also see MS (Office Live) and other companies move more towards a Google model with less physical product rather than vice versa.

[Antmeister]

...Back on topic, someone mentioned blogs. I never, ever read those except when searching for a technical answer through google. I know I have said this before but I don't get it. Here at FOFC we have many posts, including quite a number of thoughtful, intelligent ones. What makes such posts any different than blogs? Talk about grandstanding and self-importance...

Oh geez, not this again. If you never really read blogs, then why do you make this generalization?

Some blogs are used for educational purposes for learning some technical software (Photoshop, After Effects, Quark, PERL, etc.) or to teach people about a specific subject (Photography, Audio, History, Music, etc.) Many of these come with their own podcast.

Then there are those development blogs that are used when someone is developing some software and want to give the customers an idea of how the software is progressing. Many of these are created so that the consumer won't forget about their products.

There are blogs for entertainment purposes and many of these usually have a podcast associated with them too. The blog is strictly used for show notes to their podcast and the entertainment can range from music, parenting, cool gadgets, sports, or just good ol' fashioned BS. Some of this stuff is way better than what you would hear on the radio since no one has to worry about FCC regulations.

Then there are those personal blogs. This is probably the one you are referring too and assume all blogs are this way. However some of these blogs have ended up landing jobs for the people doing them because it is no different than a columnist offering an opinion in a newspaper or magazine.

So please stop generalizing Bucc. A lot of these blogs have educated, informed and entertained a number of people and that is why their popularity has been growing.

[sovereignstar]

I like to say..

blooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooog

[tanglewood]

Oh geez, not this again. If you never really read blogs, then why do you make this generalization?

Some blogs are used for educational purposes for learning some technical software (Photoshop, After Effects, Quark, PERL, etc.) or to teach people about a specific subject (Photography, Audio, History, Music, etc.) Many of these come with their own podcast.

Then there are those development blogs that are used when someone is developing some software and want to give the customers an idea of how the software is progressing. Many of these are created so that the consumer won't forget about their products.

There are blogs for entertainment purposes and many of these usually have a podcast associated with them too. The blog is strictly used for show notes to their podcast and the entertainment can range from music, parenting, cool gadgets, sports, or just good ol' fashioned BS. Some of this stuff is way better than what you would hear on the radio since no one has to worry about FCC regulations.

Then there are those personal blogs. This is probably the one you are referring too and assume all blogs are this way. However some of these blogs have ended up landing jobs for the people doing them because it is no different than a columnist offering an opinion in a newspaper or magazine.

So please stop generalizing Bucc. A lot of these blogs have educated, informed and entertained a number of people and that is why their popularity has been growing.

Jeez, if you feel so strongly about it go and start a blog or something.

[mckerney]

What is scary is that I have spent the last few nights reading Wiki, jumping from page to page as cthomer described...reading up on comic book characters.

This is the greatest use for wikipedia ever.

[bselig]

I've probably made a half dozen edits and actually written one article from scratch. I'm super lazy, but it's so easy to just hit the edit button and start typing that it's not suprising that they've managed to get tons of people like me to make small contributions, along with the hardcore writers.

As to the why, probably the same reason people write sports management dynasties on this forum or the massive AAR's over at paradox, because it's fun. People like creating stuff and communicating with others.

Actually, with youtube, I kind of wish people would stop making their own content, because it makes it a lot harder to search for stuff I might actually want to watch.

[sovereignstar]

Yes, youtube can be very cool and very much a buzzkill as well - as in how can some people be so fricking retarded and think that people want to see some of this stuff?

Reminds me of when Uncle Rico was recording himself throwing a football. Well kickass!

[sovereignstar]

Oh, this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZGKx2pTBQc) is my favorite youtube video of all-time. There just might be hope in this world.

[yabanci]

with respect to blogs, Alexander Cockburn (a true leftist) recently hit the nail on the head imo:

"In political terms the blogosphere is like white noise, insistent and meaningless, like the wash of Pacific surf I can hear most days. But MoveOn.Org and Daily Kos have been hailed as the emergent form of modern politics, the target of excited articles in the New York Review of Books.

Beyond raising money swiftly handed over to the gratified veterans of the election industry both MoveOn and Daily Kos have had zero political effect, except as a demobilizing force.

The effect on writers is horrifying. Talented people feel they have produce 400 words of commentary every day and you can see the lethal consequences on their minds and style, both of which turn rapidly to slush. They glance at the New York Times and rush to their laptops to rewrite what they just read. Hawsers to reality soon fray and they float off, drifting zeppelins of inanity."

http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn06192006.html


rewriting what they just read. That describes 98% of the blogs out there.

I also like what veteran foreign correspondent Robert Fisk said when asked about blogs:

"FISK: I don’t waste my time with blogs, I don’t use the Internet, and I don’t use e-mail. I work.

Thank you. (Laughter.)"

http://www.cfr.org/publication/9191/iraq.html

[st.cronin]

Wikipedia is the first step in the creation of a collective consciousness which we all someday be a part of. I love it.

[Buccaneer]

Some blogs are used for educational purposes for learning some technical software (Photoshop, After Effects, Quark, PERL, etc.) or to teach people about a specific subject (Photography, Audio, History, Music, etc.) Many of these come with their own podcast.


I did say I do go to technical blogs, only through searching through google. But I treat them as no different than the many technical forums where people ask a specific question and get answers. In fact, I like the bbs format better because it is more conducive to two-way interactions - just like real conversations.

[Crapshoot]

This thread is perfect, it was a lunch conversation I just had with a co-worker. I think wikipedia is the most amazing site I've ever seen. I can easily say I spend 1 hour a day on the site, minimum. I'll often just find myself reading link-to-link, ending up in places I hadn't anticipated.


Now, I've never contributed anything major to the site, but I have made minor corrections or additions from time to time. Maybe I should set out to seriously add (or create) a page on soemthing at some point.

.

Echo both parts - I ended spending 2 hours the other day reading about inter-family relations during the Roman Empire. Its really an intellectual treasure trove - if you just like "learning", wikipedia is for you.

[VPI97]

You can't beat finding stuff like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCeZYnhZ-S8

[VPI97]

You can't beat finding stuff like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCeZYnhZ-S8
Damn, I spoke too soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1UWU49uLGE

[Antmeister]

You can't beat finding stuff like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCeZYnhZ-S8
I have always been a sucker for this one from the same artist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv1M3ujeX7c&search=sailing%20cross

[Desnudo]

I think we need to step back and appreciate those who have broken barriers and stood up to be counted.

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxCEkhGbfM

[ThunderingHERD]

I haven't read this thread, but I just wanted to mention something that really bugs me on wikipedia: Simpson's nerds that apparently scour the frickin' thing looking for even the most tenuously connected entries to note a relation to the Simpsons.

[cthomer5000]

I'm curious... did this thread prompt anyone else to create a page/make any sort of significant entry to an existing page?

[QuikSand]

I'm curious... did this thread prompt anyone else to create a page/make any sort of significant entry to an existing page?

Yes - I have written my first draft of a page, but haven't yet figured out how to get it properly formatted and such to submit for peer review. But yes, this thread got me to do it, though I had intended to for some time.

[cthomer5000]

FYI for Wikipedia users ... they're in the middle of a fundraiser, and today donations are being matched by "an anonymous friend." If you were thinking about donating, it's a good time to do so.

I use it so much im definitely going to kick in a few bucks.

[ISiddiqui]

I believe this is what Time Magazine had in mind with their Man of the Year nomination (though naming it "You" was a bit of PR stuff).

Though we aren't all that different that those post wikipedia articles or do blogs. A forum like this provides a lot of benefits to its members in terms of knowledge and information. We should be happy that we have plenty of people who post here who are willing to take their time to discuss these topics.

[korme]

Isn't that similar to people who blog? I've never, ever, ever read a blog. Don't plan on starting. But, I imagine there are people who tireless add their thoughts to their blog daily, for all the world to read, and get some satisfaction out of it.


I've obviously popped into this thread late (it's on page 2 and I'm replying to post 10 [ed.'s note- i'm also 6 months behind!])... but I think blogging and something like wikipedia is not a good comparison. Wikipedia and the like offer a broad selection of information/knowledge that spans over anything you can think of, and has information for anybody. For a blogger, they are specifically focusing on one detail (their life, their favorite team/sport, the entertainment industry, the news, you get the idea), and more often than not, a lot of people blog not just for that feeling that someone might think "gee, that guy is great", but really just as a means to personally write out their thoughts, in a journal esque sort of way.

I put that together kind of sloppy, but that's my meaningless 2 cents.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, I always saw a blog as more of a journal. Some get things off their chest. Some just want to write.

[Young Drachma]

I think the idea is...I know something you don't know or I wanted to find something, figured it out and decided to put it out there for other folks so they wouldn't have to wait as long as I did.

And then, it snowballs.

[Buccaneer]

Yeah, I always saw a blog as more of a journal. Some get things off their chest. Some just want to write.

Then why don't bloggers find a forum (on whatever their specialty is) and create a thread? You get more feedback that way and it becomes much, much more conversational. I have not seen any difference between most blogs and posts here. In fact, I find the quality and level of intelligence higher here than most news/political/pop culture blogs I have run across.

[korme]

Then why don't bloggers find a forum (on whatever their specialty is) and create a thread? You get more feedback that way and it becomes much, much more conversational. I have not seen any difference between most blogs and posts here. In fact, I find the quality and level of intelligence higher here than most news/political/pop culture blogs I have run across.

Perhaps a blogger isn't looking for feedback.

Plus, you are more organized. All of your topics are in chronological order. You don't have to sift through everyone else's "topics."

[ISiddiqui]

Then why don't bloggers find a forum (on whatever their specialty is) and create a thread? You get more feedback that way and it becomes much, much more conversational. I have not seen any difference between most blogs and posts here. In fact, I find the quality and level of intelligence higher here than most news/political/pop culture blogs I have run across.

Can you imagine what would happen to a poster who wanted to use a forum for a journal?! That wouldn't go over well.

[cuervo72]

They could do it in the dynasty forum fairly easily I'd think.

[Buccaneer]

Exactly. All of the various Dynasties are journals. Besides, there have been a number of thread here that tells of an experience (one-time or on-going) or presents something they have learned or wished to share. No different than blogs and much better presentation in a place like this, imo.

[kurtism]

He wasn't alone.


What is scary is that I have spent the last few nights reading Wiki, jumping from page to page as cthomer described...reading up on comic book characters.

*shudders*

Cuervo, cuervo, cuervo - you are doing it backwards. FIRST, you read the comics, and then you never get sex again ;)

[Buccaneer]

I couldn't find a better place to put this and since I was ranting about the concept of blogging, I'll add some more. [warning: more anti-blog stuff]

Today, a colleague, who reads many technical blogs and articles, sent my staff this.

http://time-blog.com/work_in_progress/2008/03/happy_40th_birthday_cubicle_no.html

I couldn't believe it. Here we have a professional staff writer working for a major media company, talking about a very rich topic and all she can come up with is 200 words???? Have everyone on teh internets become so attention deficit that one cannot write or read anything longer than what would be a short post in a bbs? Granted, it fostered a lengthy discussion and many eyeballs (which was all what Time expected) but here I was expecting something about the evolution of cubicles and their effect on the workplace and what I got was...nothing except a funny link to a Dilbert Cubicle.

I like reading FOFC because not can we have real cyber discussions on a very wide range of topics, many of the posts here are well written, in-depth and informative. Can't say that about many of the blogs that I have read or was given a link to. Maybe that's the point?

[sterlingice]

I couldn't find a better place to put this and since I was ranting about the concept of blogging, I'll add some more. [warning: more anti-blog stuff]

Today, a colleague, who reads many technical blogs and articles, sent my staff this.

http://time-blog.com/work_in_progress/2008/03/happy_40th_birthday_cubicle_no.html

I couldn't believe it. Here we have a professional staff writer working for a major media company, talking about a very rich topic and all she can come up with is 200 words???? Have everyone on teh internets become so attention deficit that one cannot write or read anything longer than what would be a short post in a bbs? Granted, it fostered a lengthy discussion and many eyeballs (which was all what Time expected) but here I was expecting something about the evolution of cubicles and their effect on the workplace and what I got was...nothing except a funny link to a Dilbert Cubicle.

I like reading FOFC because not can we have real cyber discussions on a very wide range of topics, many of the posts here are well written, in-depth and informative. Can't say that about many of the blogs that I have read or was given a link to. Maybe that's the point?

Not only that but 1/4 of the article is a quote. Well, the language isn't really that good, either. I just figure this isn't very high profile.

SI

[ThunderingHERD]

Um, it's a blog.

[Toddzilla]

Reading this thread for the first time tonight, I saw Franklinnoble and threw up in my mouth a little.

[Maple Leafs]

Blog posts are often short. In some cases, the writer makes up for it by posting frequently. In other cases, they're just plain short. There are also bloggers who post very long posts -- far longer than a typical magazine article.

Blogs aren't the same as other types of writing -- not sure why you'd want to judge them just based on length.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There are also bloggers who post very long posts -- far longer than a typical magazine article.

And there are newspaper/magazine bloggers who post material that, for whatever reason, was not going to be included in the regular print edition.

[Drake]

Blogs are teh suck.

\/\/\/\/\/\/

[Izulde]

Livejournal had blogs beat by at least 10 years.

[DanGarion]

FYI

http://www.big-boards.com/

[KWhit]

Reading this thread for the first time tonight, I saw Franklinnoble and threw up in my mouth a little.


I threw up at SportsDigs 2 weeks ago.

[ThunderingHERD]

Livejournal had blogs beat by at least 10 years.

What on earth does this statement mean? A blog site preceded blogs? And 10 years? That statement couldn't possibly be true even if "blogs", in whatever bizarre way you're defining them, just popped out of nowhere yesterday--Livejournal wasn't even around in 1998.

[rkmsuf]

settle down nerds

[DanGarion]

What on earth does this statement mean? A blog site preceded blogs? And 10 years? That statement couldn't possibly be true even if "blogs", in whatever bizarre way you're defining them, just popped out of nowhere yesterday--Livejournal wasn't even around in 1998.
OMG he's off by one year!

"LiveJournal was started in March 1999"

[ThunderingHERD]

OMG he's off by one year!

"LiveJournal was started in March 1999"


That statement couldn't possibly be true even if "blogs", in whatever bizarre way you're defining them, just popped out of nowhere yesterday

I think there were blogs around before yesterday.

[Julio Riddols]

FYI

http://www.big-boards.com/

Has anyone submitted FOFC for their list? We have over 500k posts.

[Buccaneer]

...and on the way to a billion!