As you already know, I've converted from a letter-writer to a blogger. I love both writing my blog and reading others' blogs. I'm surprised that I've been seduced by this technology since I'm really not much of a technology person. But seduced I am! Along with this new-found passion, however, comes questions. Anything new that impacts our culture is bound to change the rules, and I think blogging has done this. I read several blogs almost daily. A lot of them have some sort of connection with France; almost all are illustrated with a photo or two...or more! Here's question #1: is it polite to read someone's blog and NOT make a comment? I comment only occasionally if an entry really 'speaks' to me on some level. There are blogs that I read and enjoy every day where I've never left a comment. Is this rude? Question #2: Is it okay to use photos on my blog that I DIDN'T take myself? I try to credit Google when I swipe one from there, but when it's obvious that it's not my photo, i.e. I'm telling you about a place I'd like to visit someday, do I have to disclaim that the picture isn't mine? Just an fyi...most of the photos are mine. Question #3: Is it okay to read blogs at work? My hospital has blocked blogs so you can't get to any through their server. So I take my mini-laptop to work and log onto the wireless network if I want to check any. I feel a bit guilty; doesn't stop me from doing it, though! Question #4: If you 'meet' someone by trading remarks in the blog's comment section, are they an acquaintance? How about if you establish an email correspondence with the blog author...are they, then, a friend? I'm sure folks who have friends on Facebook or MySpace could answer this question, but it puzzles me a bit. I always feel like I have to explain how I can have a friend who lives in Belgium or France, or Norway. Question #5: And what if you want to actually meet one of these friends in person, have coffee, share a meal...is this just plain weird? Please let me know if you have answers to any of these questions...I'm trying desperately to get this new technology and its rules right!Saturday, May 16, 2009
New Rules for Technology
As you already know, I've converted from a letter-writer to a blogger. I love both writing my blog and reading others' blogs. I'm surprised that I've been seduced by this technology since I'm really not much of a technology person. But seduced I am! Along with this new-found passion, however, comes questions. Anything new that impacts our culture is bound to change the rules, and I think blogging has done this. I read several blogs almost daily. A lot of them have some sort of connection with France; almost all are illustrated with a photo or two...or more! Here's question #1: is it polite to read someone's blog and NOT make a comment? I comment only occasionally if an entry really 'speaks' to me on some level. There are blogs that I read and enjoy every day where I've never left a comment. Is this rude? Question #2: Is it okay to use photos on my blog that I DIDN'T take myself? I try to credit Google when I swipe one from there, but when it's obvious that it's not my photo, i.e. I'm telling you about a place I'd like to visit someday, do I have to disclaim that the picture isn't mine? Just an fyi...most of the photos are mine. Question #3: Is it okay to read blogs at work? My hospital has blocked blogs so you can't get to any through their server. So I take my mini-laptop to work and log onto the wireless network if I want to check any. I feel a bit guilty; doesn't stop me from doing it, though! Question #4: If you 'meet' someone by trading remarks in the blog's comment section, are they an acquaintance? How about if you establish an email correspondence with the blog author...are they, then, a friend? I'm sure folks who have friends on Facebook or MySpace could answer this question, but it puzzles me a bit. I always feel like I have to explain how I can have a friend who lives in Belgium or France, or Norway. Question #5: And what if you want to actually meet one of these friends in person, have coffee, share a meal...is this just plain weird? Please let me know if you have answers to any of these questions...I'm trying desperately to get this new technology and its rules right!
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6 comments:
Bonjour Evelyn, here is my point of view on the questions you are asking yourself:
#1: I don't think it's rude not to leave a comment on a blog you like reading. According to some blogs statistics, some blogs receive hundreds of connections every day (sometimes much more), but usually only a few people leave comments, so you're not alone in this case!
#2: I think it's OK.
When people don't want their photos to be used, they usually say so...
#3: I know it's OK in France only if you do it for just a little time, otherwise they can argue that you're not working anymore and surfing on the internet can lead to people being fired.
#4: I think that you can be friends with someone you have an email correspondence with. If you write each other, then it means that you have common interests, and that's why people are friends.
#5: For me it's not weird to ask to meet someone in "real life", I've done it with 3 bloggers already, and we've indeed met several times!
I see you as a friend too Evelyn, because we like the same stuff, and share the same values ;)
I love blogging too and love reading blogs ... it's like seeing into a world you wouldn't otherwise see.
My thoughts:
#1: it's not rude NOT to comment but I think people do like comments. But, like you, I only comment when I actually have something to say.
#2: I think you should give a photo credit if you use someone else's photo.
#3: I'm at home with kids so I check blogs when I can ... I guess it depends on your job and whether you're neglecting what needs to be done or not.
#4: I think they're an acquaintance or quite possibly a friend. It's like having a penpal when we were kids - we considered them friends, right? You connect on some level.
#5: I've seen a lot of bloggers that have met up in real life (although I never have) and I think it's great.
Aren't you glad I posted my two cents? :)
Thanks, Isabelle and Randi...I appreciate your comments. I agree with you, Randi, that blog friends are a lot like penpals from the past. I love that I'm able to connect with people all over the world via my blog!
I was writing a detailed comment and Mr Blogger ate it! Aaargh!!
#1: I read your blog all the time but do not comment on every post. I don't think there's anything wrong with that? However, I have one blog in my reader, written by an American in Provence. I first saw her blog when I first started blogging on nablopomo, and I absolutely loved it. I sent her a friends request and never got an answer from her. I thought that was rude, or was it not? Still, over the years, I lost track of her until recently when I found it again. I added it to my reader, it's one of my favourite daily reads, but I refuse to comment. Hmm, am I being rude , I don't know?
#2 Yes. When I started blogging, I did that all the time. As long as you don't disgrace them in any way, I don't see what's wrong with that. If you're a photographer, and you don't want people to use them, you should keep them in a drawer at home instead of putting them out here on the Internet!
I am going to answer the rest in another comment, in case mr Blogger decides to eat it again.
#3: as long as you don't exagerate?
#4: Blogger friends are as real as any other friends. I'm going to meet quite a lot of them in November when I'm making a tour in the States and Hawaii. Maybe I should answer that one after the tour, huh? I hear myself telling friends and family I'm going to visit my friends in Hawaii now, LOL!!! I guess friendships like this are just as natural in this Internet age, don't you think? I know some of them better than my next door neighbour, so?
#5: I think I have already answered that one, haven't I?
This is interesting as I just found Red Bell Farm not too long ago and recently was tagged to name favourite blogs - you are in there. I'll be posting my response soon.
A lot of good questions and comments.
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