Sunday Stealing: The Third Meme About Blogging

This week’s meme comes from Belle at Scattered and Random. She discovered it at squadratomagico, which is maintained by a blogger known as squadratic equation.

The Third Meme About Blogging

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?

The word “colloquium” just popped into my head one day as I was driving along, pondering a name. So I picked up a dictionary and found that one of the meanings of “colloquium” is “an informal meeting for the exchange of views.” It seemed perfect.

2. What are your general goals for blogging?

To live up to the meaning of “colloquium,” i.e., to exchange ideas with my readers. And have some fun in the process.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous?

Most people in my “real life” are completely oblivious to the fact that I blog. BigBob and the kids know, of course, but are not readers. Only a couple of my friends are aware of the site and visit it. I may have mentioned it in passing to a couple of colleagues, but I’ve never provided them with the url, so I doubt if any of my professional associates have ever read any of my writing.

4. How often do you post (x per week)?

Generally, due to time constraints, I post a couple of new entries per week, on average.

5. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?

I read a few blogs each day. Typically, I devote ten to 15 minutes each morning scanning new entires via a reader.

6. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or …?)

Quality content providing useful information interests me, so I am subscribed to a number of blogs covering many different topics, including several that focus on the art and mechanics of blogging.

7. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?

I have no plans to publish my entries in another medium, nor do I plan to ever delete my work. It is all backed up and securely stored.

8. What are the things you like best about blogging?

I enjoy writing in an informal manner about things that I care about. In my profession, the ability to write well is essential, but requires technical knowledge, adherence to a specific format, and a particular style. It is refreshing and relaxing to write in an unrestrained manner about personal issues and experiences.

9. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?

I love it when readers post comments in response to my writing, but only if they contribute to and advance the discussion. Comment spam is really annoying, but I have found ways, including useful plugins, to reduce the number of comments that must be deleted each day.

10. How do you handle comments?

As mentioned above, I love comments that are meaningful, thoughtful, and respectful. I do not hesitate to delete comments that I deem inappropriate either because they are generic and do not contribute to the discussion or contain language that I deem offensive. Disagreement is welcome and embraced. Disrespect is not, whether directed at me or my readers.

11. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?

1. Do not program music to play automatically when the page loads.
2. Do not program pop-up windows to which I must respond, even if just to close them, in order to see your site.
3. Do not program pop-up windows that are activated when I close the browser window, asking annoying questions such as “Are you sure you want to leave this page?” Trust me — I’m sure. I’m leaving. And I won’t return.

12. Any desired blog features?

Clean layout with artful typography that is easy to read, sufficient white space, and beautiful graphics that enhance a unified theme. I constantly re-evaluate my site and eliminate clutter, update the graphics, etc. in an effort to keep it visually interesting while maintaining the overall theme.

13. Have you suffered blog addiction?

I’m a litigator. My career is extremely demanding. I don’t have time to be addicted to anything, including blogging, which is all about fun and relaxation.