Would you like Your Own blog on TCS?

The forum software, Vbulletin, has a new add-on now that allows members to run their own blogs on the site. Essentially, if we add it, members will be able to start their own blogs on a TCS address, accessible from their profile too. It's a fully featured blog, where you can do anything you do in a post, add pictures, links, anything. People can read your blog, sign up for your RSS feed and add comments to your posts.

The blogs system would be free to use, though probably limited to young cats and above (to avoid abuse by hit and run spammers). There will be some ads running on the blog pages (which paying members will be able to turn off when viewing, same as they do elsewhere on the forums). You'd be able on anything, though the usual family-friendly guidelines remain in place. I would hope to see cat-related blogs, but anything goes.

It is a paid add-on, so I thought I'd ask for some feedback before adding it. Please reply in the poll and offer your comments here - thank you!

I personally have had my own blog at wordpress for a long time, and I wouldn't want to change to anywhere else at this point. But I can see how some people who do not already have a blog of their own might find this new service handy, esp. if they're already on TCS alot.

Oh, neat. I'd probably use it if we had a blog option.

I think it would be fun. I've never had a blog or visited other blogs so I really don't know a lot about it. I could give it a shot though.

I've never used a blog, so I have no idea

Originally Posted by h~chan

Oh, neat. I'd probably use it if we had a blog option.

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same feelings here!...

I have My Space and Facebook but I would ike to try it on here. I only have friends and family and the facebook and my space.

I selected Yes. I probably wouldnt use it a whole lot, but it would be fun to post pictures with a little back story there and show friends (instead of posting all my off topic pictures all over forums )

Originally Posted by Cocoa Cream

I personally have had my own blog at wordpress for a long time, and I wouldn't want to change to anywhere else at this point. But I can see how some people who do not already have a blog of their own might find this new service handy, esp. if they're already on TCS alot.

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Except I use opendiary.

It's a lovely idea and sounds like lots of fun!

Unfortunately, we already have one that my computer nerd husband set up special with our names and everthing. I have such a hard time remembering to use it, and he gets so mad at me! So guess what I do... Mainly just copy and paste all my posts from here on TCS!

So a special blog on TCS just to copy and paste all my TCS posts to might not make too much sense.

I have several blogs on another site, but I think it would be neat to have one here too!

Sounds like such a good idea I would use the blog options if we had it on here.

I voted yes I've had various blogs on different sites over the years, and currently have one on Xanga. But I'd love to have a blog here - especially for updates and pictures of the kitties

I personally wouldn't use it. I am a member of an art site and they incorporated blogs about a year or two ago. I made a half dozen blog entries and then lost interest. I felt like I was talking to myself. I personally prefer a forum because I can post my thoughts and get some feedback and interaction. When I posted a blog entry I felt "ignored" because obviously the purpose of a blog is mostly a one way conversation on the part of the person doing the blogging. I'm not used to that.

I think i would use it if we had the option

I would use it here, but just as a cat related one. I'd keep my personal blog to only my friends and family having access to it.

I'm not sure that I would use it myself (though I might), but I can imagine it being extremely useful for some members! For example, anyone whose cat is going through a long course of medical treatment could consolidate all the details in a blog that would serve as a great reference for others. It would be easier to find than a series of threads over the course of months or years...

And I assume readers would be able to comment, but the blog posts themselves would remain separate from the comments, right? So that would also make the pertinent information easier to follow than in a single long and cumbersome thread.

There's a lot to be said for the more interactive format of the forums, of course! But I can see why some people might really enjoy having the blog option.

Anne, two questions. 1. Would we have the ability to moderate/pre-approve responses? and 2: any restrictions re the topics as I would probably use this a business related blog with a link to my website, product photos, photos of alix etc.

Good questions Pat. As for topics, I think that would be ok, since the blogs will be limited to established members for that reason (to avoid hit and run spammers, but allow people who own cat-related businesses to blog about their business). As long as the blog isn't used to promote other cat forums or informational cat websites, it should be ok.

As for moderating comments, I think this is an option. I know for a fact that moderators can edit/delete comments, so I imagine it's just a permission issues to allow blog owners to do that.

More about the blog plug-in features here -
http://www.vbulletin.com/features_blog.php

Thanks for the feedback everyone. And yes, blogging isn't for everyone. As others have said, it's not easy to stick with it (trust me, I know, I've had dozens of blogs and currently run about 10 active ones). On the other side, it can be addictive, especially if you're getting loyal readership.

Natalie_ca, in my experience, it can take a long time to get regular readers who comment back. Once you do, it's like having your own forum, where you open the threads, present the topic and others respond. Getting to this point can take a long time. It takes constant regular posting, and interesting posts at that, before you get active participation.