Blogs - Or the lack of them...

Submitted: Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 16:01
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As an observation it appears there are fewer blogs being written and submitted on ExplorOz these days…

I always enjoy reading stories on other people’s travels and equally enjoy sharing my stories as well, which I do here and on my own web page. But is it a case there are fewer blogs being written because we are all out travelling more and don’t have the time, or is something else contributing?

Personally, I do find the EO format a touch "clumsy" especially when it comes to photos and layout, but I can usually work around that.


Cheers, Baz – The Landy
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Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 17:22

Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 17:22
I find when I write pretty much anything on the internet lately I get flamed to death or some armchair explorer will tell you how he did it so much better/quicker/cheaper.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 06:38

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 06:38
It's pretty simple I guess.

If you give abuse out, you have to be prepared to get it back Ivan.

Here is one example.

2 way street.

3rd post down. There are more...

Apologies if that is a different IvanTheTerrible. Though the one on that forum complains about getting abused online too.

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Follow Up By: Baz - The Landy - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 06:48

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 06:48
Gents, could I make a suggestion that you leave the arguments you are having over at the 4x4 forum there.

Feedback and comment on the EO blogs is what I was looking for in this thread, not a "running battle" from another forum...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:51

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:51
You're right Baz. I did slap myself.
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Follow Up By: Michael H9 - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:00

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:00
Historically, the "The Terrible" family have always been the centre of controversy. Ivan the Gentleman on the other hand remains relatively unknown. Whaa....its a post, that's a good thing. :-)
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 18:03

Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 18:03
Hi Baz

Like you it is disappointing to see the lack go great stories here on EO.

I have a couple up my sleeve that I am doing at the moment but do not like the new format where you can not position photos like you could in the past.

Sometime I would like to put 2 images in a row, but now it is impossible, as no matter how hard I try you always end up with a strip of letters on the very edge and that makes it look just crap and then the context of the story is lost.

One photo is ok or the three in a row, but not two.....bugger.

Not sure why things get changed when it is not broken. They say it is for the better, but for me it is a very big step backwards.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 12:46

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 12:46
.

Hi Stephen, Val and others,

One way of putting two or more images in a row is to use an 'Image Stitching' app such as
'Photo Joiner'. This allows you to stitch several photos in a row to become a single photo.
It also allows collages to be created where your arrangement becomes a single photo.

Cheers, Allan.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 18:22

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 18:22
Hi Allan

Unfortunately that is not the problem, as if I want just 2 unrelated images in a row and try to enlarge then, you end up with a strip of letters on the edge, and no matter how hard you try, you can not get the image to the edge to make it look tidy.

You things are going well for you up in the warm country.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 18:39

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 18:39
.
But if you 'stitch' two "unrelated" images together, they become a single image file containing two views side by side. Would this not then insert as a single image without problems?

Yes, fine weather up here at the moment, but I do wish I was back in Broome where it was a bit warmer even when the sun went down. Had a great time along the Kimberley Coast.
Best regards to you and Fiona.
Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 20:36

Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 20:36
G'day Baz,

I haven't read a blog for a month or more and feel the "new" site format may be to blame. The old site had a selection of blogs in your face all the time and if one looked interesting, then we'd open it for a look.

Suggest the same thing is happening with new blogs, people just "forget" to write one, because there's nothing there to make them think, "that's a good idea, I'll write one too." Or maybe people are too busy?

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Banjo (WA) - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 06:35

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 06:35
I agree Bob. The old format made it attractive. I haven't looked at the offerings for ages now. Seems to be an ExplorOz dairy page, or somewhere to put their ads.
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Follow Up By: howesy - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 14:26

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 14:26
Same here don't look half as much with this format, don't like it at all
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Reply By: Member - Blue M - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 01:50

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 01:50
I've never written one, mainly because I think I have nothing of interest to tell that has not already been told. :(
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Follow Up By: Baz - The Landy - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 07:04

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 07:04
Everyone has their own story to tell, why not write one, perhaps you have a perspective that is different to others.

Give it a go, you might surprise yourself...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 07:35

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 07:35
Baz I think the answer is Facebook. I'm not a fan but it has taken over from blogs, forums etc. Forums took over from BB's and Facebook is taking over from forums and blogs.

The are only a couple of forums and blogs that seem to be surviving. They are generally specialised, and where detail is required.

Facebook have figured out that "it's all about me".

Compare some of the blogs here which go into some depth and are almost a travel guide, to documentation of similar locations on FB which shows people eating and drinking in the bush instead of at a restaraunt. LOL

I recall not long ago when the first page of EO represented about 4 hours. Now the first page generally goes back 2 - 3 days sadly.

It's the "Look at me" factor of FB that's taking over. Look at my 4x4 ute will all the fruit, look at where I am right now, look at how my life is better than yours. Sad.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 08:54

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 08:54
I was thinking very much the same myself Tony. We all know "where", "when" and the most important one, the "me" about the trips.

I also blame it on the "look at me" photos. Selfies - well named! But I will say something, how many times are the photos upside down or laying over and of course a blank comment with nothing about the photo or where it is.

We have booked a trip for a couple of months and buggered if I am going to openly advertise that the house is empty. Especially with the correct name and maybe even the right address etc in the user's profile. There is a small amount of anonymity here. Just a little.

Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 09:04

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 09:04
Hi Tony

That counts me out, as I do not or intend to get Facebook.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 09:23

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 09:23
I said very much the same but with all the grand kids and extended family on FB I relented. It's a nice closed group and we only have family and close friends as what they call "friends".

Doesn't hurt. We can "chat" at will. Handy to "leave" a note for each other.

Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Laurie K (WA) - Friday, May 26, 2017 at 22:59

Friday, May 26, 2017 at 22:59
When travelling, I do my blog on my Facebook page on a daily basis or when I'm back in signal, and I repeat it on my website. The reason I don't post here, is because we are referencing what we are doing out there (in a very minor way), and am worried that I would be breaching the rules of "advertising" within the confines of the blog. Of course we are doing the trip with an end product in mind, and so of course, that in itself is promotion.
Pity, because we've had a lot of fun, some hilarious personal "incidents" (which we highlight - if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at), and we've seen a lot of the countryside as well.
Also, with the Facebook thing, we are posting photos as we take them as well, and the format allows us to increase our following as we go.
That may help explain why the blogs here are lagging - maybe social media is taking over ... and believe me, every man and his dog on the road are using it these days.

My thoughts, anyway

cheers
Laurie
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Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:34

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:34
Laurie

I agree with you that fakebook is taking over as a preferred medium for social communication.

But I disagree that "every man and his dog in the road are using it these days." I think it depends entirely on the circle of "friends" (a fakebook term) that you travel or are associated with. Neither myself or my travel buddies use it as a means of communication.

While I have a fakebook account, it does not reflect my name or identity, it has an empty profile and has never had a post made to it. I was forced to get one so that I could access my children's school/sporting clubs to find out when they would be playing and other info from them.

The problem I have with fakebook - you can't search an account to find information (like you can here), to gain information I have to spend hours reading to gain little useful info, comments added by "friends" (that's a fakebook term) usually don't say much except "gorgeous", "beautiful lady" and the like and it is so ... Well FAKE!

I hope that people continue to post their blogs to forums...



Cheers

Anthony
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Follow Up By: Member - Laurie K (WA) - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 13:10

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 13:10
Anthony

There are two ways you can use Facebook, and as a user, you can have a private page - which you have the choice of using for personal (private) or to share (public) purposes. You have the option of using a PAGE which is subscribed to by people who are not Friends, but people who are interested in what you are doing and have to share ... much like this site.

It can be used for promoting your product (if that is what you choose to do).
With your private page, you have the choice of sharing privately or publicly each piece of information you choose to put up.
There are countless people who are using Facebook to reach out to an audience that probably otherwise wouldn't get.

In my case, as explained earlier, when I do my trips, there is a commercial purpose, and because I only have time to write one blog each night when on the road, it's not feasible to write or edit to suit the requirements of this site, and I don't have a problem with that.

If as you say, you don't use Facebook, that is fine, but there is a wealth of material out there if you choose to look for it. And you just ignore the keyboard warriors, because they exist in every public forum.

The purpose in my case, is to share my experiences, and promote my stuff.
Incidentally, I post much of my PAGE stuff (which I operate under my business name) on my private account as well, and have a group of FOLLOWERS who are not my FRIENDS. They are people who have probably not discovered my business PAGE, but are now aware of who I am and what I do.

Ask yourself why is every major business using Facebook. It's because users don't have to go looking for what they have to say. It appears in your general newsfeed. And it's another forum for interaction with their customers.

With my FB account, I can direct people to my website and my YouTube channel, which I can't do here, unless I spend more money to become a business member, despite having paid for classified advertising on a consistent basis for near on 7 years now. As I said before, I don't have a problem with that.

As I also said, every man and his dog on the road are using FB these days.

Oh, and I don't post personal stuff on FB.

Finally, I visit this forum, and I read it, and I see questions and answers, and I find that I can't add to the conversation, because I have travelled and filmed, and anything I can add would refer to my product and correctly, would be conceived as promotion. It's frustrating, but them's the rules.

have a good day mate

cheers
Laurie
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Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 15:28

Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 15:28
Thanks so much for your detailed explanation of the pros and cons of Facebook Laurie.

I am glad you that you receive both a financial and social benefit from using Facebook.

If a could get the information from the school and sports clubs without it, I would. But, like many other organisations, they are stoically committed to face book and forcing their members to join.

Unfortunately, I still won't be converting.

Cheers

Anthony

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Reply By: Mick O - Monday, May 22, 2017 at 20:43

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 20:43
Might be that you retired blokes have more time on your hands lol.

Cheers, Mick.
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:14

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:14
Thats not how it works Mick. When you retire you have to pick the pace up so that you can start to make a hole in the bucket list. Do you realise that a full on research day, 3 hours at the coffee shop in the morning, and another 3 hours in the afternoon at the pub, thats 6 hours, is very tiring.

Chris
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 18:49

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 18:49
As one of those who used to write a lot of blogs, here is my take on what is happening re blogs and more generally to this site.

Firstly as others have said, Facebook (and other social media) has taken over some of the more superficial functions of this site, and probably a share of advertising revenue as well. There are now heaps of FB groups dealing with camping, free camping, caravanning, 4WDing and so on. A question dropped to a group will get plenty of quick responses, albeit of varying quality. FB suits those - possibly themajority - who want quick answers and who are not interested in doing much research. FB certainly has its uses but like anything based on complex technology it is necessary to understand how it works beyond the immediate presentation. Similarly the advent of apps like Wikicamps appeals to those who want quick answers. Also sections like wildflowers have now been overtaken by very comprehensive and accurate online sites supported by much technical expertise.

Second, as others have said, the change of blog format, and particularly how photos are handled is off-putting. I can handle the 3-photos-in-a row thing (just) but what really put me off is that all the older blogs that I wrote and put a lot of time into formatting now look absolutely terrible - and I have neither the time nor inclination to try to fix them up.

Third is that our circumstances change. In recent years we have done some overseas trips. I have written these up too, although there has been minimal feedback - indeed despite about 150 blogs written it is now rare to get any feedback despite the fact that although a few years old much of the information in them will still be relevant. More recently health issues have arisen that have curtailed all travel, so nothing to write about there. I am also aware of another previously prolific blogger who has had a change in their circumstances so they have not put up a blog for some time. Something similar will happen to most of us as we get older, and the younger ones lead such busy lives that blogging is prhaps not a high priority.

And finally, while there is a wealth of information on this site it is pretty clear that input and interaction is slowing down - the forum is not the fast changing energetic place it was even a couple of years ago, blogs are slow, and maybe the same is happening to other sections of the site as well. Where once we looked at this site a few times a day, now its more like a weekly glance. Blame social media and busy lives if you like, but change is inevitable given the pace of technological development. I hope that this site does not become a stranded asset but I do fear that there is some risk of that happening.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 22:28

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 22:28
Alan McCall (equinox) is currently driving from Perth to Cape York, 6 days so far to Cairns. Writing up a blog each day. What makes it more interesting is Alan is writing it as it happens. It must be very strange for him, so many k's every day, mostly black top, and no Artic Cat in the back.
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Follow Up By: equinox - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 20:45

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 20:45
Hey Chris,

All that blacktop has to run out soon I would hope :-)

I thought I'd do something different (ie. daily blog updates) when I can get reception, especially seeing on my current trip I would not be far from the Telstra signal. Normally I'd just write up when I got home but not usually on this type of road trip, where heaps of others have done it before. So far I have used 3 gb of data (including general web browsing as well)

I had noticed the lack of recent blogs though, and the reasons have been already been mentioned I would think.

Cheers
Alan
Currently in Laura, outside, maybe 22 degrees, clear skies, slight wind, one car has passed on the main road in the last hour.


Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way.



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