25 August 2003
So, as these things do, the conversation at the blogmeet on Saturday turned to blogs, blogging and other blog related matters.
A couple of times, the issue of archives was raised, specifically, the purpose and retention of.
Arguments were raised for and against, and, much to my surprise, it kind of took hold of my head, and got me to thinking.
When I started blogging, in early 2000, I had a very specific reason and purpose for blogging. In early 2001, I questioned the wisdom of that decision as the result of some vindictiveness on the part of a group of people I worked with.
Despite the urge to tear everything down and run away, I made the decision to leave the archives up and keep writing, because I felt that the advantages gained by leaving the archives up there for the small number of people who found and appreciated them outweighed the disadvantages.
I've had cause a number of times since then to reconsider that decision, and quite frankly, more than once have considered taking the whole lot down, gathering up my toys and refusing to come out to play any more.
When I started testing typepad, I was of the mind to start fresh, and delete all the previous archives... and I had planned to remove all traces of other blogs from the web this weekend, having decided to stick with typepad.
Until I had that conversation on Saturday night... and I realised that while the reason I started to write online might have changed, the urge to write hasn't, and although some of my early writing might be faintly embarrassing in that "reading over old diaries" way, it doesn't make it any less valid. It marks a point in my life - if nothing else, I can read back over and see how far I've come and how much I've changed.
So I've imported all of the archives from all of the blogs I've had. The three blogger blogs, the greymatter blog, the three different movable type installations. It's all here.
There are 37 months worth of writing here now... and while I don't imagine anyone would be insane enough to read all of my witless warblings, for better or worse it's here. Three and a half years of my life, in more or less detail, as the situation and my mood took me.
very cool!
I go back and forth on this myself, as a new blogger. But I've decided to use archives as a way to look back at how my writing has progressed.
Unfortunately, I haven't had the time yet to really write anything substantial. I hope that will change soon though...
Not that my singular voice means much, but I'm glad that you kept your archive. I'm new to blogging and ran across your weblog about a week ago but hadn't noted the address. I'm glad to have stumbled across it again today. I'm impressed by your style, your tone and sense of self. Your photographs are outstanding. Don't allow the pettiness and judgemental attitudes of others, probably lesser human beings anyway, stop you from expressing yourself in whatever manner feels appropriate.
I'm with Forrest on this one - I keep my archives primarily for me, to look back on and go, "Oh wow! Weren't you STUPID?!" or some such self-criticism. True, if it was really *just* for me I'd have no reason to keep them online - I could just keep them in a directory on my PC. But, hell, yes, I suppose I occasionally think that people might want to look through them, but sensibly I've also realised that most people are entirely sensible and, therefore, won't.
There was a point to this comment, but I failed to locate it by about the second line.
Same here, I look at them occasionally and have a good laugh at myself. Sometimes I flick trough someone elses archives. Mostly when I'm intrigued by the persons stories. I love the stories people are writing on the net. I can spent hours of surfing and reading weblogs. Archives can be pretty helpful then.
... the online home and (not very) alter(ed)-ego of Ann McMeekin, a recently freelance Web Accessibility Consultant.
... passionate about many things, most of which will turn up on this site at some time or other.
... contactable via email.
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