On Blogging Etiquette
A while back on several of the popular knitting blogs, it became trendy to post something about blogging etiquette outlining ways that the writer wanted you to interact with the site. I decided to outline my anarchic vision for “etiquette” in interacting with me the write and the site as a whole.
Basically, I don’t care.
I’m not very uptight about what I write in my ChangeLog. I know full well that you read my posts about politics, religion, and masturbation. It’s just fine to talk about anything you read here because the Internet is a big public space. Expecting privacy seems silly to me. If I wanted something to be private, I wouldn’t post it on a web page.
If you see me in meatspace and recognize me, feel free to say hello even if I don’t know that you know me. Just let me know that you know me from the Internet, and we’re off. I might seem shy or standoffish compared to what you read here, but rest assured that it isn’t you. This is my normal reserved mode of operations. I don’t mind you talking to me even if I don’t seem “warm”.
Feel like rewarding me for a job well done? The best thing you can do is email me positive feedback. Sometimes I feel like I’m writing in a vacuum even though I know from the server stats that it isn’t true. I’ve added comments to the site, so feel free to drop me a line telling me when you enjoyed a particular post. If you feel this type of reward doesn’t express your gratitude, what on earth did I do to change your life so? If you must press, feel free to buy me something off of my Amazon Wishlist. It’s at the top of every post in my user information.
In essence, do what you want. Feel free to link to any entry. It’s public. That’s why I published it. Feel free to comment on the site or me personally wherever you want. It’s just fine with me if you make fun of me on other sites; I do some damned silly things. I’m a really easy-going guy so none of this bothers me at all. If you want to flame me about something, go ahead. There’s a lot less flaming in my life now that I don’t hang out on IRC and Usenet. Your flame might even make my day in some dysfunctional way. Just don’t expect me to defend my opinions because I don’t see the point in arguing.
Basically, have fun. The Internet is a giant playground, and Bactroid.net is my favorite sandbox. The very act of putting my sandbox in the playground means that I’m ready to share.