An interesting argument (except that I hate Facebook). This got me thinking as to why I blog at all though ... highlighted for me in the last two weeks as I've seen my followers go from 228 to 221 (at least for the moment). Now, who knows why that is ... nor should I really care at the end of the day ... gamers are as fickle as any other hobbyists as I'm sure you all know (lol) ... but the timing was interesting given the other blogger's post I read.
Update: Apparently there has been some change to Google+ and/or Blogger that has cause a general dip in blog following ... a big sarcastic thank you goes to Google!
For me, I blog because I'm terrible at photo albums and record keeping. Even if I didn't have any followers it provides a cool journal of my wargames and hobby life over a long period of time - a modern and easy to do photo album (ironically my Dad was good about taking pictures and making gaming photo albums).
That all being said, I'm truly honoured that anyone reads my musings (including this one). So thank you all who continue to follow me through history. I know I've been on a modern kick the last couple of months but you've seen the plan for the year and I've already made some great progress on my new projects ... so if you are a bit tired of modern, fear not ... other stuff is coming very soon.
I'm going to keep on blogging ... like I said, even if it is just me, but I'm curious to hear what you all think on the topic? Please do comment.
That all aside ... DundraCon approaches in a couple of weeks and I've been busy working on preparations ... so more pictures coming soon of new stuff.
Thanks everyone!
Balderdash! Says I. I don't think blogging is a thing of the past. Different mediums are better for different technologies. Blogging is great for computers and tablets, not as great for phones. Facebook is a totally different experience to a blog, more social but less structured/controlled.
ReplyDeleteI would continue to blog if I didn't have a single follower. It's where I keep my gaming history.
I agree 100% - and you are right about the "right tool for the right job" approach. I have the same thoughts about Facebook --- also, in general I think it is very much a "zombie stream" of information that is perfect at making people go catatonic.
DeleteI will blog, as this is where I do my hobby stuff, I'm rather new to FB though
ReplyDeleteExcellent --- don't get to use to FB ... you'll turn into a zombie ;-) lol
DeleteThanks Jay :-)
DeleteI just joined your blog - great painting work!!!
DeleteI'll keep on blogging, I'm way behind the curve when it comes to the internet. Like you I would continue even if no one else looked at my work as I say on my profile " This blog is my painting log and archive."
ReplyDeleteCheers
Sounds right on. Can you send me a link to your blog (not sure if I'm following it ... hard to keep track sometimes) :-)
DeleteFound the blog, just joined ... disregard :-)
DeleteI still prefer blogging myself and reading blogs of other people's work. I really like blogs for being able to go back and see what other folks have done with their projects in the past. As for your drop in followers, Blogspot recently changed their policy on how followers connect to your blog. I don't remember the specifics but unless they were connected with a Google+ account they may have been dropped. My be something to research if your really curious. I know other blogs noticed a similar decrease in followers.
ReplyDeleteAs do I. Just "feels" better to me ... Facebook and similar approaches are a mess when it comes to organization ... especially if you are trying to find something from a while back ... if nothing else at least blogs are indexed and easily searchable. Interesting on the policy change ... it is very odd that Pat (Silver Whistle) also noted the same ... I was trying to figure out if something had changed to trigger it (other than my posts being irrelevant) :-) lol I am going to look into it out of curiosity.
DeleteYep! The numbers of followers on my blog dropped a little as well. Hopefully blogging will continue going hand in hand with our hobby.
ReplyDeleteVery strange. Oh well --- I can tell you this --- I'll always follow your blog ... so that's one follower you always have :-) I think the comments above are on the ball ... just keep on keeping on ... even if it is just us. Love the new winter terrain as well ... you are inspiring me to get my ass in gear soon to start my stuff (although my winter mat from Terrain Mat just shipped). Thanks Pat!
DeleteI'll continue to blog. Got no time for facebook
ReplyDeletelol, short and simple, I like it!
DeleteYes, same here... if you have followers on Wordpress or whatever, they would have been dropped, unless they got a Google account and re-followed.
ReplyDeleteBlogger or Facebook depends on what you want... instant stream of photos, short shallow messages, quicker and easier input and response, Facebook is it. Anything else blogger wins.
Facebook does what it does very well, if you have a group of people interested then you can have quite good discussions and exchanges of information. What it can't do is search for that post you almost read last week on so and so's blog. If you don't read something fairly quick, it's a long hard scroll to find it.
It's picking the right tools for the job as with anything else.
Interesting ... I completely missed that ... I was planning on drinking a bunch of beer and wallowing in self-pity ... but if it is just Blogger messing things up I may have to call off the pity party ;-) lol!! Thanks for the info! Agree, right tool for the right job.
DeleteGreate blogposts Jay
ReplyDeleteMy follower count has Also droppes the last weeks, about 20-30 followers so now Below 500 again... Might be some blogspot Account Tidy up thing? Old acounts are removed and drleted and Also as followers?
Anyway i like you blig very much, not really in to modern but a always a good reagera an nice to see well painted minis and stunning terrain!
I blog for me to keep track of My hobby dreds and it work as motivation to keeping up the painting momenten and tonlook at other games blogs are a Greate inspiration!
Don't use Facebook, and don't really like Google+ eiter...
Keep up you good blog work Jay !
best regards Michael
Thanks Michael! I enjoying reading your blog ... and you've had a record year last year for rules, articles and awesome games ... so looking forward to more. I'm quickly getting back to some WW2 stuff and I have the Rorke's Drift hospital all painted/done ... just got to take pictures :-) Also basing a bunch of Zulu's at the moment ... so non-modern stuff is coming soon :-) I also agree, comments and followers and just getting blog posts done are motivating in themselves ... I'm driving my milestones and the desire to get things done and the blog provides with me a way to set milestones I feel are real (versus some arbitrary thing set in my mind).
DeleteThanks!
Looking forward to you projects. i hope you Will add a 17th century one by the end of the year to ;)
DeleteThanks Michael! I'm waiting to read The Pikeman's Lament - I actually have a fully painted Royalist army for ECW ... just haven't based it (well, some of it) ... I think I'll use that to kick things off ... so I may be able to do that :-)
DeleteAs many others,
ReplyDeleteI will continue to blog, ven without followers. For me, this is were I keep track of what I painted and when. Somtimes about a game I played or a wargames show I've been to.
And yes, some people seems to find that interesting!
I'm not interested in FB, though 95% of the people I know use it daily. (I've no time to waiste, the Lead Mountain is too big!)
Keep blogging!
Wim
Excellent, agree on all points. Whenever I'm somewhat forced to look at Facebook I feel like a zombie ... hate it. Indeed, my lead (or perhaps more prominently these days plastic) pile is daunting :-) Thanks!
DeleteWhile I use FB (quite sparingly), a Blog is a far superior tool for our purposes. I certainly plan to continue with mine!
ReplyDeleteAgree - sadly I'm forced to use FB from time to time for family stuff ... but agree a blog is far better. Thanks!
DeleteKeep going Jay, your blog is rather inspirational to me all the way down here in New Zealand. Damn Facebook to the annals of human stupidity.
ReplyDeleteBTW, apparently there has been a change to the Google+ following thingee with blogs which could account for the drop off of followers.
Thank you sir for the kind words! Yes, that seems logical ... I'm not a Google+ person so I just saw the number trickle down and thought "Damn, that photo of the Saddam statue must have pissed people off" ;-) lol
DeleteHi Jay.
ReplyDeleteI prefer blogs. Love your modern stuff. I even have a link on my blog. No Duff Gamer.
Thanks! I do as well :-) I just joined your blog ... had to do it the "manual" way ... almost forgot I could do that!
DeleteI think blogs give us a bit more space to write in depth about what we've been up to. I started my blog mainly to try and keep track of games played, figures painted etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat point ... certainly more space and better depth of information can be portrayed. I'm terrible at keeping track of things ... always going to find a model and stumbling upon other figures and terrain I have been looking for ... don't look in my cupboards! :-)
DeleteInteresting post, blogs are the 'new' hobby magazines, in fact I sometimes see articles/models in print that I've seen before posted online.
ReplyDeleteFacebook is fine for social interaction such as arranging games etc. but blogging is far better as a form of diary. I nick..sorry borrow all my best ideas from hobby blogs.
Another great point. Everyone has their own magazine. Ironically I've submitted my modern stuff to Wargames Illustrated so you should see a repeat of my stuff in there :-) I "nick" as well ... in fact, if I didn't I would not have learned 1/2 of what I know now "hobby-wise" :-)
DeleteMy followers keep going up and down as well so I wouldn't worry too much - from 3 to 2, but I know it's only because my mom doesn't know how to properly work the computer!?
ReplyDeleteRegarding your blog, for me it's always been about the quality and care you put into your games. I think it's great that you even do the blog and share it with us. And that you acknowledge comments - that to me is huge, especially when people ask questions (and something I absolutely make sure I do on my own blog through your example).
Yours is always the first I look for updates for. Sometimes though I feel a bit silly, like an obsessed teenage girl or something, with all the broken record "that looks amazing" etc. comments (and why I don't comment on EVERY post!). But I'm good with it :)
lol!!! Now that made me really laugh - a great start to the morning! I couldn't find the link to your blog by looking at your profile ... can you reply with a link?
DeleteYou are very kind sir! You say quality and care - I say OCD and anal retentiveness :-) lol! I think it is important to always acknowledge someone who has taken the time to comment, glad you do the same - and never feel like a broken record, I always appreciate the comments - and I'm worse anyways with saying "Thanks" :-)
http://saturdaymornings13.blogspot.com/2016/01/star-wars-x-wing-custom-asteroids.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteHere's my last one, but remember, you're the filet mignon of miniature blogs. My blog, is but a flank steak :)
lol!! Just joined ... your commentary is excellent :-) Just commented as well -- I like your train you are using for old west :-)
DeleteJay, please continue to Blog. I find the content and pictures inspiring, and I too check it several times a week to make sure I am up to speed. The only thing I would have you change, is do a little more focus on your painting and terrain! Seriously though, fear not, I spread your Blog's merits as often as I can- we'll add more folks soon enough!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris!! Certainly, I will continue to blog ... I was just curious to see if I'm just plain old out of touch with technology ... which would be bad since that is my real job! lol! Great feedback ... I've been meaning to do more "step-by-step" things ... just the pictures will not be super duper ... will be using my phone :-) I really appreciate you spreading the word! Thanks!
Delete