Blogs - Or the lack of them...

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.

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

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

I've never written one, mainly because I think I have nothing of interest to tell that has not already been told. :(

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.

Might be that you retired blokes have more time on your hands lol.

Cheers, Mick.

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.

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.