Disclaimer

Everything I know about the tech world I learned from my husband. Everything I don't know is not his fault. Therefore, he cannot be blamed for all my ignorant comments (and I'm sure there are many). Afterall, I don't know what I don't know.

My Second Post

Thank you for your comments, most of which were sent to me via email since, apparently, I didn't make it easy for you non-bloggers to post comments. Sorry. The tech geek husband has helped me fix all of that. Although he doesn't have his own blog, he is sure to make sure his wife's blog is set up correctly and even switched to the "latest and greatest" beta version of the new blogger. He is always on the cutting edge. Maybe I will be there someday too. By the way, for you non-tech geeks, I should mention that I was honestly surprised at how easy it was to start my own blog. The homepage advertises "less than five minutes" and I actually found that to be true. Perhaps one good reason to hop on the Web 2.0 bandwagon and set up your own blog instead of sticking with the traditional Web 1.0 (is that a real term?) version is the ease of use. Of course, that is probably a fairly ignorant statement since I'm not even sure what is involved in creating a "traditional website", if there is such a thing.

Most of you agreed that you just don't have (or choose to make) the time to sit in front of the computer monitor reading other people's blogs or creating your own (with the exception of my brother who took the time to set up his own blog titled, "I Suck", just so he could post a comment - gotta love it!). Among other non-blogger friends, I think the exact words were, "reading someone else's crap, especially someone that you don't know, is a weird use of time for me." My sentiments exactly. I think I'm back to the idea that using a blog to keep up with friends and relatives (i.e. posting pictures of family, for example) makes sense to me. Beyond that, I don't feel I have the time to read the "random ramblings" of people I don't even know (so you're probably wondering why anyone should be reading mine?).

I believe hubby's fascination with blogging is that it is a simple, cheap and fast means of becoming "published". It is a way of connecting, potentially, with many different people in many different places that you otherwise would not have access to. While the majority of users are like me, there are the chosen few who have gained a huge audience or even made a business out of their blog. For example, the old British gentleman on YouTube became famous when he received 8,000 comments in response to his very first vlog. Personally, I just don't get it. I guess what makes him a unique YouTube user is his age. I'm sure he is a very nice person with an interesting personal history. However, I certainly don't feel I'm missing out by not viewing every single one of his vlogs (I have viewed one on hubby's suggestion). No offense, but what is the big deal?????? I'm glad the guy has found a personal hobby (and I'm sure YouTube is too!), but I just don't understand the phenomenon.

Skeptic Wife of a Tech Geek

Okay, I am starting this blog because my husband thinks it's a "really cool" thing to do. He is one of those thirty-something Silicon Valley tech geeks that gets excited about and feels the need to stay on top of the latest internet tools, websites, technologies, etc. I, on the other hand, still don't understand the whole rage with blogs, vlogs, social networking sites, etc. According to hubby, I "don't get it". "It" being the real power of all these cool tools and how they are taking internet use to a whole new level, indeed business and world-wide communication to a whole new level. So, I thought I should try it for myself before I continue to knock it. I am more than willing to listen to anyone who can convince me of how important, in the larger scheme of things, blogging and social networking are.

I have to admit that he's right. I don't get "it". I see blogging and social networking as mainly recreational activities that, so far, I have not had much interest in. Perhaps I don't have a strong enough opinion about anything in particular that I feel the need to share with the world (or at least those few people that may read my words here). More probably, I have been unwilling or unable to take the time in front of the computer monitor to put my thoughts and experiences into written word. I am a mother of three young children and my world, as small as it may be, revolves mostly around feeding and clothing the kids and keeping up with our busy schedules. For those of you who also have children, you know the unending mountain of dishes and laundry I am referring to and the juggling of school, homework, sports, doctor's appointments, etc. Don't get me wrong, I do try to take time for myself if only to maintain my own sanity. However, I generally choose to spend my recreational time reading a good book, playing the piano, or getting some exercise. Admittedly, both my and hubby's regular social life are somewhat lacking due to our familial obligations (thank God soccer season has started again- now I get to socialize with all the soccer moms I have been missing all year- how lame is that???). Perhaps hubby's active online social networking makes up for what our "real life" is missing? I am a stay at home mom at the moment, but I think if I were still working 40+ hours a week, the last thing I would want to do is spend more time on the computer reading and writing blogs.

Don't get me wrong, I do see some good uses of blogs for other people. I have a friend that chronicled the birth, homecoming and development of her twins on her blog. It was great for long distance relatives and friends like myself to be able to see pictures of the babies and keep up with their progress. Another friend does quite a bit of travelling and keeps a journal of all his adventures (and other random thoughts) on his blog. It's interesting reading once in awhile when I have a few spare minutes. However, I just don't see myself spending hours at a time reading blogs of total strangers or writing my own random thoughts of the day (even though I guess I'm doing that right now). Am I being shortsighted here? Is blogging really more than just the latest internet fad as my husband claims?

Until next time,
Skeptic Wife