August 7, 2007
The Mic Is On: We’re Talking About Blog History . . .
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
The History of Blogging!
Here’s a few ideas to get us started:
- How blogging started
- Personal Stories
- Traditions
- Facts
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.
Oh, and bring links about the history of blogging to share!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?
Filed under Comments, Community, Links, Marketing, Outside the Box, SOB Business, Successful Blog |
C'mon. Let's talk!
307 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking About Blog History . . .”
Search
SOBCon - 2010! Register NOW!!
The Videos
The Podcast
What Liz Does
- I help businesses, universities, and service professionals . . .
increase ROI and attract fiercely loyal fans . . .
by communicating with customers as people.
Buy These!! by Liz and friends
Blog Syndication
Get the blog in your reader or via email
Get the Successful-Blog Weekly Digest
- Updates once a week to you inbox and a free chapter from Liz's ebook!
Subscribe to SOBCon Newsletter
- Keep up with SOBCon News and Events!
Find Liz AT:
Liz Writes For
Chicago Time
Library
- About Liz
- Work with Liz!!
- Tues. OPEN COMMENT Night
- About Successful-Blog
- POPULAR POSTS
- SUCCESSFUL SERIES
- NEW BLOGGER PAGE
- LINK LEAK VIRUS
- 1800+ Directory Links
- Library of Outstanding Articles
SOB Pages
- What IS an SOB?!
- SOB A-Z Directory
- SOB Hall of Fame A-H
- SOB Hall of Fame I-Q
- SOB Hall of Fame R-Z
- . . . a B.A.D. Blogger?
Liz Links
The Liz Manifesto
- I am a writer who uses the language to paint and to play word music, places my heart and head in the spaces, and writes in the hope that one person is better for having read what I wrote.
Chgoland Meetups & Events
- Know about Chgoland meetups!
Get info or broadcast your event!
Category
- 121 Conversation (15)
- Analysis (45)
- Audience (56)
- B.A.D. Blogger (55)
- Basics (97)
- Blog Review (26)
- Bloggy Questions (126)
- Branding (211)
- Business Book (81)
- Business Life (646)
- Checklists (33)
- Comments (270)
- Community (832)
- Connecting Dots (28)
- Content (89)
- Customer Think (91)
- Design (85)
- Great Finds (321)
- Guest Writer (128)
- Idea Bank (33)
- Inside-Out Thinking (65)
- Interviews (85)
- Links (207)
- Liz Also Writes (3)
- Liz Talks Corporate (2)
- Marketing (645)
- Motivation/Inspiration (588)
- One Way to CC It (28)
- Outside the Box (188)
- Perfect Virtual Manager (54)
- Productivity (91)
- SEO (63)
- SOB Business (1050)
- Songs of Life (1)
- Strategy (167)
- Successful Blog (3844)
- Survival Kit (56)
- Tech/Stats (97)
- Technorati (24)
- The Big Idea (46)
- Tips (59)
- Tools (87)
- Trends (293)
- Writing (246)
- ZZZ-FUN (172)
Mike Vizdos said
Hi.
jnswanson said
i don’t know any history! But i’m here.
Vernon Lun said
In November, 2005, Liz wrote that “These outlinks serve readers and serving readers is why we’re here” and “All of these values add strength to the community. In terms of community, generosity is always good.”
Seems like nothing has changed on this blog. And that is a good thing.
Vern
ME Strauss said
Wow! Vern,
That’s a fine hello on an evening of history!
Thank you for looking. I’m so grinning right now.
Mike Vizdos said
Hmm… looks like it is a pretty quiet start here tonight.
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Liz! Hi Vernon!
So. Is it settled yet who the first blogger was?
Vernon Lun said
Wanna here something really cool? I was looking yesterday before I even knew this would be the topic! Talk about synchronicity!
Vernon Lun said
Hi Rick, does sanskrit and cave paintings count?
Lorelle said
As one of the oldie moldies of blogging history, I’d like to add my two cents about what blogging was before blogging.
The very first websites were a combination of data research and fact sites. With one of the first websites started as an experiment by CompuServe with Mosaic, mine was a combination of technical articles and personal experience - which came out of our experiences of publishing content on the CompuServe forums and through email newsletters.
Since we called our diary entries sent by email “Email Journals”, it was natural to call them “Online Journals”, which some eventually changed to “Web Journals”.
The change from online journals to weblogs to blogs is an interesting transition in language, happening rather quickly. I always thought “blog” was a hideous word. I’d love to be in charge of naming things around here. I would have picked a more entertaining name.
Today, it is interesting to see the “personal” part of blogs lose it’s “life babble” connotation and become an official word representing web publishing. Bloggers are now seen more and more as reporters on the world around them, and blogs are becoming a form of “white papers”, establishing expertise through blogs.
It makes me wonder what blogs will become in 10 years. Maybe we’ll shorten it to logs or ogs at this rate.
ME Strauss said
Hi Rick!
It would have to be officially Dave Winer, but we all know that the sanskrit answer prevails.
ME Strauss said
Hey Vernon!
That was well before I knew what the topic would be too! Too funny. I’m going to have to hear why.
Char said
Hello everyone!
Lorelle - that is a really interesting recap. I remember the days of CompuServe and listservs.
When did everyone’s personal blog history begin? I started blogging in June 2006, but have been working in/on the Internet since 1994. If I knew then what I know now, I would have started blogging much sooner.
Rick Cockrum said
Much as I would love to say Sanskrit, I can’t pull in cave paintings. They would have to fall into the tagging category.
Lorelle, you sound like you started around the same time as Jerry Pournelle. On his home page he calls his site the original blog, and gives some history regarding BIX and Genie.
ME Strauss said
Lorelle,
That was wonderful. THANK YOU! Count on you step when you have the information!! YEA!!
Susan Reynolds said
Dropping in to add to the blog history topic. *waves hi Liz*
Famous for arriving without an offering, I did run into some hints today about standard type blog posts everyone should know about. http://tinyurl.com/22ds2n
ME Strauss said
Hi Char!!
Your experience shows! This woman know her way around the code and design. She’s fabulous and a pleasure to work with.
Susan Reynolds said
Hi Lorelle, Rick, Char, Vernon.
ME Strauss said
Hi Susan!
*waves back*
Sorry you were feeling under the weather yesterday. That barometer swing probably didn’t help much. . . .
That link you brought is a great one!
ME Strauss said
Rick,
I love your tagging reference! Cave paintings.
You’re quite the historian yourself!
ME Strauss said
Char,
I started my writing blog on July 24, 2005
and at Successful-Blog on October 24, 2005
DaveOlson said
Hey everyone…
Wow! Compuserve. That sure brings back some memories. Made some really good friends there too. That was my first introduction to the global side of the internet
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Char - My first web presence was in 2001, a really UGLY site. I started blogging in March of 2006, mostly because I found out about Blogger and Wordpress. Like you, I wish I had started a lot sooner.
Rick Cockrum said
Hey Susan. Hi Dave.
ME Strauss said
Sorry to Mike Vizdos and Jn Swanson,
I didn’t mean to leave you both stuck in moderation. Comments #2 and #5
Blame these guys for being such intereating conversationalists.
ME Strauss said
Hi Dave!
We were just talking on Friday about how my bank might have let me have $1000 a couple of decades ago . . . because it was too hard to prove that they forgot to take it out of my account.
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Mike, Jn. Happy to meet you!
Chris Cree said
~~Don’t know much about no history…~~
Anyone want a Klondike bar?
Susan Reynolds said
Liz, Jon tweeted that he had to get going but to let you know he stopped by.
ME Strauss said
Hi Susan,
I should tweet him an answer!
I’ll do that now!
Char said
Liz - you know how to make a gal feel right at home! Thanks for the kind words.
Does everyone know about the Wayback Machine at archive.org? You can type in a web address and it will show you what the site’s history looks like. It’s kind of fun, but it is also an essential tool for anyone who is purchasing a domain name. Never buy a domain name with out checking out the Wayback Machine first. You never know what skeletons the domain may have in its closet.
ME Strauss said
Hey Chris!
You have your own history! Stories and such . . . the tradition of the Klondike bars . . . Don’t get me started.
DaveOlson said
Rick, you beat me to the blogging world but did get my first webpage online in 1995. I probably should have kept it in the archives somewhere, but who knew it would be obsolete so soon.
Susan Reynolds said
Chris Cree, as I live and breathe. Pass one of those over. Now if we only had one of those historic code-writing donkeys . .
Joe said
Hey Liz,
For the First time in history, I am Late for Open Comment Night!!!
I was going to ask if you invited Lorelle, but she must have heard something about Blogging History and dropped everything else to be here.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi everyone,
Sorry I’m late. I had one of those days when technology was against me. It took several hours to do a fairly straightforward task. That was on top of frustration leftover from last night, trying to figure out how to sell an ebook with paypal. Several hours with Google and I still didn’t have a clear answer. Is Joe here with the Klondike bars yet? I could use a spiked one.
As for blog history - last year a career counsellor type person told me blogs were just a fad. Ha, people are now making now making decent money with them.
Chris Cree said
I think somewhere in every blogger’s past is a Blogger blog, lurking.
Char said
I’ll take a Klondike Bar! I am supposed to be packing for a thing called a vacation but I just can’t help myself.
Rick Cockrum said
Have any with crunchies, Chris? Maybe we can get a link to Klondikes on the blog page at that unnamed site as a necessary prerequisite for conversation.
Liz, how did you bring yourself to make that screenshot with coloring all over your monitor?
April Groves said
Here’s me late to the party
ME Strauss said
Hi Joe!
I think Lorelle heard you thinking about her.
Chris Cree said
We got all flavors tonight! Everyone help yourselves! Klondikes all around. Mmmm…
Susan Reynolds said
Hi Glenda - It’s been a rough day.
Oh and Chris, I had a blogger blog hijacked! All in the past thankfully.
Joe said
I hate being late, I can never say hi to everyone individually, I keep getting lost in the comments.
But anyway… HI EVERYONE!!!
Char said
Raise your hand if you started (or are still) on a Blogger blog!
Ummm… raises hand…
Hi Chris & Joe & April.
Susan Reynolds said
April good to see you. You always remind me of spring and that’s good today here in DC
ME Strauss said
Hey Glenda!
Great to see you! You’re going for Blogger History today!
ME Strauss said
Hi April!
I hear it bloggery hot in Savannah!
Laura Athavale Fitton said
Hey Joe, here’s a trick to try. “Hi everyone, individually.” Did that cover it? Hi!
April Groves said
Susan - what a nice thing to say
Is the weather not good there today?
ME Strauss said
Hey Char!
My writing blog is still on Blogger. I’ve gotten to where I kind of like it there — It’s sentimental.
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Joe and April and Glenda!
**Waves hand in air** - political rants no less.
Susan Reynolds said
Raising hand - thought blogger was a step up from LiveJournal but fled screaming. I’m a typepad kinda person I guess. Like easy-bake ovens.
Char said
Susan - I would take an April day in DC today too! UGH it is hot here. Actually it is the humidity that is so awful.
Joe said
Everyone can help me celebrate a small beginning of my newest venture into blogging history…
I FINALLY got http://mcbsconsulting.com !!!
That may not mean much to some of you, but I have been trying to get that domain for 2 years.
It’s not Live yet, but Coming Soon… My Computer Back in Service.
Yeah!
Susan Reynolds said
Holy Hannah it’s hot April. You could roast small animals on the street in front of the White House.
Chris Cree said
Heya Char, Susan, April, Rick, Joe.
Talking about history, I had a reality dose this past week when I realized that the movie The Untouchables is 20 years old this year.
How’d that happen?
April Groves said
Congrats Joe!
Susan Reynolds said
Standing ovation Joe!
Rick Cockrum said
Yay, Joe!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Wow, I started blogging two years ago at http://www.webaccessibility.biz/blog/, which is now sorely neglected [with some error], since starting http://www.doitmyselfblog.com this January. I’d love to blog full-time AND MAKE MONEY AT IT! Blogging is my medium!
ME Strauss said
Alright! Joe! You’re on a rolling season!
Great things are happening now!
Vernon Lun said
I found http://www.kalilily.net through TheGoodBlogs.
She started in June 20, 2002! and still going strong.
ME Strauss said
Glenda,
Leave the link so that we can vote you into blogging history!!
And then 20 years from now Chris can talk about it — dazed and bedazzled.
Susan Reynolds said
How is the status Glenda. You still climbing as more people find out about blog for a year?
I tweet about it every day for you
April Groves said
Since we are talking about blogging…I have a question. Surfing through blogs, I am finding more and more instances of “Disclaimer Pages.” Is there a story to that? Are they necessary?
ME Strauss said
Hi Vernon,
How many designs do you suppose the average blog goes through in a year’s history ?
Joe said
Thank you, thank you very much…
Glenda, you have all the right things going for you. Friends, Great Attitude, Writing Ability, your own Domain and MORE…
You WILL make money at Blogging, just stick with it!
Chris Cree said
Congrats, Joe!
Vernon, holy smokes! A 5+ year old blog!
Vernon Lun said
Jeneane Sessum found of Blogsisters has a blog going back to Novemeber 5, 2001.
She had this to say way back when…
“I’m so excited! Now blogging can completely take over my life, as I rush to capture every significant (and stupid) thought!”
I think we all share this thought today too.
Susan Reynolds said
In that case, in 20 years Chris can also say “Do you remember that great little blurb Susan Reynolds did about Glenda at http://tinyurl.com/3×54j7 ”
Oh - and “I think I still owe her a move on facebook scrabble”
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks Liz for that opening to ask/beg/coerce people to vote daily at http://www.blogforayear.com/profiles/glenda-watson-hyatt
I have sooo many ideas I want to do next year IF I WIN, one of which is a wild sock contest - see http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2007/knee-highs-and-mens-chunky-shoes-almost-fashionable/ in the comments.
DaveOlson said
Chris… could you pass one of the klondikes my way. The air-conditioner just quit. BTW do they come in Soy yet?
Marti said
Hooray for Joe! Good evening, everyone! I am all over the place, I have Blogger blogs, Wordpress blog and MySpace blog
Vernon Lun said
Hmm… Blog designs in a year. Good question. Actually the hard-core bloggers don’t change as often as you think. Maybe they feel the words speak for themselves.
How many times I’ve change my blog design? 2
How many times I wish I changed my blog design? 46!
Susan Reynolds said
But I’m working on her about that very thing aren’t I Marti?
*waving*
Char said
Joe - that is great news! Chris - just face it, we’re all getting older…
ME Strauss said
Hi Marti
MySpace . . . how much do you know about it? Would you go there today?
Chris Cree said
Here ‘ya go Dave!
Man! I feel for you. I couldn’t make it in the summer with no A/C.
Marti said
Yes, Susan is my mentor and hero!
*waves back*
Susan Reynolds said
Hey Vernon I’ll bet a lot of bloggers have those numbers the other way around
Marti said
The “heat index” here is 107. I am sweating like wolves were chasing me - LOL
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Joe, thanks for your encouraging words.
Susan, thanks for your plug. I’m still at fifth place. {haven’t signed into facebook yet today - one of those days!}
Marti said
I got onto MySpace on the recommendation of another author who claimed to get a lot of exposure and fair number of sales from there.
Susan Reynolds said
Ouch Dave, depending on where you live I’d be in trouble without that coolness cranking in on me. You need more goodies from Chris’ cooler.
Joe said
Speaking of Themes, I am still looking for something Tech, with a computer pic in the header.
Best I came up with so far is the one I uploaded for the new Domain.
Any suggestions woud be greatly appreciated.
Mike Vizdos said
[coming out of moderation :)]
Hi all.
I started blogging at http://www.implementingscrum.com on September 11 last year. I have been keeping up with at least one posting a week (with a cartoon each week thanks to Tony!) and the traffic is growing daily.
I have learned a lot here and from others who do this for a living (I still do not just “blog” for a living!).
Vernon Lun said
Blogger started around November 1999. Here’s what the first page looked like…
http://web.archive.org/web/19991012022531/http://blogger.com/
Marti said
Lovely to see all of you this evening!
Susan Reynolds said
Marti Last time I heard that line you were being chased by wolverines and I thought you were dissing the great U of Michigan!
You can tell it’s football season - next Susan will talk about football players’ blogs . . .
troy said
So, has the mother of all blogs been anointed?
DaveOlson said
Thanks Chris… you’re a life saver!
It’s been pretty hot here but today the wind has made it more bearable.
Marti said
My eldest son started a LiveJournal blog in 2004 and I tried one there but deleted it. Then I tried Blogger starting in January 2005 and have blogged unsteadily ever since.
Susan Reynolds said
I’ll be glad to take a look Joe. Sounds like my kind of thing.
Chris Cree said
Heya Joe, There are two different “laptop” themes at Performancing you can check out.
Marti said
LOL at Susan! Yeah, I got dissed via DM for using “wolverines” so I changed it to wolves - LOL
Rick Cockrum said
Hellooooo, Marti!
Mike Vizdos said
In 1999 I started at site at http://www.finalchapter.com — it still amazingly gets hit today (a lot lol). Thinking this is something I should turn into a blog at some point === one of my other passions is reading and writing.
Joe said
Thanks Susan…
Char said
I didn’t realize Blogger had been around that long.
Joe - there are plenty of great themes out there, but customizing a header is a pretty quick job so I wouldn’t worry about finding a theme with a specific picture already in it.
ME Strauss said
So Marti!
How long have you been on MySpace and is it working?
DaveOlson said
Susan.. I’d be open to more goodies from Chris’ cooler. Could you just take a peak in there and see what other refreshing goodies might be available.
Joe said
Thanks CC
Marti said
I built a site at geocities in 1999 if that counts for anything. Anything good that is - LOL
Susan Reynolds said
Digging around, I’m finding blog entries from when my granddaughter was pretty young. Jeesh, that makes it easier to remember back then but dates me fast.
Char said
Mike - you are right, that would make a great blog site. Converting it over is not too hard. I did something similar with another one of my sites and it has benefited greatly from it.
Joe said
And Char!
Rick Cockrum said
Does anyone think the blog moniker will change to anything else, like og, as Lorelle put it
, or maybe something officious like network media?
Mike Vizdos said
… for the finalchapter.com site… I think part of that will be to get teachers and some classes around for adding content.
So much to do.
So little time.
And does it fly!
Marti said
Hi back at Rick!
No. Liz, I haven’t noticed any measurable spike in sales. I have one lady who is almost stalker-like though (kinda creepy) She bought the book and sent me a pic of her with it and she sends me tons of letters and comments about how much she loves me/my work
April Groves said
Rick - I hope not…in my neck of the woods, I still have to explain what a blog is…
ME Strauss said
Mike!
You are such a great writer. Go for it! The Final Chapter would make a great blog!
Susan Reynolds said
Dave, ROFL! I think he’s kept some of the more refreshing goodies under the special “wrapper” he has in there.
Joe said
Rick, I sure Hope So…
Blog sounds so… Un-professional.
Lorelle said
Oh, no! Why did someone bring up the Wayback thing of archives. I don’t know if it has been updated but when I last looked, I felt like I was looking at old high school pictures. ICK!
Old web designs will haunt us. ARGH, the decisions we’ve made and learned from - like bad hairstyles!
And yes, I started in 1994, though my husband swears it was earlier, but I didn’t keep count nor score. It just happened and I was a part of the happening. I’d been doing programs and leading topics on CompuServe for a while, so it was a natural progression.
Though remember trying to search for information!! Oh, I never want to go back to those old days. There were no “engines” but directories and catalogs. By the time a book was printed with the best of the best sites online, it would be obsolete as sites came and go so quickly.
There were few sources of information and a lot of gimmick sites on the web. You had to know where to go to get information as searching was a PITA.
Mike Vizdos said
Thanks for the push
Liz.
Marti said
Rick, I think the term “blog” will always be with us, because it is well known and other words are connected to it, like “Blogosphere”
Mike said
Hi Rick,
I’m with April.
Mike
troy said
Excuse me. Excuse me.
ME Strauss said
I don’t think anyone has the super powers to rewrite the word blog.
DaveOlson said
Hey Chris… you gonna share the stuff under the “wrapper”?
Joe… what would be more professional?
Mike said
Liz,
You could make one call to Oprah, and the name would change…
Mike
DaveOlson said
Liz… you might have the super powers to do it. “meme” is now “bloggy tag”
Mike said
Good one Dave! So Chris, what’s with the Gypsy Rose Lee routine on your light bulb incident?
Susan Reynolds said
Lorelle, You were such a geek in a good way! I was using piddly little Prodigy back in 1992 but all my geek friends (the really smart people) had compuserve numbers instead of names.
Of course you remember yours, right?
Char said
Hey Troy! Did you hear us? We were talking about how many times we change themes on our blogs. How many have you had?
DaveOlson said
Lorelle… what topics did you lead on Compuserve? I spent way too much time and money over there back in the day.
Joe said
Dave, I’m not sure.
Internet Entrepreneur? Web Writer? Professional Opinion Guru?
I guess none fit as well all around as Blogger.
Rick Cockrum said
Troy must be trying to get to the front of the room.
Mike Vizdos said
… or my 300 baud modem with wildcat :). That was the name, was it not?
Mike said
Chris,
You’ll have to express your blog theme changes in TCPWs* for Troy to answer.
Mike
* Theme changes per week, and frankly I’m highly entertained by the process, so please encourage Troy to continue!
Vernon Lun said
Not too many people know that long before Google, Dan Bricklin (father of the electronic spreadsheet, Visicalc) gave Blogger some financial assistance. He believe in the future blogging enough to know that if Blogger died, it would have been a travesty.
You can read about Dan’s account of this…
http://web.archive.org/web/19991012022531/http://blogger.com/
Joe said
Unless you join the Union… I’m sure they would come up with some Titles to fit each and every genre and niche there is.
Mike said
Yes, you, the delightful young man from Jacksonville. What were you going to say?
DaveOlson said
Joe… what was the SOB consensus? Online publisher?
Susan Reynolds said
Oh lord some of us are old. And someone twittered today - oh it was @rexhammock - about his first mac. Hilarious to think about our harware back then.
Marti said
Oh, Liz, I’m sorry, didn’t mean to pass by your question! I started on MySpace last fall
Vernon Lun said
Have to go fix my daughter’s sick computer. Nite all!
Mike said
Hey Susan,
Some of us remember working on Lisa. Now THAT’S really dating yourself!
Mike
Chris Cree said
Geeze Luise, Susan! Rat out my chocolate stash, why don’t ‘cha?!
Rick Cockrum said
Good night, Vernon. Good luck!
ME Strauss said
Hey Troy!
Sorry it took so long. I was having a problem getting a word in edgewise. Everyone is so interesting tonight!
Either that or I’m so easily distracted.
troy said
My math ain’t that good. Probably 100+ [at the current space]. Twice that since ‘98 [counting Xanga, etc.]
DaveOlson said
Nite Vernon
ME Strauss said
Good Night, Vernon!
Thanks for coming!
Susan Reynolds said
Vernon, that was good info, thanks!
Sorry Chris, I’m always giving someone a hard time. It’s your turn.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mike, I remember my 300 baud modem - had to flip a switch and lift up the phone receiver. I was using pine for email at university - fingering and gophering!
DaveOlson said
“Lisa”? Now I’m feeling younger again.(as I take a penny away from my granddaughter) Thanks Mike
Susan Reynolds said
I am so wanna-be but un techie I have no idea what “Lisa” w/is. But I hate it when people ask what they should google . . .
DaveOlson said
Chris… chocolate? I was hoping for something more… uh… liquid?
ME Strauss said
Mike,
Going back to look . . . [clueless again]
Michael said
Char I went to archive.org and put my original blogspot address in, dang brings back memories, November 2005. I had suddenly discovered Blogger and thought I’d jump on the bandwagon and enjoyed it. Went to our own domain and Wordpress for almost a full year then stopped to pursue other stuff. Now recently got the bug again started on blogspot again now on our own (different) domain again.
Been using computers since the old Commodore 64 I had,CompuServe came with my first PC now I guess I am hooked.
Mike said
[Sally field voice] You guys finally noticed I was here! [/Sally]
Glenda! How’s my West Coast buddy today?
Dave, here’s a funny story. I worked for ROLM Corporation in 1985 when IBM decided to buy us. A group of execs came down to visit our plant, and I prepared a diagram of our product line and how it fit together. The execs were very impressed with the graphics, and when they inquired about how I created them, I had to fess up that I did it on a Mac. Talk about your pregnant pauses…. LOL
Mike
Rick Cockrum said
The Lisa was the precursor to the Mac, Susan.
Dave, take a look at the sidebar. Liz keeps it well stocked.
ME Strauss said
Hey Mike,
Skip comment #150 I was reacting to the other thread. [clueless was an apt description -- duh!]
Marti said
Susan, “Lisa” was the earliest Mac (I think if I remember my PBS special correctly - LOL)
DaveOlson said
Since someone brought up Commodore. Anyone remember the VIC 20 or… the PET? That was my first ‘puter. Cost an arm and a leg.
ME Strauss said
Hey Dave,
What will you be having? We have everything in the sidebar. Becky McCray keeps us well stocked in that department and this is a saloon after all.
Chris Cree said
Well folks, I’ve got to head out, I’m afraid. Putting Gorgeous on a plane to Wisconsin tomorrow.
Seems like Dave’s earned the privilege of keeping an eye on the Klondike cooler tonight! Good luck finding liquidy refreshment!
‘Night all!
ME Strauss said
Hey Chris!
Great to see you. Thanks for stopping in. I know you have a lot going on!
Marti said
We have a Commodore, a Vic20, and a K-Pro. Husband says we will open an old computer museum some day - LOL
Marti said
Good night Chris! Hugs to you and Gorgeous!
Joe said
Don’t mind me guys, I’m just lurking about listening to the conversation while eating leftover BBQ ribs… mmmmmmm
I’ll be back soon after I wipe off my fingers.
Rick Cockrum said
Good night, Chris. Lady Glynis is gone for two weeks, too. She’s off supplying the troops at the Pennsic War.
DaveOlson said
Mike… that’s funny!
Rick… now that’s what every good blog needs - a well stocked sidebar!
Susan Reynolds said
Night Chris!
Oh I love you other people who had COmmodore64s. Group hug
ME Strauss said
Hi Michael!
Welcome!
Memories — It’s great to have you back here.
DaveOlson said
Night Chris… I’ll guard the Klondikes as you would.
Rick Cockrum said
Thanks to our wonderful hostess, and her midwest supplier, Miz Becky!
I can imagine the looks from the IBMers in the 80s to that, Mike.
Marti said
Oh Rick, that is so wonderful of your Mrs!
DaveOlson said
Liz… well now.. let me think… it’s really hot here with the A/C down. Will you be serving domestic or imported????
Rick Cockrum said
You did check the link, Marti? It’s a medieval recreationist war. She goes every year.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi Mike! I’ve been battling technology today, but doing ok. Where on the left coast are you?
Susan Reynolds said
I’m going to head out too and get to some things I wasn’t slick enough to multi task.
Always great to see you all. Many thanks to the lovely hostess.
Mike said
Liz,
Thanks for clearing up my confusion. That list of tagline resources was amazing. The great thing was how reading the mosaic of different viewpoints helped me get a feel for what makes a good tagline. I must admit to being a bit lost after your post yesterday, but reading all the rest made me realize how concise and prescient your words were (I know, I know, trust in The Force, and Liz).
Mike
Marti said
Good night Susan - best wishes!
ME Strauss said
Dave,
In honor of our Illinois heritage, there’s always “Bud, the king of beers,” and “Blue . . . PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon” too.
But in honor of the folks I know who hate those we, of course, have several microbrews and a mile of importeds too!
Rick Cockrum said
Good night, Susan. Take care.
PBR - I haven’t seen that since I left Illinois!
ME Strauss said
Good night, Susan,
PS I really do need to talk to you!
Marti said
Yes Rick
The Pennsic Wars are an annual event between the East and Middle Kingdoms of the Society for Creative Anachronism Inc., and are hosted by the Kingdom of Æthelmearc at Coopers’ Lake Campground.
Mike said
Rick,
It was one of those moments when you can use the word “thunderstruck”. They were at once reviled by the fact that we didn’t use their tools, and simultaneously beguiled by the potential of the technology.
And I admired the fact that they sent folks to ask me what I liked so that they could incorporate that into their own tool sets!
Mike
Susan Reynolds said
Susan wishes she hadn’t head that last comment about Illinois heritige & walks out humming the “fighting Illini” song . . . . which she now can’t get out of her head . .
Go Illini go! Che-he! Che-ha! Che-ha-ha-ha! Go Illini go! Illinois! Illinois! … March on, you fighting Sycamores,. . .
ME Strauss said
Hey Mike,
You’ll be the President of My Fan Club yet. (No worries — there are no members to bug you.)
Thanks for the support. Yeah, I went exploring very early this morning. When I did I realized that the links I found might have exactly the effect that you’re describing.
Sometimes I’m too thin with the words.
Thanks for thinking that’s a good thing.
Marti said
But I think that sounds awesome - LOL That is why I sent kudos!
Mike said
Liz,
Berghoff and Goose Island! And for the truly hopeless, emotional ownership of Old Style!
Mike
DaveOlson said
I haven’t seen PBR in years. Sounds good.
I’m gonna have to run though. Over my quota of allowable time sitting upright. Most time I’ve spent upright in over a month…. (back problems…not what you were thinking.)
Night everyone. Forgot how much I missed tuesday night open comments
ME Strauss said
Susan, I had no idea you are such a singer TOO!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
psst, Dave, imported? As in south of the border? I don’t know much about beer, but have heard unkind comments about “imported” beer.
Rick Cockrum said
Sorry, Marti. I love the fact that the loser gets Pittsburgh.
ME Strauss said
Mike,
Did you call it “Dog Style” too? And could you find the 23 nude pictures on the can?
Mike said
Hi Liz,
I’ll happily be the inaugural president of the Liz Strauss Appreciation Society. Our bylaws: be nice! Dues: Comments as the mood strikes you.
Mike
Marti said
No problem, Rick
Good night Dave
ME Strauss said
See you soon, Dave!
Feel better and take a cold one with you!
Mike said
Liz,
I’m a contemporary of the That 70’s Show kids, and “Dog Style” was the name back then!
Mike
ME Strauss said
I like the way you think, Mike!
Have another Goose Island!
DaveOlson said
Glenda…. I know, but we are guests in a foreign country and I though I should be considerate of local customs… heheh
Rick Cockrum said
Bye Dave. Relax the back.
ME Strauss said
Dave and Glenda!
You are too kind to put up with us in our ten-gallon hats.
Mike said
Dave adn Glenda,
Do they still make Molson La Brador? I loved that stuff when I could sneak across the border to get it!
Mike
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
lol Dave. Rest your back and flex your elbow!
Mike said
Dave,
I have to admit that about once a year, a PBR goes down real good!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Hey Glenda,
Did you know my Uncle Frank?
He used to ask us kids at dinner, “How come every time you bend your elbow your mouth flies open?”
Becky McCray said
Hey, all! Who’s acting as official Historian and keeping minutes?
Marti said
Well, I gotta scoot - delightful talking with everyone! Best wishes for a lovely evening!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mike, have to ask Dave that one. I know little about beer ‘cept American tastes like ————. Didn’t Molsons get bought out?
DaveOlson said
I really gotta go, but 10 gallon hats… I thought you were in Illinois, not Texas Liz!
Mike… I haven’t seen La Brador beer but it may still be around. I’m actually not a big molson fan.
Nite all…. for real!
Rick Cockrum said
Hi Becky! Bye Marti!
I’m off and away, too. Take care,everyone. Thank you, Liz.
Mike said
Liz,
Back to blog history, I’d have to say 9/11/2001 was the start of blog history for me. I needed news and Instapundit and a number of other sites had it. After that the universe expanded, but I’ll bet a lot of people started noticing blogs that day.
Mike
ME Strauss said
Hey Dave,
All Americans wear 10-gallon hats. We only make Texans wear them where folks can see them.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I love this http://www.videoclipstream.com/akamai/therant/molsonbanner.html
ME Strauss said
Hi Becky!!
Your bar preceeded you tonight. How you doing, ma’am?
Becky McCray said
How did 10 gallon hats get into this?
DaveOlson said
okay… stop already… between Glenda and Liz… I’m laughing so hard my back hurts… stop it!
Becky McCray said
And what about my bar? It’s awful to show up late and be lost.
ME Strauss said
Good Night, Marti!
I’m still trying to get to what you sent.
ME Strauss said
Hi Becky!
Glenda and Dave were picking on American beer. I had to fight back with a stereotype. 10-gallon hats seemed about right.
Next, I pull out the huge silver buckle and shine it in the sun to make signals.
Mike said
Okay. For my Canadian friends, none of us are big Molson fans, but back in the day they made a really good heavy beer called La Brador. It was incredible. Today the line is a sad reflection of its former self.
I still crave the occasional Elsinore, too.
Glenda, someday you and I will spend a pleasant afternoon at the Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI. Your opinion of American beer will much different afterward.
Mike said
C’mon Liz,
You can always re-humble Canadians by asking (in August) how much ice is on the lake!
And the hat has to be one of those giant foam things for best effect!
Mike
DaveOlson said
One last completely unrelated to the original topic comment as I leave… my favourite (favorite) beer is Mexican and it’s called Sol. Bye…
Becky McCray said
Don’t make me talk beer on you people! Remember I’m a pro! In fact, I just updated the beer list for my liquor store, and added a few new lovelies.
Mike said
Hi Becky!
Once again, and now more in person, GREAT article regarding online marketing this week!
Thank you most sincerely,
Mike
Becky McCray said
Dave, we just added Sol! Adios!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
sorry Dave, I’ll be sedate now. {and if he believes that, he don’t know me very well}
Go exercise your elbow; it’ll take your mind off your back.
Becky McCray said
Thank you most sincerely, Mike!
DaveOlson said
Alright…. I was leaving but not the gloves are off. Just for the record Mike… Canada is not the northern arm of Minnesota… Many areas of Canada have a much milder climate than the midwest or even the northeast. And our dogsled dogs have a much thinner coat than normally supposed….
Mike said
Now I’m doubting Dave’s beer-drinking credetials (in a nice way). Perhaps I should do further field research on this “Sol”.
DaveOlson said
Alright…. I was leaving but now the gloves are off. Just for the record Mike… Canada is not the northern arm of Minnesota… Many areas of Canada have a much milder climate than the midwest or even the northeast. And our dogsled dogs have a much thinner coat than normally supposed….
Mike said
Now I’m doubting Dave’s beer-drinking credentials (in a nice way). Perhaps I should do further field research on this “Sol”.
ME Strauss said
Glenda,
Bless the person who put a quarter in you tonight. I’m so laughing!
ME Strauss said
Oh Dave,
I laughed out loud to hear you come back with the gloves on . . . are they fur-lined?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, only a quarter? Not a loonie??
ME Strauss said
Becky,
I’m thinking we need to do a beer or alcohol theme next week . . . are you up for it?
Mike said
Dave,
Having traveled to most of the provinces of Canada, I humbly apologize for any perceived slight in my comments. And for the record, the Canadian Rockies are way prettier than the America ones, and there are way more prarie dogs in Alberta and Saskatchewan than anywhere south of the border.
Mea culpa,
Mike
Meikah Delid said
Hi Liz! Hi, everyone! Am I late?
Wow, I can’t believe we’ve started blogging about the same time Liz, yet you’re way way ahead already. Good job! I started my blog (www.sixsig.info) part-time in May 2005. Two years later, I still have a lot to learn about blogging!
ME Strauss said
Glenda,
I’m old. It’s “who put a quarter in you?” from the old vending machines that actually took a quarter. What’s a loonie?
[How do I know I'm going to be sorry I asked that question?]
Laura Athavale Fitton said
sorry i am not so talkative tonight. sleepy. but i am enjoying the wit & camraderie. Oh, and, my hockey team drinks Labatt’s Blue. Always. It’s not great, not bad…
DaveOlson said
Mike… I’m not offended. Canadians are much bigger than that!
Liz… I said the gloves are “off” That’s ’cause it’s so hot here. That’s how we got on the beer theme.
News Flash: “It’s hot in Canada”
Mike said
Hi Liz,
If Becky won’t, I will, having been the son of a liquor store owner and having worked at said establishment through my college years.
But Becky will bring a respectability that a guy whose #1 seller was Royal Host White Port cannot.
Mike
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Dave, you want to take the loonnie question as I nurse my frostbite?
ME Strauss said
Dave,
I always thought Canadians are HOT!!!
DaveOlson said
Glenda… I’m leaving the “loonie” question to you… don’t forget to explain the “twoonie” while your at it.
psst… tell them about how you could have paper money with colour oops color too!
Joe said
Good Nite Liz
And Good Nite All
The Berma Shave
Has hit the Wall
Not very poetic
Am I tonight
Tired I am
with my New Site
Thank you Liz
And All the Rest
Now it’s time to
Crawl into the nest.
Berma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
Becky McCray said
Liz, I think the saloon keeper’s daughter and the liquor store owner should definitely do a booze-themed evening! Surely we could take on anything!
Mike said
Dave,
Last time I was in Toronto, I was introduced to the LCBO. All I can say is that I wish they had the franchise down here!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Becky and Mike,
The show for blogging sensibly.
“Don’t drink and blog.”
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
lol twonies are twice as loonie!
Meikah Delid said
Good night, Joe!
sleep well, sleep tight for the morrow awaits you with much might! 
Mike said
Hmm. I suppose I could suspend the normal rules to accommodate Liz’s tagline. LOL
Becky McCray said
Good night, Joe!
Liz, look! Mike volunteered to help, too!
ME Strauss said
Good Night, Joe,
Sleepy swell.
DaveOlson said
yeah the LCBO does have a pretty good selection. That’s what happens when you live in a country where the government likes to control all the vices.
ME Strauss said
Hey Becky
We could do a booze extravaganza with a cameo by great wines that we love.
Mike said
Goodnight Joe, and Dave!
I’ve got to rustle up dinner for me and Junior. I’ll check back later, and thanks for the wonderful company tonight.
Mike
DaveOlson said
Liz… it could be: “don’t grog and blog”
Becky McCray said
I am lagging so badly tonight! You’d think I’d been hitting the stock or something.
ME Strauss said
Hi Meikah!
Sorry to take so long to say Hello!
Mike said
Dave,
Having seen liquor stores of all shapes and sizes in this world, the anchor LCBO store is the Disneyworld of wine shops. There’s nothing in California like it! And that includes pricing.
Mike
ME Strauss said
Becky,
Don’t hit the stock! It might break!
Meikah Delid said
Hi, Liz, yeah there seems to be a lag tonight. Thought it was because of my system. Will review later what transpired before I joined in. Who else are here?
DaveOlson said
Mike… you need to check out some of the wine shops up here in BC. It makes the LCBO look amateur.
Mike said
Liz,
The likelihood of breaking the stock with your lips is pretty small.
Mike
Mike said
Dave,
Holy smokes! I’m going to have to check Google Maps to see how long the drive is…
Mike
P.S. Glenda, I’m in Scottsdale AZ. Technically I’m not on the West Coast until the next big quake!
ME Strauss said
Oh My! meikah!
I’ve hardly had time to keep track of who was here. Vernon, Char, Rick, Mike Vizdos, quite a few.
DaveOlson said
Mike,
Well… the last time I drove it, it took about 45 hours from Camelback to my place!
Becky McCray said
You people talk like my store is not the absolute jewel on the face of the earth! How can you not realize?
DaveOlson said
Becky… better post your store hours… do we still have time to get there tonight?
Becky McCray said
Liz, did you notice that Jon Swanson dropped through early?
Laura Athavale Fitton said
Loonie = canadian dollar coin with a loon on it. twoonie, naturally the 2 dollar coin. Both most excellent for buying beer. Oh the loonies spent in Lunenburg.
And with that personal history lesson, i am out. waving sleepy buh-byes.
ME Strauss said
Yep, Becky, I saw Jon here. . . . after I released him from moderation. He’s like comment number 2.
Becky McCray said
Sorry, the store closed at 9!
ME Strauss said
Thanks Laura!
I think they were enjoying keeping me in the dark and guessing.
Meikah Delid said
Hahaha…sorry Liz, I didn’t mean to make you call the roll. So, I see that we’re talking about wine, this time? haha… I have here a Chinese wine at home. Haven’t opened it yet, but it’s bottle is fat and big!
Becky McCray said
Liz, I’m glad you saw him. He will enjoy this conversation, once he can come and stay a bit.
DaveOlson said
Becky.. There you go… teasing us with talk of all this grandeur only to shut us out.
Since the Canadian bashing is now officially over… I really need to get off this back..hmm. Nite all. It was fun!
ME Strauss said
Hey Dave,
Becky’s story is the elite liquor store. They jewel for sure.
Becky McCray said
Dave, if you get here, I’ll open up and give you a special tour! No sales, just a tour. (I’ll sneak him a dust rag and put him to work.)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
thanks Laura, and don’t forget American intelligence mistook a new twoonie as a spy device or something equally bizarre
ME Strauss said
Hey Becky,
Then send Dave over here. I’ll give him a . . . ahem . . . “tour” of my blog.
Meikah Delid said
Hey, Liz, I need to go now. Sorry, I have a meeting in 5 minutes. Nice to be here again after a while. More success to you! *hugz*
Good night, eveyone!
Becky McCray said
What were we supposed to talk about? Oh, yeah, history. The most historical blog I read is Rex Hammock, at http://www.rexblog.com . He frequently mentions blog history, since he was around for most of it. (That sounded like an age joke, but really wasn’t.)
ME Strauss said
Hey Meikah!
It’s always great when you’re here!
ME Strauss said
Becky,
I’ve read Rex a few times. He’s got the stuff behind him. Yeah!
Becky McCray said
That sounded like a crack, too, but we’ll let it pass.
ME Strauss said
Oh, guess you’re right about the “crack soundingness” It was unintentional.
ME Strauss said
It’s looking like things are slowing down.
Maybe I should give last call?
Becky McCray said
Goodnight, Liz! I’m open for next Tuesday, if I can be of service.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
hubby just made dinner…oh, speaking about blogging, I’m looking for bloggers for my next virtual book tour - details at http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2007/on-the-road-again/
ME Strauss said
Becky,
I think we have a winner on our hands!
ME Strauss said
Glenda!
That’s so wonderful!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
liz, which? That hubby made dinner or my virtual book tour???
ME Strauss said
Glenda!
Now that you mention them, BOTH!!
HART (1-800-HART) said
~waves ..
I’ve been online since March 1995 after hearing how the internet was doubling each month since January 1995 - with Compuserve. AOL Sucked. Compuserve eventually ripped me off and by July 1995 I had my own homepage trying a few things to earn money with a website. I was a chatty boy and actually went to Europe (UK & Sweden) in 1996 to meet internet friends. I met my wife online in 1997 and even helped her create her own homepage and then we had a Medieval Wedding in 2002 although, everything is online now.
I had always kept the websites up until I noticed that my dog’s website was getting more hits than my business website, so I started the PetLvr Blog in mid-May 2005. The HART-Empire Network began in October 2005 .. and, tonight all I can think of adding to all of the above (hoping all those links don’t get me permanently in moderation!) is…
My - How Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
ME Strauss said
I need to pack it in. I’m sorry. Here’s the keys . . . you know where to leave them
HART (1-800-HART) said
G’night .. I’d offer to take the keys off your hands but, well .. I’m in my swim suit now.. no pockets
ME Strauss said
Hi HART!
I wrote that comment at the same time as yours was coming in.
What a great history! 1995! No wonder you know.
Thanks for bringing your story. It’s so cool. I wish I wasn’t beat up and yawning from my trip to D.C. I’d be following it with questions.
Becky McCray said
Glenda, be sure to post that on Twitter, too!
Mike said
Becky,
I can’t say I’ve ever bought liquor in Oklahoma. As such, I’ll defer to your statement that yours is the finest liquor establishment on the planet. Now I need to wangle and excuse to check it out in person!
And HART, you go tell Al Gore while he and Tipper were still crusading against those hip-hop hooligans, you had already created the internet. In Hahvahd Yahd.
Mike
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Am I the last one left, again? Mike??
Well, guess I’ll lock up and go finish that blog posted I started Saturday. Oops, so much for consistency!
Nite all! Happy blogging!
Scot Herrick said
It’s late in the Central Time Zone, but still reasonable here on the west coast. I’ll finish things off with a bit of history:
My first online experience was with CompuServe and a 1200 baud modem. I did a bunch of networking (packet) with my ham radio hobby. It was how I learned about networking, connecting and the online experience.
My first web site was http://k9jy.com about ham radio contesting (still in existence today and currently have a partial rebuild going on).
I started blogging two years ago with the Scot Herrick site (http://scotherrick.com) which is now under reconstruction as my personal branding site.
In the meantime, I started a business blog and a writing blog; since they were both associated with my Scot Herrick site I decided to discontinue them and build two new sites that were branded: http://cuberules.com, a site about career management for cubicle warriors; and http://tenkeyboards, a site about how technology can help market a writer’s work.
It’s been a fun journey.
And isn’t Tuesday night open comments night a blast?
ME Strauss said
Wow, Scot!
Ham radio! I forgot about that! Thanks for bringing your history here.
Yeah, Tuesday nights are something special arent’ they?
ME Strauss said
Well, everyone, I think we can say this edition of Tuesday Night Comments made history.
Marti said
Thanks to our charming hostess and all of the participants for another fun Open Mike Night!
asakapa said
As I recall, there were things like blogs before there were blogs. People had websites on which they regularly posted new entries with links to new things on the Internet back in 1993. Even before that, there were things like blogs dating back to pre-historic times. Add an RSS feed to caveman drawings and you have Flickr. In 1994, the Drudge Report started as an email newsletter and later became a website that looked exactly like it still does. It was like a blog as it, well, had links to stories appearing on newspaper websites and a long list of links that is sort of what we’d now call a blogroll. Matt Drudge has steadfastly refused to call the Drudge Report a blog, and, frankly, he shouldn’t, because it’s not. In the history of the beginning of blogging, this makes Matt Drudge unique, as everyone else who was doing anything like a blog in the middle 1990s, today wants to say it was the first weblog. Matt Drudge, who could lay claim to the title of first blogger with some fairly convincing arguments — at least better than others — is still insulted when his site is referred to as such.
ME Strauss said
HI Asakapa!
So much of our history is in what we call things and so much is in recognizing how life hasn’t changed.
HART (1-800-HART) said
Better late than never, right?
Now that my vacation is over and I’m back with the bookmarks on my desktop computer .. I remembered a ‘history’ link that I have always used to pass along to the curious. It’s a fountain of historical links, and believe it or not - the blog still continues today!
Rebecca Blood’s post - written September 7, 2000 - http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html
ME Strauss said
Hi HART!
A great link is never too late to share. Thanks!
Armand Rousso said
Blog History isn’t it what we are doing?
Armand Rousso
http://business.armandrousso.biz/
ME Strauss said
Hi Armand!
Welcome. I suppose that’s true, but there’s always what went before now.
taking your point . . . I guess you could say the same thing about the history of the world.