I learned these lessons about blogging in dancing school, when I was a wee thing.
My dance teacher was brilliant.
The World Wide Web didn’t even exist then.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Dear Emperor,
I’m writing to tell you that I know. Well, everyone does. In the past, you’ve a problem with things that people see that you could not. The problem was that no one would tell you.I’ve heard that once that you were walking around, . . . well, sorry to be so forward . . . with no clothes on. [blush] Please forgive me for bringing that up, but it is relevant.
And relevant is really what you need to think about.
I don’t want someone to write a book called, The Emperor Has No Content. or The Emperor Takes His Love to Town
That’s a problem. I’d like to help change that. In that effort, I offer this test for your next link post.
- Who am I writing this post for? If the answer is NOT my readers, please start over. Step outside yourself, and ask “If I saw this post on another blog, would I actually want to read it?”
- Have I personally checked out every blog on this list? If the answer is NOT yes,please start over. I know you are generous to a fault, but it’s not link love to put your name on a place you’ve never been. Using the same metaphor, that’s . . . um, er . . . promiscuous. It’s a matter of self-respect and respect for the readers in your blogdom.
- Am I using links to buy traffic? If the answer is yes, please start over. Traffic that is bought will only stay as long as you keep paying for it. You don’t need to pay to be noticed — really, it just takes a little more time, and everyone will see how good you are.
Oh Emperor. Your link shows a quality and relevant relationship that you want to share with your blogdom. It is your seal of approval, your vote for someone’s content. Your readers and your search bots pay attention. They see the folks that you endorse, even when you don’t.
I’m sorry, Emperor, I tried to say this as nicely as I could.
Sincerely,
Do the work and the recognition will come.
I remember when someone told me that.
about how Friendship goes two ways. So does every gift.
Give yourself away and beauty comes back in unexpected fashions. Send off a kind word. Get back a melody. Offer hand to hold and find yourself surrounded by people who care. Invest your time in a person’s future, end up finding a person you want to be part of your own.
Soon it’s all of the time. What can I give you? What do you need? How might I help? Might I set this bit of love over here next to the flowers by the porch swing?
Food, clothing, and shelter. What good are these? . . . without color and feelings and an “I know what you mean?”
With a lifelong friend, laughter takes new dimensions — bass becomes tenor, alto, and soprano. Imagination dances. Even sadness has a place for relief.
And we don’t ever notice who we are when we are together, but, if we stop to consider, we suddenly understand that we like who they see.
It’s what friends do. They give and they receive without thinking, but with eternal gratitude.
A paradox, yes.
A lifelong friend doesn’t need explaining, . . . or fixing.
Lifelong friends, we just are.
It’s what we do.
Click on this Bloggy Tag to find out where it all began.
Bonus oneliner:
What would Lyle Lovett sing at SOBCon07?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
MAY 11&12 — Why SOBCon not that Other One. Click the button to register now. 
Great Find: Tabblo
Permalink: http://www.tabblo.com/studio/
Target Audience: Anyone interested in sharing photos!
Content:
This site is another great way to share your photos and add words to make “tabblos” (web pages). There’s also a lively community. Here’s a Tabblo called Creation at its Best! (Click photo to see the page.) It’s easy to upload photos or import them from Flickr and Picasa. Click this screen shot or the next one to check it out.
I’m not sure what I like better – the original Tabblo or the photo cube. You can select any five photos for your cube. There’s easy-to-follow directions. Then just print it out, make some cuts, and fold it up.
And, they have a printing service, so you can order a copy of your latest creation! Check it out yourself and let me know which is your favorite.
See you next time!
–Sandy, Purple Wren
Related
Sandyââ¬â¢s Great Graphic Find: CoolText
Sandyââ¬â¢s Great Graphic Find: Pixel Ruler
Great Find: PictureTrail
Brand New SOB Franke James sent me an email yesterday. It held a link for Aviva Directory article on U. S. Blogger law. The article a resource for bloggers that I want to share with you.
Great Find: 12 Important U.S. Laws Every Blogger Needs to Know
Permalink: http://www.avivadirectory.com/blogger-law/
Target Audience: All bloggers
Content: This article was posted May 1, 2007 and received over 1500 Diggs. It outlines 12 U.S. laws that bloggers should know. Each law is defnined and described. Then appropriate defensive actions are outlined following that text. Here is a summary of the 12 laws.
2. Courts have declared that some deep links to posts — rather than links to the changing front page of a blog — are in violation if anchor text and the text around the link misleads the reader into thinking the information is part of the original document.
3. Inline linking, or hot linking, which pulls an image from another site to appear on a blog is considered risky. Using thumbnails created new for the purpose of using a fresh image on your blog is considered fair use.
4. Any original work is under copyright protection the second itââ¬â¢s created. No form of record or registration is necessary.
5. The Uniform Doman Name Dispute Resolution Policy has made domain name dispute handling more efficient. It also tends to favor trademark holders.
6. It’s best to avoid revealing private information about readers, and to avoid collecting any data that you don’t absolutely need.
7. As stated, “By including a terms of service which spells out that you will have a license in all content posted in the site and more specifically that you will not have a duty to modify or withdraw posts but you may do so if you choose, you can ensure that you have effective control over the user-driven content on your site even if you do not have actual ownership of the content.”
8. The law is unclear on whether and how to handle comments on your blog that might be considered offensive, libelous, or otherwise in approrpriate.
9. If a you run a business selling goods that sells in a state or local area, then you must collect sales tax from customers in that area.
10. Forming an Limited Liability Company (LLC) rather than a corporations is the way to go for almost every blogger. An LLC carries all the same legal protections as a Corporation.
11. Your newsletter could be illegal spam.
12. Whether a blogger will be legally permitted to shield his sourceââ¬â¢s information confidential if subpoenaed isnââ¬â¢t clear yet.
Many links follow the discussion of the laws as references and further intormation. To read the entire article, click the title below.
Thanks, Franke, for passing this on.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
ONLY FIVE DAYS NOW!! SOBCon 07 on May 11&12 — Why SOBCon not that Other One. Register now
Related
Bloggerââ¬â¢s Legal Guide
Internet Net Law and Net Neutrality 12-14-2006