The Weblog Review

HelloSputnik.com – I really had no idea what to expect before I clicked on the link to this site.

The author’s animated recount of his evening at the laundry mat, trying to mathematically justify when each washer and dryer should be started, and the most time and cost efficient way to do so was one of my favorite journal entries.

This is certainly a personal weblog. The author spends time, when he has the free time, informing readers about what’s going on in his life – the good and the not so good. He seems to have a friendly way of writing that invites the reader (or at least me) to come back and check on things at HelloSputnik.com.

I especially like some of the author’s entertaining outlooks on specific news events. Directly from the website, here’s a quote about Saddam Hussein and the U.S.’s recent ploy to remove him from power: “now, he’s probably not fit to manage his country, let alone a Gap store. but why don’t we get together with him for coffee or dinner and talk about our issues first?” I think if we stick Sputnik in office, we’re going to have a little less bombing and a little more competency in GAP management going on.

I never thought brown would grow on me like it did while reading over the weblog at HelloSputnik.com, but it certainly did. The overall layout is great. I really like the title graphic, which features four different pictures of our author. The site has the whole astronaut theme going on, which you probably could have gathered from the name HelloSputnik. You find the weblog by clicking on “transmissions” on the top graphic, and the archives can be found by clicking on “debris” on the side menu bar. It’s a very clever theme and works well with the site.

There are a few sections that are still “Coming soon”, but I have no doubt they’ll be just as fun to check out as the potential behind Sputnik’s “moodSchmood”, which is the author’s attempt to create a personalized mood tracker.

This is one of those sites that you can add to your daily list of weblogs that you read, and feel like you can really get to know the guy behind the writing.hello sputnik

I’m not entirely sure how “Team Murder” has any relevance to the subject matter at hand of this weblog, but nonetheless, like with any website, I’m sure there’s a method behind the madness of its title.

The layout I like. Sure, it’s just a slightly modified standard Movable Type template, but that’s okay – quite okay. See, with a site that is focusing your attention strictly on content, the less loud and flashy the layout looks, the better.

Reading this site was easy. Sure, I had no clue there were that many types of Linux, and I won’t remember the name of them tomorrow. The author at Team Murder explains things in a non-methodical way, which makes it easy to read AND easy to understand. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s a big factor in finding a good weblog to read on a regular basis. I also like how the author is able to throw in some wit and humor from time to time, as well as get in a good dig about something that’s irritating him without sounding like he’s preaching or complaining.

The “Generic About” section (listed under Internal Affairs) is one of the best explanations of why this site exists that I’ve read in a while. It’s the premature beginning of something that has the potential, especially in the author’s eyes, to be something very big. That’s something worth applauding.

Due simply to the subject this weblog deals with – the up and coming tech geek type of thing – this may not be a weblog for everyone. However, if you’re looking to read personal thoughts and opinions of someone very well versed in today’s technology, make TeamMurder.com a spot you frequently visit.Team

Even though the weblog at JackLewis.net is only a few months old, I can really see it making an impact among other weblogs and websites throughout the World Wide Web. While it does sometimes have the tendency to have the religious/spiritual insight of the day, it also has some of the best commentary and narratives on daily life that I’ve read in a long time.

I think I read one of the most entertaining and realistic experiences of getting four kids dressed for church on a Sunday morning that I could possibly read. I could almost picture all four of the kids, and the expression on each of their faces and the excitement of finally getting the reward of Mountain Dew for getting dressed in their Sunday best.

The site is completely well written. Thoughts about the subject matter at hand or the particular external link that’s given are very clearly explained and put out in an understanding that even the fresh reader (such as myself) can understand without too much problem.

Another pleasing aspect of JackLewis.net is the layout. There’s nothing flashy about it, but this is okay. It’s simplistic, but very useful, offering five different search engine-type things for visitors along one side, and a plethora of links to other pertinent religious websites along the other side.

JackLewis.net primarily deals with different current events that are being showcased in the daily news, and the author gives his own opinionated (but not overly) spin on that subject matter at hand. Also be sure to check out the message boards that are very involved and widely participated in!

As a side note, I am NOT the type of person who enjoys having religion rammed down my throat and ideas of others implanted in my head. I’d rather make my own decisions, draw my own conclusions, and either suffer the consequences or reap the rewards. So, I was preparing myself for the worst when I saw the “Search the Bible” form on the left and a link to RadioJesus.com on the right. I threw caution to the wind, however, and wanted to proceed with the review to JackLewis.net. I was VERY pleasantly surprised, and am very glad I “discovered” this site.JackLewis.net

The title and slogan of this website go like this: “A Blog of Infinite Power – Don’t be offended, he’s offended FOR you”. Now, while “infinite power” might be pushing it a bit, there is a nearly infinite supply of external links to all

The layout’s just one of the standard Blogger templates, so it’s nothing that stands out. The menu bar to the side has even more links to entertain and inform you.

Sites that belong in the news/links category are difficult to review. Does the author just throw links up that you could find anywhere? Not here. I’m was honestly impressed by the variety and uniqueness with the large number of links that are posted at a time. The author uses just a brief witty explanation to pique your curiousity enough to get you to click the link, which is exactly what a site like this SHOULD do.

Why did I give this site a higher than average rating? The 4.0 is based mainly on the fact that these links come from ALL over the board. I’ve done my fair share of internet surfing over the years, and had never been to any of the links that I found at this site. It’s definitely a wonderful site to visit if you’re looking for an interesting way to pass time. Melton Bing

From the get go, I really enjoyed reading this site. Kevin’s smart and he’s witty, and combining those two things with his clear and concise writing style, you’ve got one heck of a weblog to read through!

Kevin posts several times a day sometimes, but nearly everything he does post is worthy of reading. He’s quite the music and movie connoisseur, and it’s always refreshing to read other takes on specific forms of media that are out and about.

The layout of the site was just as clean and enjoyable as the weblog. The site has a complete archives, and Kevin’s even taken the time to link some of what he considers the “best of” his past weblog entries.

I’ll be the first person to admit that I’m naturally harder on kids under the 18 that have a weblog. Why? I think it’s because when I was that age, I was involved in those good ol’ school-related activities and working to save up money for a tank of gas.

And as I’m stereoptyping, I should also add that the majority of teenage weblogs I’ve read are chock full of crude misspellings and entirely too many emoticons. You can imagine the happiness I felt when “invalid” was nothing like this at all. It’s definitely worth checking out.invalid