The Weblog Review

The author of this site deems it a “library cataloging, classification, metadata, and subject access and related topics”. Without that description, I probably would have had no idea what was being so well written about at Catalogablog.

Layout-wise, the site is very simple. The site is powered by Blogger, and using one of the available standard templates. The particular template that was chosen is a very simple and clean design, and flows throughout the side very well. Basically, there are an entire slew of links along the left hand side, with the actual weblog content more in the middle. The site’s been up and running, according to the archives of the site, since March 2002. There doesn’t ever seem to be a lull in posts in the weekly archives.

The sidebar of the site is full of resources – all the contact information you need if you have more questions about the content of the site, ways to subscribe to Catalogablog, search options, and a great deal of links that touch base with the same subject matter as the entire site.

I’m not the most technologically advanced person out there in cyberspace, and keeping that in mind, I’d certainly consider myself the “average weblog reader”. Other average weblog readers, as far as I can tell, are going to have some trouble staying focused and/or coming back to visit this weblog.

The content is remarkable, though. From what I can tell, it certainly seems like the author is right on top of things in the subject matter at hand, and does a very nice job of displaying nearly all information one could possibly need in this topic.

You could very well call this site a jackpot for those interested in “cataloging, classification, metadata, and subject access and related topics”. For those not looking to read about the world in that realm, this weblog probably isn’t one you’ll add to your favorites.



Catalogablog

On my first glance at Catalogablog I thought “I don’t know what any of this means!” I’m classing myself as your average blogger, and I had no clue what IFLA, TEI, OPML or Exclusive XML Canonicalization were. Perhaps I’m just ignorant, perhaps they’re American things, but it made the immediate impression that this site wasn’t going to be accessible for everyone.

I decided to go right back to the beginning and see how that helped, but it was just the same. Catalogablog is not your average weblog and is not for your average reader. It is a news and links weblog about issues to do with cataloging and data.

The design of the site uses a standard Blogger template but with all the lastest “must have” extras: RSS feed, a Creative Commons license, XML. The site owner is obviously in the know about all things weblog.

All the links to and from Catalogablog are also about library cataloging and related topics and to find this site useful or user-friendly you’d have to have this same interest or career. However, if “Library cataloging, classification, metadata, subject access and related topics” were your thing then Catalogablog would definitely be the place to go.

Although this weblog did nothing for me, I feel that if you went there for the purpose it serves then you would recieve very thorough information, and for that the site deserves recognition.Catalogablog

They don’t call that age ‘sweet sixteen’ for nothing. Felicia is sixteen, and Vespertine is sweet.

The layout confirms this, with a cute cartoon character of a baby blue-haired (the same baby blue throught the site) anime girl perched on the upper-left corner of the blog. Overall, the design is fresh and delightful.

While most of Felicia’s posts deal with what she likes (Dance Dance Revolution) and dislikes (her old school), there are instances when Felicia’s posts make so much sense in the defiant, justified way of teenage i-am-right tone that you can’t help but reread what she writes.

The carefree style and angst make it clear that Vespertine is a teenager’s blog. It is a good blog because Felicia mixes silliness and quirkiness with the occasional right-on-the-spot views about current issues, spat out with the righteous sarcasm of youth. For instance, her views on George Bush and the mix-up of Chinese and Japanese culture by many Americans (now this I can relate to.)

All in all Vespertine is a blog that brims with the writer’s personality, and that is what a personal blog is all about.

Vespertine

Veracity or Mendacity is a nicely designed, well structured web diary which started in March 2002. There is a comprehensive ‘about me’ page under the title “The Essentials”, which in addition to the “100 things about me” provides the reader with a thorough understanding of the author, so essential if you are to sell your blog as an online diary.

The design is classy and understated, with only small elements of colour surrounding the neatly constructed boxes, which help to separate the content and links. It’s easy to navigate and kind on the eye. The design of the website is very much a reflection of the author’s writing – very neat, easy to read and concise.

The content of her posts are very much of the personal kind, about her life and her feelings. But everyone once in a while there was a real gem of a post that really caught my eye. At the end of April 2002 for example, she discusses an article in National Geographic

A photograph is an image, albeit one that reflects the photographer as much as the subject herself. The photographer in this instance is not concerned with ‘The Afghan Girl’ as a woman or as a human being. She is an object, the end goal of a quest, and hence his interest in her is only concerned with greater glory for himself and The Story.

In fact the more I read the more interested I became in this author’s writing and opinions. It was like getting to know someone really slowly, at each stage of the blog they reveal that little bit more about themselves in a quiet and refined way. I liked it. Readers should expect a well written, grammatically flawless blog with no sugar-coating. Count on getting to know the real person behind this blog should you visit.

This is very much a personal contribution to the weblogging world, containing glimpses into the life and experiences of the individual. If you enjoy reading personal journals, with well written and well thought out posts you may well enjoy this weblog. Each post allows you a little bit more knowledge of the individual and that is always interesting
Veracity or Mendacity?

This is a geek site which doesn’t look like a geek site. Its colour co-ordinated!

When reading a blog for the first time, it is rare that I spend more than 10 minutes scanning through content. I spent over an hour at Geek News Central, the content is that good. I’m naturally inclined to take an interest in technology – it’s my job and my hobby – and Geek News Central provides a good cross section of technology news. Each post demands attention and provides an informal and well structured commentary. Subjects range from the authors political views upon the (mis)use of technology to Microsoft’s latest blunders.

The site is well structured, and maintains a pleasant and common theme throughout. The title header is original and the navigation simple and familiar.

Posts are available in xml format for those of you who wish to share the sites information. News feeds for geek news are also provided.

In conclusion, if you’re a technophobe this site isn’t for you. For everybody else, this is a goldmine.

Geek News Central