Author: admin

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

Every time I see the word Fembat, I can only think of the “fembots” from the Austin Powers movies and hearing Frau Farbissina’s piercing shout for them. Sure enough, that’s partially how the name came to be.

I started from the beginning of available archives and immediately found myself genuinely concerned about Jezebel, one of Fembat’s two horses, who at this time was just finding a home with Fembat. The way each weblog entry is written had me feeling more and more like a part of the every day situations and instances that Fembat writes about. Maybe I wasn’t right there and an actual part of it, but there was many times where I felt like I was just off to the side and could perfectly picture everything that was going on.

Between the endearing stories of all the animals living with Fembat, readers are also treated to several entries that are based on reviews or opinions. Any fans of the Lord of the Rings would be proud, because anytime there’s a release coming up – video, in the theater, or otherwise – Fembat posts all the good stuff: links, rumors, possible spoilers.

Fembat is a unique “handle”, if you will, and I like it. I was curious where the name came from, and was pleasantly surprised to find that out by reading through the site.



Fembat’s been keeping an online journal since before April 2001. Entries from the date forward are all available to read, but entries before that were unfortunately lost. The nearly two years of posts, though, are just as equally entertaining from start to finish.

The layout is that of the ever popular three column layout. Other links to weblogs listed as “noted ones”, webrings, and other links run down the left hand side, and on the right, Fembat updates readers with what she’s reading, watching, listening, etc. The weblog content is in the center column, and atop it you find a small navigation menu that provides you links to a bio section of the site and a chance to guide through the older entries should you chose to click on the archives link.



You can’t really predict what you’ll get to read about when coming to this weblog and with the variety you get at Fembat’s journal, it’s safe to say that nearly everyone dropping by for a visit will find something they’re interested in.

Fembat.Net

Because the site was listed as an “anime” that is essentially what I expected to find when I followed the link, but that isn’t what I was presented with. The site is nicely designed, and clear to read. As you would expect the graphics were good, although not as individual as they could be.

When presented with a bio, even a small one I tend to read that before going on to read the posts. For a site designed by someone in their twenties you could easily mistake this site to be someone a lot younger, perhaps in their teens. The posts are personal, experiences of school, social occasions and about family members. I can imagine it appealing to those of the same age group, particularly those who share the same social circle.

The design is very much a reflection of the author’s personality. Its neat and well structured, with beautifully created and ‘feminine’ graphics. Truthfully it is a design that prepares you for the content – personal life posts from a young girl.

Although the design is easy to navigate and beautifully ordered I felt there was room for improvement in the archives section, perhaps if the author was to make the archives monthly (rather than individually) it would make the site easy and less fussy to navigate.

All in all this site provides an interesting insight into the personal life of a young girl still in school. It’s beautifully designed, and with only a minor alteration to the archives could be an easy to navigate and well structured site. Although the content had no come back factor for me, it may well appear to those surfers within the author’s age range, with similar interests, and even better within the same social circle.

Chesa Republic

The first picture I see is a cute dalmatian-type dog ‘briskly’ running across a grass covered in foliage and as the page continues to load, I see more dogs, thus don’t be surprised if the writer likes.. well.. dogs! The layout is rather simple however personal and effective, which I quite admire. The photography theme complements the work and entries on this website.

I get the impression that this site is centered around photography, art and poetry.. and it is. Rosebaby frequently posts poems, quotes and some ‘philosophical’ entries. If your interests lie here, this will be your heaven.. if not.. I’d take a skim read because there could be something to your fancy. She obviously has a great talent in photography and art; something that can’t be looked over.

Again.. a long collection of links on the sidebar (are you trying to divert me from your site??), however take a look at the photography gallery before you go, if you’re attracted to aesthetics!

On a general note, its not really something that I’d go back to, because its of little interest to me, however if you’re into photography and poetry, why not give it a try?rosebaby

A personal blog, lately devoted nearly entirely to poetry, rosebaby is an acquired taste. Most of the posts largely consist of poems, excerpts of poems or quotes by famous authors, occasionally dressed up with an introductory sentence or drawing. However, earlier entries were much more personal in nature, and like e.e. cummings, rosebaby is no fan of capitalization, the effect being that posts can be unwieldy and inconsistent. On the other hand, what small bits of personal information included in the posts there are, you nonetheless get the sense that rosebaby is in transition, busy getting on with the business of mourning her late dog, raising the new one and handling a full time job while occasionally delving into the heartache of an ex- who has moved on. I can’t help but feel that in a few weeks, the posts will once again be less poetical, more personal and more whimsical.

It should come as no surprise to any visitor to the blog that rosebaby is an experienced web designer: the site is cool, clean and sophisticated. Navigation throughout the site is a treat, and the site’s shortcomings are simply limited to the inconsistent postings which often lack original content and inspiration.

rosebaby is at her best when she uses poetry, excerpts or images to illustrate her mood, letting us in why those excerpts or images matter to her at that time. Without such information, the postings consisting of bare pasted-in excerpts are cold and impersonal, a remediable situation, especially when rosebaby has such potential to be a must-read site for the hyper-literate.
rosebaby