Author: admin

I know I’m not the only person who has wanted to do something to improve the environment. We’ve been told to use public transportation more to reduce the amount of pollution or to lower your electricity bill by remembering to shut off lights when leaving a room. But we can do more than that. “So what can I do?” is a site that is dedicated to helping improve the environment with subtle changes that can make a huge difference.

Karama came up with the idea for the site when her and her friends got frustrated with the state of things. They decided that instead of sitting around, they were going to do something. She posts links about many topics from helping fight breast cancer, supporting non-profits to improving school lunches. What I like about this site is it caters to people who have the money to donate to those who just have a few minutes a week to make a difference.

One of my favorite posts is about how to get rid of computers and other electronics. I have an old laptop and still have it since I don’t know how to recycle it. Karama posted some helpful links for how to go about recycling computers and also old cell phones. Another post I liked was about how to calculate your ecological footprint. I found out I used a lot of resources. It helped me figure out I need to make changes when it comes to wasting food and using electrity.

The content of this website is great, however, the look of the site can definitely be improved. She’s using a blogger template and I’d like to see a design that makes this site stand out more. I know that when I see a blogger template, I tend to overlook those sites because there are so many sites that use the same template. Last thing I want to do is stare at it again. A new layout would really step this site up.

If you’re looking to do a little something to help others, make sure to stop by this site and see what you can do.
So what can I do?

The initial impression was that there was something amiss with the blog. On closer inspection I found that the links and everything else was at the top of the blog, with the actual entry’s were down the bottom.

I’m not sure if this is a template fault or not, the author might want to check it.

My impressions were that this might be an interesting blog. The title “A poet. Now a blogger.” left me with the sense that this might be a writers blog with lots of poems. There was only one poem translation on the blog itself, a few quizzes and some other links. I was expecting more poems and less quizzes.

The blog itself is a fairly new blog, was only started in July 2004. The design is a blogger template, like many other blogger templates.

I was a bit disappointed with the lack of writing material in the blog. The blog may develop over time into something else, or it may not. It’s more a personal blog that doesn’t really tell you much about the author, there is no “about” page or any little blurb about her writing or her life.

I hope that this blog does choose and path and hopefully develop. It has much potential.Pattern Recognition

At first, I couldn’t quite grasp what the entire blog was about. From the title “Travel the Home Exchange Way” and the subtitle “For a vacation home away from home”, I really could not understand any of it. On one hand, I thought that it would have some tips on how to make a home more comfortable and on the other hand, I thought it would offer me some brochure-like information about this one exotic city to the next.

But then I thought, where did Home Exchange come from?

As I read on, I finally saw some light. It seems that the blog is for “sharing and discussing information related to home exchange holidays through posts, comments and links.” Articles were posted discussing the idea of home exchange and also some tips on the what and how and all those questions. Actually, almost half of the posts, maybe more, were questions probably sent by home exchangers (or soon-to-be ones). The questions were then answered very well.

Design-wise, well, I have to say that not a lot of effort was put into it. It’s neat and I have to say it’s not too bad to look at. It’s just a little bit too simple.

Bonus Feature: Home Base Holidays. I think that the two sites are somehow affiliated. Now, I haven’t really thought of Home Exchange but from the articales and entries that I have read, I am certainly interested in the idea of it. And I think that the blog itself is informative enough to hold the attention of someone who is even somewhat interested in Home Exchange.

This site is a great one to visit especially if the idea of swapping houses is not one that makes you turn in away in an unpleasant feeling. I recommend this blog to anyone interested in the idea. Of course, owning your home would be a plus.Travel the Home Exchange Way

I loved this blog. It might be because it reached out to my inner greenie, but either way, it’s a blog that is both useful, insightful & even helpful, for even the laziest of people who might want to help, but don’t know where to turn to.

Karama has listed different links, suggestions and aids for anyone who might be interested in a particular subject ranging from supporting or working for a non-profit organisation, fighting breast cancer, or helping to vote for an AIDS Orphan School.

It’s a fairly new blog, started in October 2004. But I believe it’s a blog that has a lot of potential as well as being very informative. The blog is open to suggestions & questions from anyone who might be interested in something, it looks like it’s the work of just one person instead of a group blog.

The template is a regular blogger type template, but it’s simple and doesn’t take away from the content. And I feel that it’s the content that is more important in this blog. Karama mentions that she is very open to suggestions and comments, so people writing to her might be able to get her to list something they might be interested in.

I rated this blog based mainly on the fact that it’s unique, it’s innovative and it’s a go getter. Definately worth checking out if you are interested in volunteering or trying to help a cause.So what can I do?

The title alone didn’t make any sense to me. “Travel the Home Exchange Way.” What? The author states this weblog is “To share and discuss information related to home exchange holidays through posts, comments and links.” I had somewhat of an idea after reading through some posts, but it didn’t all quite click till I read the very first post.

I’d never heard of this before which might explain why I was confused for a bit. Once I began reading, the idea was really cool. Basically, you exchange homes with someone in another location, and they stay at your place for an agreed period of time. How nice is it to return to a home rather than a hotel each night while on vacation? Nice.


This site covers quite a bit of content. Lois, the author, posts experiences from different members, helps to publicize the needs of a member from the Home Based Holidays website and also discusses media news related to home based holidays. I found it all very interesting and easy to read, especially since I’d never heard of this concept of travel.

The site’s easy to get around too. Posts are categorized which is helpful, if you’re looking for something specific. And the layout’s very simple, with a calendar, links to recent posts and links to other informational sites about home exchanging.

I really enjoyed this site a lot. I learned a lot about home exchanging and it was really useful to hear about other people’s experiences. It gives insight to the issues that arise when exchanging home and also all of preparation that goes into it. It sounded like it would be a unique experience and great alternative to staying in a hotel. “Travel the Home Exchange Way” is very useful if you’re interested or are currently someone who does home exchanging. Great site.
Travel the Home Exchange Way