Blogs: Your Opinions, Please

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Allow us to pick your brains for a moment.

Allow us to pick your brains for a moment.

We (the news team) have been tossing around the idea of blogs for months now. After humming and hawing over it we (well, some of us more than others) decided the readers should at least get to weigh in on the matter.

For us, the community aspect of Tom’s is extremely important, particularly away from the forums. We love to hear your thoughts on the day to day events in the tech world and recently we’ve been trying to bring you guys closer to the news.

You may have noticed our efforts as of late: Tuan’s Question of the Day posts, which always get a massive response, Marcus’ active participation in the discussions and Jane’s “every article has to end with a question” style are just a few of our endeavors. Depending on the writer and the topic, our posts can be fairly opinionated, mostly because we like to encourage good vibes and friendly debates. What we want to know is if you’d like to see us take this further.

We were thinking something along the lines of weekly columns for each editor, published on different days (it’s early, so details are more vague than the predictions of a fraudulent clairvoyant). However, this isn’t something we want to pursue unless there’s a genuine interest. We’ll be lurking in the comments section to answer your questions over the coming days but it’s pretty straight forward. We want to hear what you think: Blogs, yay or nay?

Just to be clear, if you do want blogs, it'll be an addition to our news--nothing will be taken away.

Let us know and it shall be done (or not, obviously).

Jane McEntegart
44 Comments Comment from the forums
  • radnor
    Tom is degenarating. As usual, if you want to sell more you will have to diversify. First "Why i sent 3k on a freaking mac.", now blogs.
    Reply
  • hobbitcy
    i wouldnt mind reading your blogs
    would be a nice side line to the normal info
    Reply
  • dedhorse
    Well, most of your recent "news" items have been nothing more than blog entries anyway, so what can it hurt? Really, what's the difference?

    For me, news is a non-biased reporting of fact. The writer at least making an effort to track down original sources and getting confirmation, denial, or even a no comment from all parties involved.

    Most of what I've read in the "news" section of this site as been what the writer has read on some other site, which usually refers to what they read on yet another site. And then the writer making some smart alek response to the story.

    Honestly though, semantics aside (and needless whining aside), if what you purpose means bringing more interesting tech news from around the world to the site, then I'm for it.
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    RadnorTom is degenarating. As usual, if you want to sell more you will have to diversify. First "Why i sent 3k on a freaking mac.", now blogs.
    The idea of blogs is to diversify.
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    dedhorseWell, most of your recent "news" items have been nothing more than blog entries anyway, so what can it hurt? Really, what's the difference?For me, news is a non-biased reporting of fact. The writer at least making an effort to track down original sources and getting confirmation, denial, or even a no comment from all parties involved.Most of what I've read in the "news" section of this site as been what the writer has read on some other site, which usually refers to what they read on yet another site. And then the writer making some smart alek response to the story.Honestly though, semantics aside (and needless whining aside), if what you purpose means bringing more interesting tech news from around the world to the site, then I'm for it.
    The blogs would likely be opinion-based columns on topics that aren't necessarily news but rather topics of interest. This would hopefully take the "blogginess" away from the news and keep it to the weekly columns for each reader.
    Reply
  • AngryClown
    I'd read them. Give the authors a chance to share their personal opinions without starting WW3.
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    *editor rather. Pardon my hasty commenting.
    Reply
  • chaosgs
    AngryClownI'd read them. Give the authors a chance to share their personal opinions without starting WW3.
    Pfft what are you kidding me? Someone always has to bitch about something, just look at the top poster hes already started bitching.
    Reply
  • Humans think
    Weekly columns for editors would be great. It would be nice to know what got you really excited during the last week, a new technology you started using or a new program/service that really drove your attention. Some more sophisticated authors could make Dvorak-like statements or speculations about the computer markets so firing up a debate.

    IMO as far as the blog style is concerned I think that news-serving is a service you provide and should be objective. News should not be confused with subjective opinions. First give the facts and then state your opinion. Jane's posts for example sure motivate people to respond to news and makes news more digestible for wider audiences but only cover one side of the coin and I often feel compelled to respond playing the role of the devil's advocate.

    One other thing is that often in the comments section I see few statements that really enlighten me, Prodigit80's comments for example and a handfull of others. I am an active member of many blogs but I come here and at xbit labs to see the news and the reason is I am fed up with fanboy comments and useless comments that are only posted to give the false impression of a community. Most comments are anticipated depending on the subject, Mac fanboys, PC fanboys, Linux fanboys, pirate comments, antipirate comments, republican comments, democratic comments, communist comments, american comments, european comments and the list can go on for ever... Moreover I come hear to read the opinions of the gurus, people I acknowledge as better at technology than myself.

    You might think I am not very fond of free speech rights but this would be wrong, I guess that people (not excluding myself) lost their ability to discern when they really have sth to say that can add sth to what it is already known, and just want to be selfish and state their opinions...

    The thumbs up and thumbs down on comments was a good move if people used them. I would also suggest putting sth like a poll with agree and disagree in subjective editor's opinions.

    Sorry for the length of my comment and thanks opportunity you gave us to talk about recent site changes.
    Reply
  • chaosgs
    I guess blogs would be ok, would give me more reason to search through toms for info. This is my only tech site so maybe ill be able to get more out of it.

    But, please don't pick my brain, that's just plain rude (and a bit graphic).
    Reply