1/25/2008

Welcome to the Blogosphere!

I enjoyed meeting everyone today; looks like great things are in store this semester.

This blog will be the central hub of this course. Each week, assignment info will be posted. Links to important tools, sites, documents (including the syllabus) and other resources will be available in the sidebars. Feel free to post comments to the class blog if you want everyone to see them; if you need to communicate directly with me, please use e-mail.

Today we took a quick tour of Technorati and Google Reader. To get you started subscribing to blogs, and also to start building background knowledge and keeping up with important issues in media, check out the Recommended Reading in the sidebar and subscribe to all of those blogs.

To subscribe, click the orange RSS button (some blogs don't have it; look for a link that says "subscribe" or "feeds" or "Atom/XML"). You might have to look around for the button/link; some blogs have it at the top of a sidebar, others at the very bottom of the main page. Some blogs also have multiple feeds (like EFF has press releases, action alerts, main blog); just decide which ones you like and subscribe to those.

Here's a little refresher on link code: The opening tag is:
a href="http://www.google.com" (put all of that inside < > brackets).

Then type the word(s) you want to light up as your link. The closing tag is:
/a (inside < > brackets).

HTML is extremely picky; you must write the code exactly. Be sure there's a space between a href, but no spaces around the =; also be sure you're using the correct type of brackets (the ones over the comma and period keys), the correct backslash (under the question-mark key), plain quotes (sometimes if you copy from Word or another program, you get "smart quotes" which don't work in HTML). If your link doesn't work, there's something wrong with the code — it's just a matter of scrutinizing until you find the mistake. If you run into trouble let me know and I'll take a look.

HOMEWORK:
1) Set up your Google Reader account (or use another RSS aggregator if you like)
2) Use Technorati or do your own search for 5 blogs that interest you. Go for variety rather than picking a bunch on the same topic. Subscribe to those blogs.
3) Post a comment to the Class Blog that gives a brief description of your 5 blogs and your overall impression: does the writing style suit the content? Who do you think is the intended audience? Does the look/layout of the blog affect your experience? Does the blog have any extra interactive features (chat box, guestbook, polls, quizzes, etc.)? If it were your blog, would you do anything differently? Be sure to include a link to each blog as you discuss it.
4) Start thinking about what kind of blog you'd like to do; we'll start building them next week.

24 comments:

Tony Fantano said...

Hey, What’s up this is Tony Fantano and I have officially found my 5 Blogs and wow what an adventure. First, and foremost I checked out a Blog about the San Diego Chargers The site was good and more informative than the regular press because they are faster with breaking news.
The next Blog I looked up was the Bad Astronomy Blog This Blog is interesting because it is often comical and informative. I thought it was cool about the mars big foot. Baja Blog Spot is a fun Blog about a woman who is going around living her life. She just got back from a trip to Baja Mexico. The way that it is so unprofessional appeals to me. Mad Stocks is another blog that can help and picking the best stocks in order to make the most money by investing in the stocks the website is a business service: Mad Stocks. The last Blog I found was also about space exploration but this one was a little different. Space Mojo reports on new developments and inventions that will be used in space exploration. The way the content is covered is vague to an uneducated audience be clear to readers who are interested in space exploration.

Hope you enjoy the blogs
From Tony Fantano

Anonymous said...

Eschaton
Atrios is the nom de plum of Eschaton’s blogger in chief, Duncan Black. The site covers breaking political news from left of center with a focus on media bias, official dishonesty, blatant hypocrisy and utter stupidity. His entries are brief and cogent and the layout is easy on the eyes. He regularly posts links and gives kudos to other bloggers and has some of the sharpest group of readers on the net, as evidenced by the comment section following each entry. Sort of intimidating, bloggerwise.

Crooks&Liars
They watch the news so you don’t have to. One of my favorite blog stop offers small video clips of some the rampant idiocity perpetrated on and by national broadcast and cable news outlets. Unlike traditional media C&L looks to expose contradictory statements made by members of the executive branch, Congress, and so many of the self -important mucky mucks from our fifth estate. Kind of like Atrios TV. They also provide daily postings from some of the lesser-known lefty blogs. Google Reader doesn’t do justice to the visual nature of this site.

Violent Acres
I just found out about this blog from a my ex and its got a nice cantankerous, conversational, style. If you were lucky enough to have this droll bs detector in the next cubicle it would really help the work week fly by. That being said what's really appealing about it is a high popularity coupled with a less than daunting quality. It's even thoughtful enough to place the most popular posts one easy click away in case you have better things to do than read through each and all of her random meanderings.

Unfortunate Androgyny
I discovered this essential weblog from some trendy magazine someone left on the stairmaster the other day. Apparently the guy is a striking comedy writer but I can’t remember from what show and the blog isn’t giving up the info too easily. I like the pictures but the words seem a bit squished and hard to read. Is that kerning? Tricky with the RSS feed too. Hard to argue with the Bruce Jenner pics though.

Web Urbanist
I want to be this blog.

Jeannine said...

This was my first time exploring the big blog world. I had always felt that blogs were kind of like Michael Jackson's kids. I know they exist but I just never see them. But I went out and actually found them! Blogs, not the kids. I found Bluestocking LA because IMDB linked her blog to their site. She is a screenwriter, mom, and all around film addict who has some pretty interesting stuff to say. Very up to the times with TV, movies, and the strike and doesn't talk too much about her baby. She also links to some other cool sites and blogs like Complications Ensue. This is a TV and screenwriting blog written by a guy in the biz. It includes helpful tips for other writers and he also links to other blogs about TV, writing, and related topics. When I first started searching for blogs I just typed in things I like. Because I like to drink, I ended up finding a blog called Drinking Liberally. It is an online community for people who like drinking and politics, and they meet in bars all around the country to drink and talk about politics! It sounded pretty interesting, and I wanted to share it since there are several chapters in the Bay Area. Best Week Ever is a pretty hilarious show and I am enjoying the blog also. The Movie Insiders is a blog to keep you up with all the new and fantastic information about movies and the movie making geniuses. The weird thing is that I have no idea who is writing it or sometimes where the information is coming from. Those are 5 interesting blogs that I found, but here is one more just because I'm liking this one Zombies Are Coming.
-Jeannine

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Claudia said...

After numerous unsuccessful postings I think I got it right this time.

I am Claudia Novoa and a complete virgin in the blogging world, so thank you for the introduction. I have been finding a lot of interesting information on various blogs but must admit that it is hard to keep up with all the information pouring in each day.

The very first blog I would like to introduce you to is Pajama Media which consist of a variety of news that mainstream media forgot to print (as they put it). The layout of the blog is great in my opinion because the top blogs are large in size, while smaller links for stories are on the right side with links to the actual news websites. In addition, the site offers links that you can scroll over while a screen pops up with additional info from Wikipedia, videos from various news sources or books from Amazon. The blog engages the user, which makes me believe that the intended targets are adults 25-40 years old.

The second blog is Think Progress, a blog focusing on various issues such as politics, the administration, Congress and Iraq. An interesting posting that got my attention was Spears makes more news than Bush with interesting comments from adults 25-40 years old (is my guess). In addition, some blogs contain video from various news sources. The layout of this blog is simple and clean, it is not as cluttered as Pajamas Media. This is an excellent site for news.

My third blog is The Superficial-Because You’re Ugly This blog takes a look at superficial celebrities and makes fun of them. The writing is very sarcastic but funny. The comments are short and sweet but to the point and sometimes offensive to the celebrity. The blog’s layout is simple without too much advertising which reduces the clutter. The blog offers celebrity gossip that you probably won’t see else where.

My fourth blog is all about fashion and beauty tips. She Finds helps women find the best fashion, beauty and health products. She Finds searches the Internet for trends, sales and advice on various products. The site is a bit cluttered with all the advertising, but they keep the main information in the middle of the screen. This site is targeted to women of all ages but it does include tips for men as well. It seems that many people use the site for information as they refrain from posting comments.

My last blog is probably one of my favorites, especially since the 2008 season is starting soon. . Blue Notes- A Dodgers Blog is all about the Dodgers, my favorite baseball team. The blog offers great information and comments from true blue die-hard fans. There are audio clips with interviews of players and coaches. The blog is most likely targeted to male Dodger fans or baseball fans in general. But I think this is one blog I will be reading throughout the 2008 season.

After discovering the vast amount of blogs in the World Wide Web it seems to me that many of these blogs are targeted to adults 18-45 years old. I don’t think many older adults even know what a blog is. But I’ve discovered that it is a place that you can explore information and the vast amount opinions that make up our society. I’ve enjoyed my introduction to blogs and hope you will as well.

John Eightclip said...

This is John Jenkins-Stark. I view blogs often, here are some that I frequent.
Coregasm Mp3 Blog
The look of this blog isn't extremely appealing, however the content is right up my ally.
The administrator posts old punk and hardcore vinyl record mp3's for his subscribers to download.
This is great for someone who wants the old vinyl in digital format, and it also serves as a new network
of promoting bands via this underground music scene.

Instructables
This entire website has an RSS feed, and is composed of many many different blogs that make up "Instructables".
This website is basically a community "how to" blog. People post on "how to" do certain things. They include instructions, pictures, and diagrams so that you can replicate their process. It doesn't look pretty but the content is pretty interesting.

Design Sponge
This is a very pretty looking blog. Its all about design, and interior decorating. There are some pretty great idea's on there. Due to my girlfriend beinga graphic designer, our apartment is starting to look more and more like those in pictures of these blogs. I am not complaining, because its starting to look very nice. However, I am finding it funny that my nerdy broadcast electronic communications interests are rubbing off on a "graphic design/art" student.
This blog is fun to take a look at, and it also has links to personal podcasts which are endorsed by Design Sponge which is an interesting feature.

Ready Made
I like the magazine that this blog compliments. This is off of the print magazine's website, and you can view different projects or idea's or showcased artists as they are posted. I have become a bit of a design/building/decorating nerd via my lady friend. So this blog goes hand in hand with making our apartment a nice living area. They incorporate pictures, video, and other instruction types of posts. Its not the prettiest blog, but the content is there and it isn't horrible to look at like my first pick.

JiratuX said...

Hey,

Tauri J. Miller here with the hottest Blogs on the net.


At #1...

A beginner's cookbook

I chose this blog because it has a wide variety of recipes and I am new to cooking. I think this blog is directed towards cooking novices and veterans alike.

At #2...

College Humor

Collegehumor.com is a website devoted to user generated content and funny events in the media. There are many different types on media on this site. There's video, pictures, and articles. As the name suggest the site is geared towards college students. The layout is colorful and user friendly.

At #3...
Gizmo Central

This is a technology based blog devoted to the newest and greatest gadgets on the market. The blog is pretty disorganized but you can make your way through it. If it were my blog I'd organize the gadgets based on type or awesomeness.

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you #4...

Life and Times of Tucker MAX

Tucker Max is a master storyteller and his hedonistic lifestyle is something to not only laugh at, but also learn from. The blog is essentially a collection of stories that showcase Tucker's exploits out at bars and parties. I was actually referred to this blog by my friend. A blog I had written about a crazy night in Arizona lead him to believe I'd appreciate Tucker Max... And I did! Thank You Terrance.

Last but not least, #5...

Updates on the writer strike

As a prospective writer I feel it is important to keep up with the current state of the industry. I've been keeping track of the strike since it started and I must say... I miss my shows... networks need to get their stuff together.

Anonymous said...

Digital Destiny

This blog talks about different issues involved around the “democratic media.” What I mean is that it gives you a different perspective in media issues going on in the moment. Its content is very versatile. The blog contains a variety of topics such as media industry lobbying, diversity in media ownership, public interest media, media criticism and talks about major corporations whom own the media such as news Corp, Microsoft, Yahoo etc. I really like this site because the style of writing is fairly simple to understand and the content is direct. I think the intended audience for the site is people interested in media and technology such as media students or middle age people already working in the industry. It’s a good site to find out what is going on in the media world and has interesting topics to talk with people about. However, the site is a little plain and visually boring and does not contain any interactive features. It could definitely use more graphics and a variety of more vivid colors to make it come alive. Also perhaps a forum for people to talk about the issues of the week because as in right now there were no comments for this week’s issues.

Drive around the world

This is an incredible blog for people who enjoy traveling. It’s a site about a group of people whom drove around the world in a 16,000-mile expedition from Beijing to San Francisco crossing 4 continents and 30 countries to benefit Parkinson’s disease. The writing is very simplistic; it is journal style. They write about their personal experiences in each of the countries they visited. Their audience is probably anyone interested in traveling as well as people whom appreciate their passion for raising funds and bringing awareness towards charitable causes. The blog is quite complete. It tells you who the people are, how they did it, how they planed it, how you can join their cause among many other interesting details about using traveling as a way of fundraising. This site does not have any interactive features but to be honest I don’t think it needs any. The only thing I would ad to this site is more pictures of the places they visited because there is very few and also a video from their travels because they people who did it are in the media field.

For Colombians only

I love this blog. First of all is in Spanish wish is a plus for me. It is a great way to network with other Latinos, especially people from Colombia who live over seas. This site is very complete. It contains news from Colombia and world news that affect Colombia, music videos, and links for all newspapers in Colombia, links to radio stations from Colombia etc. It also has features for people to build their on blog so that Latinos whom are not back at home can still connect with home by discussing different issues going on in Latino America. The witting style is like news style, very upfront, straight to the facts. It seems very unbiased. So far the posts that I read don’t really seem to have any opinion in them but rather are used strictly as an informative source for people who no longer live in Colombia. I like the layout of the blog because if offers videos, music, networking tools and several links to news outlets.

Intercultural Communications

This site is a little boring. However, because I have a great interest in intercultural communications I figure it won’ hurt to check it out once in a while. They seem to pursue interesting topics such as global jobs and conventions on global technology. The blogs are well written and I like that the posts usually include quotation marks from the people whom have spoken about the issue. It tells me that experts are talking about the subject matter. The layout is really plain and does not have many navigating options or neither interactive features. I would like for this site to be more colorful, have some videos about conventions related to the topic and have a discussion forum about how people are dealing with intercultural challenges in their daily lives.

Media Outlet

This is a great site for people who wish to know more about the candidates running for presidency. As media students if we wish to make a change we must vote and be educated about whom we vote for. I like this site because it talks in detail about all the issues brought up by the media in relation to the presidential campaign among other important topics such as civil and human rights, crime and justice issues, education, immigration, national security, religion, that we should keep in mind when picking our candidate. I like the lay out of this site because it doesn’t only contain the facts about where each candidate stands but it also provides footage of speeches from the candidates. Something else I also like about this site, is that it gives you and opportunity to get involve. It provides you with information of campaigns going about a particular issue and contact information of the people who are in charge of each particular campaign.

Anonymous said...

Horror Movie Updates

This blog is obviously geared at fans of the horror genre, like myself. It constantly keeps me up to date with any new developments or information regarding scary movies. Now I know what's coming out or what treasures I might have never been alerted about, such is usually the case with foreign films.

Nerd World

Let's just face it: nerds are smarter than us. They know about everything before it happens because they're usually the ones who make it happen, so getting to be part of their blog, you learn a lot. Whether it be a new clean burning fuel, or just a new advanced form of A.I. for video games, these nerds got it and dishing it our for free!

Batman

Having just admitted that I appreciate nerds, I guess it only acceptable that I admit to being one, in the vein that I honestly really do love Batman. Ever since I was a child, I've been curious and fascinated with the story-arc of the man and now I'm part of a community that feels the same way. This blog offers news updates, reviews and even polls relating to Batman (now-a-days, mostly the new Christopher Nolan film coming out this summer).

Cooking 101

This is blog that just everyday delivers to its readers a new recipe. They're usually beginners recipes, which is great because I am only a beginner (sad to say). The site gives you a little insight as to how the recipe was created and then gives your the recipe with easy to follow instructions. No more fires in MY kitchen, I can tell you that much.

Lastly, but of course not the least of these blogs is...

Our own BECA 670 Class blog!!

Why wouldn't I want this as one of my blogs?? It's geared towards just me and the other 30 or so of us. I've got all my homework assignments updated and just ready for me to start on, and I'm kept up to date with how all my fellow classmates are doing. Super convenient, and awesomely simple. See you guys in class.

Anonymous said...

Suicide Bots

Your one stop for live robot-on-robot action. Everything you wanted to know about robots, but were afraid to ask. The good, the bad, and the ugly in cutting edge robotica. The blogeresses humor bites and caresses.

Compost Bin
What's not to love about compost, mulch, and DIY indoor terrariums in New Jersey? Anthony, a self-proclaimed composting addict, has a knack for making mulch and leaf mold look like oodles of fun. To top it off, this compost-rich blog has its own cooking/recipe section chalk full of delightful treats (not made with compost!)

Teriyaki Donuts
Ever wonder about those Teriyaki Donut joints? Those Chicken and Ice Cream places? Well, wonder no more. Inkyhack has combed every corner of California to bring you the digs on these joints, firsthand.

Anonymous said...

Suicide Bots

Your one stop for live robot-on-robot action. Everything you wanted to know about robots, but were afraid to ask. The good, the bad, and the ugly in cutting edge robotica. The blogeresses humor bites and caresses.

Compost Bin
What's not to love about compost, mulch, and DIY indoor terrariums in New Jersey? Anthony, a self-proclaimed composting addict, has a knack for making mulch and leaf mold look like oodles of fun. To top it off, this compost-rich blog has its own cooking/recipe section chalk full of delightful treats (not made with compost!)

Teriyaki Donuts
Ever wonder about those Teriyaki Donut joints? Those Chicken and Ice Cream places? Well, wonder no more. Inkyhack has combed every corner of California to bring you the digs on these joints, firsthand.

James said...

Hey everyone, this is James Aganon. Here are 5 blogs that I actually like to go check out whenever I have any free time.



SportsBlog Nation is a sports community blog that reaches all major sports such as Basketball, Football, and Baseball. One of the most popular blogs in the community is the Super Bowl which features the New England Patriots and New York Giants. The intended audience for this blog site is definitely sports fanatics out there like me who love to discuss sports. The site features a comment forum where people can give a comment to a recent blog.

Guardian Unlimited

Guardian Unlimited is a blog site that talks about many different topics ranging from film, books, and even music. I read through some of the blogs that involved commentary on the recent death of Heath Ledger and his legacy in Hollywood. Overall, the site is great because bloggers give detailed information on whatever they are talking about.



The California primary is just a couple of days away and the best way for me to keep up with some of the candidates was to go on their own sites and go to the blog where followers detail the next move for the candidate. Candidate sites such as Hilary Clinton’s web site posts a lot of information to keep prospective voters informed.

Linkin Park

Staying informed with my favorite band, Linkin Park, is also another thing that interest me. I usually follow what they are up to by going to their MySpace blog where a different member of the band chronicles upcoming events.



Even though I reside in San Francisco, I still like to look at blogs discussing certain places in the city to visit for leisure. In the About.com web site, people can leave blogs depicting their adventures and inform others of unknown sites in the city. I think the blog serves a purpose in terms of getting people to see a beautiful city.

Grant said...

What's up bloggers. This is Grant Josafat. Here are the 5 blogs I found. The first 3 however are from sfgate.com. One is the
Giants Splash for fans who follow what's going on with the Giants on a daily basis during the season or off. Next is the
Culture Blog which is about anything in American culture from a local perspective. Sometimes its meant to make us laugh and keep track with what's new in society. The third is the
Daily Dish For some reason I like to read about what's happening with today's celebrities, whether or not it's good, bad, or even shocking. The fourth blog is
ETonline Music News for when I want to keep up with the latest in music. And finally
CNet Tech News so I can keep up with the latest in today's technology and/or anything involving Apple products.
These blogs are intended for any audience that are into these kinds of trends. A few things they all have in common is that they're for anyone who subscribes to them via RSS or Atom feeds and the comment box so readers can express their thoughts about what they've read. Some are either brief or lengthy. Either way I like reading these blogs because give me a new understanding about how this or that will change society.

Anonymous said...

The first blog that I viewed caught my attention because it discusses particular issues that I definitely don’t hear about in local mediums such as newspapers and television news organizations. This blog focuses on topics such as “mind control, Nazis, Satanic ritual abuse, assassinations and governmental abuse” in Oakland, CA . I am an Oakland native and these types of issues are of deep concern to me, especially because it continues to affect my community! I find that the content in this blog is well served because it includes a lot of factual details, which help understand the more complex problems in Oakland’s political hierarchy. This blog includes several categories and references under each post, so I am convinced that the information I read is legitimate. The only extra features I saw on this blog are various links on related issues, yet they are is not very interactive. I think this blog is definitely intended for informing Oakland residents and executives to beware of assassinations due to espionage.


As I browsed through the Golden State of Mind Blog, I noticed the writing style is non-formal. This blog is mainly based on fans information and opinions about particular games and players, so it’s definitely intended for Warrior fanatics. It being a NBA blog and all, I think the content is fairly served for its fans. However, there is tons of information and tons of different categories, that I feel it is too much! A lot of categories are available for posting such as: news, hype, rumors, humor, science, history, fashion, interviews and even community diaries. Therefore, this blog is so interactive that fans can spend hours reading and commenting about nothing but the Warriors. If this was my blog, I would consider taking out some of those blogs on the right column with only two comments, since they are overcrowding the site.


Blu’s Daily Blog writing style is fun to read because the content keeps people tuned to current things and events regarding this company’s interest. For example, mainly all the posts are regarding: a daily dose, as good as it gets, and Kailee’s Daily Top 10. This blog is particularly for this company’s clients, yet serves well to other photographers who want to learn more about this company’s style of work. I really like the style of this blog because it uses a boutique style that attracts my eyes, so having a pretty site definitely affected my browsing experience. As I browsed the blog, I did notice that the only interactive features are other clients who have their own blogs. However, there is not a lot of interaction on the main site. If this was my blog, I would have a special section for client reviews.

I am not savvy when it comes to keeping up with technology, so I am glad I found a site that emphasizes on technology. I like how this blog provides useful tips that can help facilitate our use with certain products, programs and networking abilities online. And the postings I read so far do a good job correlating to the blog’s content because whether it’s a post about a product or website, every post has valuable information that will improve and facilitate our use with complicated devices and programs. Anyone who spends time using computers is the target audience for this blog, since there are all sorts of information for our daily use of systems. Although this blog is all about being tech savvy, I was surprised to see how simple the blog is. The layout is simple and easy to browse through, so using this blog is easy to manage. There are various other related blogs that are a click away, and can become as interactive as we make it.


Money comes and goes and learning how to get rich is a difficult process. I have currently been thinking about ways to save money, so that when I am older I have funds to depend on. And this blog serves good information on how to get rich slowly. The style of writing is good in the sense that a lot of the writing expresses life experiences that others can relate to. Some of us have a hard time saving money and getting out of dept, so this blog serves those of us who are willing to make changes with the way we manage our finances. There are not too many links all over the page, so this blog gives a comfortable browsing experience because you can follow the content at ease. As I browsed the page the only interactive features I noticed are commenting on each post. And If this were my blog, I can’t think of anything at the moment that I would want to change.

Jesse C. said...

Hello All, Below are my five choicest selections o'blogging fun. Enjoy!

1.) TGTV - Is a blog written by Tim Goodman from the San Francisco Chronicle. He blogs mostly on TV shows, but touches on other forms of entertainment such as theater and the movies. He has a very lively style of writing, and he his addicted to "The Wire" just like me.

2.) Hardball Times - This blog focuses on the ins and outs of baseball. Scouting, trades, front office stories, statistics, all in a very user friendly package. This blog is a sports geeks best friend.

3.) The Ethicurean - Ever wonder, "why all the hubub?" About healthy eating, fresh produce, grass fed cows, fair trade, organic food, and so on and so forth? Check this site out to get a lot of the answers.

4.) Uni Watch - Paul Lukas is a writer for The New York Times and ESPN's Page 2. His blog Uni Watch is dedicated to the study of all things sports uniform related. When did the Devil Rays change their colors from green and purple to something looking all too Yankee-ish? Why is purple possibly the worst uniform color ever? Find out here.

5.) John Perkins - This is a blog from the author of one of the most shocking and important books of the last decade. John Perkins once, sent to cripple foreign economies by our government, wrote a book "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" that exposed all of his, and many of our countries secrets about how we have stayed a world power for so long. He has spent much of the rest of his life trying to undo the horrors he has had a hand in and also trying to enlighten the general public about what they can do to really make a difference in the world.

Caleb said...

Snow Report

This is the perfect blog for any skiers or snowboarders. It is a concise report that informs you of the perfect time to get out to the mountains. It is very user friendly, in that anyone can get the facts quickly.

The Hype Machine

This would be the blog for anyone who enjoys discovering new music. People around the world post songs they like and talk about it. Within every post you can listen to the song and reply if you wish. Or just steal others good taste and enjoy. The vibe of the site gives off a refreshing vibe. It is not a place for elitists, just honest opinions about the music people want to share.

The Onion

So news these days are either pretty depressing or not that interesting. So why not make a joke out of it? The Onion is the only newspaper I can actually read more than half of. The layout is that of a normal news site, but once you read the headlines you will notice the difference quickly.

Oakland A's

So I have to keep up with my team. I will admit though these layout seems a little cheesy to me. But it was the best A's blog I could find. One thing I do like about it though, is that people other than the host can post. It gives the fans some power of the page. What ever topics are on the mind can easily be discussed.

Game Drift

Ok, so no judging here. I still am all over the video games. So with that said this site is very informative. I also appriciate that it is noted that technology news are included. The host is combining two very similar topics that mesh well together. Someone who is into video games would probably be into tech gadgets as well. This blog is a one spot for the inner nerd.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone!

My name is Amanda McAneney but most of the time people have problems pronouncing my last name so mainly everyone I know calls me Amanda Mac. Here are the blog sites that I enjoy, and hopefully you guys will too!



The SF Deli
The SF Deli is one of my favorite blog sites of all time. A website dedicated to the SF music scene, the SF Deli is also joined with it’s partnering sites for LA and NY. The NY Deli also has a hard copy magazine to accompany it’s popular webpage. The SF Deli goes beyond the typical Myspace search for it’s featured artists but opt to go view a live show or in person interview. I love watching local bands get the recognition they diserve, My boyfriend is in a band called Better Than Aliens and they have been featured twice on this site!


The Bay Bridged
Ok, so I know that we are suppose to cover a range of blog sites but I could not leave out The Bay Bridged. It is another local music webpage, but unlike the SF Deli you can purchase music to download on your computer, cd’s and other merchandise there as well. In general it is a larger website with more articles and coverage than the SF Deli.


Digg.com
I would not call myself a regular "digger" but I do find myself scrolling down the page every now and then. This blog site is different than most because it allows the readers to decide what they want to see. If you "dig" an article then you are recommending it to others. The articles that have the most digs show up at the top of the page.


Food Network Recipe Page
My boyfriend and I live together and we absolutely adore cooking. Often times we will make an entire feat like dinner completely from scratch. There are some things that over the years we “just know how” to make, almost like the recipe has drilled itself into our brains. However, for the recipes that we do not have memorized we can easily find on this website. It is not just the hosts of the Food Network television shows who post on this site, but regular people like you or me. So whether you are searching for Grandma’s apple pie or a delicacy like foie gras, you will be able to find your recipe here!


Robot Forest
I had troubles coming up with a 5th blog site so it was pretty appropriate that late last night I got an email from one of my best friends Freddie (a fellow BECA student) giving me a link to his new photo blog site. I thought it would be a great idea to incorporate a blog of someone I know who is also using the Blogger website. His photos are great...especially the ones that I am in!

Anonymous said...

Hey guys, this is Josh Muller. Got my five and here they are:
The first is Screenhead . It is mainly a blog about what is going on in the movie industry. It's pretty straight forward; it gives upcoming rumors about all movies and reviews and all sorts of things. I love movies so this is the perfect thing for me to keep up with the up and up.

The second is a sports blog. I gotta have my fix. It is called the The Recliner GM , which is totally cool because it is exactly how I look at sports. My friends and I often tell each other how we think we can do a better job at being a general manager of a certain sports team, which is of course not true, and then I found this guy who does the same thing. I love the way it is written in that sarcastic manner. It is really fun to read.
Next is another movie blog. This one claims to be daily news of everything interesting in the film world. I liked the topics they were discussing and I liked the writing as well. It was pretty simple but kept my attention and made me want to come back and check up on it so I figured that would be enough.
My next blog, embarrassingly enough, is a blog about video games . And what is worse is tha most of the video games talked about in this blog aren't even ones that I would play. But they do talk about a few and it is nice to see someone else's opinion before I go and by something. Judge me if you will, so be it.
Finally, I found a blog about the NBA . Again, gotta get my fix. It would be even worse if we were in baseball season, which is my sport of choice, but I do love those warriors so I have to look around the league and see how they are doing. I love sports. Hope everyone else found their blogs ok.

Anonymous said...

Being a BECA student means that with constant practice of creative problem solving, it is likely that such skill gets carried on beyond the campus, and integrated in other areas of one’s life. For example, when faced with a dilemma of supply and demand, and most often it is equipment shortage, one must learn to rise above the situation and come up with a way to continue a project through resorting to resources elsewhere. Such is also the case when it comes to food, clothing, and leisure. Whatever the reason for shortage of funds, be it computer repairs, late financial aid, or drinking it all away, there’s always the web to keep the hunger at bay. Like window-shopping, a visual feast of Tasty Palettes eases the pangs while digesting yet another meal of ramen noodles. While focusing on the crisp imagery, and temporarily suspending the sense of taste, ramen becomes an instant treat. Speaking of treat, I can’t remember the last time I was able to splurge on clothing. Yes there’s the ubiquitous Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange, but depending on which location you go to, selection is often limited, and treasure digging gets tiresome when time is a factor. DIY is a fantastic way to, yet again, utilize the creative powers through deconstruction and turning an existing wardrobe into a work of art – you’re art. ModernMagik is a great way to get inspired. And if that doesn’t really inspire you, stimulate your aural senses by listening some music you’re most likely not going to hear on the radio. Yes, more , because we just can’t get enough. (Or maybe that’s just me.)

With a bit of imagination, one can survive the BECA years with five course meals, in one-of-a-kind clothing, and listening to some obscure music, while getting hours on end of e-therapy-musement via
and gofugyourself.

Check out our website! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon[a] said...

Being a BECA student means that with constant practice of creative problem solving, it is likely that such skill gets carried on beyond the campus, and integrated in other areas of one’s life. For example, when faced with a challenge of supply and demand, most frequently due to equipment shortage, one must learn to rise above the situation in order to realize a project. Such is achieved by artistic modification, or simply resorting to resources elsewhere. To a degree, these occasions mirror the fundamental dilemmas of food, clothing, and leisure. Whatever one’s grounds for fund shortage: be it computer repairs, late financial aid, or drinking it all away, there’s always the web to aid in keeping the hunger at bay.

Like window-shopping, a visual feast of Tasty Palettes eases the pangs of digesting yet another meal of ramen noodles. When one’s focus on the crisp imagery coincides with the reduction of sense of taste, ramen becomes an instant treat.

Speaking of treat, it’s difficult to be fashionably self-expressive on a student budget. Even with the scatter of ubiquitous resale shops (i.e. Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange), unless you can afford to allocate the time to dig for treasure, it’s often a hit-or-miss. So, rather than wasting hours of searching, D.I.Y. (do it yourself) is a fantastic way to exercise one’s creative muscles. Get inspired, whip up some ideas and refashion an existing wardrobe into a form of self-expressive art.

To help get the juices flowing, perhaps some bit of exposure to new sounds from the design capital of the globe would do the soul some good. Get some aural stimulation from the SwedesPlease.
With a bit of imagination, enjoy some bit of fine ramen dining while clad in one-of-a-kind attire, and master the art of creative living, without going into further debt.

But if you just want to wank around for a bit to kill some time, then maybe you’ll find some amusement in postsecret and gofugyourself.