Cityscapes

[Linkmeister]

I just ran across a new group blogging idea. It's called Metroblogging (http://metroblogging.com/), and so far Honolulu is not represented. 10 bloggers are required from each city; so far they have 10 cities. I just read the FAQ, and I wondered if it's interesting to any of us Honolulans. :)

[adrian]

What about someone who travels to Honolulu on a daily basis?

[pzarquon]

Wow. Looks like fun! There's no reason why one couldn't start their own metro-focused group weblog (cough HawaiiStories cough cough), but being part of a larger network could be more fun... or at least give you an audience beyond others in town. I'll sign up if you will, Link!

I see some cities have photos incorporated, others don't. Honolulu offers plenty to see, in addition to stuff to read. Wonder if they'll support mobloggers, too?

[Mocha]

Sorry in advance as this may be a really "stupid" question, but WHAT is blogging? I've read about it on another thread but never asked. :confused:

[Linkmeister]

Sorry in advance as this may be a really "stupid" question, but WHAT is blogging? I've read about it on another thread but never asked. :confused:

Ryan can give you the technical details. ;) For an example of a group blog, you could look at Hawaii Stories (http://www.hawaiistories.com/), as he suggested. It's basically whatever the author wants it to be, in the case of individual blogs. I've seen subjects as diverse as politics, medicine, soup, day-to-day life, and on and on. Mine (http://linkmeister.com/blog/) is fairly general, although if I categorized it would probably be about 65% national politics. Somehow I keep finding enough to yammer about that I've been doing it for close to three years now. :eek:

Ryan, I'll sign up, but I don't get out and about a lot to add much about Honolulu's daily life other than the papers, unless Waimalu counts. :(

[Glen Miyashiro]

Sorry in advance as this may be a really "stupid" question, but WHAT is blogging? I've read about it on another thread but never asked. :confused:
It's short for "web logging", the keeping of a web-based journal or log (web log > weblog > blog).

[pzarquon]

Sorry in advance as this may be a really "stupid" question, but WHAT is blogging? I've read about it on another thread but never asked.Blogging is an awful word that is the verb form of 'blog, which is the slang/shortened version of the word weblog. As for what is a weblog, the Wikipedia has a pretty good, comprehensive article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog) that I'd recommend you check out.

As Link noted, a weblog can be personal, it can be political, it can be professional... basically, the term has come to encompass nearly all types of "personal publishing" on the web, which has prompted some old-timers to declare the word pointless. After all, you can just as easily say, "I have a website." Sadly, saying "I have a blog!" is too cool to resist.

HawaiiStories.com - a sister site of HawaiiThreads.com -- is a community weblog (multiple contributors post to the main site), but it also hosts individual weblogs. See Alaska transplant and Zippy's employee James (http://www.hawaiistories.com/james/), or Waikiki philosopher Ron (http://www.hawaiistories.com/ron/), or Chinatown maven Lynn (http://www.hawaiistories.com/lynn/).

If you (or anyone) wants to give blogging a try, drop me a line. As long as you've got something to say, and have a tie to the islands, we'll happily set you up with a weblog... free!

[scrivener]

Blogging is an awful word that is the verb form of 'blog,

Holy Cow. Thank you so much for saying that. Seriously.

And Link, I echo what Ryan says about both HawiiStories AND the Metblogging thing--if you sign up, I will, too.

[pzarquon]

I applied, so if you and Link go ahead, three inquiries should be enough to get us noticed. (They have a ten-contributor threshold to be listed, but presumably a lower count to start specifically soliciting members.)

I think I'll drop them a line, separately, and see what's up. A lot of other sites with regional breakdowns tend to give Hawaii a special exemption, allowing the whole state to qualify as a node rather than just Honolulu specifically. If we can have Big Island and other representation, we'd easily find enough contributors to make for a most interesting "metroblog."

Meanwhile, I can't believe I didn't make the connection sooner: Metroblogging seems somewhat derivitave of The City Stories Project (http://citystories.com/), for which I once considered recruiting island contributors. HawaiiStories.com could have been a node on that network, but ended up being something independent.

[Linkmeister]

I just applied, for what it's worth. For frequency of posting I told 'em twice a week.

[pzarquon]

Within fifteen minutes of e-mailing them, I got a reply from Metroblogging founder Sean Bonner:

They'd be happy to set all of Hawaii as a "metro area" to get started - welcoming contributions from Waikiki to Kea`au - as they faced the same question with places like the Carribean. Of course, if the site grows to the point where there are enough contributors in Honolulu proper, they can split things off then.

The cutoff to make "Coming Soon" is five. Got any blog-happy friends?

[scrivener]

Okay. I'm in.

For the "Why" question, I answered, "Why not?" Do you think that's a reason not to "accept" my application?

[mel]

I signed up for this thing. There is a category for "hawaii" but I also put in "honolulu" for other city.

[craigwatanabe]

Mel can you post the URL in this thread? Thanks

[pzarquon]

Craig, Link's initial post had the hyperlink, but the site is Metroblogging.com (http://www.metroblogging.com/). And indeed, as Mel noted, sometime yesterday they added "Hawaii" to the list of areas you can apply for (http://www.metroblogging.com/apply.phtml).

To get an idea of what other cities are doing, be sure to check out the metroblogs for Seattle (http://seattle.metblogs.com/), Chicago (http://chicago.metblogs.com/), and the like. (Why Los Angeles is a separate site off the "network" I'm not quite sure.) Everything from where to eat to what I did today.

I wonder if it'll be okay to crosspost the same stuff to both the metroblog network and other group blogs like HawaiiStories (http://www.hawaiistories.com) (or our own personal blogs)? It's hard enough keeping fresh stuff flowing elsewhere without generating something entirely new for another site.

[Linkmeister]

I wonder if it'll be okay to crosspost the same stuff to both the metroblog network and other group blogs like HawaiiStories (http://www.hawaiistories.com) (or our own personal blogs)? It's hard enough keeping fresh stuff flowing elsewhere without generating something entirely new for another site.

That's more or less what I plan to do. As you say, the well occasionally runs dry enough without going to it twice in a day. :D

[Mocha]

Thank you all for the explanation. Guess I'm very "backward" when it comes to certain on-line lingo. I'm going to read the suggested links now. :p

[scrivener]

Has anyone besides Ryan heard back after "applying?" I haven't, so, you know. Just wondering.

[scrivener]

I finally heard back this weekend via a mass email explaining pretty much what Ryan outlines above. Has anyone here tried recruiting someone? I sent a couple of emails out but haven't heard back from anyone.

This thing sorta feels dead before it starts, to be honest. But maybe I'm just impatient.

[pzarquon]

The more I think about it, and the less organized the whole effort seems, the more I revisit what I wrote above and think that I'd rather see a home-grown entry like HawaiiStories.com (http://www.hawaiistories.com) thrive before a cookie-cutter "network" node... though admittedly for somewhat selfish reasons. :)

Indeed, after I posted about The City Stories Project (http://www.citystories.com/) above, I went back to discover that even their once thriving, active network is pretty quiet now. The original City Stories site, San Francisco (http://sfstories.com/), is on hiatus. Being part of a network is neat, but you rely a lot on other people who may or may not stick around alongside you.

Now... I noticed that in the Metroblogging.com system, all the city sites look the same, except for Los Angeles (http://blogging.la/), which is an independent and unique domain. I suspect that's because Metroblogging's founders are there. Using them as an example, though, why couldn't an already functioning "group weblog" in a region or community be part of the network?

[Quark]

E kala mai. I've been hanging out in some other threads and recently sent out an email about MetroBlogging to the Bytemarks group not realizing it was already being discussed here. I am not sure what the deal is with MetroBlog but they told me as of this Sunday that there were a total of 4 bloggers from Hawaii. Just judging from the response on this thread there should be at least 7. I think Ryan has a good point. Perhaps they should adopt HawaiiStories as the Hawaii Metroblog instead of recreating the whole thing from scratch.

[Albert]

Well, I had an email from Burt Lum this morning [shameless bragging] telling me about this Metroblogging thing and at first I confused it with the silly Metrosexual thing.

(I'm getting too old to keep up with all this stuff ... )

I'll check it out tomorrow, am ready to give up computers for today and listen to the more peaceful radio.)

[Quark]

Did anyone get the email today from MetroBlogging placing you on the author mailing list? As I understand there are 6 bloggers who have expressed interest. I hope we can get a few more as I am sure there are a lot more interested bloggers. Pass the word around.

[pzarquon]

There was that, and there was another message with a bit more detail - at least ten but probably no more than 20 authors per site, authors are unpaid (for now), and - most importantly - created works are property of the author but they hold a perpetual right to use stuff you've published on their system (presumably so you can't quit and take the whole site with you). Nothing too worrisome, I suppose.

I'm still willing to give it a shot. Considering the minimal exposure and interest they've generated with all their work to date, though, I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Quark]

I think you are right. I couldn't quatify their exposure or popularity but it's probably not tremendous. I was chatting with a SF blogger who is on MetroBlog and she concludes they are still trying to get to critical mass. Regardless, it's probably a good idea for us to get in on the front end and see where this ride takes us.

[Linkmeister]

Well, I know Burt and Ryan got the same mail I did, because they've submitted brief biographies, as have I. So it's slowly creeping along toward critical mass, I guess.

[pzarquon]

Slowly but surely. I have been enjoying some of the other metro-area blogs.

One of the things they need is a photo or image to represent the Hawaii group. If it was just Honolulu, any sort of urban image would do (skylines are very popular in the other regions). Since we're more broad, though, what sight would say "Hawaii" and somehow work for both Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu and Kea`au on the Big Island?

It has to be a very wide crop (1000x100 pixels), so that's a limiting factor. I submitted these and thought I'd share them here:


Mauna Kea looming over Hilo at dawn (http://www.hawaiistories.com/graphics/volcano.jpg)
The Hawaii Theatre marquee (http://www.hawaiistories.com/graphics/marquee.jpg) (a bit obvious)
Hawaii Theatre architecture (http://www.hawaiistories.com/graphics/hawaiitheatre.jpg) (a different angle)
Rabbit Island off Waimanalo (http://www.hawaiistories.com/graphics/rabbitisland.jpg)
Those were my submissions, but I'd love to know what others might think could work.

And, um, we could still use more bloggers!

[helen]

And, um, we could still use more bloggers!

To which site?

[pzarquon]

To which site?The not-quite-fully-formed Hawaii chapter of the Metroblogging.com (http://www.metroblogging.com/) project, for which this thread was originally started. We've got a mailing list, a message board, and some ideas for a header graphic... we just need three or so more members to "launch" the actual Hawaii site.

At which point, we might know a little more about what we're talking about.

That said, HawaiiStories.com (http://www.hawaiistories.com/) is always open to more bloggers, too, and stands ready to help anyone start blogging should the whim strike. :)

[mel]

I've been getting the introductory email to this group (4 people so far I think) and I know I signed up for it. Trouble is that if the host sent out a bulk email welcome with password and posting guidelines on it, I never got it at my email address due probably to the spam blocking mechanism (all spam deleted at the server level before I even see it, which is the way I generally like it)..... My question is, was there such an email sent out by the site host?

[pzarquon]

My question is, was there such an email sent out by the site host?Not yet. The Hawaii node (and the publishing interface behind it) hasn't been rolled out yet. Most of the interaction so far (besides this thread!) has been on a mailing list, and I think you can get to the archives via the web (if you're a member).

I mentioned above, though, that they did build us our own corner (http://boards.metroblogging.com/viewforum.php?f=29) of the message board, and I imagine after the site launches, that's probably going to be the best place to continue this conversation. After all, I'm pretty sure not all the participating bloggers got there via HawaiiThreads.com or HawaiiStories.com. :p

[Linkmeister]

Data removed by the original poster. (Stoopid guy, yeah?)

[pzarquon]

I think I better ask if all this stuff is public or not. :eek:

[mel]

Thanks Linkmeister for the info. I captured the text and now it is part of my digital clutter. Ryan, if you have to delete this stuff, well so be it. I got the message.

[Linkmeister]

I think I better ask if all this stuff is public or not. :eek:

Damn, I didn't even think of that. Delete away, Ryan, the sooner the better. :eek:

[scrivener]

Damn, I didn't even think of that. Delete away, Ryan, the sooner the better. :eek:


I am soooooo lost.

[Linkmeister]

I am soooooo lost.

Like an idiot I posted some contents of an e-mail message to members of the Metroblogging mailing list. Then Ryan said "wait, maybe those shouldn't be public." In the meantime Mel, who I'd meant the info for, copied the contents. Then I slapped my forehead and deleted the contents from that post.

Smarter now? :D

[Linkmeister]

Having received login info from Sean Bonner, I've dutifully gone into the site and changed my password. But I've got writer's block. ;)

Who's gonna be first to post something there?

[pzarquon]

Who's gonna be first to post something there?If we'd launched just a little earlier, I was gonna go with the Blue Angels air show (http://www.bluesonthebay.org/). But the event is pretty much over. So, I figured why not go with another trusty conversation starter. :D

Hmm. Now that things are getting rolling, I better familiarize myself a bit more with the happenings in the local arts and culture scene. Much of the Metroblogging.com network seems to highlight upcoming events, whereas I'd usually end up focusing more on business or politics.

To everyone else, this thing should "go live" officially this week... although if you're really curious, you can probably guess the URL.

[Quark]

It's live! Go check it out. I sent press releases to the Advertiser, Star-Bulletin, Pacific Business News and Honolulu Weekly. Let's see if any of them pick it up as a story. You know if I was still doing Bytemarks in the Advertiser I would certainly write about it.

[Linkmeister]

Where are the rest of our cohorts' posts? ;)

[pzarquon]

I sent press releases to the Advertiser, Star-Bulletin, Pacific Business News and Honolulu Weekly.The web-savvy Howard Dicus at Pacific Business News picked it up right away:
Hawaii becomes newest page on Metblogs (http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/10/11/daily29.html)"We just launched blogs for Austin, Minneapolis and Hawaii," the site said in a Monday posting. "What? Hawaii isn't a city? Well, those wacky islanders thought it would be better to show the voices of the whole state as one and we agreed."
Wacky indeed!

[Glen Miyashiro]

Looks like you guys are off to a great start! In looking at the other city blogs, I think one of the things that make a metroblog site interesting are photos, lots of 'em. When I go to the San Francisco blog, I wanna get a glimpse into the life of the City by the Bay, and photos seem more real and immediate than words. Same for the Hawai'i blogs; give all those folks Out There a taste of the Real Hawai'i that the tourist books usually don't show.

[Miulang]

Looks like you guys are off to a great start! In looking at the other city blogs, I think one of the things that make a metroblog site interesting are photos, lots of 'em. When I go to the San Francisco blog, I wanna get a glimpse into the life of the City by the Bay, and photos seem more real and immediate than words. Same for the Hawai'i blogs; give all those folks Out There a taste of the Real Hawai'i that the tourist books usually don't show.
Shhhhh! You no like let everybody else know what da real Hawai'i is like! Da reason why a lot of your archeological sites and places only da locals use to know about are now being overrun by da touristas is because of books like "(name your island) Revealed". Da editors of dat series getting all kine pilikia from da locals. Ahihi Kinau (La Perouse Bay) in South Maui used to only be known by the locals. It has significant archeological and historical significance to da kanaka maoli. When those off the beaten track guide books started coming out, the tourists made a beeline for places lidat, and wherever da tourists go, da commercial ventures (like da divers and kayakers) going follow. If you wanna keep Hawai'l as pristine as possible, no be too vocal about all da beautiful places stay get in Hawai'i. ;)

Miulang

[Glen Miyashiro]

Shhhhh! You no like let everybody else know what da real Hawai'i is like! Da reason why a lot of your archeological sites and places only da locals use to know about are now being overrun by da touristas is because of books like "(name your island) Revealed". Da editors of dat series getting all kine pilikia from da locals. Ahihi Kinau (La Perouse Bay) in South Maui used to only be known by the locals. It has significant archeological and historical significance to da kanaka maoli. When those off the beaten track guide books started coming out, the tourists made a beeline for places lidat, and wherever da tourists go, da commercial ventures (like da divers and kayakers) going follow. If you wanna keep Hawai'l as pristine as possible, no be too vocal about all da beautiful places stay get in Hawai'i. ;)
Actually Miulang, I was thinking more about things like showing all da haoles what a good laulau plate from Masu's Massive Plate Lunch looks like. :p

[Linkmeister]

Actually Miulang, I was thinking more about things like showing all da haoles what a good laulau plate from Masu's Massive Plate Lunch looks like. :p

Ooh! Lunchwagons! Leonard's Malasadas trucks! ;)

[Miulang]

Actually Miulang, I was thinking more about things like showing all da haoles what a good laulau plate from Masu's Massive Plate Lunch looks like. :p
You know wat da tourists who see dakine pictures going say, yeah? "Why are they eating leaves????? and why are they eating rice and macaroni salad? And what's that salmon dish?" :p

Miulang

[Quark]

What's the scoops with Metroblog? The Hawaii metroblog is pretty quiet. The last post was Ryan's back on Veteran's Day. This bugga running out of gas already?

[pzarquon]

Been thinking the same thing. Any idea how the other metro areas are doing? A bit early for burnout, I'd think, though maybe it's just the season. You did mention, meanwhile, that another blogger had been waiting to get in to the Hawaii group for a while now... wonder what's up?

I do want to avoid double-posting (i.e. posting twice in a row)... a local Thanksgiving post seems a no-brainer, if anyone's got a bloggable moment or two!