Monday, April 18, 2005

Blog vs. Web Page

During my (2-day) absence, the number of visitors dropped dramatically. Which made me think. It's clear that the large majority of the visitors don't know the whole blog - that is, haven't been reading since the beginning or looking at all the previous posts. What's more, it seems normal that only the new posts are valid. The very structure of a blog suggests that it's about news, about what's happening - and so, what tomorrow will be out-of-date. Something like a newspaper. On the other hand, a classical web page does not give that feeling. It's always nice when it's updated, but the non-linear structure gives the idea of something deep, something that resists well in time. Now that I think of it, I react that way myself - the blog will interest me mainly for its latest additions, while a classical web page will attract my attention for a longer time, and make me come back even without the added value of news. You never know what you can find on a web page - there might be something interesting right around the corner. In a blog, on the other hand, what's gone becomes covered by the dust of nowadays. As if the fourth or fifth layer of Troy wasn't as interesting as the newest addition... Yes, I would most definitely change the structure of the blog. Add some categories, tabs, something to encourage a more in-depth look. If I knew how to do it, that is.

5 comments:

Manel Furtado said...

Funny I was thinking about exactly the same thing a coouple of days ago...

dan said...

eh! eu também andei à volta com este versus.. queria ter uma página em vez de um blog, mas não percebo nada de fazer páginas:( o blog está preso à ideia de "diário", esta coisa de passadeira com mensagem atrás de mensagem, encarreiradas... Ainda assim, quando conheço um blog, gosto de ir ao princípio e dar uma volta no arquivo. Fiz isso quando vim aqui (ao new art) pela primeira vez.
(tem estado estimulante, esta "arte nova";)

Ruud Janssen said...

Very interesting thoughts. It really works like that. The factor time is essential. When visiting BLOGS one is interested in the additions, when visiting a Website one is prepared to go in depth. The only advantage of the BLOG is that you can trace the history of a blog (not always possible at a website). Also one can find a BLOG through a search-engine and through an old posting 'catch up'. This is how I found your interesting BLOG. You mentioned Mail-Art once. And you place things in a larger perspective. Since then I watch now and then.....

Ruud
http://iuoma.blogspot.com

Hans said...

Yes, but over the years your blog becomes like a huge material, minds, ideas, images on the axe of time.
Maybe blogs should just label the archives different, so that they are more equal to each other, or remove the dates, or try other interfaces.

But anyway, if a blog is written profoundly and inspiring like yours, then every month of archives keeps some treasures...

Keep on going !

website design New York City said...

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