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Blogging 101 Workshop

For all those in Cape Town, do yourself a favour and get your cute ass to the .24 Blogging Workshop. V v cool presenters. 

Blogging 101 Workshop

Been wondering how you can improve your blogging? Come learn the tricks of the trade from SA’s blogging maestros. More info here

South African Blog Awards

So, it is that time of the year again, when the little children start stomping their feet and pouting their lips. “It’s not fair!” or “I don’t like you!” or “Me and my friends are going to sulk because you won’t play by our rules” etc etc.  Yes folks, it’s time for the annual South African Blog Awards and once again, all you hear from the restless natives is moan moan moan. Mixed with a side of bitchiness and a dollop of nastiness.

It never fails to irritate the living shit out of me.

Every year a group of volunteers, who must either be particularly thick skinned, or else they are just suckers for the worst type of punishment, get together and put in their OWN time and resources and work tirelessly to put together a FUN (<-- remember that point, it is supposed to be a FUN exercise) awards program that recognizes some of South Africa’s top blogging talent.  It doesn’t claim to be the definitive measure of blogging genius, of journalistic excellent, outstanding writing ability or who knows who; it is just a FUN awards program that allows South African blog readers to vote on who they think the top blogs are in each category.

And each year, without fail, there are the miserable little preschoolers with their noses out of joint because they either haven’t been picked for the top lists, or because they perceive that there are flaws in the system.

Of course there are flaws in the system!  This is not the effing end of year financial statements for a listed firm!  It is not the national lottery!  It is a FUN competition that is supposed to be ‘by the people, for the people’. 

But it appears that point is missed by some. Each year they see the SA Blog Awards as an opportunity to moan, bitch and point fingers.  I read a complaint that the results aren’t audited. OMG people!  WTF! Get a fucking grip on yourself.

Ok, so let’s assume for the sake of your delicate egos that the system is flawed.  Don’t you think a FAR better idea would be to offer CONSTRUCTIVE input and even better, GET INVOLVED!  Use some of your obviously superior knowledge and talents and volunteer to help out. If audited results are important to you, organize a group of people to do this! If you don’t like the way the competition is run, suggest ways it could be done better and then volunteer to DO IT!  Get involved, help out.  Instead of just complaining about the situation, offer to create change.  Slating from the sidelines against the people who put in their OWN time and effort to do something for the rest of us serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever except to create noise and perhaps some traffic to your blog.

Honestly, it is like complaining about the government but then never bothering to vote, or complaining about crime/pollution/schooling and never getting involved in finding a solution. Sorry buddy, unless you get involved and help out, you have no right to sit on your arse and point fingers.  If you don’t like the game, don’t play, but don’t ruin it for the rest of us.

To the people who tirelessly put together the SA Blog Awards each year, and who do so for absolutely no reward or recognition themselves, thank you.  I honestly don’t know how you don’t throw your hands up and say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ after all the kak you get thrown at you every bloody year, but I am glad you keep doing it.  Because at least you are doing SOMETHING, which is more than I can say for most.

To all the entrants in this year’s blog awards, good luck.  Looks like the organizers have done some excellent work in securing some fun prizes!  Well done to them. For the rest of you, get voting!  Voting closes on the 01st April.

To the moaners, the complainers and the foot stompers, either put up (your time/effort/help), or shut up. 

Mommy has spoken. Now go to your rooms!

(Disclaimer - I offered to be a judge in this year's competition, which meant my blog was not eligible for nomination. I thought the judges in the previous years were perhaps a little too of the 'techie' flavour, so I offered to get involved. I am the token Mommy Blogger Judge)

 

RSS Feeds not working?

Those who read my blog in a RSS feeder like Bloglines, Google Reader etc, are you getting my full posts?  I have heard from some that they are no longer getting my updates, but I dont know why.  I haven't done anything differently my side, at least I don't think I have.

Typepad sent me this response, but it can't be the whole truth as although I do copy paste from Word in most occasions, I also type some of my blog posts directly into the Typepad word editor itself, like this post. 

I hate it when things don't work, it frustrates me terribly that I dont have enough knowledge to figure these things out myself

Hi Tertia,

Thanks for the note. When I view the feed validator results, it looks
like you are copying and pasting some content from another application,
such as Word.

Microsoft Word's formatting code does not work well when merged with
the Rich Text editor. Copying content from Word can cause formatting
problems (including the link color discrepancy you see), error
messages, and feed validation problems.

The code that is copied over into your posts when pasting from Word is
the source of the issue with your feed.

You can read more about this at FeedBurner's Support at:
http://www.google.com/support/feedburner/bin/answer.py?answer=79005

More information on Copying and Pasting Posts from Other Applications,
as well as information on correcting the affected posts, is available
here:
http://kb.typepad.com/id/297

And we have specific information on correcting your weblog feed at:
http://kb.typepad.com/id/1342

The issue with Microsoft Word formatting code is not unique to
TypePad's Rich Text Editor. Any editor that copies over formatting will
cause issues such as this - because the code that Microsoft Word
inserts is not web-compatible.

If you would like to compose your posts outside of TypePad, you may
want to consider using a desktop client, such as Windows Live Writer -
which is very comparable to using Microsoft Word:
http://get.live.com/writer/overview

or like one listed at:
http://kb.typepad.com/id/87

I hope this helps! Please let us know if we may be of further
assistance.

Thanks,

Privacy, anonymity and your sphincter

This is something I have wanted to talk about for a long time, but haven’t had the time to write up something intelligent.  Unfortunately, it is late and I am tired, so the chances of this being a coherent post are slim, but you will get the gist of it.

The issue I wanted to talk about is privacy on the net.  Well, not privacy as in: here is my bank account number, my ID number and my secret PIN, please help yourself to all my money.  Not that kind of privacy.  Perhaps I am talking more about anonymity.  A bit of a mixture of both.

Oh bloody hell, I should actually wait until I am not tired to write this up, but that might only happen in 3-4 years time.

Let’s start again.

Let’s first talk about anonymity on the net. Like for example, on the bulletin boards.  People have various non-identifying pseudonyms, like TryingForMore, or NYCchick etc. Me? My user name has always been Tertia.  I am about as anonymous as a self-addressed envelope, and I really am totally ok with that. What I have to say anonymously is the same as what I would say openly.  I am who I am, and I feel no need to hide behind anonymity. Not that there is anything wrong with it, if that is what you choose, but I guess I just don’t understand the reason for it? 

I don’t get the whole sphincter-clenching paranoia of revealing info about yourself online.  (Clearly not – see semi-nekkid pic below!)  Let’s take the Facebook example.  I friend everyone who wants to be Facebook friends with me, unless you are clearly a pervert or an asshole.  But otherwise, if our only connection is that you read my blog, then why the hell not be FB friends. You can only read what I choose to put on there and quite honestly if the fact that I had a burger for lunch is going to turn you on / excite you / ignite you or anything else, then good for you.  Yes, you might get to see what my favourite movies are, or what I did last night, but WHO CARES?  Not me. 

Yesterday I posted a Google Map of my house on the Net.  Five years ago, when I just started blogging, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.  But clearly some of your paranoia has rubbed off on me, and two seconds after I posted it, I went back and edited the images to take the coordinates off. 

(As I am busy writing this, a dear blog reader has managed to find the coordinates of my house within 10 minutes. Oh dear.)

Not 24 hours after putting up the post, the comments started from concerned blog readers (actually really sweet of you to be concerned for me! You’re not a bad lot) who were worried about me putting up those pics.

And then I started to worry that maybe I should be worried!  Maybe I should be worried about…………WHAT!  I don’t know!  What will someone do with the information if they know where I live?  Stalk me?  Break into my house?  I don’t know?

Because I blog so openly – you all know my full name, place of work and bra size, if you really wanted to stalk me, you could find me pretty quickly.

So maybe I should worry about that??? But again, what should I be worried about? What is someone going to do with this information? 

Yes, I know, someone impersonated me on the internet recently. Made up an entire life for themselves, based on my story, my photos of my kids etc. But that didn’t freak me out, I actually felt sorry for her. What harm did she do to me directly? None. 

Look, I know I can be pretty naïve.  I will be the first to admit that. My husband wants to KILL me sometimes for how naïve and trusting I am, but quite honestly, I do not see the danger in these issues.

I am far far FAR more concerned about someone breaking into my house, about rape and murder than I am about any internet stalker. Maybe it is because I live in South Africa, a country that has one of the highest crime rates in the world. Maybe because we live behind locked doors and windows, in security estates, with 24 guards patrolling the estate.  Maybe because we have electric fences and guard dogs, laser beams and alarms.

Maybe it is because we live with real danger every day, that we, or at least I, don’t see the threatened danger in this? I don’t know.

I am not sure if the anonymity thing has anything to do with the privacy thing, whether either have any thing to do with posting google maps pics of your house on the Internet.  I am not sure.  These are just thoughts swirling around in my head. 

But I am interested to hear what you think.  Why do you choose to post / blog / comment anonymously?  Why do the google maps of my house make you feel uncomfortable inside?  Why does your sphincter clench when it comes to privacy / anonymity on the Net?  What are you paranoid about? What do you think might happen?

Now:  A little lesson in how to answer the questions above:

The wrong way:

“I think you are very irresponsible to …………”

“well, I would never do XYZ because it is wrong!”

“it is foolish and stupid to put pictures of your house on the internet”

“My way is the only right way, therefore you are wrong and an irresponsible stupid person.”

The right way:

“What would worry me is ………….”

“I choose to do XYZ because I feel ……………”

“These are my fears….”

“you are a magnificent specimen, please let me adorn you with jewels and riches”

Ok, I almost lost this entire post because my computer clearly hates me and everything about me and just crashed. An HOUR after starting it!  Thank fuck it managed to save some of it.  But it really is time for bed, I can’t even see straight anymore. Too tired to spell check, grammar check, offensive check (check to see whether, god forbid, I have unintentionally offended anyone in this post). If I have offended anyone, please accept my apology in advance and unequivocally. Grammar police, take a deep breath and look the other way.

I am going to bed, be gentle. 

So you want to be my Facebook Friend?

In response to my question – Who are you and why do you want to be my Facebook friend:

The Wrong Answer (one that results in ‘Ignore this request’)

“I found you while I was seeking a friend, I found you and I was interested to add you as a friend. I'm xxxx from Jakarta, Indonesia.”

or

“i added u because ur very cute and looks like very frank. thats all. if u would not mind pls accept my request. hope u will. any way tc. bye.”

The Correct Answer (one that results in ‘Accept this request’)

“I follow your blog”

I know some people are very private when it comes to who they friend on Facebook, they don’t like just anyone seeing which movies are their favourites or that they had mac n cheese for lunch.  Me? Not so much.  I don’t mind having Facebook friends who I don’t know personally, and if our only connection is ‘I read your blog’, I am more than happy to add you as a friend. But I don’t do stray men who are looking for “friendship”, because darling heart, I have enough of those. And lets be serious now – I am a 40, knocked up mother of twin pre-schoolers who barely has time to nod a greeting to my own husband, do you really think I am going to be of any interest to you?  Go find yourself a pert young thing has enough energy to keep their eyes open after 10 at night.  Now excuse me while I go wipe someone’s bum. 

MommyWorks - Social networking site for South African working moms

"Have you heard about the social networking site for South African working moms? If not, where have you been? MommyWorks is a growing community of South African working moms. We have blogs, forums, chat, resources, photos and more. By signing up, you'll also get a monthly newsletter, sent straight to your inbox. Every week, we have something interesting on the site, like a cartoon, a question, a competition or an announcement. Come and meet other working moms at MommyWorks today!"

MommyWorks created by my friend Janine, hence the shameless plug on my blog.

Calling all South African Bloggers

24.com launches SA blog survey

What is intended to be the most comprehensive  survey of South Africa's blogger community has been launched today by 24.com, in association with blog  aggregators Afrigator.com  and Amatomu.com and online DVD rental company PushPlay.co.za. The goal is to demonstrate the diversity and  sophistication of South Africa's portion of the global  blogosphere.

"South Africa is the continent's largest blogging community, yet very little is known about the individuals who blog and what inspires them to share their thoughts, observations and experiences with the world," says Matthew Buckland, GM of online publishing and social media at 24.com.

"Although African bloggers make up less than one percent of the global blogosphere, we have a vibrant local online community, with some exciting growth in the number of those contributing and reading blogs."

For those  who complete the survey, Speak Up!, at http://blogs.24.com/blogsurvey/start.htm, three lucky participants will stand the chance to have their blog profiled on the 24.com network, as well as be eligible for one of three prizes offered by PushPlay. All South African-based bloggers are welcome to participate.

"Bloggers are a broad range of people from different walks of life and a wide spectrum of opinions, interests and experiences. With this survey, we hope to get a good snapshot of how bloggers make the 'net work for them," adds Buckland.

The highly collaborative survey was developed with input from luminaries across the local blogosphere, including Arthur Goldstuck, Vincent Maher, Nic Haralambos, Mike Stopforth, Charl Norman, Justin Hartman, Rob Stokes and Tertia Albertyn.

The deadline to complete the survey is 23.59pm on 7 November  2008.

Source: Bizcommunity.com

 

The IVF Monster checks in

Apologies for the delay in response, I've been too busy tending to a sick baby, one of the two I didn't kill.  Poor Madam Fifi Albertyn (formerly known as Katie E E) has an ear infection and tonsillitis.  Not fun.  Fortuitously, I took her to the ENT for a check up yesterday (tonsillectomy, grommets, adenoids and sinus wash scheduled for Monday - am so bloody nervous!)  so it is just as well the suckers are coming out on Monday. 

Thanks for all the love on the previous post, you are marvellous.  I wasn't at all upset by old Zsusie's vitriol, at least not for myself.  It is like someone calling you stupid when you know you are not, it is so off base and far from the truth, that it doesn't phase you in the slightest.  I was, and still am a little upset on behalf of the millions of women in Africa who she so disgustingly insulted, but you know what, she is clearly so ignorant, and so uneducated that I can't even take offence about that.  I just feel really sorry for her kids. Ouch. To have a mother like that, what chance do you have? 

 Plus her husband, the preacher, has videos on YouTube preaching about how it is wrong for men to stand and pee. Or sit and pee. I'm not sure, but one of the two will send you straight to hell.  V amusing. He has some other videos as well, but watching them makes my head want to explode, so I am not sure what they are about. But if you are thinking about doing IVF, perhaps you should listen to his sermon on the Seven Deadly Sins of IVF I must say, I did learn something out of this whole thing - I had no idea some people were opposed to IVF?  Never even entered my mind.  Shows you, you are never too old to learn! (IVFers, you have to check out this link, it is hysterical!)

And for all of those who were concerned that I would paint all Christians with the same brush, have no fear.  I got a very sweet note from a Baptist chap saying that while he doesn't agree with IVF and homosexuality (?), he would never do what old Nut Job did and he felt really saddened by her actions.  From the little I know about Christians, I know that the real ones don't behave like that. She isn't a Christian, she is a nut job. 
 
I suppose I should be honoured though, as a commenter said:  the woman who wrote this is well known in Christian circles over here for being ridiculous. I can't tell you how many things both she and her husband have written, published, etc. that are considered cult-like to the general Christian population here. If you do any research on her and her husband, you'll see what I mean. They tend to go after big-name people (such as you, since you have a large blog) and then attack them -- all to get publicity. Trust me, you are only one in a very long list of people they've done this type of thing to.

What an odd woman! What an odd family!  Those poor kids. 

(BTW, my friend Zsusie has posted a follow up note on her blog (comments closed, obviously), officially dubbing me the IVF Monster and saying that she is proud to be judgemental and blah blah. She is not terribly impressed with you either.  How old is this woman?  Five? Actually, the whole thing is getting boring now.  I think old Zsusie is a bit of an attention whore.  And so instead of clicking through to her blog, just read her response below. I'm over it now, off to drink more wine! Love you, bye!)

Apparently I am a monster, inappropriate, vulgar and a psycho

The fact that I did IVF is proof. "Their absolute selfishness is mind-boggling. Why would you kill scores and scores of babies just so you can have that token child that you want to show around so bad?"

But apparently it is not entirely my fault because I am African and like other people in Africa, "these people should be taught not to live like animals and sleep with everyone and everything that moves."

In my next life, I want to come back as good and kind and non-judgemental and Christian like, just like the lovely blogger ZSUZSANNA. I just know she is going to be rewarded in heaven one day.

Edited to add: Am not hurt or cross at all! It is so over the top, that I actually had to laugh.  I feel sorry for her too.  I suppose I should be the better person and not link to her blog.  If only I wasn't a person of such low moral character.  Tsk tsk.  Have I no shame!  I am going outside and shooting myself at dawn. It is the only way.

(for those who can't be bothered to click over to her site, read below for all the loving...)

Twitter for dummies

Let it be said I’m a bit of an Internet slut. I’ll try anything once. But most of the stuff on the Net is either too complicated, completely pointless, a waste of time or it has a small willy. And my time is too precious to waste on any of the above. There are however, some things that captivate me and keep me interested long enough to keep coming back for more. Blogging is clearly one of them. Thousands of blogs are started every day but many die out after a while. I’ve been blogging almost daily for the last four years. Clearly blogs and blogging works for me.

Facebook is another thing I’ve taken a shine too. I am not as addicted as I was in the beginning, but I still love Facebook for its amazing ability to connect me to people I haven’t seen in years and years. It is social networking at its best. (PS If you want to add me as a Facebook friend, you are welcome to do so, but please let me know who you are.)

I love Flickr, and I love LinkedIn. MySpace I’ve never really got but perhaps that is because I am Very Old.

My latest ‘thing’ is Twitter. Twitter has been around for ages but I’ve only recently ‘got’ Twitter. What is Twitter, you ask? Twitter is micro-blogging, which is a bit like a combination between Facebook and blogging, combined into an RSS / feeder type thingy. Basically, you sign up for Twitter (VERY easy), and then you post updates (like mini blog entries) whenever the mood grabs you.  People follow your Twitter stream and you can follow the Twitter stream of people you like. Or don’t like. There is apparently certain etiquette about following someone who is following you, but because people sign up with all sorts of pseudonyms, I have no idea who they are. You can set your updates to private if you are paranoid about that type of thing, but if you are, then you probably shouldn’t sign up for Twitter. 

So basically, Twitter allows you can keep up with the lives of all the people who interest you in one single page.

Now, it sounds very boring, which is what I thought in the beginning. Why on earth would I want to follow the updates of someone’s boring life? And yes, why on earth would you, but Twitter is a lot like blogging: there are some bloody awful, boring blogs out there just as there are some pretty boring Twits / Twitters (still trying to work out the lingo) around. I’d advise against following the boring Twits. But some people are really funny in their updates and it is a great way to keep up with where people are at in a single page. 

The thing I love about Twitter is that it gives me a single snapshot in to this diverse world of people who interest me, fellow mommy bloggers, geeks, famous people, not so famous people, all updated in one single page. Love it.

Sign up for Twitter here. You can follow my stream here. For more on info on Twitter, refer to this excellent article.

Happy Twittering!