|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Why Do You (Or Maybe You Don't), Star a Blog? |
|
| |
I am just curious...why do you star a blog? Or, if you don't star a blog, why don't you?
I have 159 MyChurch "friends" as I write this. Often most of my blogs get about 10 stars..sometimes more sometimes less. My friend MulletPreacher, has 241 friends, and one of his most popular blogs has 36 stars...another friend, Mike n Laura, has 410 friends, and he regularly pops up in the "most popular blogs" with 20 or more stars on each blog. My friend Kathy, has 295 friends, she also frequently shows up in the most popular blog section , with 20 or more stars on each blog.
What I am trying to point out here, popular blogs are getting lots of reads, usually the ones with the most reads have the most friends as well...but they still don't get the number of stars they should get compared to the number of reads they get, or the number of friends they have. The "star count" is not as high as the number of reads or friends.
Now, I do realize that there are people reading the blogs that do not belong to MyChurch, and therefore they cannot "star" the blog, or make comments. Of course, I have to take that into consideration when trying to figure out the star/reads ratio.
So the question arises in my mind, what makes you star a blog? Or if you don't star a blog, why don't you?
When I read blogs, I usually star something if someone took the time to write it and it speaks to me. It may not be grammatically correct, but it still has a good message. If they took the effort to think, and write out their thoughts, and try to get a point across, it is worthy of a star, in my opinion. Perhaps I give them out too freely. But really, why not star a blog if it speaks to you? Why be stingy with your stars? Why be stingy with the comments? I try to comment on everything I read, but I don't always have a lot to say, especially if the person has done a great job of writing the blog.
I don't necessarily star a blog if it is a "cut and paste" kind of blog, that the person did not actually write. Still, voice_in_dc, puts up many current event blogs, and if one has an extra interest for me, I might star it just in its ability to bring up a subject that needs to be brought up, even though he may not have written the actual story.
There are tons of talented people on MyChurch, who write really great and thought provoking blogs. They might not get the reads that they deserve, or get the stars that show that it is a good blog, but it is still a good blog. If you spend a lot of time reading other people's blogs, are you writing comments? Are you giving stars?
To me, the stars mean that the blog I wrote spoke to someone. It gave a message that was worth their time to read it. I realize that not everything that I write is going to be interesting to everyone. That goes for everyone who writes a blog. But I would be interested in hearing why you don't star or comment, if that is descriptive of you. Someone said that they don't star because they think it is too much of a popularity contest. That may well be true for some. For me though, it is more about whether the blog I wrote meant something to someone. The blogs I read and star mean something to me. They might change the way I think about something, or give me a more positive out look. It is a way to show that I care about what that person took the time to write.
So how about it? What makes you star, or not star, a blog?
|
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
Gene |
 |
December 12, 2007 at 12:55pm |
|
|
Deb,
I'm with you. I star a blog because it has something to say. I won't star a cut and paste unless it has a special meaning to me. Even some cut & paste ones are very pointed in what they are trying to say. I hope that the person doing the C&P will add a personal note though.
Oh, and you get a star! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 12, 2007 at 12:57pm |
|
|
| Gene, thanks for the star :) The people that do the cut and pastes, if they add a personal note, that is always good. |
|
|
| I add stars if it keeps my interest long enough to read it all the way through. Here's another star! |
|
|
| Golly--I only have 123 friends. I feel so unpopular. |
|
|
| I've made some of the same observations as you mention. I won't repeat your entire blog to say all I have, though. Also, your comment "I don't necessarily star a blog if it is a "cut and paste" kind of blog, that the person did not actually write. Still, voice_in_dc, puts up many current event blogs, and if one has an extra interest for me, I might star it just in its ability to bring up a subject that needs to be brought up, even though he may not have written the actual story." makes an interesting point. I sometimes do an copy and paste blog and sometimes enjoy them--even though the real life experience kind are better--but it can share information that I may not see in the orginal and I'm just glad to see it where I do, copy and pasted or real experience. I'm pretty generous with stars but I don't star or comment EVERY blog I see. Interesting blog and you do get a STAR! |
|
|
Charlie |
|
December 12, 2007 at 2:24pm |
|
|
I will definitely star a blog if it speaks to me. It is also a great way to go back and look those blogs up that I want to read again. I guess those two are really in the same category. Duh!
Birdie...I only have 59 friends. Will you be my friend? :-) |
|
|
Twinkle twinkle little star
How you come so few and far
in between the blogs I write
Without a star I get uptight
I see Deb's point and for her I wish
A millions stars, two loaves and five fish! |
|
|
You got another star.... I star if the blog touches me. A subject that I can relate to or a subject that gives me that much needed laugh followed by deep thought or a subject that makes me think, reflect or research. Those of some of the blogs that make me star... I usually try to comment unless there is a long line that commented first and said everything I wanted to say then I might just star or maybe star and AMEN. There are some copy and paste that deserve stars and or comments too. That my answer thanks for the blog. |
|
|
Great thoughts Deb! I noticed a long time ago the huge gap between reads and stars, so I posted this in an attempt to get the word out about star love. But it didn't help much.
Starring blogs makes people feel good! So chances are, if I've read your blog, I've starred it too! ~mike
ps....star! |
|
|
| I like what you are saying. I try to read most blog that I come to and if it says something to me I star it and leave a comment. I like it if pople read my bolg to make a comment even to say they didn't like it and let me know how I can make it better. I look at it this way its not just my blog but ours and The Lord. God Bless and you are a STAR but most important a CHILD OF GOD. |
|
|
Should have known Michael would break out in song ;^)
If someone put effort into trying to communicate something that is important to them, I star it. Take Nina's blog for example. She takes devotions that mean something to her, puts them together here, then tells us how it has touched her heart. That takes a lot of effort. I like that. The words are always encouraging.
If I could star comments, Michael would get a bunch of him The man lives in a musical... |
|
|
| Honestly the only ones I don't star are ones I am opposed to, or I forget to star some....and other than that, I usually star them because I love everybody! Now there are ones I would give more than one star to, as well, but that's a whole other thing......BTW, here's a star because I love you. :D |
|
|
| Oh, and some I don't star because they are.......oh whatever....just they aren't...... |
|
|
JayKTX |
|
December 12, 2007 at 8:23pm |
|
|
| Since reading Mike's blog on using grace and giving stars, I do star more liberally than I did before. I try to understand the heart behind the blog and take that into account so I give stars for intention and effort, but I give less stars to items just copied with no personal input. |
|
|
Janeice |
|
December 13, 2007 at 4:01am |
|
|
| I understand what you are saying Deb, I don't get very many comments or stars on anything I write. It makes me think that at least my friends don't think what I write is worth while so why should I write anything. The only reason I write anything is to give God glory so I guess that should be enough. I give you a star. |
|
|
Kathy |
|
December 13, 2007 at 5:02am |
|
|
Deb, the reads count on a blog can be deceptive. It doesn't actually count how many people have read the blog, but how many hits the blog has had, most of which probably did not involve a reading. For example, I may be interested in what others are commenting on a particular blog, so I may "hit" that blog 20 times. Also, the counter moves every time someone visits our profile page, even if they don't look at the blogs at all. And there are the many readers that click, check the length, and say, "no, too long." Then there's the fact that a large percentage of MyChurchers are new to social networking and do well to be able to open the blog. They don't understand the stars concept and don't spend enough time on the site to care to learn. As we all have different personalities, hanging out on-line is not something everyone has an interest in. Personally I star blogs that especially speak to me and blogs that I believe others will benefit spiritually from reading. But I'm glad we don't have a rule about how we all have to use stars. That's a part of our uniqueness! |
|
|
Eliza |
|
December 13, 2007 at 6:26am |
|
|
| I give a star to every blog I read....maybe not the ones that are copy and pasted...I think anyone who took the time to share should get a star....Here goes your star.... : ) |
|
|
Jen |
|
December 13, 2007 at 10:44am |
|
|
| My thing is comments. I love 'em!! I don't keep track of my stars b/c I don't care about them, hence I often forget to star other blogs. I usually try to comment on a blog, even if it's only a word or two, again b/c it's what I like to receive. I'm trying to get better about starring others' blogs, but I often still forget. :-( |
|
|
Jen |
|
December 13, 2007 at 10:46am |
|
|
Now, see! I did it again! (forgot to star) Here ya go! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 13, 2007 at 11:19am |
|
|
Birdie, I would ask you to be my friend, but you already are...and I would say that with 123 friends, you are NOT unpopular!
Yahschild, like you, I am generous with the stars. Maybe I should be more selective :)
Charlie, I agree starring a blog does help you to be able to find them again easily. I do hope that you and Birdie become friends!
restore, I think that when a blog speaks directly to your heart, it is good to star it. That gives encouragement to the writer!
Michael, now you have me singing that song :)
Cheryl, I agree with all that you said. If there are a lot of comments, I may not read all of them and add my two cents worth even if it has already been said.
Mike, I looked up your blog about "star love", because I didn't want to be too repetitive, and it had stuck in my mind :) Stars do make a person feel good, but I think comments are just as good, they help us to know that the blog made people think.
Doyle, you are right when you say that it is good to have comments, either good or bad. And it is a work of God's, each and every blog here. Thanks for sharing your comments.
DC, I read Nina's blog, and she has some really good ones, and she also puts her own thoughts down, which I think is great. I especially like personal stories though, like you "man and a dog" posts. Great blogs.
Lara, the only time I might not star something is if it is offensive in some way, or goes radically against what I believe...and there have been a few on here that have been like that. Thanks for the star :)
Jay, Exactly! I think it is important to star for effort...and if it is something that comes from the heart.
Janeice, It should be enough to write simply to give God the glory. But I guess we are human enough to still need to know that people like what we write.
Kathy, You are right of course, that the actual number of reads is not accurate. There are many reasons to return to a blog, and those don't count. Everything you said I agree with. I am glad as well that we don't have rules on giving stars. That would take away from the spontaneity of it.
Eliza, thank you :)
Abbas_daughter, I am honored to be your first star!!
Jen, I agree the comments are important. Like you, they are as good as a star, so if there are a lot of comments, I am happy about that as well. I love comments, and I love to comment.
|
|
|
Grant |
|
December 13, 2007 at 4:19pm |
|
|
| I star for several reasons. One is maybe unique: If I can't be bothered receiving dozens of emails about a blog, I may star it just so I can find it again, by looking up the blogs that I have starred. If MyChurch ever gets a search/indexing facility, I may do differently. |
|
|
Richard |
|
December 13, 2007 at 8:55pm |
|
|
| I think a star should be reserved for something exceptional or profound. I don't hand out stars willy nilly. I actually think a comment is more complimentary however than a star. A comment takes more effort, more key strokes, more thought. Wow, I just read your blog (I don't know you). I even commented on your blog. So, I guess I should go the extra mile, that one more click of the mouse and give you a star. It was a deep and puzzling question you posed. |
|
|
Rachel |
|
December 13, 2007 at 9:13pm |
|
|
| You pretty much said it all; I star a blog if the entry makes me think in a new way, or brings the Bible into real life for me. |
|
|
| I am fairly new to mychurch and didn't know how to star or that I had that option until reading Mike n Laura's blog. Since learning how, I will star most everything I've taken the time to read, mainly if it has informed or inspired me OR made me laugh; also if I think others would benefit from or enjoy it. Before reading Mike n Lau... blog I figured the more comments a blog got the more stars would add up like maybe one star per 5 comments or reads, I just didn't know until someone gave me instructions. I imagine a lot of new people are like that. As I have found new blogs from ppl I don't know I have often found I will see the same people commenting on many different blogs. I think they (you all) must have the gift of encouragement and of mercy! I see you using them to encourage many brothers and sisters to share their testimonies and gifts here. I think you all are great and am encouraged myself as I see you lift up others! This is a good informative topic that I think all of us have wondered about! I give it a star! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 14, 2007 at 12:21pm |
|
|
Grant, I don't think you are the only one that stars just so they can go back to the blog to read it. I do it from time to time too.
Richard, I think if something is exceptional or profoud it does deserve a star. I have wondered if perhaps I am a bit too free in giving out stars. Yet what makes a blog exceptional, profound? There are many good blogs...but is it "starworthy"? I agree, that taking the time to make a comment is more important. I try to make comments on everything I read, and I certainly appreciate the comments made on my blogs, whether they get starred or not.
Rachael, some blogs can really bring the bible to life, that is for sure. They definitely deserve a star for that.
Surely Shirley, cute name, and welcome to MyChurch. I love your comments. When I first started on MyChurch, I had a few people kind of help me along so I pretty much knew what I was doing. There are several blogs written by a few people on here that give pretty good descriptions of things and how to get around on MyChurch. It sounds as though you are learning quickly though! Thanks for your comments!
Lupe's wife, that is ok if you don't know what the stars are for. I think you are learning :) And I love the little poem. lol |
|
|
| There are a lot of "friends" who never even get on line. I don't really care about the number. I think a lot of "friends" are my friends for networking reasons of their own. I never hear from, or get comments from these friends. I see many "people' read my blogs. I have no idea who they are. But, I'm not here for "highschools pranks", to be popular. If any person gets an understanding. That is my goal. My friend is in Jesus Christ. If your his friend. You'll get something out of it. it's your loss if not. If you want friends. "MySpace" has some easy fools who will give you tons of them and stars may be in the next step to create a greater show. I don't care for God's word as entertainment. I'm sure he doesn't either!! But then, I'm not God God bless!! |
|
|
Sue |
|
December 15, 2007 at 10:28am |
|
|
| Hi Deb! To answer your original question.... Why do I star a post? I star if I read the post and agree with it. I don't star if I didn't read it, I disagree with it or it was too long to read. And I don't star if I can tell that the post was created just to get stars. Shameless!! I don't know why people hold on to stars like they are costing them money or something. Be free to bless others. After all, they are free and they bless people. Why be stingy with them? And a star for you! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 15, 2007 at 11:27am |
|
|
Golden2100, I agree that most of the "friends" on here are not really friends in the true sense of the word. I have several that write to me on a regular basis, and have gotten to know a few. My goal on MyChurch is to write things that have happened to me in life, and the things I have learned. Occasionally I might write a blog like this just out of curiosity. It is interesting to see what other people think of the questions I pose. Thanks for commenting!
Sue, thank you for the star :) I would have to say that I agree with why you don't star a blog. Those are all good reasons. Like I have said before, I would really rather have tons of comments than tons of stars. It is interesting finding out why people star or don't star blogs.
|
|
|
theresa |
|
December 15, 2007 at 3:35pm |
|
|
| I don't have hardly no friends on here but I am not on here a lot because I go to college full time, mother full time, and I work out of the home and church functions don't leave much time. I don't star anything that has been copy and paste but I may leave a comment if it speaks to me. I star it if it speaks to me. I don't give out many stars unless it is really super speaks to me. |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 16, 2007 at 1:54pm |
|
|
| Theresa, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Even though you are not on here a lot, you still do visit and I am glad that you make the comments if a blog speaks to you. I enjoy the comments so much, it thrills me when there are lots of them to read. |
|
|
| This one I starred twice. I agree with Jen I look forward to the comments. |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 18, 2007 at 10:22am |
|
|
| Hopefienddave, I think you can only star them once :) But I agree, I love the comments. Thank you for yours. |
|
|
Gene |
|
December 18, 2007 at 10:38am |
|
|
Oh, Deb.
You can star them more than once - it just doesn't show up in the count - that's all!
And, if you want to have them show up, you need to do something like this:
**************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************
DG |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 18, 2007 at 10:46am |
|
|
| Gene, lol. Ok, point taken...you can star them more than once, they just won't show up. I'll have to remember to use that method you used here, when I read a really, excellent blog! |
|
|
 Stars are symbolic. Stars are important. Stars are a cut above the rest.
We have the STAR spangled banner, the STAR of David, a STAR shown down from the sky on our Lord Baby Jesus, etc. For the same reason, I star blogs that are exceptional to the standard blogs. That would be entirely up to my personality & preference. So, with so many different personalities here, it is hard to say what may be star worthy. Some blogs have so many stars & I may think it is not star worthy. I just think those ppl must have a gift of writing & their gift makes room for them. I believe some ppl are annointed by God to write, & that is why they get all the stars.
I appreciate all the stars given to me. I hadn't realized that being popular on MyChurch was all in the Stars. I think I wrote one blog & asked ppl to star it if they agreed with it. I have never written another to impress others. Most the time I write about what is on my heart, or if something made me laugh, cry, etc. Always something that will try & lead us upward in the daily thing called life.
Merry Christmas. Here's a gift!  Star for you!
 |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 18, 2007 at 11:27am |
|
|
| Shannon, that is a good thing to point out, what you said about blogs...Always something that will try & lead us upward in the daily thing called life. That is our goal here is to try to uplift people, and help each other and encourage each other in life and our spiritual journey. If a blog can do that for someone, it deserves many stars! Great comments. |
|
|
| For me it is when the blog speaks the truth and especially one that touches something in me i need. |
|
|
I know what you mean! I star blogs if they seem relavent to me at the time, or they had a really good point to it.
STAR!!!! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 20, 2007 at 11:31am |
|
|
Valerie, I agree. And you can tell when someone is speaking the truth in their blog, and you can tell when they are not!
JesusFreak, I agree, and thanks for the star! lol |
|
|
Joey |
|
December 20, 2007 at 11:58am |
|
|
I never think about starring stuff... if something I read touches my heart or soul, or if I'm asked to pray I star that blog.
I think stars are a bit like love... you can't star enough |
|
|
| You said, "To me, the stars mean that the blog I wrote spoke to someone. It gave a message that was worth their time to read it. I realize that not everything that I write is going to be interesting to everyone. That goes for everyone who writes a blog" and I agree. I know neither one of us is pondering this because of pride, it's just that blogs are for comments and to know that people who read it at least appreciate the time taken to put the blog on. I love your blogs, so I usually give you a star and a comment. I am happy to see that your blog on this subject DID produce comments and stars, as you well deserve! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 23, 2007 at 1:08pm |
|
|
The Light, you just made me realize that not everyone knows about the star capabilities on MyChurch. I just figured everyone knew, but that isn't necessarily so, especially if you are new to the site. Thank you for that realization!
Joey, I like what you said..."I think stars are a bit like love... you can't star enough" Cool!
Yahschild, thank you! And you are correct when you say that I am not pondering this subject because of pride, or for that matter, because of a feeling of rejection if blogs don't get starred. I was just curious as to what made people star or not star. Thanks for your comments! |
|
|
I'll star blogs when they speak to me, even cut & pasted ones cuz I'll post cut & pasted blogs if they spoke to me when I first read them.
Blessings, Hugs and Love,
Prudence
|
|
|
Deb |
|
December 24, 2007 at 12:22pm |
|
|
| Prudence, thank you for your comment. I agree that some cut and paste blogs are worth the star, if they are very interesting. |
|
|
| I think stars are a bit like love... you can't star enough ......well said, Joey!!! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 25, 2007 at 10:59am |
|
|
| Mike, I agree! |
|
|
Deb |
|
December 25, 2007 at 11:16am |
|
|
| Overcomer, it does take a while to get to know all the ins and outs of MyChurch, and I am sure I don't know them all. It is fun though, and I have met so many interesting people. I enjoyed your comment...I too have had that dumbfounded look on my face a few times! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this blog
back to top
