Here’s one thing that I’ve been up to: I’ve added InfoWorld’s SMB IT blog to my portfolio. Check it out (especially after I get some real content posted) and let me know what you think. There have been other things in the last couple of weeks, as well…I’ll have links to those up, soon.

Thanks for hanging around — I’ll try to make it worth your while…

Here, spider. Nice spider.

Heavens, I think I should get some sleep, now.

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I am planning to start podcasting here–I’m just trying to figure out how it’s going to work with a bunch of other things that are happening in my life right now. Lots of work, school starting…it’s a good set of decisions to have to make.

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First big change: I’ve been accepted to graduate school. I’ve enjoyed teaching at the community-education level, and the only way anyone will let me do more is with at least a master’s degree in hand, so it’s off to grad school. Where, you ask? The University of Florida, and in College of Journalism and Communications. I know I’ll be working on a concentration in journalism: there, I’ve told you all I know. Several folks have suggested I blog the experience of going back to school, and I think I shall…lots of technology to be covered, as well as plenty of life in general. I hope it will mean more regular updates, and I hope they’ll be interesting. Let me know what you think.

Speaking of that, I may end up shutting off comments here, since the only regular contributor is a comment-spammer who’s work I kill frequently and with great gusto. It’s only a minor pain, but a pain it is, and I’m not sure I need any more at this point. Do let me know if you would miss the great sense of community here…

As problems go, this one isn’t earth-shattering, and in many instances it wouldn’t even be a problem. It’s the sort of thing that’s easily corrected in the editing and production work-flow of a print publication, but “web time” tends to leave publications open to these little issues. The question, of course, is how to solve the problem without invoking a process that will make everyone long for the days when we could all file different takes on the same story and just laugh about it.

The whole work-process issue is fascinating. I’ve been on the team starting at least three magazines, and work flow discussions tended to involve minor tweaks to a system that apparently originated with Gutenberg. The web changed things in dramatic fashion because of the speed that has come to be associated with web publishing, the differences in the understanding of article length, and the very basic differences in how readers experience the material. The staff size is also a huge factor.

A blog like this is, generally, a one-person operation. Right now, I’m the only one posting here so the process is whatever lets me get something onto the web. I’ve had discussions with colleagues about their participation, and when they begin contributing we’ll have to work out a more significant process. If you have 20 editors, 36 writers, and an art department, you’re in a different world of process altogether.

You’ll notice that I haven’t said anything about the whole editorial oversight that’s supposed to be such a huge differentiator between Real Publications and blogs. There’s a reason I haven’t talked about it–there’s no standard to talk about on either side. I’ve written for huge print publications where my articles ran exactly as I submitted them, and I’ve written for blogs and on-line pubs where editors went over every word. Here? You, my friends, are my editorial review and so far you’re doing a good job. I liken this most to a good newsletter–there’s an on-going relationship between writer and reader that keeps things vital.

 Thanks for your patience.

Oh, another thing: I expect that there will be other folks who join me in blogging here. I’ll write more as they come on board. Now…let the blog begin.