I have been given the opportunity to function at the editor for BlogNetNews/Utah. That is not likely to produce visible changes to the site because the purpose of BNN is to remain neutral while providing an image of what’s happening in the various corners of the blogosphere. Functionally, it means that when people want to have their blog added to BNN/Utah I will be the one who receives and processes the request. On the other hand, I have been invited (if I choose) to categorize the Utah blogs geographically.
There is currently some categorization between liberal and conservative leaning blogs and a category to identify blogs connected to MSM organizations but there has been no geography-based categorization thus far. You can see how the categorization works by clicking on the arrow next to “Sort By” in the header. If you visit BNN/Virginia you can see an example of geographic categories in use.
Having been given that invitation, my first action as editor is to ask my fellow Utah bloggers whether they would be interested in geographic categorization – which would allow people to sort blogs based on those categories – and if so, do you have any recommendations on what categories would make sense for Utah?
Maybe by county to begin with?
I had considered that. I hope others will weigh in on whether that makes the most sense. Another option might be Salt Lake Metro (which would include south Davis County), Ogden, Provo/Orem, etc.
My concern with just doing counties is that it would make sense for Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, and probably Cache, but do we want a category for a single blogger in Kane County?
Hi David,
Thanks for taking on BNN for Utah. I took a serious look at it for the first time this weekend.
I really like it. Its a great concept, and does for bloggers what I have been telling them for years.
Be FROM somewhere (geographically). Here is a little secret. For the average home grown blog, you will get and sustain more traffic right out of the box if you put some geographic indicator in the name.
People WANT to discuss (and even fight) with people with whom they share something, anything. We are all human like that.
Anyway, as far as categorizing OneUtah, while we tend toward the left, I am ALWAYS on the look out for more conservative authors like Paul Mero (or you?), and anyone who meets the Utah requirements, can be an author and post at will.
For that reason, I hope you will consider cross listing OneUtah as more than just “left-leaning” as I am truly trying to create and open public square.
As I told PM privately, I don’t condone Mormon bashing for the sake of it (i.e. Ed jr.) but within limits, its not my business to interfere, especially since I didn’t grow up in the Church or here. That said, thank you for your consideration, civility, and patience…and for commenting.
Perhaps YOU would consider becoming a OneUtah author?
tks
Cliff
I see what you mean. Perhaps you could start with the major areas as you suggest and then put everyone else in the “Rest of Utah”. Then when there are sufficient numbers a new group can be formed as needed.
Cliff,
Thanks for the invitation. I will consider writing for OneUtah.
Rick,
Thanks again for the suggestion. That just might be the right approach.
David, I’m glad that BNN chose you for those responsibilities. You are an even-handed individual and couldn’t have been a better choice. Good luck in the new role.
Thanks Obi wan.
I am really glad David agreed to help us out with this. BNN always works better with a local hand on the wheel.
While we’re talking Utah, I hope people will check out http://www.blognetnews.com/elections . If we are missing important Utah races for the fall, please add them.
I have some very big problems with the way that BNN is run from a technical perspective (cloaked referrer field, duplicate content showing in the Google Index, no PageRank credit, etc). I’d personally rank those significantly higher than taxonomy right now.
Jesse,
I’ll pass that on to David Mastio since I have no contact with the technical side of things. I know he’s always working to improve BNN.
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