Thanks so much to everyone for the comments and the emails. I feel so much better about things knowing that the blog is actually enjoyed and that the concesus is that it is worth maintaining. That's the first decision made.I have printed off everything that you have all said. There are so many excellent suggestions. I am now going away for a couple of weeks but when I get back I will have read all your ideas properly and will have come up with a strategy. I'll email and post when I'm back home.
It just goes to show that banging one's head against a brick wall is such a daft thing to do when there are so many wise heads and great people out there who are willing to take time to offer ideas and suggestions!
Many, many thanks
Andie
xxxxxxxxxxx
41 comments:
So relieved you have made this decision have a great holiday Andie. DaveH.
Your blog is an invaluable resource for art museum professionals and journalists such as myself. May it live a long and prosperous life.
You enjoy your well deserved rest Andie, hope you'll get home fully charged and happy to do whatever you want to do!
Love, I.
May your Ka continue living in Egyptology News.
hi there i would just like to say a big thank you for all the Egypt blogs you do such a great job i always look forward to your news thanks again for every thing
I see no offers of help from big help Ben and Kat.
You said: "I started the blog for fun, and it is now more of a headache than anything".
Remember your first words: blog must be a fun, not a duty.
So, take it easy; I'll be waiting for next post.
Have a nice holiday.
Dear Anonymous.
If you'll note I said I was about to get a new computer and would be able to post directly to the blog within a week or so. Meanwhile, I scour 45 different Google News terms twice daily, sending the items categorized as Egyptomania, Fiction, News, Museum Exhiits, etc. I also scan daily the English language egyptian press, book review sites, etc. and forward these items properly categorized. Short of posting to the blog itself, what exactly would you have me do? My computer is over ten years old, and a dial-up connection too!
But then again, hiding behind 'Anonymous' makes you such a brave person, offering insults and no help!
Sincerely,
kat newkirk
P.S. Which, I might add, is my legal name. I don't hide behind the coward's 'anonymous'!
Dear Kat,
I'm not hiding, I'm on vacation. Quit complaining and get a new computer.
don't hurry back.....
@Kat
There are many things I like about blogging in this field. Partly is that we all see other bloggers as allies to be supported, not as competition. Chiefly though I like the fact that people like you, Andie, Ben are real and do post in your real names. On so much of the Internet it is just avatars and monickers for names.
@Andie
Enjoy yourself
Kate
Hurry back for what? More news?
It's nice to know the latest updates.
If there is any way I could contribute to making life easier for you Andie I would be willing to give it a go. My blog seems to go through phases and sometimes it is a nightmare to try and find anything interesting to write about and others stories hit me from every angle. I shall never forget the buzz I got from posting Otto Schaden's very first lecture on KV63, people were so appreciative. But then I have to resort to Duck Racing on the Nile because there is nothing happening I am aware of. Then things happen in Luxor and I have missed them and feel I am letting my readers down.
I do think it is a good idea to monetise it. Next month I am getting £60 from my blog. My first payment since I put Goggle Ad Sense on it. Ok I am not going retire on that but it does help
Dear Andi
Where would we all be without your great work, I don't even know what year it is, so it keeps be abreat of what's going on in the world outside of publishing Predynastic books and the like.
Tass
I have been so busy with my own site that I am just now reading about all of your stress!
I am so swamped with trying to find my own groove that I don't have any suggestions, but I do want to say that your efforts are so very appreciated.
I think people like you, Luxor Jane, and Su Bayfield really set the standard for Egypt and Egyptology blogging, and leave noobs like me scrambling for a niche!
But don't blog yourself into an early afterlife. I'll put you on my chant list. May you find your Middle Way!
I am not familiar with Su Baysfields blog u will have to give me details so i can have a look but i look at Andies and Jaynes blogs frequently which are great. The other one i look at every day Is Kates blog 'News from the Valley of The Kings' which is an excellent resource and more specialised in the Luxor area whereas Andie and Jayne cover the rest of Egypt (though Jaynes leans towards Luxor as she is resident there.All 3 bloggers do a superb job, Dave H
When I reread your initial note, it strikes me that
back-logging is a main stress-factor (it sure sounds like a horror to me!).
The simple solution is: don't do it, just hit the delete button on your whole inbox. ;)
After all, you run the blog as a daily update service (not too wise, if you ask me...), so then it makes little sense to go post scores of stale news that readers will by now have seen on other blogs and forums.
So why not spare yourself that nightmare? Start every day afresh.
I've been away from an internet connection for a little while too, so missed your original "cry for help". I'm glad you have had such support, you do a fine job with this blog and here it's read almost religiously every day.
Enjoy the well earned rest, and know this *is* a very useful project.
Dave H.,
Kate Phizackerley's blog, News from the Valley of the Kings, is also an incredible resource. On my own website I do a weekly "Blogroll Roundup" where I provide links to my favorite posts on some of the blogs I read.
My intent is to promote the entire Egyptology blogosphere, so I link to the blogger's post rather than directly to the story in hopes of sending some traffic and "link love" to those who are really on the frontlines of bringing us the news.
Kate's blog is a frequent recipient of my adoration as well, so thanks for pointing out my neglect in mentioning her status as a standard-setter.
Su Bayfield has two sites I follow. One is called "Egyptian Monuments" and is found on Wordpress' free site (I am not trying to be evasive, but I am not sure what the rules are about posting links here). It is a general reference site about the major locales in Egypt. Very detailed.
The other is "Reflections in the Nile," which is a beautifully written travel blog of her adventures in Egypt, along with some of the best photography I have seen. I you plan to go to Egypt, its a must read. If you have been and want to reminisce, its even better.
Sorry, I don't want to appear as if I am fawning, but Andie's site, and those others I have mentioned, have save me tons in time and money in my own amateur research, and at no small price to their writers.
Thanks for the advice Keith it is much appreciated i shall certainly look at your suggestions, regards DaveH
I am glad being one of your readers. Keep the good work going.
This blog has been a great source of information and news for many people. However, unlike many, I don't read it every day, but about once a week. I think you could maintain the value of the site if you generally just post news items each week. Also only post items which you are interested in (which removes the need to post non-"news" items from the general media). There are several of us (I'm sure I'm not the only one) who could be assigned a media source to track and forward information to you from. Kate Newkirk has generously suggested doing several media sources, but if we collectively worked for you we could get a lot more done. So it would involve a little planning to start with, but after that it should make your life easier to maintain this. Either way if there is anything I could do to help, let me know. Its a great site.
Brian Donovan
Thank you for all the hard work you do. Enjoy your vacation.
Andie - sorry I am a bit late in adding my comments but remember much as we all love the blog, its you that is important, you have had a bit of year of it so far, take time to have some quality you time, we are all grown ups and will manage...thank you for all the work you have done, take care
I love your blog. I share your passion for Egypt and I'm responsible for the www.expeditions.com/blog. I often peruse your postings. You are a wonderful source for (well written) Egypt information.
Any chance you'd like to be a guest blogger? Here's an example of how we see Egypt. http://www.expeditions.com/blog/index.asp?Display=161
I'd love to hear what you think.
(It sounds like you had a relaxing holiday.)
LindaG
Sad to see people are spamming such a great blog.
I just wanted to add my admiration and appreciation Andie! Thanks for all your hard work and all the interesting stories. I know how difficult it can be to fit blogging in with other work (and I'm much worse at it!), and your efforts and dedication have been unbelievable. Don't feel too pressured, and good luck with everything!
Andie come baaaaaaaaaackkkkk!!!!1 Seriously. I have you on my live bookmark bar and I click refresh every day but there's nothing. And I have to be sad. If you need any help with anything let me know. I can type fast.
And an aside, I reckon the spammers aren't actually people but bots that crawl blogger and indiscriminately spam random blogs.
thank you verry god radyo acıgöl
I just put up a blog of my own to show the painting process of my ancient Egyptian paintings. Asked Jane Akshar for good blogs I might link to and she sent yours. I realized I have been here before too :) And will definitely come back again. Please do keep up this wonderful blog!!
Leena :)
(If I may add the address to my blog? If not, take it away)
http://ancient-egyptian-art.blogspot.com/
Wow, thanks for nothing.Why not just take down your blog?
...a FEW weeks????????
I have chatted (by email) to Andie unfortunately she is in Wales with awful internet connection, just email on her Blackberry. I am sure we all understand that we have lives outside of Egyptology and accept the silence on the blog at the current time.
When will the updates come?
R.I.P.
Please don't say that, Tim.
It was GREAT while it lasted....but as most things in life, nothing lasts forever.
Thank You Andie for all your efforts.You and your site did a FANTASTIC job, and will be sorely missed...
thanks site verry good acıgöl ay frenks savion siee
Post a Comment