Just wanted to quickly note these two completely interrelated datapoints vis a vis our use of blogs, for my amusement if nothing else.
- First, a follow up on the respect accorded to frequent RedMonk commenter – and ODF TC member, Gary Edwards. While take a quick breeze through some of our traffic numbers for the day, I noticed a few hundred hits from /. What were the /. folks coming to us for? Not my analysis, but Gary’s. See the comment here. The fact of the matter is that by conducting research in the open, you have the opportunity to benefit from the viewpoints of participants on all sides. And there’s no clearer example of that than Gary.
- Second, and most amusingly, I’m not the only one who realizes this. The inset screenshot – which is likely to be illegible unless you click through – was grabbed off Statcounter. While I’ve cropped it so as to shield the parties in question, it highlights a particular visit to our site via Google from one of our very large competitors. The search query: “IBM’s, “long term strategy”, OSS. Punch that in and the eighth result should be this site, and a particularly insightful comment from Gary. Forget the fact that we’re turning up in that query originating from a massive competitor, I simply can’t get enough of the fact that it directs back to a commenter’s contribution. Open source analysis, anyone?
Anyway, I just love it when people tell me we’re wasting our time with this “blogging thing,” – it’s good for a chuckle. Thanks again to Gary and all of our other intelligent commenters; you really do make this place smarter, and keep all the credit in the bargain 😉
Gary Edwards says:
September 14, 2005 at 4:52 pm
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the kind comments. They are most unexpected, but welcome. With the Massachusetts endorsement of OpenDoc XML, it's been a wild week. I have comments, opinions and explanations scattered all over the place, some in public discussions, many in membership list exchanges, and way too many in private 1:1 messages. Some of these exchanges result in great conversations, where new insights rise from the synergy of individual perceptions. Others fall flat, drifting off into the static of the great infogrid, the only trace a faint beeping that barks softly off into the unknown, and away from the heated controversy. More like the radio broadcast of a long lost Explorer satellite drifting aimlessly into the far reaches of space than anything else.
I've thought about the difference of participation venues. Especially since i'm far more comfortable pointing to a meaningful conversation then making a static statement. You're right about “smart conversations”. People like me seek them out because of the meaningful participation that often results in new insights to old problems, or better yet, the chance to hitch a ride with some cosmic genius who has set sail for horizons far beyond anything i could imagine. Whether it's new insights or new horizons, getting unstuck is always a good thing.
But i would add one more thought about the Redmonk “smart conversations”. To be meaningfully worthwhile, a smart conversation has to be sincere, well intentioned, and civil. Congrats to both you and your “always insightful” partner James for hitting this most elusive trifecta of worthwhile participation. And hitting day after day.
Thanks again for the kind comments,
~ge~
sogrady says:
September 14, 2005 at 5:01 pm
no problem at all; any kudos directed your way are more than deserved. few communities have more impassioned and yet well articulated spokespeople – bravo.
on your last comment, it's really the last one that i think is most difficult. civility has been probably the single most gratifying characteristic of the vast majority of discussions we've had here.
agreeing to disagree, and maintaining respect for those you might not align with, is a tremendously difficult task. from people like yourself to Microsoft's Mike Champion i think by and large most of the participants here – while they might disagree with me or other posters – does so in respectful fashion.
can't tell you how nice that is.