splasm!

I’m not quite sure of exactly the right way to start off this blog, but I guess I’ll start by trying to give you a rough idea of the type of content that will be flowing its way through this particular section of intarweb pipes in the next few weeks and months.

Most of the things that I post on here will be in some way related to one of the following:

• Linux / Open Source Software
• Computer Hardware / Technology
• Web Development / Information Security
• Aerospace / Defense News
• Math

These broadly, however incompletely, describe my interests and most of the things that I read about.

I tend to blog in a rather conversational tone. I speak in the first person, and use syntax and diction not very different from the way I converse face to face. I do occasionally use profanity, however if my use of profanity offends you, please don’t hesitate to let me know. My personal view on profanity is that is slightly ridiculous to choose a more or less arbitrary list of words to be offended by; however because this is blog is part of a class environment where you may be required to look at my posts, I am willing censor myself in order to make everyones experience more enjoyable.

I should also reiterate the disclaimer that I put up near the top of every page. Essentially, anything that I say on this blog is my opinion and my opinion only. Nothing that you read here will ever represent the views of Air Force ROTC, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or anyone else.

Since I don’t like doing anything half-ass, I do want to make this “a good blog”. I thought the Merlin Mann article we read earlier was interesting and figured that I’d give myself a preliminary screening through Merlin’s definition of what makes a good blog:

1. Good blogs have a voice.
I think I do alright on this one. I think I wear my personality on my sleeve, and provide plenty of gateways to find out pretty much everything about me if you are really that interested.

2. Good blogs reflect focused obsessions.
Not so hot on this one. In the past I’ve been somewhat scatterbrained, and haven’t focused on one topic long enough to legitimately call it an obsession. We’ll see weather or not that changes going forward.

3. Good blogs are the product of “Attention times Interest.”
I’m not sure that I exactly understand what he is getting at with this one. I do try to provide enough links to allow my readers to follow my train of thought. I guess I’ll give myself a point.

4. Good blog posts are made of paragraphs.
Once again, I normally do post in paragraph format, so I think I’ve got that base covered.

5. Good “non-post” blogs have style and curation.
This one dosen’t really apply to me, since I normally write standard paragraph blog entries.

6. Good blogs are weird.
My lack of focused obsession generally makes this one pretty easy. Since my posts won’t always fall into a predefined category, there is bound to be some weird ones in there.

7. Good blogs make you want to start your own blog.
I don’t have any real empirical evidince that any blogging that I’ve done in the past has ever inspired anyone to start their own blog, so I don’t think I get the point for this one. I did originally start blogging because I read one of my friends that I liked enough that I thought I should throw my hat into the ring.

8. Good blogs try.
This is the point where I have to agree with Mr. Mann the most. The difference between creating content that people are interested in seeing and the mindless blather that goes on in comment sections and message boards around the internet is effort. I hope to put enough effort into this one to make it worthwhile.

9. Good blogs know when to break their own rules.
Since my rules are pretty loosely defined, I don’ have much of a problem with this one.

While I don’t think that Merlin Mann is the final authority on what a quality blog is, I think that is is always interesting to look at your own work through someone else’s perspective.

Hopefully this has given you an idea of the kind of things I’ll be writing in the next few weeks. Cheers!
-isaiah