The Write Transition

From One Life Chapter To The Next

Research Results, Featured Blogs, And A Prize

By ,

Don’t worry. You will soon be released from the blogroll-topic prison in which I’ve confined you. But it will take more than 700 words to do it. Sorry.

Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art

My first post Blogrolls—Yea, Nay, Or Maybe? was followed by a poll and contest tease in Let’s Put This Blogroll Thing to Rest Once And For All. After today, I intend to do just that. As much as the world loves trilogies, my blog does not.

There are two parts to today’s post:

1) Research:

Based on comments and poll results from the previous two posts, I’ve sorted and summarized your helpful insights on blogrolls. I’d love to dazzle you with a statistics-rich PowerPoint presentation (P-values and T-tests and Regressions, Oh My), but you’ll have to settle for a cursory analysis instead, one whose main methodology consisted of, “Eh, close enough.”

2) Results of my contest tease:

I’ll reveal the results of my recent number game.

Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I. Research

Seventy-four bloggers shared their thoughts on blogrolls. Here are my findings:

  • 38 of you have blogrolls; 29 of you do not.
  • 5 of you don’t know what a blogroll is. Hey, thanks for being brave enough to admit that, kids. Now go back to playing with your Tinker Toys. (I’m kidding, of course!)
  • 5 of you don’t pay any attention to blogrolls. (Which means there are probably 69 liars by omission.)
  • Of the 38 of you who have a blogroll, 14 slackers admit to not updating it, 9 Type A’s admit to updating it regularly, 7 frustrated head bangers seek something that works but can’t get no satisfaction, and 8 just left me guessing.
  • 12 of you say, “Screw you, blogrolls” and use the comment section to find new blogs instead.
  • 1 innovator uses the “Blogs I Follow” WordPress widget (go Pat Wood) but admits that for every new blog followed, an old one falls off. Well, at least now I know why my head hurts.
  • After reading my post, only 4 of you are thinking of deleting your blogrolls (more lies of omission…).

Poll question: It would bother me if I listed someone’s blog on my blogroll, but they didn’t list mine on theirs. Out of 78 votes, here are the results:

  • No: 57 (73%) The Fibbers
  • Yes: 9 (12%) The Truthers
  • Other: 12 (15%) The Confusers (For the answers to ‘Others,’ see the ‘Extras’ section below)

II. Contest

The point of my blogroll posts was to solicit your opinions and to come up with new ideas for my own blogroll. I loved Adam S’s suggestion of a rotating blogroll. (Thanks, Adam!) Therefore, each month, I will update my blogroll widget to feature 10 of the blogs I follow. Since this will occur on a rotating basis, I won’t have to worry about leaving someone out. Eventually his or her turn will come.

In my last post, I asked you to give me a number between 1 and 1,000. Prior to doing this, I used Random.org to generate 11 random numbers between 1 and 1,000. The bloggers who chose a number closest to the first 10 generated numbers would be the first featured bloggers on my monthly rotating blogroll. This month (until March 1st), there will actually be 13 blogs, because four of you chose the number 666 (freaks), and I kid you not, that evil Random.org spit that demonic number out.

As for the 11th generated number, the blogger closest to it would win a special prize.

Here is a photo of the 11 random numbers from 1 to 1,000 generated by Random.org before I posted the entry. After all, if I’m not ethical, I’m nothing.

Click on picture for larger view.

Therefore, the first 13 Featured Blogs on my homepage and the numbers they picked are:

My apologies if the ‘prize’ of being one of my first featured bloggers is anti-climactic. But come on, this is a blog. What did you expect me to hand out? World peace tokens?

One More Winner!

But wait, there is one really good prize. At least I think it is. Whoever chose a number closest to the 11th Random.org generated number would win my grand prize of…

CHOCOLATE!

Congratulations Pink Ninjabi!! By choosing #888, you were closest to the generated number 857. Email me at carrierubin1@gmail.com with an address to where I can have this Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treat shipped. A sugar-free option exists if you prefer. Or if you are a better woman than me, I will substitute with a fruit basket. And my shipping-and-handling budget thanks you for living in Canada and not Finland or Ethiopia or any other exotic land.

For the record, I will give out a prize every month when I reveal the next ten featured bloggers. Just my way of thanking you all for hanging out at my site. Because, you know, that is really cool of you.

Phew. I think that’s it. Thank you to everyone who indulged me and played along. And thank you for letting me have fun with your answers. Be rest assured it’s all in jest.

Now get back to work.

Extras:

Answers for ‘Other’ Category in Poll Question—It would bother me if I listed someone’s blog on my blogroll, but they didn’t list mine on theirs:

  • Soz, I wouldn’t notice (!)
  • What other? It’s either yes or it’s no!
  • a little, but not critical
  • Personally, it isn’t about the reciprocity. It’s about sharing stuff I enjoy
  • It might depend on how many are on my roll compared to theirs
  • Depends on how much I like theirs
  • I’d need to know I’m on their blogroll. Otherwise, how would I know?
  • I probably would not notice
  • I am being paid for listing that person’s blog
  • Depends on the type of blog–if unrelated, I wouldn’t care.
  • a teeny, tiny bit
  • I avoid posting a blog-roll.

Other Bloggers’ Great Ideas For Blogroll ‘Substitutes’:

  • Red has a ‘Green Room’ where bloggers can leave a link to their blog.
  • Sweet Mother featured a ‘Reggies’ series where she showcased bloggers she enjoyed.
  • Brother Jon “saints” bloggers in order to feature them.
  • Jannatwrites uses the WordPress widget that shows links to the last eight blog posts she ‘liked.’
  • Daniel at Nest Expressed offered one of my favorite suggestions. He noted I might want to have a “top 10-15 posts rotating at random—all from Next Expressed.” Good one, Daniel!

219 Responses to “Research Results, Featured Blogs, And A Prize”

  1. Cat

    I love your shipping and handling budget :) I didn’t participate in that earlier post (poll?) so I’ll just put my 2-cents here (makes me a confuser, perhaps). I gave up on blogrolls longer ago than I can remember. No particular reasons, laziness, I suppose. And perhaps the fact that my blog has no particular niche, and the blogs I like are on too many and diverse topics.

    Blog research! Someone’s inner geek couldn’t stay hidden ;)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, I do enjoy some research now and then. :)

      My new thing of featuring a handful of blogs every month is working well. Of course, whether anyone actually looks at the list is another issue all together…

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Val

        I know the feeling (it’s the same reason that I don’t accept blog awards, which are similar to posts like this that have a lot of links and research in them. Much too much energy expended.)

        I’ve missed your blog while I’ve been away from blogging, but I’m back now and hope to catch up. By the way, I opened comments on the previous post. I saw yours, sorry you weren’t able to comment directly.

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          Well, you haven’t missed much on my blog. I’ve only posted once since this one, and I’m currently out of town so I’m not doing much in the blogosphere. And no worries about closing the comments. I do that at times, too. :)

          Reply
  4. Fathead Follies

    You are abnormally productive. I’ve been musing to myself recently about how you might manage this. I think perhaps those sleepless days as a medical intern made you an overachiever. I wish I could tap into some of that quality. Can you give that away in a contest?

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, if you notice, it’s been almost a week since I’ve posted something new, so perhaps I’m not quite so productive after all… ;)

      Reply
      • Fathead Follies

        The thing that most impresses me is that you are managing to blog and write a real life novel AND do the businessy stuff that novel writers do AAAAND do unscientific statistics on blog roll preference. Impressive. I bet you also dress yourself.

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          Haha, I do dress myself! But I’ll admit, sometimes I wear the same sweater two days in a row, because I’m too lazy to pick something new out. But don’t tell anyone…

          Reply
  5. Daniel Nest

    Ha. Thanks for the pingback and for exposing my narcissistic tendencies! Sorry I’ve absent, Internet access (free type) is surprisingly limited in Australia. Good on ya – finding a solution to the blogroll conundrum!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Hey, Duke, glad you’re surviving the Australian Outback. Hopefully you haven’t been kicked by any kangaroos or dragged away by dingos. You’re welcome for the mention–it was a great and completely humble suggestion you had. ;)

      Reply
  8. Katie Checkley

    Wow! Who knew such a simple topic could cover three posts worth of text! I loved your format here. Very scientific. I never had a blogroll, but I use the “Blogs I follow” on wordpress. This has given me something to think about though…

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, I believe I probably made much more of this topic than I needed to. That is why I’m resting for the remainder of the week. ;)

      Thanks, Katie!

      Reply
  11. saradraws

    Wow. I’ve missed out on some pretty sweet action.
    a) like the new look, reminds me of butter, which is my favourite food group right next to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
    b) yay to all the deserving people up there!
    c) I only get worked up about certain blogrolls. i.e. blogrolls of people I’m married to. Otherwise, I respect people’s choices. If you can’t be free here in the blogland, what’s the point? amirite?

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You are right. And I, too, would be a tad irritated if I wasn’t on my husband’s blogroll. Of course, the day my husband would ever have a blog is the day chocolate clocks in at zero calories.

      Thanks for the visit!

      Reply
  13. Pink Ninjabi

    HOLY MAN! I have been hiding in my closet for a few days now, only to come out and see I won a box of chocolate! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! So sorry I took so long to read, um, your post, as I have been my introverted self (I’m an extroverted introvert in case my fellow compadres haven’t noticed). Woweee! Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!! I shall email you! Wowee! My first box of Rocky Mountain Chocolates! Wooooo!!! Wooooo!!! Oh right, for those who are envious, I shall eat some for you. MUAHAH.. And, love the post. I was laughing so hard!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I knew you’d surface soon enough. :)

      I had a chocolate gift basket all picked out, but to ship to Canada, I had to go to a different Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory site. No baskets there. :( But the box of goodies still looks good.

      Congrats!! I’ll order when I have your address. And don’t worry. I won’t save your address or anything. I’m not creepy like that. :)

      Reply
      • Pink Ninjabi

        I laughed really loud in hearing about my ‘surfacing’. HAHAH… Apparently, I’m an extroverted introvert who likes to hide, then peer out, then hide again. Eek… Thank you for the gift again! How unexpected and lovely! It’s a nice end to a ‘what-on-earth’ week. :D Thank youuuu

        Reply
  14. benzeknees

    I was very late replying so I’m not sure my votes & numbers counted. But I did say I do notice if other people I follow consistently & comment regularly don’t list me on their blog roll. I was also someone who admitted my blogroll was hopelessly out of date since I didn’t know how to do it. BUT – I have since figured out which widget was my blogroll & have deleted it since your post about blogrolls. I have they one that shows the last 5 bloggers I follow & I like this better – I just wish it showed the last 10 bloggers.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, your comments and number went into the fray! Thank you! Like you, I wish the widgets they have for blogrolls would let us put in the number we want rather than limiting it to only some of the blogs we follow. Then again, I suppose my list of links would be so long it would slow down the page loading time. I guess there’s not a perfect solution, but I’ll give this featured-blog thing a try for a while.

      Thanks!

      Reply
  16. Valentine Logar

    I loved this, very cool research and as always presented with your classic humor. Like Red I have an entire page dedicated to those who follow me or who I follow. I think it is a much better ‘getting to know you’ strategy. I have seen the widget on several blogs though and Iike it a great deal, think I will add it and see if I like it as well. Great idea!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I just checked your blogroll page out. I didn’t realize you did a ‘green room’ page like Red. Great idea. I will continue to update my blogroll to feature 10 blogs a month. Now, I just have to commit to doing so. ;)

      Thanks, Valentine!

      Reply
  17. The Bumble Files

    Carrie, how did I miss this one? I think I’ve been preoccupied. I’m supposed to get your posts via email. My number was going to be 749! Dammit!! I would have been listed on your blogroll.

    This is excellent. Thanks for taking the time out to do this. And, you are so generous to provide gifts of chocolate and fruit. I still haven’t worked on mine yet. Hopefully, by this summer…no, I’m just kidding.

    Reply
      • harperfaulkner

        Ah, yeah, read through your first list. Hmmm, could you just do a blog roll of good writers. I mean, the random system doesn’t seem to be producing what it should. Not be critical. Wait. Yes, I am. Hmmm. I think you should put some thinking behind your choices. HF

        Reply
          • harperfaulkner

            Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I’m in a rut concerning the bloggers I follow. I’m looking for the great story tellers. I’m looking for the talented. One of the biggest disappointments on my blog comes when people comment on the subject matter more than the story telling. Anyone can tell a story, but not everyone can tell one well. Anyway, I see you enjoy all types of blogs. Good for you. HF

            Reply
            • Carrie Rubin

              I think it depends on the reason behind our blogging. I blog and follow other blogs for the fun interaction (and obviously, for marketing reasons–no need for me to ignore the elephant in the room), and I don’t expect every blog post I read to be masterfully written. That being said, there have been a few occasions where I can’t reciprocate on a follow because the writing is just not there. But I do get your point, and I admire you for making it.

  19. Jill Pinnella Corso

    Ok… this blogroll thing is way more complicated than I thought. I have to think about how I want to handle it lets I commit some blog faux pas. (blo pas).

    Reply
  20. Madame Weebles

    Dammit. My falling behind on reading blog posts resulted in me missing the number post, and thus, missing my chance to be chosen for either a spot on your blog roll or chocolate. I will now go back to bed and pull the covers over my head.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      As you should.

      Kidding, of course!! Don’t worry little Weebles, your time will come (as if you need it to with that freaking good blog you have…)

      Reply
  21. whiteladyinthehood

    Great post! You really are a very humorous writer – you always make me laugh and smile. I almost went with 666…then I thought, well probably not a good idea to be the devil! haha.

    Reply
  23. Marti

    Gee, andi thought Douglas Adams knew the answer to life the universe and everything when he said it was 42. Obviously needed the random number generator
    Marti

    Reply
  24. Rilla Z

    I enjoyed reading this so much! I’ve thought about blogrolls…maybe…at some point. The stats paired with quips was the fun part. Oh, and I like jannatwrites’ idea! I think I might try that…maybe…at some point.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, you know, I had to have some fun with the data. Can’t do that in real science, but on my blog, all bets are off. :)

      Thanks for the kind words. Flattery will get you everywhere…

      Reply
  27. robincoyle

    The one blogger on the planet who doesn’t need more publicity winds up number one on your list. Figgers. Le Clown has all the luck.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I know, right?! And the weird thing is, 28 people chose a number between 1 and 100 instead of something higher, and of these 28, HE was the closest. But then again, I suppose anything else would make the world off balance. Le Clown is necessary to right our axis. :)

      Reply
  28. notedinnashville

    “I asked you to give me a number between 1 and 1,000 . . . Random.org spit that demonic number out.” Huh?!? Not to show my dunceness, but this whole paragraph confused me. I think I started drooling when I tried to re-read it.

    I’m extremely impressed with the organization of your research. You must have studied medicine or somethin’. :)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha–well, I guess this post would be confusing if you didn’t catch the last one. Guess I didn’t think about that. That’s why I’m not a fan of ‘trilogies.’ ;)

      Thanks for stopping by though!

      Reply
  29. Curmudgeon-at-Large

    I learned a number of things from your blogroll question and contest:

    1. I didn’t pick a winning number so I’m not on the first rotating list but I’m not – sniff – bothered at all. No – sigh – not bothered at all. No, no, really – sob – not bothered at all. Not at all.

    2. Per your request, I tried to vote for your book The Seneca Scourge and was told that I WAS NOT HUMAN. I have been called many things – uncivil, depraved, lecherous, yes – but “not human?” I need to revisit my last set of lab tests from the doctor.

    3. I still like the rotating blogroll idea but, now that I’m not human, I’m not sure what I’ll do with this idea.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, I suppose you had to learn about your droid nature at some point. On the other hand, your creators must have been really good, because they gave you the human emotions to feel hurt for not getting on my first round of featured blogs. ;)

      Thanks for a good laugh, and thanks for trying to vote for my book. I appreciate both!

      Reply
  30. Perfecting Motherhood

    All those numbers, I feel soooooo dizzy!!! Well, good luck with your decision for your blogroll. It sounds like a lot of work either way, right?

    By the way, I can’t believe you’re giving away an open and half-eaten box of chocolates! You just couldn’t resist, could you? ;-)

    Reply
  32. annewoodman

    Carrie, Now I know why you are so good at science. Wow. That’s some hard work you put into blogroll research. Love the idea! Now you won’t be playing favorites!

    (Just as long as you aren’t the type of person like some teachers are who punish everyone if one person gets out of line–I’m not a fan. ; )

    I think you should do more legwork and polls. So fun! Thanks for the free entertainment.

    And I’m halfway through Seneca Scourge! I love it!!!!! You are a fantastic writer. ; )

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you, Anne! You’ve just made my night!

      And I’m glad you liked the post. I didn’t realize quite what I’d got myself into with this. ;) But it was fun to do. I feel bad I exceeded my 700 word limit though. I’ll have to keep the next one short.

      Thanks again on all counts. :)

      Reply
  34. diannegray

    What a huge job you’ve done here, Carrie! The stats are interesting and now I know why you wanted the numbers ;)

    I’m still sticking with no blog roll – even though I know what it is now thanks to you ;) I’m basically lazy (yeah – I admit it) and the less work I can do on my blog the more I can spend writing.

    A virtual box of chocolates is heading your way – you deserve them!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Well, thank you! I’ll take them. :)

      Yes, this post ended up being more work than I planned. Maybe I’ll do a short, pointless post next time. Much easier. That way, I’ll, too have more time to write. :)

      Thanks, Dianne!

      Reply
  36. jbw0123

    Thanks for all this. I ignore blog rolls and hadn’t thought much about them because I’m not organized enough to pay attention and get easily distracted when I’m looking at blogs, but perhaps now I will pay attention. Oh and if I’d know about the chocolate — !! Like the idea of a Green Room.

    Reply
  37. char

    You go girl. Rotating blogroll sounds great. So does the chocolate. I want Valentines to hurry up and get here. I’m going into withdrawals from having no Christmas chocolates anymore. My blogroll of 1 is very outdated. It took all my superhuman effort to figure out how to add my sister’s blog in the beginning (and then they went and stopped posting. Nerds!). I guess if nothing else, I should do some blog cleaning and either get rid of that deteriorating useless blogroll, or take the time to add real blogs that actually post material). I wish I was faster at all this junk. I feel like I’m wasting time when it takes me an hour or more to link things like blogrolls.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, I know the feeling. There are so many things to do, I don’t want to waste any time on things that may not be as important. I added all the links to this lengthy post and my new featured blogroll while I watched the Golden Globes last night (while walking on my treadmill…) Talk about multi-tasking!

      “Blogroll of 1″—You’re too funny!

      Reply
      • char

        You are good to multitask. I can read or watch tv when I do the bike, but can’t try to type or especially do the texting on my phone to answer blogs etc (the smart component always puts my words in a complete state of bamboozlement). My daughters are always texting back…”What?” They think I’m crazy…when really my smart component thingy ma bopper is the crazy one. I’ll go now. I’m not making sense (like the smart component texter)

        Reply
  38. G M Barlean

    I’m still not getting notifications about your blog posts. :-( I’ll just check the site once in a while. But I miss seeing them right away. Know I’m not abandoning following you. I’m just having to use my shoddy memory to check your site to see them!

    Reply
  39. 4amWriter

    Very well put together post, Ms. Rubin. I am impressed! I realized after I read the section about whether or not we care if we’re listed on someone else’s blogroll, that I never answered that question…at least, I don’t think I did and I’m too lazy to go into that post and search for my comment to see if I did.

    Anywho, going with the assumption I did not answer, I will say that yes, I would care. After all, the point of a blogroll is for recognition. If we’re not getting recognition but we’re giving recognition, it feels like we’re spinning our wheels. And we writers do enough of that, methinks! :)

    I think a rotating blogroll is a good solution. Keeps everyone happy and it’s fair. No blood on your hands type of solution.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      “No blood on your hands type of solution.”—Spoken like a true writer. :)

      And yeah, I’ll have to admit, if I interacted on someone’s blog a lot, and I listed them on a blogroll but they didn’t list me, especially if it was a long blogroll, I might feel a little bad. Of course, that would mean I’d have to actually notice, and honestly, my eyes don’t travel to the blogroll much.

      Thanks, Kate. Nice post on Limebirds, by the way. (That was you today, wasn’t it?)

      Reply
  40. RebeccaV

    I am impressed. I gave up on my RT blogroll and probably won’t institute another one because I never remember to update them, but I definitely would not have thought to do a minor sociological experiment with it. Bullet points are always better than a regression analysis so thanks for that, too!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      “minor sociological experiment”—Oh, I like that!

      Hopefully this blogroll should be easier to keep up. I only have to list 10 new ones each month. Let’s hope I can pull it off…

      Reply
  41. Bill McMorrow

    Thanks Carrie. I wasn’t sure if I should choose 666, but that voice in my head insisted, and I remember what happened last time I didn’t follow it’s orders. Well, I don’t “remember”, but I did read a copy of the police report. It seemed pretty accurate, I’ve been told.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha. Yes, one must always listen to that little voice!

      And who would have thought the ‘machine’ would spit out the devil’s number? One chance out of 1,000. Should I be scared?…

      Reply
  42. Sheila

    Great idea but it sounds like a lot of work! I think you deserve some chocolate after all that. I’d be tempted to keep those chocolates for myself if I were you.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, don’t tempt me! ;)

      This post was a lot of work, but after this, selecting 10 blogs a month to feature shouldn’t be too time consuming. I just need to commit to doing it. And now that I’ve made it public, I better…

      Reply
  43. Joanna Aislinn

    The rotating blogroll is a great idea, as is the GREEN ROOM idea suggested after your EXTRAS. The best idea? The CHOCOLATE! That sort of knocks the blogroll listing kind of to the wayside, at least until the good stuff’s gone. I’m with you: chocolate over the fruit any day. I’ll buy myself the latter w/o question but justify the former. Someone gives it to me? Meant to be, baby!

    It’s always fun at the Rubin virtual hangout. Have a great day!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thanks, Joanna. And I agree, chocolate pushes the other stuff off to the side. I had a great Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory gift basket picked out, but then when I saw who won, I realized she lived in Canada, and the RMCF shipping for that country didn’t have gift baskets, only boxes. But it still looks good. :)

      You have a great day, too!

      Reply
  44. iRuniBreathe

    I’m glad you figured out something that will work for you. It’s a bit tricky when you do want to “scratch back” those who follow you, but there is not enough space. I don’t blogroll because mine is also too long, but your rotating idea (or Adam’s idea or whomever’s it was…) it something to consider.
    If I just had more time….
    Great statistics and random number-izing! What fun.

    Reply
  45. Ashley Austrew

    This is completely genius. I don’t have a blogroll. I used to, but I got lazy and didn’t update it frequently enough, and now I feel like I read so many it’s just ridiculous. Your system rocks. If I ever get un-lazy enough, I might steal it.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Help yourself! It was Adam S’s idea, so he gets all the credit. I just turned it into a number game for fun.

      Thanks for stopping by! Hope your move is going okay.

      Reply
  46. Jen and Tonic

    Your first blogroll is majorly evil with 666 coming up THREE times.

    I loved the statistics. My nerdy heart nearly exploded with joy at how analytical it was. Also, I love the idea of a rotating blogroll. Very cool!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thanks! I would’ve liked to have included tables and charts, but I probably would have scared everyone away. Especially with all those 666s…

      Reply
  49. Kylie

    Wow! Thanks for including me in your inaugural line-up, with the likes of Le Clown and other luminaries!! Thanks Carrie.

    Between your post and something that the WordPress folks posted about blogrolls, I’ve decided to include the “Likes” widget in addition to the “Blogs I follow” widget. I’m still avoiding putting together a blogroll (the social pressure would just be too crushing), but this way I can share the love in a democratic way ;)

    I’ll go check out your other inductees.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I wasn’t as familiar with the ‘likes’ widget. I’m assuming that’s the one I mentioned about WP listing the last several posts you’ve ‘liked’? Seems like a good idea.

      And I’m happy to have you on there. You always post about such a wide variety of topics. Never boring. :)

      Reply
      • Kylie

        Thanks!
        And yes, that’s the widget I mean. However, now I’m a little bit more conscientious about which posts I “like” because I want some diversity to show. I usually read a post and then go back a few posts, and often click “like” to show I’ve read them, meaning that one blogger’s posts could fill all five “like” spots. But it’s a nice way to build community, I hope.

        I’m trying to impose some method on the madness with my blog posts: something big on Mondays, a “Darndest Things” on Tuesdays, a “1000 Words photo challenge on Wordless Wednesdays, and then maybe another big post on Thursday or Friday, with some reblogs and recipes thrown in over the weekend. My “big” posts are settling into a pattern of Laugh, Think, or Cry.

        Thanks for being a constant reader :)

        Reply
  50. Stacie Chadwick

    Because all of these brilliant bloggers stole my number, I’m forced to check them out. Except Bill. I know him way too intimately already.
    Thanks for the shout-out, Carrie. My only advice is to alphabetize these by the first letter of the second word so that I’m first.
    xoxo
    GG
    Bill McMorrow #666
    Promethean Times #666
    Pat Wood #666
    Gemini Girl in a Random World #666

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Silly me–what was I thinking?! I guess the whole 666 thing was just creeping me out. ;)

      (1000 numbers to generate, and Random.org gives me that one? Really?)

      Reply
  51. Smaktakula

    “Go play with your tinker toys,” is about the meanest thing I’ve heard you say on here. It also might be anachronistic; do they even make tinker toys any more?

    And I’m more than happy to be featured on your blogroll for the month in lieu of a world peace token–I like things that are useful.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yes, PT or world peace? I know where my loyalty lies.

      But now I’m worried. If Smak thinks I was mean with the Tinker Toy comment, then I must have been. Uh oh, should I change it? Hmm…

      Reply
  52. Awkwardly Alive

    Okay, so I kind of went of the grid this weekend… Can I submit a number? I also use the WordPress Reader app. I like it, but I do notice that I don’t always get all the posts for that day. Anyway, my number of choice is 821.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      We should have bribed that Random.org number generator to get you on the first batch. Although, to be fair, it did land me at three Brits on the list, so there is that. :)

      Reply
  55. aFrankAngle

    Upon seeing the results, my first thought was “Why am I not surprised that Le Clown is first?” ;) I thank you, the Academy, and the random generator for the other with hopes of aspiring to repeat in February. Good solution Carrie!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Actually, you get to be there until March. We’ll consider this first month to be 6 weeks long. After all, I’m not THAT ambitious…

      I had to laugh, too, when I saw Le Clown there. And so many people left low numbers between 1 and 100. Yet Le Clown still came out ahead. :)

      Reply
  56. "HE WHO"

    I’m probably a “confuser”, as I was just figuring out what a blogroll was and had been wondering how to get one. So I’m obviously confused. Now I don’t know if I want one. It seemed neat at the time. I was surprised to see you mention T Tests and regressions, a blast from the past (my required statistics course which I hated and a bit from psychometrics which I liked). I paid a Master’s student an ounce of pot to explain what the computer statistical read outs said. So I’m just going to follow your example and eventually will do what you do (albeit admittedly in a lesser way). Thanks.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Oh, I do love me some statistics! But I’ve never used marijuana as a means to navigate them…

      Thanks for making me laugh and for stopping by to comment. Both are appreciated! And good luck with whatever blogroll path you take. If you follow less than 50 blogs, I still think the “Blogs I Follow” WordPress widget is the way to go. That way, they do all the work for you. :)

      Reply
  57. Pat

    Yay – Get that – I’m a featured blog!
    Thank you for the mentions – and it’s unbelievable that I’m the only one using the widget – and me so dense with these things….
    and I didn’t want any chocolate anyway….. (lies, mm chocolate, my precious… lies).

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Yeah, chocolate’s so gross. Who wants it, anyway?… ;)

      There probably are more people that use the ‘Blogs I Follow’ widget–you were just the only one to say you did. As I mentioned in the post, my research methodology was, shall we say, rather ‘loose’…

      Reply
  58. Arlene

    Whoa, all those numbers and research are giving ME a headache :) Nice job though. You sure made it fun to read with the tease of a big win … and chocolates are a HUGE win!!! (Congrats to Pink N) And seems like everyones a winner for your blog roll, great solution. Hope it’s not too much work for you in the end.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you! And I should be able to handle featuring ten new blogs a month, even if I’d rather eat chocolate. ;) But it was fun to do, and I like the idea of giving away a monthly prize. But I AM a little worried about getting winners from far away lands. I guess there’s always the option of Amazon gift cards sent electronically. :)

      Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  60. Vanessa-Jane Chapman

    So hang on now, just explain to me again why I’m not on your first blogroll list? Huh?! You can try to confuse us with numbers if you want, but the rest of us know that the first list is your favourites!

    I think I’m going to stick with the status quo on my blog, i.e. no blogroll, just uvulas and stuff.

    Reply
  61. Red

    I think you came up with a brilliant solution. I am going to be updating the Alumni Club when I get back from vaca. Just popping in to say WOOHOO to the chocolate winner. I am glad I am not the only one who gives things away ;)

    Have a terrific week, Carrie! Thank you for the plug <3 xxx

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      You’re welcome. And I know based on your comment in my last post about your ‘green room,’ people thought it was a great idea. Enjoy the rest of your vacation, although it sounds like you’re still working. ;)

      Reply
  62. raeme67

    Disappointed at not winning the chocolate, but woo-hoo! still on the blog roll!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      And I’m so glad you did, too! It was funny, because you joked about bribing me, and look at that–you were only one number off one of the randomly generated ones. That’s so close you might want to get a lottery ticket!

      Thanks for the retweet. Not sure when I’ll get to Twitter today (it’s tough on days I post to find the time), so I wanted to thank you now. :)

      Reply
  63. Maddie Cochere

    That’s some pretty great research there, Carrie. I like how you made your final decision. I’m not planning a blogroll at the present time, but I do use one personally. From my reader, I use the edit feature on ““Blogs I Follow,” and I periodically go through and delete blogs where there is absolutely no reciprocal interaction. Photography blogs are probably my only exception. I use the “Blogs I Follow” feature to check my favorites for missed posts as well.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I’d love to use that widget, but like I said before, I just follow too many blogs. Obviously some blogs I only interact with occasionally, but I still want to follow them. If WP randomizes that widgets and automatically rotates the blogs that are listed, then I’m all over it! Would save me work. :)

      Thanks, Maddie!

      Reply
  64. jotsfromasmallapt

    All your work, the maths, the graphs, the polls, the entries, the skewing, the calculating and finally….and finally…oh dear, I’ve forgotten what this test was all about. It was a test, wasn’t it?

    Reply
  65. philosophermouseofthehedge

    I love the analysis (research never washes off…it never washes off..you can scub and scrub..but it never washes off…but have found chocolate helps…)
    Ok. Conclusions: your blog roll will be worth checking because it will won’t be static, you screen, and the most interesting people wander around here. Cool. Oh. That’s not really a scientific response in this case – but still, cool!

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I think that’s a good way to look at it. An ever-changing blogroll means there shouldn’t be a blog on there that hasn’t had a post in ages. And you are so right about the research. In fact, I was on my way down a research path when I detoured to take this year of writing. But oh, I do love me some research. :)

      Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Haha–sorry it couldn’t have been something more exciting. But I guess we have to take surprises and prizes however they come in this tough world. :)

      Glad to have you on it, Emily!

      Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      I did have to get pretty systematic to make sure I didn’t miss something and get the wrong person for the number, but I made a nice little table, something I thoroughly enjoy. ;) I don’t, however, enjoy endless linking. Good thing my post didn’t end up as spam with all those links!

      Thanks, Lynn, and I’m thrilled to have you in the first batch!

      Reply
  69. jmmcdowell

    Graphic glitch—on my laptop (most recent Firefox version), your first image is chopped in half and “grayed out.” That’s what happened to me with my last post. If I click on the image, it looks fine on its own.

    I’ll see if anyone notices the disclaimer on my blog that I’ve temporarily disabled the blog roll. Your posts led me to do it. ;) If WordPress would revise the “Blogs I Follow” widget to be randomized, I’d use it. But after reading all the comments on your previous posts, I’m going with no blog roll for now. :)

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      All your followers now hate me…

      I’m not sure why WP couldn’t randomize the ‘Blogs I Follow’ widget like they do the community one. Now I’m going to have to have to put effort in every month to linking to 10 new featured blogs. Sigh. ;)

      Thanks for letting me know about the image. Looks okay on my browser. I’ll have to see if anyone else has noticed it. I’ve heard complaints around the blogosphere about this though, so there must be a WP media ‘glitch’ going on.

      Reply
      • jmmcdowell

        Most of us just don’t have the time to keep a blogroll fresh or updated. And I find I don’t use them as much as I did when I first started blogging. I’m more likely to check out a new blog because someone’s comments interest me or because I return a visit that someone made to my blog where they left a like or comment.

        I’ve not heard anything from anyone at WP regarding my idea, so I don’t expect to see that randomized “Blogs I Follow” option anytime soon. :(

        There’s lots of glitches going around since the New Year’s “improvements.” I hope they’re fixed soon!

        Reply
        • Carrie Rubin

          I’m hoping by putting that ‘Featured’ word in my blogroll title, people might give it a look. It’s all about the spin, right? ;)

          Reply
  71. kford2007

    How in the heck did I miss these poll questions????? I don’t use my blogroll. I should, but I don’t. I think I will, though, ’cause I don’t like that I can’t mix up the “blogs I follow” widget. on WP. it should reload new blogs every time I log into my blog. Cool stuff you’ve got going here, Carrie. I still can’t believe I missed it.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Thank you! You were probably too busy recovering from your blog tour mania, I’m sure. :)

      JM McDowell sent WordPress a message on the very thing you just suggested–automatically reloading new blogs to the ‘blogs I follow’ widget each time we log on. Let’s hope they’ll listen…

      Reply
  72. Cakes and Shakes...

    That’s some serious indepth research there Carrie! Personally my blogroll is totally out of date and I can never remember all the ones I follow meaning not only are most of the really good ones not even on it, but I sometimes forget to check in with what they’re writing. What a blogroll is not: a useful record of good blogs that’s totally up to date. I presume that like most readers the comments section will elicit some up to date bloggers who are regularly posting, rather than my own out of date and obsolete ones. That’s why I do a ‘featured’ post every now and then though it’s usually scandalous and brain-cell-killing as lists go.

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      So it sounds like I could have put you in the ‘slackers’ blogroll updating category, huh? ;)

      But they ARE hard to update–too fluid in nature. Hopefully by rotating monthly, I’ll overcome this. Of course, that means once a month I need to get my butt in gear…

      Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  73. Brigitte

    Carrie, you are a fair person. Have you thought about politics? I think you’ve done this blogroll thing justice. I think I’m your first commenter and I must admit not getting the chocolate has ruined my day. (just kidding).

    Reply
    • Carrie Rubin

      Maybe next time, Brigitte! You should have gone with the number 666. Seemed to be the jackpot there. :)

      And thank you for the kind words, but I think I’ll leave the politicking to my mother (she’s a state representative). My skin is thick, but it may not be that thick!

      Reply
    • Honie Briggs

      Carrie, I agree with Brigitte, you are fair, but your too good for politics. Not seeing “Follow the Leaders” as a blogroll substitute has ruined my day.
      (Kidding. It was not getting the chocolate.)

      Reply
      • Carrie Rubin

        Oh no, I don’t want to exclude someone! I thought your ‘Follow the Leaders’ was simply the name for your blogroll. Does it do something different? If so, spill, and I can add it with the others.

        Reply
        • Honie Briggs

          Different than what? I think it does the same thing as everyone else’s, just links to awesome blogs. Wait should it be doing other things? Maybe mine is malfunctioning. I need to do some research.

          Reply

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