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| Friday, May 16, 2008 |
| Blog Readability: How Readable is Your Blog? |
I was happily blog hopping this morning and as I did my routed hopping, I found this rather interesting blog post from Mommy Ruby. She had come across a website that determines the reading level of one's blog, and she achieved the score of a Genius Level [Congratulations, Mommy Ruby! :)].
Although I was already familiar with this test, I could not remember what my grade was, so I tried to figure it out. As it turns out, both my main blogs have the readability score of Elementary Level! On the other hand, my secondary blogs scored a good High School Level. I was appalled of course! But then again, perhaps it was right, or probably not. Either way, it nagged me from start to end, and I almost gave up blogging totally.
Another question arrived as I contemplated on taking my blog off cyberspace: "What is the best readability for blogs?" That way, perhaps I could still improve my blog. God knows how I'm already ashamed to think of the level I gained. But it posted as a challenge, and so I researched.
From my treks through the Internet I found a couple of things that determines correct readability. It started from another test called TxReadability. From then on, I learned the importance of readability and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (draft version).
Just in case some of you have no idea what the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is, please allow me to explain. The WCAG 2.0 provides recommendations for making content accessible, and helps make content accessible to a range of people who have disabilities. In addition to this, these guidelines will also often help make one's Web content be more usable to users in general.
WCAG 2.0 tackles readability through Guideline 3.1 - "Make text content readable and understandable." The outcome of TxReadability should help determine if the content in your website/blog has met the success criterion on readability. Success Criterion 3.1.5 states that, "When text requires reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, supplemental content, or a version that does not require reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, is available."
After taking the test, I came out with a Forecast Score just in the lower secondary level. Which is great. In fact, it provided a salve to my wounded soul (ego). Though undeniably, my blogs are still in the Elementary Level, I am happy at the very LEAST that it still passes Success Criterion 3.1.5. Which means that my rather basic style of writing still helps people! ;) Yipee!
It still comes down to one thing, though, would you rather have a blog at a high level? Or something basic that others can understand? For me, what I would give to be able to write for great minds... But, I think I'm good.
What about you? How did you fare?
 Labels: blogging, blogs, improvement, personal matters, readability, reading, TxReadability, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 |
| posted by Ann @ 3:30 PM
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| Sunday, May 11, 2008 |
| Sunday Blackout Ruins My Entries |
Funny how I woke up at around 6 a.m., wrote two entries, halfway into my third when, at 8 a.m., the power dies. How harsh could it get? What's worse is that I did not save my entries - I type them first on the WordPad - and everything, and I mean EVERYTHING got lost!
A pity since I think had gone through a lot of trouble over nothing. I think those were good posts, too! Oh well, serves me right for not SAVING, SAVING, and SAVING. And I'm supposed to be a huge fan of Ctrl F,S, or in my PC and office PC it's Ctrl, Windows. My preference of course. So anyway, here we go... I'm a definite goner. I can't think properly right now because I am dead tired as I resorted to cleaning the whole area where we usually stay at from top to darkest corner. *wheew!* too tired. But at least Gianfranco is happily walking around now with his new space. :)
Let's see if I can come up with a good enough post for today, okay? If not, then it's "See Yah Tomorrow!" Latez peeps!Labels: blackout, blogging, blogs, daily |
| posted by Ann @ 7:57 PM
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| Thursday, May 8, 2008 |
| I "C" You! |
Mommy Reese chucked something my way, and it's my way or the highway, so here goes.
She wanted me to name ten things that start with a letter "C".
I am totally stumped right now, but I'll give it my best shot:
- Chocolate - I'm a chocaholic, what can I say?
- Cats - Domestic cats scare me, but I love lions, white Siberian tigers, leopards, cheetahs, mostly wild cats.
- C2 - From the first time I tasted it, I fell in love with it.
- Cellphone - My constant companion. :D Busy with ...stuff
- Computer - My life consists of almost 20 hours of facing a computer.
- Cash - Something I need.
- Chat - I am a certified chatter for both IRC and IMs.
- Clock - Everyday, I race the clock. Surely it should give up by now.
- Clouds - I love to look at clouds to calm my mind.
- Cans - the house is full of milk cans
Alrighty! That took me long enough. I am tagging ShenZee, miss feyoh, ZTe, Sendo, and Mommy Ruby.
Good night everyone! Have a great day tomorrow!
Labels: blogging, blogs, daily, meme, personal matters |
| posted by Ann @ 10:40 PM
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| Make waves with Bloggerwave |
Let me have do a quick jig of joy. Well, what do you know? I found another source of income! :) Yey Me!!
This time it's called Bloggerwave. Fast on the track in becoming Europe's biggest advertising media, Bloggerwave is open to anybody who has a blog. Of course, there are conditions before they approve your blog, but if you want to Make Money then why not go for it? :)
Bloggerwave helps advertisers reach out to clients, and helps bloggers earn while doing what they love. Give it a try.
 Labels: blogging, blogs, income, money, services |
| posted by Ann @ 4:52 PM
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| Wednesday, May 7, 2008 |
| I Scream for Snapbomb! |
Dear friends and foe, come near and hear me clear! You want to earn more? I know you do! You want to earn like the probloggers do! But you know you can't just fly all the way to the top. Let snapbomb help you pop!
What is Snapbomb? While in search for opportunities from all over cyberspace, I heard talk about this company that provides buzz for advertisers through blog marketing and blog advertising in the form of posts from the ever efficient bloggers! Snapbomb.
If you have a business or a website that you want to promote and increase traffic. Snapbomb works wonders in doing so. It becomes your Buzz Machine and helps you get more prospective clients down your way.
If you are a blogger, then I think you know where I'm headed. I have been trying to get some moolah out of my blog for days now, and Snapbomb is the answer for me. Opportunities? They've got them! Reasonable prices and easy sign-up? Right this way..
Seriously, it's great! :) I couldn't have said it better.
Cheers!
Labels: blogging, blogs, good finds, income, money, websites |
| posted by Ann @ 8:55 AM
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| Tuesday, May 6, 2008 |
| Oh the Joy of a Busy Schedule! |
I would like to think that my schedule is not as complicated as I think it would be. Many people think it is, but when I look at it, it does not seem much. But for the fun of it (although I would like to refrain from posting memes) I am doing what Sendzki is asking me to do. List down the things I need to do this week. (Which reminds me, oh GiGC, isn't this what we were talking about? :D Oh wait..that was the Bucket List.. Nevermind..)
- Finish watching info videos sent by Rob
- Finish transferring reminders to GCal
- Clean up mess - crib, laundry, room
- Help hub cook foodie
- Check barangay clinic for Frankie and Sophie's immunization schedule
- Daily: give babies their vitamins
- Clean room - hopefully by Saturday
- Bring out notebook for notes
- Come up with recipe for toddlers
- Contact nonol for dried fish business, etc.
- Give chess game for PC to JJ
- Post miss feyoh's jewelry pictures
- Update Jumble SALE
- Post items in ebay.ph
- Clean up drives
- Send follow up email to Sir Ray
- Follow up with Julius regarding schedule to come to Dgte.
- Inform mother dear of Julius' updates
- Go to Grandma - preferably with cash
- Contact stepmomma for jewelry inquiries
- Buy CDs for father dear's movies
- Find clear schedule to play Badminton
- Find way to get Bucket List film
- Daily - check for new money making opps (hihihi..)
- Help Owen find a job (because I love Ibby)
I don't know what else. I know I'm missing some things. Uhmmm.. I'll update it as soon as I remember them. Besides, it is still Tuesday. A lot of things come up my ToDo list every single day. Hehehe
I don't know who to tag. So if you got this far reading, that means I'm tagging you!! :D GOTCHA!
Labels: blogging, blogs, meme, personal matters |
| posted by Ann @ 6:25 PM
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| Boost Your Traffic with TrafficEra! |
Just a quick stop before I move on to another post.
I came across TrafficEra to be a gem. TrafficEra not only helps you increase your traffic, it also helps you earn a little more. I mean, it helps your blog earn, and it helps YOU earn! How cool is that? We all need a little Help to make us go our way, so they offer tutorials, support, and easy to understand instructions. Perfect.
Labels: blogging, blogs, Traffic |
| posted by Ann @ 5:36 PM
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| Saturday, May 3, 2008 |
| Blogger BUZZ: Scheduled Posts |
Oh, goodie!! I just could not contain my happiness when I noticed this announcement at Blogger BUZZ. I know I should have noticed this yesterday, but I didn't - so there!
What is this all about? Blogger can now publish your posts without you pushing the "Publish" button. Soooo cool! It's like this feature with some email clients which allows the user to send the email at a later date, or something. While that is an email client feature, this one pretty much has the same concept.
What you do is, you write your articles, posts, meme, whatever and then you save it. There are post options below the WYSIWYG for you to indicate when you want the post to be published, or if you simply want to save it in draft. It indicates the time, too!!
Incredible function allows people to save massive amounts of posts and set them on schedule. That way, even if you are out in the jungle wrestling gorillas, or under the Tuscan sun, or wherever, you are not neglecting your money making blog! UBER cool right?! Well, I think so. :D
I am trying it right now. I know it will work perfectly as it has already gone through the testing phase. No decent programmer launches something without going through a thorough test. Anyway, as I write this, it is 11:34 A.M. I am setting my timer to post at 2:15 P.M. - according to my schedule, I should be gallivanting around town at that time. Boo yah!!!
WTG, Blogger!! ;)
Labels: Blogger, blogging, blogs, good finds, how to, improvement, productivity |
| posted by Ann @ 2:15 PM
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| Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
| Going Template/Design Crazy |
Can you see the changes? Yes, I believe they are quite obvious.
I got crazy with changing my blog design this afternoon. I went from one design to anoter. I fell in love with a lot of them!! Sad to say though, the adrenaline rush of having a new look must have gotten to me because I simply could not make the templates I loved the most work right. Instead, I lost all my links to my friends' bloggies and I most importantly, my AdSense [!!].
Some parts of my brain have been seriously nagging and I am starting to feel deaf. I think I might have made a boo-boo in my haste to change. But I think it turned out quite okay. I still like this new design. And I think it happens to be lighter on the browser. I really wanted to go for a 3-column one. Sad to say, today was not my day to go 3some.
Anyway, if I added you previously to my blogroll, and by chance I failed to put you back on. My apologies. The list of links I had stored are quite Jurassic and unupdated, so I did what I could. I think there should be a lot more friends there, but I just cannot put my finger on the URLs. Please leave me a message if I missed! Sorry again.
So what do you think of this design now? I wish I could make one. But procrastination and plain laziness is getting the better of me, and I am shamefully letting it win. ;) No problemo, amigo!. I'll get it next time!!
Cheers to the new design!!
Labels: blogging, blogs, personal matters |
| posted by Ann @ 5:46 PM
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| Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |
| 30-Day Mark: Happy 1st Monthsary Dear Bloggie! |
My count for the first 30 days of my darling blog is already here! I am feeling so happy, like the way my children reached their first month safely. God is good.
It feels like forever, this relationship between bloggie and me. It feels like it has been ages since I gave birth to this new collection of thoughts. Perhaps, it is also high time for me to somehow christen it and give it a name. I hereby dub thee, "Pepper." :D
I always liked the name "Pepper." But I never got to naming my first born that because I think my husband would have my head if I named our daughter after a seasoning. Now that an opportunity has come for me to give something very dear a name. What better name to call my bloggie, "Pepper."
So hello Pepper! Congratulations on staying afloat for the first toxic 30 days of your existence! I pray that you will continue to thrive and persevere, and provide me with enough moolah to feed the spawn. ;)
Thank you for coming, guests! Please sit, chat, eat, be merry... and click links (for my monthsary gift.. hehehe). Do keep visiting because it is bound to get more interesting in time.
Cheers! Long live, PEPPER!!!
Labels: blogging, blogs, personal matters |
| posted by Ann @ 12:14 PM
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| Monday, April 28, 2008 |
| Is Website Design for Blogs Important? |
One of a woman's many charms is her indecisiveness. She can say she wants something, falls for it dead on the spot, and when she finally gets it, she realizes it is not exactly what she wants. Isn't that right, ladies? As what I said, it's part of our charm. ;)
Anyway, time as has come, after a couple of days of having my new look to the blog, to change it again. Why? Simple. I have changed my mind and decided that it is not exactly what I had in mind. I never had a thing for the overly large headers anyway. What I had in mind was something more subtle, and clean. Not that this is clean, I find the colors here rather relaxing. But something just doesn't feel right.
I've often wondered if website designs are a huge factor in drawing traffic and visitors. Being a web designer, I find myself constantly checking other websites for their designs. Making notes on some tackier layouts and styles, noting the gorgeous and functional ones. I would personally like something along the lines of clean, refreshing, and calming. Although definitely not frilly, fussy, or just too modern. But I haven't drafted one like that yet. I will soon.
Which leaves me with the debate of changing my design again, or not..? My lazy bone says I should leave it for a couple of days more. But the blogger/designer/me says I should change it right away. I feel that it is just too heavy.
What do you think? Is the design a huge factor in determining the readership and following of a blog? Or perhaps not, given that RSS has revolutionized the way people become your readers, quality is more important while design - not so much.
Either way, I'm going for both. :D
Labels: blogging, blogs, discussion, improvement, opinion |
| posted by Ann @ 9:32 AM
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| Tuesday, April 22, 2008 |
| Million Blog List and Wiki Blog Directory |
Do you want to drive more traffic to your blog? Give a boost to your Good PageRank, or perhaps for Technorati purposes? Then give this a try! :)
I cannot remember, from the deepest recesses of my grey matter as to where I came across these two wonderful websites.
I have added myself to: the Million Blog List ( am on #838 so there's a who lot more numbers to fill!!) and the WikiBlog Directory (list yourself under numerous categories). Why don't you add yourself there, too? Let the world know what a wonderful, interesting, innovative, exciting, crazy, delightful, rare, authentic, exhilarating, amusing, funny, creative, etc. website you have! Join me and the rest of the world in our quest to be heard!!
Power to the bloggers! Teehee.. ;)
*Updates later.
Labels: blogging, blogs, Million Blog list, PageRank, Technorati, WikiBlog |
| posted by Ann @ 8:42 AM
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| Saturday, April 19, 2008 |
| RSS meets Boosts in Technorati and other stuff |
I am not much into memes and tags. But sometimes, well, out of the nothingness that this world has become, I give in to the call of the wild and do my share of the memes being tagged and all.
So the current person who has victimized me would be Sendzki over at http://sendorero.blogspot.com.
"Note: You must subscribe to the feed of the blog who tagged you. To subscribe to my feed just click the icon above. "I got tagged by Dana, this tagging thingy will likely increase your blog's feed subscriber.
If you are in my blogroll, please check out your link at the bottom" Feed Me Up!
You get these benefits in joining this linker chain: * You can get more web traffic.
* You can increase your blogs' Technorati authority.
* You can increase your blogs' feed subscribers.
* You can get more back links.
* You can gain more friends around the world. Here are the Rules:
Copy the list below. Place your Blog's FEED Link (i.e. You blog's link for its RSS/Atom feed, not the actual site) after the list. If you have more than 1 blog, feel free to add them all here!
After placing your blog’s feed address/es, you must tag 5 or more bloggers that is not yet in the list, this is to keep the ball rolling.Also, you must subscribe to the feed of the blog who tagged you. You may include subscribing to another blog of your choice from the list.
Your RSS link/Atom feed here
I am tagging... ehn², ZTe, miss feyoh, lainee, and anybody else reading this. Gracias!!
XOXO,
Labels: blogging, blogs, meme |
| posted by Ann @ 11:20 PM
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| Saturday, March 29, 2008 |
| Do BLOGS do more harm than good? |
I am copying a recent post I made in my other personal blog to kick-start this new one.
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Last night, I saw STAND OFF (THE A.U.D.C) on ANC. The topic on debate was "This House believes blogs do more harm than good." Being a blogger, naturally, I stopped my channel surfing and stuck with it.
I believe the discussion was borne out of the current ruckus on Brian Gorell's blog attacks on the Gucci Gang, and others. It seems it had the effect the author wanted and some guilty (perhaps) parties have ants in their pants. It would seem natural to file some case for whatever damages BG made IF it were done on some other medium. But if done on a blog, what could ANYBODY do...? NOTHING, I presume.
First off, I honestly think blogs do no harm much. Hehehe.. It is what it is. An online journal. A medium to which people pour their hearts and souls into. Sometimes even poetry, music, rants, raves, and almost everything under the sun. What with technology, nobody wants to maintain the traditional pen and paper versions of blogs, rather they want it on what they always face. The computer. The Internet.
A personal journal records ones thoughts, feelings, and opinion for the day. It is not, by any means, a proven source of facts. And for online journals, it is simply for the reader's discretion if he or she should agree, disagree, believe or not the details written in space. Newspapers claim they are the source of truth, yet sometimes we even doubt their authenticity and debate the contents. What difference is a blog? More so, blogs often come from feelings and a given few of researched facts, but not stamped on the raw truth. What is the truth anyway? Nobody really knows. It all depends on how many believe it to be true.
Here are the pros and cons of blogging.
Pros:
- blogs allow people to connect with people all over the world
- blogs allow friends of their authors to catch up with the lives which most often miss duty to their busy lifestyles
- blogs are stress relievers where some come to relax and save themselves from impending insanity
- blogs allows others to become people they wish they were
- blogs allow people to voice out their feelings to others
Cons:
- blogs can sometimes hurt feelings
- blogs often mislead people
- blogs CAN be dishonest (but not all the time)
Perhaps I am biased as I am a blogger. But I believe that the good outweighs the bad in blogging. It simply boils down to those who are reading. Would you believe what is written, point blank? Or would you take time to ponder on what is written and think of it as another piece of information learned and it is up to you to digest. Nothing is undebatable. Nothing is free from reactions. Besides, you would really have to think, "where there is smoke, there is fire." Nothing comes out of nothing. There must be something, but it is up to you to decide which version is correct. Blogs merely give the options, the opinions, and what the author believes to be true. You be the judge.Labels: blogging, blogs, Brian Gorell, discussion, opinion |
| posted by Ann @ 6:12 AM
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| About Me |
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Name: Ann
Home: Philippines
About Me: even when she has fairy wings on, this girl is anything BUT dainty. perhaps the size, the weight, and the personality alone are just too much for her to be considered delicate, prim, proper, and refined. this girl with the mud smudged cheeks has been down on the ground one to many times. these times forced her to be tougher, smarter, and more savvy than she has ever been. perhaps she will always be, never dainty.
email me: neverdainty [at] gmail [dot] com
See my complete profile
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