One of the simplest ways to analyse the blogosphere is to compare authorship of the local blogs according to gender.
Assumptions are often made that there are predominantly more male than female bloggers, but previous studies have shown this is a blunt generalisation.
Since blogging became accepted as a relatively mainstream activity in 2004 the pure numbers have evolved and the level of men and women who are active in the sphere has largely equalized, but interestingly a clearer distinction in the pattern of blogging behaviour has become apparent.
So for my purposes a simple count of the blogs on the 'Top of The Berkshire Blogs' charts will effectively show how maturely developed the local blogosphere now is (for ease of calculation I'll use November 2009 as the most recent source list of active sites and exclude guest contributions).
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Men: 86
Women: 27
Multiple male: 6
Multiple female: 4
Multiple both: 9
Unknown author: 11
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Total: 143
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This means there are 101 listed sites whose principle authors are male, compared to 40 who are female and 11 of unknown gender (a 5:2 ratio).
Of course this is not a definitive sample as there are several examples of highly active bloggers who contribute to more than one weblog and there are numerous local blogs which are not included on the chart. I've also failed to identify almost a dozen authors. So any conclusions should be treated sceptically.
Nonetheless, as an early indication of the relative maturity of the local blogosphere I think this can be said to indicate a good baseline from which similar future analysis will have some value.
NB. Based upon the assumption that the defined geographical blogosphere reaches maturity when gender ratios reach 1:1.
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Previous analyses of The State of the Berkshire Blogosphere
Berkshire Blog Review: Naws
Here's looking at another of the survey respondents:
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Title: Naws
Publisher: Steve Borthwick
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Berkshire blog ranking: 22nd (August 2009)
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Type: Personal
Focus: Humanism, rationalism and science.
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Sample posting: Some Advice For Atheists (28th September 2009)
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Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Trenchant, considered, though occasionally a bit preachy.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Fisking the recieved wisdom of religion and blind faith. Gradually branching out beyond these confines.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Has recently upped his output to almost 1.5 per day.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Photos, occasional video.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Backlinks and some wide-ranging stream-of-consciousness discussion.
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Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
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Taste this: "He's not the anti-christ, he's just the very archetype of a majorly modern atheist!"
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Naws
Publisher: Steve Borthwick
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Berkshire blog ranking: 22nd (August 2009)
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Type: Personal
Focus: Humanism, rationalism and science.
-
Sample posting: Some Advice For Atheists (28th September 2009)
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Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Trenchant, considered, though occasionally a bit preachy.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Fisking the recieved wisdom of religion and blind faith. Gradually branching out beyond these confines.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Has recently upped his output to almost 1.5 per day.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Photos, occasional video.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Backlinks and some wide-ranging stream-of-consciousness discussion.
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Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
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Taste this: "He's not the anti-christ, he's just the very archetype of a majorly modern atheist!"
Berkshire Blog Review: The Sourceress
Okay, continuing on the respondents to my survey, here is an enthusiast for niceness...
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Title: The Sourceress
Publisher: Katharine Robinson
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Berkshire blog ranking: Unrated
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Type: Personal
Focus: Social Media & Networking
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Sample posting: UK Restaurants Taking Bookings via Twitter (12th July 2009)
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Style: (1 out of 2pts)
Soft-edged and business-like, somewhat neutral and anti-septic.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
How social media can make a positive impact in your life.
Regularity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Not very.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Photos and occasional screenshots.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A profusion of interesting links and a touchstone for her highly active twitter account.
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Total rating: (5.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "The Sourceress is the online home for this twee twitter-holic. Plenty of undeveloped potential to be a magical resource."
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Title: The Sourceress
Publisher: Katharine Robinson
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Berkshire blog ranking: Unrated
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Type: Personal
Focus: Social Media & Networking
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Sample posting: UK Restaurants Taking Bookings via Twitter (12th July 2009)
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Style: (1 out of 2pts)
Soft-edged and business-like, somewhat neutral and anti-septic.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
How social media can make a positive impact in your life.
Regularity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Not very.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Photos and occasional screenshots.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A profusion of interesting links and a touchstone for her highly active twitter account.
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Total rating: (5.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "The Sourceress is the online home for this twee twitter-holic. Plenty of undeveloped potential to be a magical resource."
Berkshire Blog Review: Want to be a free thinker, but still a nice person
Moving on... back in the mists of time I asked local bloggers to complete a survey advertising themselves and their local credentials, so I think it's only fair to put their blogs at the front of the queue for review. So let's have a look at the jobs they've done...
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Title: Want to be a free thinker, but still a nice person
Publisher: Elizabeth Thomas
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Berkshire blog ranking: 15th (August 2009)
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Type: Personal
Focus: Wide-ranging
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Sample posting: Strawberries and Cream (28th June 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Gently eclectic. A truly open-minded, welcoming and generous-spirited hostess who refuses to allow any imposition to overwhelm.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
General discussions of everything - explorations of all aspects of life from trapped butterflies to family life and cross-cultural observations to heavyweight discussion of international or political issues. Loses half a mark for being hard to pin down.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Averages 2-3 times daily. Sometimes it's difficult to keep up!
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Regular photos and occasional video.
Interactivity: (2 out of 2pts)
Highly active discussion threads bringing together people from across the political spectrum and from across both sides of the Atlantic. Regularly uses Facebook to canvass opinion on interesting subjects.
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Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "A disconcertingly hypnotic genius of a blog: always refreshing, always reassuring and always a joy to read!"
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Title: Want to be a free thinker, but still a nice person
Publisher: Elizabeth Thomas
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Berkshire blog ranking: 15th (August 2009)
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Type: Personal
Focus: Wide-ranging
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Sample posting: Strawberries and Cream (28th June 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Gently eclectic. A truly open-minded, welcoming and generous-spirited hostess who refuses to allow any imposition to overwhelm.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
General discussions of everything - explorations of all aspects of life from trapped butterflies to family life and cross-cultural observations to heavyweight discussion of international or political issues. Loses half a mark for being hard to pin down.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Averages 2-3 times daily. Sometimes it's difficult to keep up!
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Regular photos and occasional video.
Interactivity: (2 out of 2pts)
Highly active discussion threads bringing together people from across the political spectrum and from across both sides of the Atlantic. Regularly uses Facebook to canvass opinion on interesting subjects.
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Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "A disconcertingly hypnotic genius of a blog: always refreshing, always reassuring and always a joy to read!"
Berkshire Blog Review: The Common Sense Party
So I'm starting to broaden my horizons and look at different areas of the Berkshire blogosphere - here's some politics for you...
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Title: The Common Sense Party
Publisher: Howard Thomas
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Berkshire blog ranking: unranked
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Type: Political
Focus: Commentary and occasonal analysis
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Sample posting: Why No Labour Party Blogs? (23rd August 2009)
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Style: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Well-meant amateur pub bore. Happy to pronounce without even checking his facts.
Specialisms: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Howard gets credit for knowing his own mind.
Regularity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
He's kept it up for almost a year at an average rate of two or three a week (though he tends to publish in clumps).
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
No. Prevented by local newspaper hosting.
Interactivity: (0 out of 2pts)
I'll be generous and give Howard credit for participating in the online debate on other people's blogs, but he loses that by not responding to comments on his own blog and then criticising others for ignoring him.
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Total rating: (1.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Reactionary nonsense from the self-proclaiming oracle of common sense."
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Title: The Common Sense Party
Publisher: Howard Thomas
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Berkshire blog ranking: unranked
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Type: Political
Focus: Commentary and occasonal analysis
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Sample posting: Why No Labour Party Blogs? (23rd August 2009)
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Style: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Well-meant amateur pub bore. Happy to pronounce without even checking his facts.
Specialisms: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Howard gets credit for knowing his own mind.
Regularity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
He's kept it up for almost a year at an average rate of two or three a week (though he tends to publish in clumps).
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
No. Prevented by local newspaper hosting.
Interactivity: (0 out of 2pts)
I'll be generous and give Howard credit for participating in the online debate on other people's blogs, but he loses that by not responding to comments on his own blog and then criticising others for ignoring him.
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Total rating: (1.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Reactionary nonsense from the self-proclaiming oracle of common sense."
Berkshire Blog Review: Mr London Street
Please turn your attention to one of my favorite local blogs... give the man a big hand... erm, just enjoy!
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Title: Mr London Street
Publisher: A 35-year-old Reading resident...
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Berkshire blog ranking: 111th (August 2009). But only because he's a recent entry.
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Type: Personal
Focus: The basics: smut, pedantry and the futile minutiae of everyday life - at least that's what he says himself.
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Sample posting: Eavesdropping and the nookie ocelot (4th September 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Witty, erudite and down-to-earth. Not quite flappable, at least in retrospect.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Autobiographical storytelling. Regular feature: That Was The Week That Blogged.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Multiple times weekly. A healthy routine.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Occasional photos, used to contribute to rather than just complement the articles.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Highly active comments section with engaged audience. Nearly 150 public followers.
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Total rating: (8 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Takes the weight off your rear-end with this smooth, well-rounded pile of golden comedy blogging for your delectation. Satisfaction guaranteed. Reading's reigning premier humourist."
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Title: Mr London Street
Publisher: A 35-year-old Reading resident...
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Berkshire blog ranking: 111th (August 2009). But only because he's a recent entry.
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Type: Personal
Focus: The basics: smut, pedantry and the futile minutiae of everyday life - at least that's what he says himself.
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Sample posting: Eavesdropping and the nookie ocelot (4th September 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Witty, erudite and down-to-earth. Not quite flappable, at least in retrospect.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Autobiographical storytelling. Regular feature: That Was The Week That Blogged.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Multiple times weekly. A healthy routine.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Occasional photos, used to contribute to rather than just complement the articles.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Highly active comments section with engaged audience. Nearly 150 public followers.
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Total rating: (8 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Takes the weight off your rear-end with this smooth, well-rounded pile of golden comedy blogging for your delectation. Satisfaction guaranteed. Reading's reigning premier humourist."
The State Of The Berkshire Blogosphere: General
According to Wikio's chart for August, Berkshire can number 114 ranked blogs.
Of this 2 are within the top100 (2%), 18 are within the top1000 (1.8%) and 104 are within the top10,000 (1.04%).
Compared with an estimated population of 812,200 in 2005, or approx 1.4% of the total UK population, this provides a rough indication of the level of quality and interconnectedness of the online population in the county.
It confirms a tendency towards greater popularity and better networking skills, as would be expected by the location at the heart of the Thames Valley where more UK technology firms are clustered.
So a big well done to all you Berkshire bloggers - keep up the good work!
Of this 2 are within the top100 (2%), 18 are within the top1000 (1.8%) and 104 are within the top10,000 (1.04%).
Compared with an estimated population of 812,200 in 2005, or approx 1.4% of the total UK population, this provides a rough indication of the level of quality and interconnectedness of the online population in the county.
It confirms a tendency towards greater popularity and better networking skills, as would be expected by the location at the heart of the Thames Valley where more UK technology firms are clustered.
So a big well done to all you Berkshire bloggers - keep up the good work!
Berkshire Blog Review: Marketing By Permission
Continuing the trawl through the marketing sector...
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Title: Marketing By Permission
Publisher: Tim Trent
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Berkshire blog ranking: 51st (August 2009)
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Type: Personal/Business
Focus: Opinion
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Sample posting: Alton Towers and the Cheap Publicity Shot (11th August 2009)
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Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A strong personal voice, showing individualism and expertise, though sometimes highly sceptical.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Customer service relations; consumer, social and individual rights; equality and privacy concerns.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Multiple times weekly
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Occasional but relevant and self-made: photos, sound recordings, video.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Actively engaged with audience through Twitter and responsive to comments.
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Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "a passionate advocate for better and more equal relationships in the business and personal realms - so don't tread on his toes, he may well tread on yours in return!"
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Title: Marketing By Permission
Publisher: Tim Trent
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Berkshire blog ranking: 51st (August 2009)
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Type: Personal/Business
Focus: Opinion
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Sample posting: Alton Towers and the Cheap Publicity Shot (11th August 2009)
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Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A strong personal voice, showing individualism and expertise, though sometimes highly sceptical.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Customer service relations; consumer, social and individual rights; equality and privacy concerns.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Multiple times weekly
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Occasional but relevant and self-made: photos, sound recordings, video.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Actively engaged with audience through Twitter and responsive to comments.
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Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "a passionate advocate for better and more equal relationships in the business and personal realms - so don't tread on his toes, he may well tread on yours in return!"
Berkshire Blog Review: Creating Reputations With Morgan PR
Continuing with some of the professional communicators who blog, I'll turn my attention to Newbury-based Public Relations team of Nigel and Diane Morgan.
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Title: Creating Reputations
Publisher: Morgan PR
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Berkshire blog ranking: 30th (August 2009)
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Type: Commercial
Focus: Communications
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Sample posting: Why Swearing On Twitter Is Bad For Your Reputation (July 17th, 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Some of the best, most direct and stright-forward posts out there. With real personality too.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The do's and don'ts of communication. A wide variety of angles - communication tools, comment on research and company advice.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Most weekdays.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Blog feed integrated into company website. Regular photos.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Working backlinks to high-quality sources. Occasionally active comments on blog topics, preferring to utilise the speedy feedback of Twitter.
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Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Creating Reputations has created a massive reputation for Morgan PR - they know what they're talking about!"
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Title: Creating Reputations
Publisher: Morgan PR
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Berkshire blog ranking: 30th (August 2009)
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Type: Commercial
Focus: Communications
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Sample posting: Why Swearing On Twitter Is Bad For Your Reputation (July 17th, 2009)
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Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Some of the best, most direct and stright-forward posts out there. With real personality too.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The do's and don'ts of communication. A wide variety of angles - communication tools, comment on research and company advice.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Most weekdays.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Blog feed integrated into company website. Regular photos.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Working backlinks to high-quality sources. Occasionally active comments on blog topics, preferring to utilise the speedy feedback of Twitter.
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Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
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Quote this: "Creating Reputations has created a massive reputation for Morgan PR - they know what they're talking about!"
Top Of The Berkshire Blogs - August 2009
Of course no ranking system will ever be definitive so Reading List encourages all bloggers to participate and apply to add their blog to the Wikio directory - the more the merrier!
If you are a Berkshire blogger or you know of a site you think we may have missed, please let us know in the comments section.
But less of the preambles, here's the ranked list according to Wikio:-
1 - #14 (+7) - Mark Reckons
2 - #25 (+22) - John Redwood's Diary
3 - #105 (-10) - Boulton & Co
4 - #245 (+35) - Richard Willis's Blog
5 - #293 (-63) - NevilleHobson.com
6 - #317 (-64) - Reading List
7 - #331 (+3376) - Libertarian Party South East
8 - #492 (+160) - Clive Davis
9 - #533 (-81) - Bracknell Blog
10 - #607 (+351) - Green Reading
11 - #691 (-9) - Was Was 'ere
12 - #692 (+228) - Cllr Dave Luckett
13 - #738 (-83) - Scaryduck
14 - #743 (-69) - Jane Is The One
15 - #771 (+147) - Want to be a free thinker, but still a nice person
16 - #778 (+28226) - Independent Jones
17 - #785 (-299) - Redlands Libdems
18 - #990 (-336) - Cllr Ricky Duveen
19 - #1054 (+102) - Sean Green's Blog
20 - #1107 (+531) - NYOOTW
21 - #1155 (+455) - Bloggy Blanc
22 - #1233 (-348) - naws
23 - #1247 (+89) - Gideon Mack - Orangutan
24 - #1259 (-365) - Cllr Prue Bray
25 - #1343 (+27662) - Naz Sarkar
26 - #1461 (-178) - Cllr Glenn Goodall
27 - #1516 (+27487) - Katesgrove Libdems
28 - #1554 (-542) - Reading Roars
29 - #1833 (+3340) - Cllr Emma Warman
30 - #1891 (New Entry) - Creating Reputations With Morgan PR
31 - #1916 (-560) - Andy Peacock
32 - #1958 (-565) - windsorfirestation.co.uk
33 - #2113 (-584) - Para//elism
34 - #2201 (-579) - British Royal Wedding
35 - #2292 (-587) - DTT's Memoirs
36 - #2384 (-594) - Through A Peep Hole
37 - #2442 (-595) - gCO2e
38 - #2450 (New Entry) - The Thoughts Of Chairman Bill
39 - #2536 (-604) - Grasp The Mettle
40 - #2537 (-604) - David Burbage's Weblog
41 - #2587 (-600) - The Flashing Blade
42 - #2698 (-598) - Right To Common Sense
43 - #2779 (+11850) - The Blogshire of Thiessen's on Thames
44 - #2780 (+26027) - Puglia2010
45 - #2860 (-598) - Beasley's Place
46 - #2569 (-28) - Thames Valley Mums Blog
47 - #3003 (+2187) - The rise and rise of social media in UK retail
48 - #3369 (-662) - Ticking To A Different Tock
49 - #3370 (-662) - Windsor Judo Club
50 - #3373 (Re-Entry) Slough Town Soapbox
51 - #4513 (-944) - Marketing By Permission
52 - #4606 (-582) - The Mysterious World Of Matt Blackall
53 - #4607 (-582) - Adrian Hollister
54- #4608 (-582) - East Berkshire Green Party
55 - #5580 (-414) - Ramblings of a Pheasant Plucker
56 - #5581 (-414) - Berkshire Websites
57 - #5582 (-414) - Berkeley Blog
58 - #5583 (-414) - Thames Rail
59 - #5584 (-414) - matthewmillen.co.uk
60 - #5585 (-414) - Sophie Berkshire Escort
61 - #5586 (-414) - The Age Of Stupidity
62 - #5587 (-413) - Brian Moore - KAMInsighter
63 - #5588 (-413) - The Timber Yard
64 - #5589 (-413) - ClayHill Newbury
65 - #5590 (-413) - Ramblings of the Bum-Nosed Weasel
66 - #5591 (-413) - berkshireborn
67 - #5592 (-413) - Basildon Blog
68 - #5593 (-413) - Greening St John's
69 - #5594 (-413) - Volunteering With RISC
70 - #5595 (-413) - Prof Will Hughes
71 - #5596 (-413) - z0man's Political Thoughts
72 - #5597 (-413) - Treetops - One-day Classes in Newbury
73 - #5598 (-413) - Sport Minded
74 - #5599 (-413) - my random rants
75 - #5600 (-413) - Knit Happens In Newbury
76 - #5601 (-413) - hang-on
77 - #5602 (-413) - Owt4Nowt
78 - #5603 (-412) - mishaps
79 - #5604 (-411) - dot.green
80 - #5605 (-411) - Slouching Towards Thatcham
81 - #5606 (-411) - Woz Write's
82 - #5607 (-410) - Let's push the big red button anyway
83 - #5610 (Re-Entry) Lazy View
84 - #5682 (+9044) - Kurly Wurly
85 - #5683 (+9093) - Yasmin
86 - #5684 (+9174) - Magic Photography
87 - #5685 (+9403) - Macbeth Insurance Brokers
88 - #5686 (+9477) - Reading Youth Sikh Association
89 - #5687 (+9620) - Scribblings
90 - #5688 (+9653) - Jazz From Geoff
91 - #5689 (+10016) - John Llewellyn Blogs France
92 - #5690 (+10016) - John Llewellyn Blogs
93 - #5691 (+23011) - WendyHouse
94 - #5692 (+23317) - The Reading Fan
95 - #5693 (+23317) - sheepdrove
96 - #5694 (+23317) - 106 points and 99 points
97 - #5695 (+23317) - Phil Spray
98 - #5696 (+23319) - Baba Mzungu
99 - #5697 (+23319) - Jim Anning
100 - #5698 (+23319) - PKS Property blog
101 - #5699 (+23320) - Bucolic Frolics
102 - #5700 (+23328) - Visions of Future Past
103 - #7577 (-300) - Goring-on-Thames
104 - #8368 (-223) - West Berks PC Doctor's News Blog
105 - #12280 (New Entry) - Internet Psychology
106 - #14158 (New Entry) - Brightwalton & Villages
107 - #14572 (New Entry) - Lower Earley Book Group
108 - #25425 (New Entry) - Clearway Driver Training
109 - #25428 (New Entry) - Theale Village
110 - #25485 (New Entry) - Berkshire Blog Review
111 - #25548 (New Entry) - Mr London Street
112 - #25549 (New Entry) - The Drunken Monkey Strikes Back
113 - #25550 (New Entry) - Bag Lady
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And here are those which have dropped off the list since last month due to inactivity.
#--- (1895) - Cllr Lee Dillon
#--- (2709) - EJBC
#--- (5192) - what's the idea
#--- (5196) - Stumbling blocks to stepping stones
#--- (5198) - Some Thoughts
#--- (15167) - Reading Toy Run
#--- (15696) - View From The Tower Of London
#--- (29018) - thamesvalley.org.uk
If you are a Berkshire blogger or you know of a site you think we may have missed, please let us know in the comments section.
But less of the preambles, here's the ranked list according to Wikio:-
1 - #14 (+7) - Mark Reckons
2 - #25 (+22) - John Redwood's Diary
3 - #105 (-10) - Boulton & Co
4 - #245 (+35) - Richard Willis's Blog
5 - #293 (-63) - NevilleHobson.com
6 - #317 (-64) - Reading List
7 - #331 (+3376) - Libertarian Party South East
8 - #492 (+160) - Clive Davis
9 - #533 (-81) - Bracknell Blog
10 - #607 (+351) - Green Reading
11 - #691 (-9) - Was Was 'ere
12 - #692 (+228) - Cllr Dave Luckett
13 - #738 (-83) - Scaryduck
14 - #743 (-69) - Jane Is The One
15 - #771 (+147) - Want to be a free thinker, but still a nice person
16 - #778 (+28226) - Independent Jones
17 - #785 (-299) - Redlands Libdems
18 - #990 (-336) - Cllr Ricky Duveen
19 - #1054 (+102) - Sean Green's Blog
20 - #1107 (+531) - NYOOTW
21 - #1155 (+455) - Bloggy Blanc
22 - #1233 (-348) - naws
23 - #1247 (+89) - Gideon Mack - Orangutan
24 - #1259 (-365) - Cllr Prue Bray
25 - #1343 (+27662) - Naz Sarkar
26 - #1461 (-178) - Cllr Glenn Goodall
27 - #1516 (+27487) - Katesgrove Libdems
28 - #1554 (-542) - Reading Roars
29 - #1833 (+3340) - Cllr Emma Warman
30 - #1891 (New Entry) - Creating Reputations With Morgan PR
31 - #1916 (-560) - Andy Peacock
32 - #1958 (-565) - windsorfirestation.co.uk
33 - #2113 (-584) - Para//elism
34 - #2201 (-579) - British Royal Wedding
35 - #2292 (-587) - DTT's Memoirs
36 - #2384 (-594) - Through A Peep Hole
37 - #2442 (-595) - gCO2e
38 - #2450 (New Entry) - The Thoughts Of Chairman Bill
39 - #2536 (-604) - Grasp The Mettle
40 - #2537 (-604) - David Burbage's Weblog
41 - #2587 (-600) - The Flashing Blade
42 - #2698 (-598) - Right To Common Sense
43 - #2779 (+11850) - The Blogshire of Thiessen's on Thames
44 - #2780 (+26027) - Puglia2010
45 - #2860 (-598) - Beasley's Place
46 - #2569 (-28) - Thames Valley Mums Blog
47 - #3003 (+2187) - The rise and rise of social media in UK retail
48 - #3369 (-662) - Ticking To A Different Tock
49 - #3370 (-662) - Windsor Judo Club
50 - #3373 (Re-Entry) Slough Town Soapbox
51 - #4513 (-944) - Marketing By Permission
52 - #4606 (-582) - The Mysterious World Of Matt Blackall
53 - #4607 (-582) - Adrian Hollister
54- #4608 (-582) - East Berkshire Green Party
55 - #5580 (-414) - Ramblings of a Pheasant Plucker
56 - #5581 (-414) - Berkshire Websites
57 - #5582 (-414) - Berkeley Blog
58 - #5583 (-414) - Thames Rail
59 - #5584 (-414) - matthewmillen.co.uk
60 - #5585 (-414) - Sophie Berkshire Escort
61 - #5586 (-414) - The Age Of Stupidity
62 - #5587 (-413) - Brian Moore - KAMInsighter
63 - #5588 (-413) - The Timber Yard
64 - #5589 (-413) - ClayHill Newbury
65 - #5590 (-413) - Ramblings of the Bum-Nosed Weasel
66 - #5591 (-413) - berkshireborn
67 - #5592 (-413) - Basildon Blog
68 - #5593 (-413) - Greening St John's
69 - #5594 (-413) - Volunteering With RISC
70 - #5595 (-413) - Prof Will Hughes
71 - #5596 (-413) - z0man's Political Thoughts
72 - #5597 (-413) - Treetops - One-day Classes in Newbury
73 - #5598 (-413) - Sport Minded
74 - #5599 (-413) - my random rants
75 - #5600 (-413) - Knit Happens In Newbury
76 - #5601 (-413) - hang-on
77 - #5602 (-413) - Owt4Nowt
78 - #5603 (-412) - mishaps
79 - #5604 (-411) - dot.green
80 - #5605 (-411) - Slouching Towards Thatcham
81 - #5606 (-411) - Woz Write's
82 - #5607 (-410) - Let's push the big red button anyway
83 - #5610 (Re-Entry) Lazy View
84 - #5682 (+9044) - Kurly Wurly
85 - #5683 (+9093) - Yasmin
86 - #5684 (+9174) - Magic Photography
87 - #5685 (+9403) - Macbeth Insurance Brokers
88 - #5686 (+9477) - Reading Youth Sikh Association
89 - #5687 (+9620) - Scribblings
90 - #5688 (+9653) - Jazz From Geoff
91 - #5689 (+10016) - John Llewellyn Blogs France
92 - #5690 (+10016) - John Llewellyn Blogs
93 - #5691 (+23011) - WendyHouse
94 - #5692 (+23317) - The Reading Fan
95 - #5693 (+23317) - sheepdrove
96 - #5694 (+23317) - 106 points and 99 points
97 - #5695 (+23317) - Phil Spray
98 - #5696 (+23319) - Baba Mzungu
99 - #5697 (+23319) - Jim Anning
100 - #5698 (+23319) - PKS Property blog
101 - #5699 (+23320) - Bucolic Frolics
102 - #5700 (+23328) - Visions of Future Past
103 - #7577 (-300) - Goring-on-Thames
104 - #8368 (-223) - West Berks PC Doctor's News Blog
105 - #12280 (New Entry) - Internet Psychology
106 - #14158 (New Entry) - Brightwalton & Villages
107 - #14572 (New Entry) - Lower Earley Book Group
108 - #25425 (New Entry) - Clearway Driver Training
109 - #25428 (New Entry) - Theale Village
110 - #25485 (New Entry) - Berkshire Blog Review
111 - #25548 (New Entry) - Mr London Street
112 - #25549 (New Entry) - The Drunken Monkey Strikes Back
113 - #25550 (New Entry) - Bag Lady
-
And here are those which have dropped off the list since last month due to inactivity.
#--- (1895) - Cllr Lee Dillon
#--- (2709) - EJBC
#--- (5192) - what's the idea
#--- (5196) - Stumbling blocks to stepping stones
#--- (5198) - Some Thoughts
#--- (15167) - Reading Toy Run
#--- (15696) - View From The Tower Of London
#--- (29018) - thamesvalley.org.uk
Berkshire Blog Review: Graham Jones' Blog
Another member of the local constellation of reknowned communications experts is Graham Jones, Internet Psychologist.
What is that, you may reasonably ask?
If you've ever wondered about the seemingly irrational behaviour which so many people try to explain and justify their online habits, an insight the instinctive motivations will help you understand how to waste efforts in search of little return.
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Title: Graham Jones, Internet Psychologist
Publisher: Graham Jones Business Group
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Berkshire blog ranking: Not Listed & 12,280 (August 2009)
-
Type: Commercial
Focus: Business-oriented communications
-
Sample posting: How not to succeed with online media (February 28th, 2008)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Direct and knowledgable, but some doubts must be raised over whether he is using his skills for you or against you, or indeed both at the same time. Reassuringly counter-intuitive and occasionally contrary at regular intervals.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Don't waste time believing marketing strategies, just learn to understand what your customers want and you'll help to maximise your sales to them.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Daily
Multi-media: (2 out of 2pts)
A full complement of communication platforms are utilised, as you'd expect from someone with as much expertise as this.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A diverse range of high-quality links. Blog fully integrated into a high-quality website demonstrating the product he is selling, but so conclusively convincing is he that there is sometimes little space for visitors to contribute anything extra.
-
Total rating: (9 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "Graham Jones understands the subconscious superconciousness of the web and web-users"
What is that, you may reasonably ask?
If you've ever wondered about the seemingly irrational behaviour which so many people try to explain and justify their online habits, an insight the instinctive motivations will help you understand how to waste efforts in search of little return.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Graham Jones, Internet Psychologist
Publisher: Graham Jones Business Group
-
Berkshire blog ranking: Not Listed & 12,280 (August 2009)
-
Type: Commercial
Focus: Business-oriented communications
-
Sample posting: How not to succeed with online media (February 28th, 2008)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Direct and knowledgable, but some doubts must be raised over whether he is using his skills for you or against you, or indeed both at the same time. Reassuringly counter-intuitive and occasionally contrary at regular intervals.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
Don't waste time believing marketing strategies, just learn to understand what your customers want and you'll help to maximise your sales to them.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Daily
Multi-media: (2 out of 2pts)
A full complement of communication platforms are utilised, as you'd expect from someone with as much expertise as this.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
A diverse range of high-quality links. Blog fully integrated into a high-quality website demonstrating the product he is selling, but so conclusively convincing is he that there is sometimes little space for visitors to contribute anything extra.
-
Total rating: (9 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "Graham Jones understands the subconscious superconciousness of the web and web-users"
Berkshire Blog Review: NevilleHobson.com
Berkshire has some of the highest online activity rates in the world due to our location at the heart of the Europe's answer to Silicon Valley, and it's no surprise that top expertise in related fields can also be found on our doorsteps.
You may not know him, but Neville Hobson is an integral part of the human architecture supporting this world-leading industry - so let's have a look at his blog!
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Title: NevilleHobson.com
Publisher: Neville Hobson
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 4th (July 2009)
-
Type: Professional
Focus: Communications
-
Sample posting: Add Your Voice To The Illegal File-Sharing Debate (August 17th, 2009)
-
Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Expert advice, information and issue raising. With some occasional personal snippets thrown in for good measure to add that important ingredient called character.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The Hobson and Holtz Report, a regular podcast detailing PR, comms and other media news recorded in Concord, California and Wokingham, Berkshire.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Multiple daily.
Multi-media: (2 out of 2pts)
Wide variety of range and type, always high quality.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Let down by the lack of on-site discussion, but considering the variety of other outlets provided from Mr Hobson's hive of activity this may not be the best place for it.
-
Total rating: (9 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "Internationally-renowned communications guru shows us why he is revered."
You may not know him, but Neville Hobson is an integral part of the human architecture supporting this world-leading industry - so let's have a look at his blog!
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: NevilleHobson.com
Publisher: Neville Hobson
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 4th (July 2009)
-
Type: Professional
Focus: Communications
-
Sample posting: Add Your Voice To The Illegal File-Sharing Debate (August 17th, 2009)
-
Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Expert advice, information and issue raising. With some occasional personal snippets thrown in for good measure to add that important ingredient called character.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The Hobson and Holtz Report, a regular podcast detailing PR, comms and other media news recorded in Concord, California and Wokingham, Berkshire.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Multiple daily.
Multi-media: (2 out of 2pts)
Wide variety of range and type, always high quality.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Let down by the lack of on-site discussion, but considering the variety of other outlets provided from Mr Hobson's hive of activity this may not be the best place for it.
-
Total rating: (9 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "Internationally-renowned communications guru shows us why he is revered."
Berkshire Blog Review: Boulton & Co
Now it's time for Sky New's Boulton & Co, named after Reading-born chief editor of Sky News, Adam Boulton.
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Title: Boulton & Co
Publisher: Sky News
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 3rd (July 2009)
-
Type: Corporate group blog
Focus: Political gossip
-
Sample posting: Fire Fighting (August 20th 2009)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Punchy sharp comment.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The insider track on what is going on in the corridors of power and the airwaves.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Multiple times daily
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Pictures, video - what more could you want? Well, a bit less for starters. Busy, confusing format which sometimes leads to information overload.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Links and active comments, but corporate identity distances visitors and diminishes personality.
-
Total rating: (8 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "What it loses over the stretch it makes up by being quick out of the traps."
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Boulton & Co
Publisher: Sky News
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 3rd (July 2009)
-
Type: Corporate group blog
Focus: Political gossip
-
Sample posting: Fire Fighting (August 20th 2009)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Punchy sharp comment.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The insider track on what is going on in the corridors of power and the airwaves.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Multiple times daily
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Pictures, video - what more could you want? Well, a bit less for starters. Busy, confusing format which sometimes leads to information overload.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Links and active comments, but corporate identity distances visitors and diminishes personality.
-
Total rating: (8 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "What it loses over the stretch it makes up by being quick out of the traps."
Berkshire Blog Review: Berkshire Newsblog Network
Following on from the previous review of the Berkshire Websites 'blog', it makes sense to review their connected network of news blogs, although I hope my Reading List Newspage can learn from their mistakes.
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Titles: Berkshire Newsblog Network - Maidenhead & Windsor, Bracknell, Crowthorne & Sandhurst, Twyford and Wokingham sites.
Publisher: Unknown, although the link with the Berkshire Websites network suggests a connection with a commercial corporation.
-
Berkshire Blog Ranking: Not ranked
-
Type: Commercial.
Focus: News from eastern Berkshire.
Sample posting: Pick up a bargain at Hurst Dinton car boot sale (July 8th, 2009)
-
Style: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Generally appears to be reprints of press releases. Intends to be uncontroversial and apolitical.
Specialisms: (1 out of 2pts)
Community events, crime incidents, economic development news.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily across the network.
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
Plain text.
Interactivity: (0 out of 2pts)
Ring-fenced production of content, no RSS feeds, no comments allowed.
-
Total rating: (3 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "An uncritical communitarian information trap"
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If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Titles: Berkshire Newsblog Network - Maidenhead & Windsor, Bracknell, Crowthorne & Sandhurst, Twyford and Wokingham sites.
Publisher: Unknown, although the link with the Berkshire Websites network suggests a connection with a commercial corporation.
-
Berkshire Blog Ranking: Not ranked
-
Type: Commercial.
Focus: News from eastern Berkshire.
Sample posting: Pick up a bargain at Hurst Dinton car boot sale (July 8th, 2009)
-
Style: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Generally appears to be reprints of press releases. Intends to be uncontroversial and apolitical.
Specialisms: (1 out of 2pts)
Community events, crime incidents, economic development news.
Regularity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily across the network.
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
Plain text.
Interactivity: (0 out of 2pts)
Ring-fenced production of content, no RSS feeds, no comments allowed.
-
Total rating: (3 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "An uncritical communitarian information trap"
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If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
Berkshire Blog Review: Berkshire Websites
Next up I've decided to focus on two blog-hosted catalogues of loal websites - partly because they inspired this web-catalogue.
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Title: Berkshire Websites & Reading Websites
Publisher: Unknown, although the link with the Berkshire newsblog network suggests a connection with a corporate authority.
-
Berkshire Blog Ranking: 48th (July 2009)
-
Type: Commercial
Focus: Website listings
Sample posting: An Image For You (August 13th 2009)
-
Style: (0 out of 2pts)
Blank, standardized corporate format.
Specialisms: (1 out of 2pts)
Company listings and company listings only.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily.
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
Standard format graphic of company in place of their logo.
Interactivity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Basic link to listed website frontpage, internal category links, no comments.
-
Total rating: (3.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "not quite an online version of the Yellow Pages"
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If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Berkshire Websites & Reading Websites
Publisher: Unknown, although the link with the Berkshire newsblog network suggests a connection with a corporate authority.
-
Berkshire Blog Ranking: 48th (July 2009)
-
Type: Commercial
Focus: Website listings
Sample posting: An Image For You (August 13th 2009)
-
Style: (0 out of 2pts)
Blank, standardized corporate format.
Specialisms: (1 out of 2pts)
Company listings and company listings only.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily.
Multi-media: (0 out of 2pts)
Standard format graphic of company in place of their logo.
Interactivity: (0.5 out of 2pts)
Basic link to listed website frontpage, internal category links, no comments.
-
Total rating: (3.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "not quite an online version of the Yellow Pages"
= = = = = = = = = = = =
If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
Berkshire Blog Review: Scaryduck
I first became aware there was such a thing as a local blogosphere when BBC Berkshire published a feature on Alistair Coleman's award-winning blog. So it's only natural that I should turn my attention to him first.
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Title: Scaryduck
Publisher: Alistair Coleman
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 11th (July 2009)
-
Type: Personal
Focus: General, comedy, breasts, getting killed to death
-
Sample posting: On having a bad day at PC World (August 10th, 2009)
-
Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Observational, comic juxtapositions. Populist.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The daily frustrations of life, being a bloke and getting up every day.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Regular as clockwork - like healthy bowels.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
No post without visual stimulus.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Active comments section.
-
Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "A guilty pleasure which never tasted so good. Now where's that sweet plum sauce?"
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If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Scaryduck
Publisher: Alistair Coleman
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 11th (July 2009)
-
Type: Personal
Focus: General, comedy, breasts, getting killed to death
-
Sample posting: On having a bad day at PC World (August 10th, 2009)
-
Style: (2 out of 2pts)
Observational, comic juxtapositions. Populist.
Specialisms: (2 out of 2pts)
The daily frustrations of life, being a bloke and getting up every day.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Regular as clockwork - like healthy bowels.
Multi-media: (1.5 out of 2pts)
No post without visual stimulus.
Interactivity: (1 out of 2pts)
Active comments section.
-
Total rating: (8.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "A guilty pleasure which never tasted so good. Now where's that sweet plum sauce?"
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If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
The State Of The Berkshire Blogosphere
I originally analysed the Berkshire Blogosphere in this article, ascertaining that there were
"9 Conservative bloggers, 8 Liberal Democrat, 5 Green Party, 2 Libertarian, 1 Liberty & Solidarity Party, 1 Common Sense Party and 1 Independent blogger."This has changed somewhat in the intervening period, as it has been possible to investigate deeper into the murky depths beneath the surface, so I'll also be regularly providing an update on these matters.
Top Of The Berkshire Blogs
Reviewing The Berkshire Blogosphere
Having collected a wide selection of local blogs to monitor and found a means to rank their performance, my next job it to start reviewing them.
So just to start off with I'll review my own blog to show readers how I'll be doing it.
If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Reading List
Publisher: Oranjepan
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 5th (July 2009)
-
Type: Community hub
Focus: General, local and current affairs
-
Sample posting: Mixed Reception For Rebranded Radio Station (March 26th, 2009)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Largely impersonal compare and contrast. Tries to be impartial and objective. Some humour.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Particularly interested in personal and party political views. Several regular and irregular features.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Occasional photos and video.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Large number of links, active in comments section.
-
Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "An excellent digest of the thoughts of local bloggers" (from Reading Guide)
= = = = = = = = = = = =
See here for some reader reviews.
So just to start off with I'll review my own blog to show readers how I'll be doing it.
If you want to add your review of this blog or suggest another local site for review, please do so in the comments section.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Title: Reading List
Publisher: Oranjepan
-
Berkshire blog ranking: 5th (July 2009)
-
Type: Community hub
Focus: General, local and current affairs
-
Sample posting: Mixed Reception For Rebranded Radio Station (March 26th, 2009)
-
Style: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Largely impersonal compare and contrast. Tries to be impartial and objective. Some humour.
Specialisms: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Particularly interested in personal and party political views. Several regular and irregular features.
Regularity: (2 out of 2pts)
Mostly daily.
Multi-media: (1 out of 2pts)
Occasional photos and video.
Interactivity: (1.5 out of 2pts)
Large number of links, active in comments section.
-
Total rating: (7.5 out of 10pts)
-
Quote this: "An excellent digest of the thoughts of local bloggers" (from Reading Guide)
= = = = = = = = = = = =
See here for some reader reviews.
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