I Blagh, Therefore I am (Pretentious)
10.11.06I don’t remember who exactly said, something to the effect of, “every web designer should be blogging.” For some reason, I tend to attribute that bit of wisdom to Jeffrey Zeldman. But then again, I attribute (and probably misattribute) a lot to JZ. Having said that, I was surprised to read his somewhat-jaded depiction of self-publishing, later echoed by Greg Storey, as I set out to launch this blog.
In one form or another, I have been publishing on the web for over 8 years. As any aspiring web designer, I’ve patronized countless websites in a search for answers, techniques and inspiration. From distinctly hobbyist roots, I now find myself working as a web professional in San Francisco - all thanks to my WWW education and the innumerable people who contributed to it.
The web is filled with sites that feature a giant disclaimer announcing the owner’s decision to stop updating the site. Most of the time, these websites aren’t the product of self-perpetuating machinery brimming with editors, salesmen, writers and a viable business model. Instead, they are an individual’s labor of love, propped up by interests and motivations that can change on a whim.
So it is without any fanfare, I go where millions have gone before. It’s not far fetched to think that, one day, this website will be tedious to maintain. Still, I can only hope, that between this post and the inevitable last, I can give back to the web design and development community as much as it has given me.
Damn, that’s a really grandiloquent (case in point) first post. Love it.
Congrats on your site launch … and keep up the good work man! Thanks for all of your help in my continuing “WWW education”, and I’ll be checking back for even more help and ideas. Maybe I need one of these of my own?
Good stuff man. I fall into the ‘labor of love’ category for the inspiration of my blog(daddydrink.blogspot), but I’m also salesman. Potential to combine both for professional and personal or imperative to keep separate for sanity?
Andy & Alex, thanks for leaving a comment. Andy, yes you do need a blog. Alex, that’s a tough one to answer. Personally, I’m always a fan of killling a flock of birds with one stone. One thing I can reliably recommend: don’t wait for weeks to reply to comments like I have.
Brilliant. From just a few of your comments elsewhere (which, incidentally, is what lead me here) and these first few posts, I can tell you’re one of the most articulate web designers I’ve come across. Promise us you’ll update often! I’ll be putting this thing in my Bloglines.
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day