Frequently Asked Questions About This Lifestream
It's been a few days since I announced that I was abandoning my blog in favor of a lifestream. The move seems to be going well as comments have been coming in at a good clip. Here's a quick rundown answers to of some common questions that came in via Twitter, Friendfeed and comments...
Q) Why did you abandon your blog?
I have been blogging for over five years - and it has certainly worked well for me. However, in the last year, things really began to change. Blogging began to feel too slow and methodical in a world where apps like Tweetdeck bring real-time Twitter conversations right to our doorstep. At the same time, however, like Louis I have always felt it's important for me to have my own hub. But I want it to connect to the spokes.
In addition, I have been seeking a platform that lets me publish daily and do so from my mobile device. (I often spend more time on the web on my iPhone than I do a PC or Mac.) Since it works primarily via email, Posterous was perfect for my needs and when I began to see what you could do with it, I felt it was time to switch over.
Q) Do you think blogging is dead?
No, I don't. However, the blog format needs a reboot.
For one, people don't have time to read as much as they used to. There's too much competing for our attention. This means you need to be creative to stand out. (This post is already longer and less visual than I would like it to be.)
Second, blogs must connect to social network hubs. Posterous lets me do so in a number of ways through auto-posting, but also by letting you send your comments into Facebook, Twitter, Backtype and Friendfeed.
Q) Cmon Steve, isn't this "lifestream" just basically a blog?
Sort of. The site is certainly structured like a blog. However, the approach is different. It's less formal. There will be more bits, fewer posts. What's more, I will employ creative ways to share and engage - such as mindmaps, image galleries and short videos. In addition, this will serve as a key way I connect to you on various social networks (see below).
Q) What is the focus of your lifestream?
My lifestream is focused entirely on daily links, observations and insights on emerging technology - primarily mobile, online and social. It's not a personal lifestream. I will stick to the topic. When I mention clients, I will disclose that I am doing so.
Q) Will this site aggregate your all your social network streams? I don't want to be spammed.
The lifestream will serve as a primary launching point for how I send content into social networks. New items will get auto-posted on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Friendfeed and Facebook, where we can discuss and debate further. However, the site will not aggregate all of my social activity.
Every post will be high quality and I will strive to cap the volume to no more than five to seven items per day. If you want more, you can track all of my activity and discussions on Friendfeed, including blog comments, my full Twitter stream and more.
Q) Will you still write essays?
Absolutely. However, there's a difference between what I wrote on ye olde blog and here.
On the blog I would think about a subject, gather up links and evidence and make a case, then ask you for input. Here I might post breadcrumbs that solicit input that then lead to an essay or maybe a video. In addition, to that point. I will be doing a lot more with multimedia - photos, short-form videos and audio.
Q) Are you nervous Posterous could go belly up one day and leave you high and dry?
A) That certainly is a concern given their size. However, I looked into it. The Posterous API supports a full export of my content. It's also all backed up in my Gmail. Plus the domain is mine. So, worse case, I can move if I have to. But I am rooting for them.
If you have other questions, or even better, ideas for me, please leave them in comments or on Twitter, Facebook or Twitter.
