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BURNINGBIRD
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a node at the edge
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May 25, 2002
 Dave Winer's "help" with Book
Wow. Generosity itself. Dave wants to try and "salvage" O'Reilly's weblogging book, by putting together his own mailing list rather than let O'Reilly go through the usual editing process. According to the intro page at the list, Dave writes: I was hoping this book would start like the WebMonkey survey of blogging software and go deeper into the relative merits of each of the products. I think ultimately it's going to be difficult to get this book into shape in time, probably would have been a better idea to have just a couple of authors who really understood all the products (Radio, Blogger and Movable Type) and give them more time to really get it right. The products all took years to develop. A quick treatment like this is bound to miss the spot. This book really does miss the point, at least as far as our software is concerned. Perhaps this new mail list can do something heroic and rescue the chapters. Not sure what to recommend to O'Reilly at this time. I'm sure that Tim O'Reilly, who knows very little about the publication business and books and writing and that sort of thing will be extremely grateful for Dave's support.
Posted by Bb at May 25, 2002 12:29 PM Comments
Shelley, I skimmed the chapters you wrote on Blogger and they're great, they're just the kind of work we need for Radio. I never used the term "salvage" that you quote, nor would I ever presume to help O'Reilly with book publishing, they do it really well, and I've never done it, and have enormous respect for their process. Nate and I have been talking on the phone regularly because we're in trouble here. Basically the Radio chapters are not ready for review, and unless the Radio community pitches in, I don't think it's going to happen. So I did what I could to help. My company and our community (I hope) wants to see this work. Your chapters are so good, I couldn't imagine helping them in any way. Take care, happy holiday. Dave Posted by: Dave Winer on May 25, 2002 02:40 PMWhy, Dave - what a gracious comment. Posted by: Bb aka Shelley aka Weblog Bosswoman on May 25, 2002 03:50 PMCoool. I totally meant it. Your chapters drill straight into the substance without any detours. Radio is designed in such a way that it can be documented that way, but.. Oh well. We're getting some excellent help, btw. Posted by: Dave Winer on May 25, 2002 05:02 PMGood on you Dave You've hit the nail on the head as far as Shelley's blogs go too -- she does "drill straight into the substance without any detours" -- and in the process often steps on a few toes. I enjoy them for their lack of waffle and that other blog curse, the fear of writing from the heart and perhaps upsetting someone briefly. The truth is not always palatable, but it is the basis of good blogging, which is obviously much more important than the tools used to produce them. Keep up the good work, both of you. Posted by: Allan Moult on May 25, 2002 06:51 PMEeeeeeeeee....*surprised* I was really expecting a fight to have broken out in these comments, but, nope, graciousness and goodness instead. Whilst graciousness and goodness is much more boring than a good fight *grin*, I'm with Allan - Shelly, this weblog IMHO rocks, and Dave, Radio also IMHO rocks. S'kin great to see two professionals speaking like this...rock on, both of yous. ;-) Posted by: Rogi on May 26, 2002 04:23 AMAnd by the way - I don't trust a single word of this 'friendy' stuff. ;-) Posted by: Rogi on May 26, 2002 04:33 AMnor do i :P~ Posted by: ruzz on May 27, 2002 03:00 PM-faints- Posted by: meryl on May 29, 2002 10:58 AMPost a comment
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I hesitate, though, at chopping the Blogger chapters down to, "Don't use it. Use Userland Radio, instead" next to a graphic of a coffee mug.