Burningbird: Visual Hints and Clues

October 06, 2002

Visual Hints and Clues

I modified my Movable Type template to display a small graphic associated with the subject (category) of an posting next to its title. Those who are uninterested in my technology writing can avoid postings with a CD next to the title (as shown with this posting); those who are uninterested in politics, can avoid that graphic, and so on. (My friend Chris at Empty Bottle also uses graphics to designate categories. However, his graphics are a lot more sophisticated than mine.)

I thought about creating multiple weblogs and focusing each on a different topic, but I wouldn't write more (or less) on any subject just because I split them out into different weblogs. All I would do is scatter my thoughts about like dried bits of corn on a dusty field, forcing my readers to take on the visage of Crow, pecking about hoping to find that edible kernel among the dirt.

Besides, my thoughts don't split cleanly along subject and topic, neatly categorized into discrete buckets. I'm just as likely to throw new photographs or a bit of writing whimsey into an essay on RDF, or mix a little technology into an essay on the Environment. My weblog reflects my writing, which reflects my mind: muddied waters of blended interest.

Graphic/Topic:

- Connecting

- Culture

- Environment

- Life

- Metablogging

- Neighborhood

- Photography

- Politics

- Sensory

- Technology

- Traveling/Customs

- Writing

Posted by Bb at October 06, 2002 05:02 PM

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Comments

No fair, I don't like new ideas once I've made up my mind.

Posted by: Loren on October 6, 2002 05:58 PM

Changing your mind is good for your soul, Loren. Keeps the synaptic connections flexible.

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 6, 2002 06:42 PM

So, are we free to borrow your images for our own blogs.

If so, can't we come up with a better one for politics?

Posted by: Loren on October 6, 2002 06:46 PM

Sure, feel free to grab graphics.

What, don't like my politics GIF? I though the cloud covering the sun about summed it up. Or we could emulate a defective Florida ballot...

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 6, 2002 06:57 PM

How about a talking head, one where the flap comes off the top of the head.

After all, I can't tie all my entries to the weather in Iraq, now can I?

I'll have to think about what the best image would might be.

Posted by: Loren on October 6, 2002 07:02 PM

Two of the clip arts -- pen with paper and CD -- are free clip art from Clip Art Universe (at http://www.nzwwa.com/mirror/clipart/).

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 6, 2002 07:03 PM

I'm going to add graphics to the new version of BlogWonder.

Posted by: Ryan on October 6, 2002 07:38 PM

I for one like them. Not necessarily the images (...), but I'm well aware that a map is no good without a good graphical legend to interpret it by.

Posted by: Kafkaesquí on October 6, 2002 07:54 PM

What I liked was this: when I accessed the site earlier this morning (before the explanatory post appeared), I took one look and thought to myself: "Mmm, Shelley's using graphics to indicate categories. Nice." I checked that the Categories had disappeared from the right-hand menu and thought: "Yup, that's it."

I guess I'm saying that it was *immediately* apparent what was going on.

I'd better not buy in to the debate about another image for "Politics" -- some readers might find my suggestion offensive.

Posted by: Jonathon Delacour on October 6, 2002 08:10 PM

Kafka, you don't like my images? I'm hurt. Crushed. I will now have to give up my budding new career as a clip art artist.

Ryan -- WonderBlog? Is this along the lines of blogmints.com?

Jonathon, can we expect to see Japanese characters representing your weblog topics in the future, hmmm?

Sigh, I know I need a new political image, but the only thing that comes to mind is a mouth. A great big mouth.

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 6, 2002 08:37 PM

How about a puckered lips for Politics?

It's BlogWonder, the all-in-one, all-new, blogging sytem. Refer to this message:
http://www.garyturner.net/ryan.mp3

Posted by: Ryan on October 6, 2002 08:42 PM

Kafka? The one who foisted that tranformational roach guy upon us? Not a pretty image -- Kaf is fine, and slightly shorter.

As for like/dislike over your clipagories, I'll note that unsolicited opinions are like frisbies: no one can blame you for dropping them if they're just flung willy-nilly.

Posted by: Kafkaesquí on October 6, 2002 08:53 PM

Ryan, I was expecting German when your voiceorama came on.

Kaf, sorry for reference to 'kafka', and Kaf will work nicely.

I like all my graphics except for the political one. Unfortunately, I'll need something soon, as I have a feeling I'll be posting several political essays after our President's speech to the country on Iraq tomorrow.

I'd run a contest, similar to Jonathon's comments contest, but I don't have anything such as Tim Tams to offer.

Perhaps a plain black dot will do...

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 6, 2002 09:04 PM

How about a monkey with a wrench? No single image better describes politics to me than that.

Posted by: Kafkaesquí on October 6, 2002 09:15 PM

For the Politics icon: I interpreted it as a black hole, and thought it entirely appropriate.

Posted by: Mike Mussington on October 7, 2002 07:18 AM

I agree, Michael. A hundred percent. The Black Hole of politics remains.

Posted by: Shelley aka Bb on October 7, 2002 08:21 AM