Comments on: Excess of Ecosystem

By: Wren

Wren — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:06:52 +0000

There’s a reason why I’m not a metadata specialist. Categorizing things is easy in theory and difficult in practice. Particularly when the thing being categorized is a blog, and thus may change its purpose, focus, or just about anything else over time.

I’m a big believer in pragmatism over cataloging theory. I’m thinking we need a populist method for identifying new categories – a market trends analysis to track what’s of interest, for example. I need to give more thought to just how I’d suggest going about that, but I’m envisioning the electronic equivilant of let students wear a path in the grass and then put in the sidewalks.

By: John Wall

John Wall — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:23:41 +0000

I’d like to see Photography in the pull-down list.

By: The Natural Capital

The Natural Capital — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:17:43 +0000

I like the idea of a locality-based option. While I post on things that are of more general interest, a lot of my content is very specific to the DC area and the mid-atlantic and it would be nice for my neighbors to be able to find me!

By: Nature Blog Network » Flora to Plants?

Nature Blog Network » Flora to Plants? — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:53:08 +0000

[...] week, I broached the topic of splitting the Nature Blog Network category of Ecosystem into smaller, more specific categories. That fruitful conversation is still going, so don’t hesitate to add your two cents. But [...]

By: greentangle

greentangle — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:56:35 +0000

I think Natural History is a more accurate or appealing label for a lot of blogs, but I suspect that’s still going to be a very large group.

After thinking about it, I’d probably be content to go with Nature Writing as my label.

By: FC

FC — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:11:29 +0000

Yes! Natural History for we generalists who can’t focus on one particular thing!
“Ecosystem” just doesn’t feel right.

By: Ash

Ash — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:29:42 +0000

“More specific categories would benefit less-trafficked blogs by bringing them closer to the top of the category lists where other people can find them. It also makes it easier for members of smaller niches to find each other.”

Totally agree with that, John. I’m also in favour of a Natural History category.

By: Seabrooke

Seabrooke — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:00:40 +0000

Re: what is the purpose of categories on the toplist (the “useful”), I have used them a few times to look for blogs that may share my interests. For instance, in trying to find other blogs on moths I searched the Invertebrates category. It wasn’t a problem to go through the entire toplist back when there were only 100 blogs or so, but now that it’s nearing 1000 I suspect the blogs at the end get buried. Like John says, the only way these blogs are going to see the light of day is probably to place them in narrower categories. Invertebrates still only has a single page of blogs; it’s pretty easy to browse through and check out the entire list.

The other benefit to narrowing down the Ecosystem category is in trying to find the sort of blog you’re really looking to read. Just because someone’s writing about more than one topic doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to fit what you’re interested in. For instance, maybe you’re looking for the creative blogs and really aren’t that interested in the ones that go into more factual stuff, or vice versa. It would take you a long time to browse through 420 blogs trying to find the ones who are also artists.

I still wish there was an easy way to connect with other blogs in my region. I end up doing Google searches for “blog Ontario” but it’s a very hit-or-miss approach. I recognize that the toplist isn’t a very flexible interface, but would it not be possible to add another dropdown or text box? I’m not sure what the limitations are, specifically.

In response to your question, Mike, I agree Natural History might be a good category label for blogs like mine.

By: Madahmas

Madahmas — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:39:29 +0000

Hi there!
Would like a category list which would include the locality or continent/s where the blogs are based so it’s easier to find blogs about continents that we have a general or special interest in, thanks.

By: John

John — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:59:30 +0000

Part of the problem with having such a large category is that blogs in the top 40-100 or so will be relatively easy to find, but once you get down to the 200th Ecosystem blog (and below), there will be a lot less benefit to the bloggers from being part of the network. More specific categories would benefit less-trafficked blogs by bringing them closer to the top of the category lists where other people can find them. It also makes it easier for members of smaller niches to find each other.