Me – An Open Diary Survey

A survey seen on Zombywoof’s diary. Looked interesting, so I decided to give it a shot.

What’s your primary reason for having this OD?

To inform and to provide an outlet for my own views and opinions. Most tend to get diaries to talk about themselves, but I, as my regular readers would know, do so infrequently and never to much detail. More often I talk about things going on around me. Like the impending Cicada invasion(saw my first live one this morning).

When I started writing, I had no idea that I’d keep it for as long as I have or what I’d write. Nor that I’d eventually develop a sort of daily feature. It’s interesting how things develop.

Do you have a certain routine when you log on to OD?

I do have a general rut that I tend to follow. Usually when I get up in the morning, I bring up my notes page to check notes. Of course, I also do that at intervals throughout the day. IN the morning I pick some random entries from faves, readers choice and the politics circle to have my computer recite to me as I prepare for work. Later I occasionally poke about for more reading if I feel the desire.

Also, whenever I deal with my diary, I avoid going to my own diary description page because I don’t want to effect my hit counter. So I’ll only rarely see it when I accidentally click there or when an OD feature kicks me back there after it is done.

Are you currently blocked from reading someone’s diary or blocking someone from reading your diary?

I’ve been infrequently blocked, usually after posting a dissenting note on some diaries. I don’t’ remember who because if that happens I just shrug and go on about my way. As to blocks on my own, none as of yet. No one is limited from reading, even those who have asked me to block them(few). Few have even come close to it as none have yet given me notes that have truly upset me. Of course, as I’m someone emotionally detached, upsetting me more than briefly to that level would be no small feat.

What is the title of your first entry, what was it about, and when did you post it?

My first entry was DT – Greetings and Salutations, posted 10/24/2001 on FreeOpendiary.

What is the title of your last entry, what was it about, and when did you post it?

Besides this one.. News – Where War Can be Enjoyed: The Movies and that was posted today of all days, less than an hour ago.

Not including this one, how many entries do you have (public and/or private)?

I have 1744 public entries and 12 private entries. Most of the private entries are actually information I posted for myself. Sort of spare storage room, if I wanted to store a story or list of links for later use. They aren’t actual entries of anything interesting. 😉

What do you consider most of your entries as (day-to-day accounts, surveys, recipes, lyrics, poetry, writing exercises, etc)?

Most of my entries are a rehash of the day’s news, peppered with my own colorful commentary and capped with a healthy dose of humor to ward off some of the glumness that follows a stare into the black heart of the world.

Or one could just call it my News, but I like my first description better.

Have you ever gone back and edited an entry, after already posting it? If so, why?

Yes indeed. Mostly to correct errors when they’re pointed out to me. Fixing links or spelling mistakes. I’ve never really gone back for a wholesale change.

As of today, how many days do you have left in your subscription and when does it expire?

I currently have 286 days to go, with a renewal needed before 2/24/05.

Will you be re-subscribing after it ends? Why or why not?

All signs point to yes, though one can never tell what might happen. But I don’t have any plans to leave and for now my fingers continue to type out the goods for posting. Though I do need to do some more story writing. Even if I rarely get feedback. 😉

How many notes do you have (average per entry)?

I currently have 6943 notes, a small percentage of them private. Generally, I’ve averaged about four notes per entry since I started counting, though I’m about .1 below that right now.

Who left the first and the last note on your diary?

My dear Luriena left my first note, she being the one who guided me to this site.: Much frustration, a lot of work, and things that are and aren’t within your control, so to speak. Doesn’t make for an easy time, I hope things work out soon. Welcome and glad you’re here 😉 [Luriena]

My latest note has been left by one Mental Displasia, a newcomer who seems to be quite anti-war: War is meaningless. [Mental Displasia]

How many notes did you get on your very first and last entries?

My current latest hasn’t gotten any yet, but give her time. My first entry got six, though some are older than others by a good amount.

Does anyone from your very first entry still note you (has at least left one note within the last seven entries)?

Yes, though as noted some of those notes are quite a bit younger. I did a little diary name clicking on my old notes and noted an interesting number no longer there or with name changes.

How many notes have you left?

I’ve left 3321 notes. That seems like so many, I don’t remember them all.

Who was the first person you noted, and the last person you noted?

My first note in the history(which picks up at 2-8-2002) was to Daisy_Full who is still here with the same name: A bad thing that he couldn’t see the problems ran deeper than the simplicity of those four parts. It’s sometimes hard for folks to look past the effects and see the underlying symptoms. And some just don’t know how to react. I’m sure he meant well, despite the outcome. But there are a lot of things to be said about good intentions. I’ve had friends who battle with depression. -Part Two-> And known a few others in a more secondary basis. I find it hard to say I can understand because I’ve never had it. It’s hard to understand when you don’t have personal experience. As I’m sure it would be hard for him to see, if he doesn’t suffer the same as you do. Talking about it was a great idea. Hopefully the gravity of things was impressed on him. Despite the missing keys the next morning. 😉

My latest commentary was to popeyechicken on an enry about torture: It isn’t surprising because of general human nature. Though it doesn’t defend what they do, these solders are being pushed to the edge by this extended deployment in a country both hostile in people and in general climate. That they break down like all humans is to be expected. We Americans aren’t immune to our human natures.

Have you been involved in any flame wars?

I’v had a few sparing matches in notes with individuals, but I’ve only rarely dealt with full on wars. I tend to, when I get wind of one, mine notes and entries as a matter of curiosity rather than a desire to get involved. I like to know what’s going on in OD and I’ve gotten info on most of the major rumbles that have occurred.

I think.

Do you ever delete notes? If so, why?

Rarely. I think I’ve only deleted two or three notes. One was because it was in response to a prior entry and I immediately noted the person on precisely why I deleted them. They later noted in the right entry and that was the end of it.

Which F/OD members (up to 1,000 people) have you had outside-of-OD contact (in person meeting, on the phone, mail, IMs, emails, etc) with after reading them first?

Only two. Luriena, who is one of my best friends, and Gin who was once on OD, but isn’t any longer.

Who from OD would you like to meet face-to-face?

Well, no one leaps out as a must meet, mostly because I’m not really focused on that. But if I’m ever in the area someone else will be, I’d not be against meeting up. Since I live pretty close to where Zombywoof does, I figure he’s one of the more likely to be met. I’ve got quick access to DC.

Is there ONE diarist (who you have not had outside contact with) you read, that makes you feel like you know them?

Not really. Luriena would be the closest to that, but we talk more outside of OD than we do through OD.

Recommend ONE diarist (not yet mentioned in this survey) for others to check out.

Hmmm.. Peter_24601 can be a good read. Especially his movie reviews. 🙂

How many diarists are on your favorites list?

12, not including myself. And I have myself on the list mostly to trace when I post in relation to the faves. Helps me see where to start with looking for entries to read. I haven’t updated that list in a while, though.

Who, on your favorite’s list, last updated, and who updated the longest ago?

Me, currently! 😉 Besides me, Goddess Friend has. Greyhounds, which was a specialty use of a diary site, is the lowest on the list.

As far as you can tell or guess, how many favorites’ lists are you on?

Perhaps a score(20). But I have no idea. I could have a big following of lurkers and I’d never know it. Come on, you silent folk. Let me know you’re out there. 😉

If you post to any diary circles, which one did you last post to and what was the entry called?

My latest entry, News – Where War Can be Enjoyed: The Movies, went into Politics, my most often used circle.

How many entries so far have been “theme” entries?

Hmm.. perhaps a dozen or few. I irregularly poke at doing Weekly Theme entries, but don’t do so with great regularity.

Would you mind being nominated for Reader’s Choice? Why or why not?

I like being nominated for Readers Choice. It gets me more feedback on things and I like to see what people think, even if they don’t think like me. One of my goals is to have a story nominated for Readers Choice, but I don’t hold my breath. 😉

What are the + and – of OD when compared to FOD or other online journal sites?

I’ve only messed with LJ when it comes to sites like this. Their interface was a bit too.. odd for me, though I suppose it might be because I’m used to how OD does business. Open Diary gives a LOT of means through which to advertise, mix and mingle without having to jump through hoops. Though there are some minor issues that irk me, largely form the standpoint of a fellow programmer. I think the DM should seriously considered switching from ASP and go for PHP.

Would you ever recommend this site, or as a gift, pay $12 for someone else to post here? Why or why not?

If anyone were top ask me about diary sites, I’d recommend OD. And I have gifted others with subscriptions. Though only for people that are close to me.

What is the best and worst thing about journaling online?

The best thing is how many people you can get your thoughts out to and how many people can get their thoughts out to you. The worse of it is when the net is down and you can’t get access to the site or any of your entries. :p