I’m only two columns into writing about local blogs and podcasts for the City Paper, and yet it’s come to my attention that there are still people out there who don’t know what blogs and podcasts are.
This week’s column, therefore, is sort of a Blogs and Podcasts 101 — a quick and dirty tutorial that will help you fully enjoy this column in the future. For those of you who want to learn, but think that this stuff is still a little on the comic book-collecting side of the geek spectrum, you can pretend to be reading the Blotter while you’re hammering down a slice at Andolini’s.
Think of blogs as diaries — online diaries that people want you to see and even comment on. People post thoughts, questions, jokes, worries, fears, stories, pictures, and anything else that tickles their fancy. Blogs are websites that people update at their leisure, and those websites usually allow readers to comment on what they’re reading.
One of my favorite local reads, Microfamous, is a great example of what blogs are all about. If you’re at Ando’s right now, tell Jamez I said what up, and write this address down: http://microfamous.blogspot.com.
Think of podcasts as radio shows. Pre-recorded online radio shows that people download any time they want and listen to at their convenience, either on their computers or on a mobile player like an iPod. Shows can be about anything from fashion to fishing, and are often recorded at home. Remember the Christian Slater movie Pump Up the Volume? Think that — only without the FBI van chases or wannabe Jack Nicholson attitude.
The Nate and Di Show is a great example of a well-produced local podcast (http://nateanddi.com). They’ve got everything from interviews to comedy bits to contests. For something a bit rougher around the edges, you can stop by my cast at http://jayandannie.blogsome.com. It’s just a guy and a girl talking shiz about whatevs (sorry — I’ve been reading Pink Is the New Blog too much lately: http://tr3nt.com).
OK, school’s out. Here’s your homework assignment: check out one of these sites, leave a comment, and tell ’em I sent you.
I’ll be back next week with more juicy gossip, funny stories, rants and raves, and downright weird stuff from the Charleston blogosphere (that’s what the blogging world is called — I heard some of the cool kids smoking cigs in the Andolini’s parking lot call itthat once). Keep the City Paper free We don't have a paywall. Each week's printed issue is free. We're local, independent and free. Let's keep it this way. Please consider a donation of $100 to keep the City Paper free. Donate: chscp.us