I have decided that it’s time to perform a little test. One of my design heros, Mr. Dunstan Orchard has officially closed his blog and begun audio journaling via podcast on the soon to be launched odeo.com and while it’s certainly changed my feelings for Mr. Orchard, it got me thinking…
I post almost every day to this journal, and by all statistics, some 900 to 1,000 people (not including search engines, web crawlers, or bots) visit each day. Yet my top replies are something like 10 comments. Occasionally there are mini avalanches of feedback, but more often than not I find myself wondering who you are, what you come here for, and if there’s any real value to a one way conversation like this public journal.
So, in the interest of following the lead of a mind I admired before I heard his silly accent reading his strange poetry, I have decided to begin adding an audio journal companion to all of my written posts. The purpose is to see it this changes my post to comment ratio, or if, like Dunstan, the sound of my voice is so obnoxiously unexpected that you never return to my private outlet on the inter-web.
I have back catalogued some of the recent posts, but be warned: from now until the experiment is over, all of my posts will be accompanied by audio.
Buckle your seat belts, here we go!
Audo Journal ‘Experimenting with audio’
flash player required
7 Comments
While your voice is lovely Sunshine…I still prefer the written word. I can mull over it, examine each sentence I wish and refer back to it as I need to when deciding if if my thoughts or response are interesting enough to post.
I couldn’t agree more Laura. But this experiment is not about what I like… rather it is about what people want, use, and feel comfortable with.
I am excited to see what the results are.
I think the audio and text are great together…of course…it’s more work for you. =)
If it’s feedback you desire, then feedback you will get:
I like it. I do like to read the words also but, just like with anything written, I find myself wondering how you really mean to say things. It’s nice to listen to your voice and hear the fluctuation in your tone . It really helps sometimes.
Keep on doin’ what you do.
I’m so glad you venture out and try new things for us here.
Goodbye monotony, Hello Sunshine.
love you brother.
I love hearing your voice but I too prefer the wriitten as I need to absorb the total piece. I alwayw read your journal as the community page with the rss fgeeds is my opening tto what new on all 5 community sites. I don’t respond to all your posts here not bcause I am not moved by them or have an oppinion or response to them but know that they provoke thoughts and questions within that I would not necessarily had if not for your writing here. So I am here and thank you for being here.
It’s really actually a lot better when you don’t hear my voice isn’t it?
Funny… I loved Dunstan Orchard’s journal, read it every morining. His code developments, poetry, and general domestic happiness were so charming.
And yet, now that I’ve heard his voice I don’t want to go there anymore…
Strange how text has such a powerful effect on us. I don’t suppose it’s really all that strange actually… but it is interesting regardless.
I know this is an old post and such, but I have no reservations about commenting. I may be a year late, but hey.
I really enjoy clicking the ‘related posts’ and weaving my way through the record of your life.
I love hearing your voice. I don’t like hearing you reading something I just read. It sounds unnatural and odd. I love hearing you speak from your heart, without a script.
yeah…
that’s what feels best too.