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April 5, 2005
Thumbs Up Quixtatic
By QBlog in Web Initiative
I've been openly critical of various "blogs" run by Quixtar, and now I think it's time I gave a few compliments to blogs that deserve some praise. After all, not every Quixtar-run blog is worthless PR pabulum and at least one is showing signs of being something very special.
Quixtatic is one of Quixtar's employee-run blogs that has recently distinguished itself by providing relevant and insightful commentary about corporate blogging, Quixtar and how to communicate naturally. The blog, authored by writer/editor Kathleen Vandervelde, is a breath of fresh air amongst the horde of Quixtar's so-called Google Bomb Blogs (that's what I call them).
One recent post, Guidelines For Corporate Bloggers, seems to propose some simple guidelines for Quixtar's Corporate (employee run) blogs:
In my last one-on-one with the boss, we talked a little about employee blogs (Quixtar has five), including the possibility of publishing some guidelines should our blog numbers increase. I mentioned my earlier post linking to guidelines from Sun Microsystems as a reference...
- Write as yourself. Using real name adds credibility.
- Own your content. These are your opinions. A short disclaimer to that effect is offered for use.
- Write Relevant. Write Often. It's how you get readers coming back.
The post mentions a few more points but what is really cool is that Kathleen seems to "get it" in ways that most of the other Quixtar bloggers don't. She seems to grasp that to publish a successful and link-worthy blog, one must produce actual content. What a revolutionary concept!
I've watched the Quixtatic blog for some time and it's always been very readable but even more so since the author abandoned her odd Macintosh mission. I never quite understood the mission but the writing was solid enough to keep me coming back, sporadically at least. Now, however, I check the Quixtatic blog every day, eager to discover new insight. If Quixtar is smart, and I have my doubts, it will use the Quixtatic blog as a model for all its blogs and abandon the nonsense that floods my Technorati searches almost daily.
Honorable Mentions
I would be remiss if I didn't mention two other Quixtar-run blogs that are quality publications. Quixtar and Beyond, run by Quixtar's Web Marketing Manager, David Ellyatt and Inside Quixtar run by someone known only as "Bobble." Both blogs are decent and sometimes quite good and I enjoy reading them from time-to-time. I suggest you check them out as well.
Comments
What are those blogs about any way? :D:D:D yeah yeah, I don't read them. Tried though. Not much to do with Quixtar there any way, except linking the word quixtar to quixtar.com on every second line.
All I do is write in mine and read yours :) If you recommend it (well you don't like John Grisham so I'm 'skeptical') I'll try to get some answers. Lets see.
One finger up........guess which one ?!?!
Thanks, Eric, for the glowing review! It's pretty good praise, coming from this blog.
Note to Imran: C'mon -- you've read and commented on my blog before. Why not make it a regular stop? I read yours!
Dave R: Thanks for your kind words, too.
df: Dude, you're just rude.
Thanks Kathleen :) I posted on that nastiest offensive post of yours, the one with get off the computer :)
What your blog is about any way? I know lot of ppl read it but what it's about? It’s random observation of Quixtar employee? Or is it about Quixtar?
Btw any sales record this March? 10 Billion? 11 Billion?
DF is not rude, he is DF, acronym of ...... :D:D:D
DF = double finger.
Since I've got one aimed at the Q-propaganda blogs, I guess YOU get the other one, I-man, Imran, Iran...whatever.
Back to 7-11 with you-the slurpee machine needs fixin'.
We may not know what 'Bobble's" name is but from a recent post it's revealed that there's a husband. Mystery solved, she's a woman....unless....
DF = Dumb F*@#
Wanna go there boy? ;)
Nope, it is for "double finger".
Here, here's the other one.....
Make that TWO thumbs up...hey there might be something to this "thumb" thing, I think it could catch on....maybe for movie reviews or something..or we could do a tv show...ya know, you'll watch something, I'll watch it and then we'll see it we both give it TWO thumbs up...naah it'll never work.....
Seriously, I also enjoy Quixatic, although I found Quixtar and Beyond before I discovered Quixatic....but I really like the direction Quixatic is taking, there's a real blogger behind her words. And her words are insightful into the corporate world of Quixtar.
Inside Quixtar has also taken some new direction, and seems to be joining the real blog world too.
I like Ellyatt's blog, simply because he likes to talk about stuff outside Quixtar as well, including when he is sick and when he goes out on the town...I even seemed to recall an entry about being "sick" BECAUSE of a night on the town.
Anyway, Great observations about Quixatic, I'm sure the TAZ will appreciate it.
Posted by: David Robison | April 5, 2005 2:30 PM