I’m as tired as anyone of the poor performance of the site. I’m currently investigating a couple of options. One is to try to migrate to a different server with my existing host. This should improve things, but I can’t get much support with things like SQL databases, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it. The second is to move the whole blog under the wing of Crikey. That would save a fair bit of effort for me, but I’m not sure how readers would feel about it. Any thoughts?
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John Quiggin 
When I heard of the other bloggers moving to Crikey I was sceptical but have been impressed since they have moved and can only say I’m in favour of it.
I am somewhat underwhelmed by Crikey’s coverage, and I’m disappointed that bloggers I like are moving to the Crikey umbrella. I think you and your readers are best served by your independence. Crikey is a for-profit media outlet, and you are blogging in the public interest. Public interest blogging in a for-profit media outlet is the kind of gradual, low level corruption that eventually undermines independent voices. I don’t see any reason not to post copies of your independent blogging in for-profit media outlets, as many as you like, but please put up with the hassle of maintaining your own site in order to maintain your independence. Thanks.
I agree with CuH, for what it’s worth
If a subscription would be necessary I think this is crap. You are effectiely proposing to not be a blog?
Maybe many of your commenters and subscribers are already Crikey …. and on that basis I am sure they would be happy ….
I am inconvinced by Crikey despite being there at the start and subsequently pissed on by Stephen Mayne!
P.S. is this a gratuitous free blogging site offer John or do you get anything out of the deal?
I’m assuming it’s subscription free. Could a non-subscriber take a look at the link above and see if that’s right. Subscriptions would certainly be a deal-breaker.
I can’t get the preview to work on this site. Inline links via HTML are neat but need to be tested in case a tag has been omitted.
Crikey had a link to Gristmill’s opinion on Garnaut but put up the paywall, so I went straight to Gristmill at no cost.
JQ, the blogs at Crikey seem to be subscription free for reading – blogs and comments – but if you want to comment you have to register, a process which is free and fast.
John, the Crikey blogs are free for people to see and comment; No Subscription Required.
As macondo said, to comment you have to register which means filling out a form with a working email address and having a password sent to that mail address. Once you log in the first time to make a comment – most browsers will simply automate it from there on and you never notice.
Anyone that registers to comment with the Crikey blogs (you can still read them in their entirety without registering mind you), that same registration allows them to comment on any and all Crikey blogs.
On the “losing independence” issue – it’s not an argument that I understand at all.
Not once has Crikey ever tried even remotely to influence anything I’ve ever written for them either in the Newsletter, or now on the blogs. Losing “independence” isn’t some nebulous concept – it’s a real phenomenon which occurs when the outfit you write for shapes or otherwise influences (or even in some circumstances prevents from being published) your content.
That is something that I have simply never experienced under the Crikey banner.
I’m looking for an Australian home too. Only 18 of the last 100 visitors were in Oz. Crikey seems a good format but some of their bloggers could be more regular. Still it’s stealing the thunder from Online Opinion’s Domain which has 4 blogs down today, Andrew Leigh in recess and Andrew Bartlett shared with Crikey.
One good thing about this blog is it is fantastically readable. The layout is almost perfect. It is ultra-clear.
By contrast, the Crikey blogs are tumultuous seas of advertising banners, packed sidebars, buttons, icons and pointless links. It’s web formatting at its very worst.
BBB
You wouldn’t lose any independence being under the Crikey umbrella as fas as anyone tell you what you can and can’t say. I am sure you would have total freedom in that respect.
The only likely impact on your independence is the way some people may perceive you. Just by being under the Crikey banner (or anyone else’s) or being seen as part of a stable, there is the potential that may influence how some people will perceive you, and it makes it easier for others to label or categorise you in a certain way.
People label and categorise you anyway of course, but when you’re seen as part of a group, they are a bit more likely to do so on more things than your own writings and site.
It’s really a matter for your judgement about whether that is a significant issue for you.
Also, I think you would have to have advertisements on your site if you were on the Crikey site (although I might be wrong there). Again, that can affect some people’s perceptions (it doesn’t bother me obviously), but again it’s really your judgement as to whether it troubles you.
BBB is right, the Crikey formatting is just awful compared to this blog. Plus they keep sending spam to your e-mail after you register unless you un-register yourself. And I’ve got nothing against bloggers putting ads on their blogs and getting a bit of money for their work, but having Crikey make money off your blog by plastering it with ads for Telstra and Microsoft etc just doesn’t seem kosher to me (of course I’m just a hippie).
Plus I know it doesn’t affect the blogs but speaking of Crikey in general I just don’t like their philosophy of putting stuff behind a paywall that really isn’t worth paying for.
jq, been a regular lurker and occasional commenter here since early 2007. Almost always find your leader and the comments informative; sometimes the exchanges are hilarious. Will follow good writing and good ideas most places except behind a paywall. There’s no doubt that your site has character. Blogs have a feel and energy that is difficult to predict. They wax and wane as tides.
Recently joined a group of Aussies to start up a non-commercial WordPress site to discuss the U.S Presidential election. Apart from the blood, sweat, tears and patience of the “first time engine room person” it hasn’t cost us a zac. It isn’t huge, we hum along happily with a shared passion, but most of all—-it’s fun. Critical creative mass was present from day one.
So in a roundabout way, what I’m trying to say is: would you rather have your hand on the tiller of a craft that you can guide at your leisure and pleasure through the shifting seas of cyberspace, or, crew on a larger vessel where you have free run of the decks while navigation is at the discretion of parties with whom you have input, but not the final say?
If I have to register with Crikey to comment then there is a 50% chance I would forgo commenting. Maintaining accounts and passwords is a big headache and something I actively avoid if at all possible. Yes you can set your browser to remember passwords and accounts but I don’t like to do that for security reasons and I use lots of different computers so it wouldn’t really help anyway. On top of that I am reluctant to give out my email address so I can avoid spam. I trust you not to abuse my email address but I don’t trust Crikey, or pretty much any commercial service for that matter.
Although I have not read any Crikey blogs let me second the general notion. I don’t know why almost every commercial website on the net has not taken a leaf out of the most successful site of all (google.com) and put the emphasis on quality and clarity but its the way of the world. This website is very easy on the eyes which important when you are catching up on your blogs at midnight after a long day at work.
Old readers will know who you are but readers that first read you as a Crikey writer will likely keep that perception forever. Crikey is a for profit enterprise with paid writers. It is alot of work on readers who visit hundreds of sources of information to keep track of who works or does not work for who. Its hard to see how you would not be percieved as a Crikey writer. Its not like writing diaries on Daily Kos where the independence between readers and the site is much clearer.
Also, have you considered the IP issues? Would you retain ownership of your posts? Would you be able to control how Crikey used them? Could Crikey use your posts in a manner you did not approve of? Would you still own the comments on your blog? Could they keep your old blog posts up even if left the site? You may trust the management there now but they might be sold to anyone tomorrow so all these things would have to be covered in a legal agreement. It would be alot of work to make sure that agreement did not allow unpleasant outcomes and you could never be 100% sure you had succeeded.
@ Andrew Bartlett,
I used to read every one of your posts on your personal blog. Since you’ve started just posting links to your Crikey blog I have removed your personal blog from my RSS reader. You may feel that you have maintained your independence, but I feel that you are simply providing content to Crikey either for free (why would you do that when they are a for-profit company – you are lending your credibility for a commercial site for no return – does that mean you endorse their editorial view, which I disagree with?) or for pay (if so why did you not disclose this on your personal blog?). Interesting to find you here joining this discussion.
If you are more or less comfortable with the technical aspects of running a WordPress site I reckon you should just keep your own domain and find a decent host. While Crikey would not affect your independence in terms of telling you what to write, being under their banner will mean having the ads and being fitted into their layout, both of which I think are big negatives. They would have some impact on how readers perceive your site I think.
In the end it’s up to site owners to assess whether or not they’re comfortable with the ads, but readers will also make their own judgements. Personally, I really enjoy coming to *your* site on this domain with your own layout to read posts and comments…with no ads.
Enemy Combatant – link? or even just an URL?
I think that should be a URL.
Hi folks,
I’d love to hear from those concerned about the Crikey Blogs layout and design (contact details via my blog). Clearly, the advertising has an impact on “busy-ness”, but is not an “optional extra”. 🙂
In large part, I’ve tried hard to keep it roomy, clear and avoid overwhelming the reader. Do let me know your specific concerns, as feedback from readers continues to improve the site.
Thanks!
– Jeff
Helen… this site EC was referring to can be found here – http://politic.osm.net/
It’s a good blog 🙂
I’d recommend options other than Crikey. Whatever the non-binding theory, the Australian practice reality will have you identified as a “Crikey Blogger” in short order with all the perception resonance that may entail.
Frankly, as with Andrew Bartlett, I think Crikey stands to gain rather more out of the arrangement than you.
FWIW,I haven’t noticed any particular problems with your site but I’m obviously not managing it.
I also did not find your site slow, and I check it out every day. My take is as long as we don’t have to pay and you keep your independence and speak your mind your freely then go for it, if you really have to.
Please don’t go to a site with obligatory ad viewing.
I prefer the current layout and domain name. Have thought about a “cash for comment” arrangement to help buy a new server?
I have a new server ready to go. My problem is that I need a “cash for competence” arrangement for someone to move me there.
Ever thought about asking for some donations JQ?
Maybe those of us who’ve been sponging off your competence for years, might like to reciprocate with a little cash.
I would.
Here we go another academic beliving in perfection….its fine, it works well, leave it alone.
i don’t mind if you move to crikey as long as i don’t have to pay for the subscription to view it.
Hi everyone,
Crikey’s web editor here. To clarify, all the blogs on Crikey are free content. Anyone can read them, you do need to register with a valid email address to comment.
Thanks for the feedback regarding usability, etc. Our blogs are still a work in progress, so feedback helps.
Cheers,
Sarah
Your independence is your strength, don’t change.
Of course the neat surface of a blog never shows you the ructions behind the scenes. And I would resent the use of QuigginTime on non-content related fiddling and frustration.
Is a deal possible with the Troppo mob? Or are they having the same trouble as you?
Much as I edit a mag which runs completely behind a paywall, I still prefer the perception of clarity that you get from a site which is ad-free. Ads require you to use a reflex of preceptual exclusion (read/don’t read) on the screen which is so automatic in our society that we can’t even identify the problem.
Even on the ABC these days you have to shut off for the promos. They are necessary, but if it’s not vital to have the intrusion, I like to avoid it.
Don’t forget that Quiggin is part of Crooked Timber as well. I think that kind of group blog is ultimately the best solution, because it creates a long-term discussion between participants which makes my toes curl with pleasure.
Still awaiting for JQ’ and Andrew Bartlett’s response to Gerard’s comments, # 13.
No good if its not spam and ad free- this is starting to damage Larvatus Prodeo, which also seems to be beginning to become a selling location for Blairite policy rather than a genuine indy blog.
That’s interesting, Possum. You said:
“On the “losing independenceâ€? issue – it’s not an argument that I understand at all.
Not once has Crikey ever tried even remotely to influence anything I’ve ever written for them either in the Newsletter, or now on the blogs. Losing “independenceâ€? isn’t some nebulous concept – it’s a real phenomenon which occurs when the outfit you write for shapes or otherwise influences (or even in some circumstances prevents from being published) your content.
That is something that I have simply never experienced under the Crikey banner.”
And it was good that Andrew Bartlett has also had no problems.
After having a few articles published by Crikey, I submitted an article in June 2006. The article was about a statement made by an ALP MP at a forum about human rights and the war on terror. An academic and the ALP MP justified the use of torture (in certain circumstances, such as the ‘ticking bomb’) and the article covered those statements and the reaction of the audience. It seemed support of torture by a standing ALP member was interesting. Crikey rejected the piece because it was “a bit too newsy” for them! Not for any other reason.
I then gave it to a Brisbane site where it got a run for a couple of hours before it vanished. The owner of that site explained that he had received calls from a speaker at the event and ALP lawyers, and while he didn’t doubt the accuracy of the story, he couldn’t handle the grief and had agreed to spike it. At least he had the integrity to tell the truth rather than opting for the “too newsy” excuse.
Aside from that, agree with other comments – we have no trouble with the current site and love the absence of ads and flash video gunk.
In any case, we heard you being interviewed on 4ZzZ the other day. The community appreciates your accessibility and integrity.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Daid Tiley asserts that ABC promos are “necessary”.
???????????????
They are, in their current and incessantly repeated form, the least necessary thing ever to appeared on media. They are not there to inform, but to condition and sell; to soften up the public for advertising. It’s cultural and subliminal.
They are the slippery slope upon which is acheived the death of civil social discourse in favour of homogeneous and heterogenous ideologically-driven consumer neoliberalism.
Note Bartlett and Quiggin STILL haven’t responded to Gerard, #13.
Ignorance or more likely, arrogance?
Drop the attitude, PW. As you might have noticed from reading the blog, I’m very busy. I make no promise to answer comments, and certainly I don’t expect Andrew Bartlett to respond to demands from you. If you don’t like the service here, you’re welcome to a full refund on the way out. JQ
Stay where you are John I reckon – Crikey has a slow and fiddly interface.
I subscribe happily to the Crikey newsletter, but I rarely go to their web site as it never seems to do what I expect. I haven’t taken the time to analyse why it annoys me, but if the blog interface is run by the same personnel – avoid it.
I agree with the above comments about the clarity of your current design.
36 & 37: Crikey Blogs is very different to the main Crikey website. 🙂
I concur with Michale #27, and would be happy to make a contribution. I notice Wikipedia did this recently but I don’t know how they went – admittedly they may have a slightly higher number of visitors.
The server here keeps giving weird “Precondition Failed” errors today.
As a frequent lurker, both here and on Possum’s Crikey blog, I’d support what Possum says, but also agree that your blog’s layout is nicer.
Given that I live in a very slow bandwidth area, the ads are a nuisance and they load first, and slowly. I’d certainly be prepared to help pay for some guru to shift you.
Especially if you were to regrow the beard 🙂
Just happened to drop back into this thread to discover Paul W demanding I respond to a comment by Gerard 13.
Having read (and re-read) the comment in question, it just looks like an expression of opinion to me. I can’t see anythere needing a response from me (or JQ).
I’ve put ads on my own website as well recently – probably not ideal, but it helps defray some costs while I earn a living doing other things. I’ll see how it goes, as I will with blogging for Crikey.