What’s in the name?
As this blog is still an infant I thought I’d mention a little about the awkward process of its naming. Firstly, I couldn’t think of a decent or clever name I could live with so I decided on something simple. So, “The Weblog of Jon Quinn” was as simple as you can get but speaking (and even typing) of yourself in the third person feel, frankly, wierd. I don’t think it’s even strictly relevant that my name even be mentioned, but you have to follow the rules. It’s the fact of announcing it as your own space, signposting it with the name you are given is, for me, disconcerting.
Alternatively, then, something a little removed from shamelessley announcing “Hey! This is my blog! Mine!” But why “bloke”? Why not “man”? I think the wonderful word, “bloke”, is a less threatening description, nullifying the responsibilities and negative connotations accociated with the word “man”. A bloke is friendley, whom you’d happily share a pint with (not literally).
All hail “bloke”.
August 17, 2008 at 10:37 pm
A fellow bloke says, “G’day, mate!”
I had trouble coming up with a name for my blog as well. Eventually I settled on the fantabulous title ‘The Blog of Doug Cloud’ – TBODC, for short. While this may not be the best choice it was far superior to my original name – Thethuthinnang, named after the Efrafan doe in Waterhsip Down. This had zilch to do with what I was blogging about so I settled on TBODC, because it matched my portfolio (also eloquently title ‘The Portfolio of Doug Cloud’).
Now while it’s true that choosing a name for your site (or blog) as well as a decent domain to go with it is important I don’t think it matters as much as the content. As long as you have good relevant content that people will want to read then you’ll do fine.
Of course, there’s nothing like a good catchy title. So in the immortal words of the Grail Knight from The Last Crusade, “Choose wisely…”
August 17, 2008 at 10:39 pm
All hail bloke, I see what you mean with ‘man’, chap also works but bloke sounds that little bit more northern, good start to what I hope will be a long lasting blog.
August 18, 2008 at 10:25 am
yea, chap is a close second but is a little upper-middle class for me.
@ dcloud, wow, the first person i don’t know to reply. i had a few good ideas but you can’t put hyphens/ underscpres etc in the address so that was limiting. it’s extremely hard to come up with something thats original, witty and not pretentious.
August 18, 2008 at 11:10 pm
He he, you could always call it The WeBloke.
August 19, 2008 at 6:20 am
The WeBloke, sounds a little too much like Wee Man haha I like the thinking though.
August 21, 2008 at 10:00 am
How about just “A Bloke Named Jon” ?
August 25, 2008 at 12:50 am
Ha! Nice one
August 26, 2008 at 9:24 am
Hey Doug, I tried to comment on your blog but the word verification bit didn’t work for me. The new title sounds good, but something along the lines of “Life is a Drawing Board” or “Life is a Blank Canvass” could also work.”
Best of luck.
August 27, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Life is a Drawing Board is pretty good. But I decided to stick with TBODC. The majority of people really like my current blog design and even if the name is totally unimaginative at least it’s my name. And the blog is pretty well established now.