Bloggers leaving
|
by
la_spice
09. Mar 2008 @ 21:49:08 |
I've witnessed three such exits this week and it's awful when people just disappear. Could there be an "exit" blog where people can simply leave a brief goodbye message. There would be no need to give reasons.
Anyone 'missing' a friend can then quickly look on one blog rather than having the frustration of "going all around the houses".
It's just an idea
a) what do others think?
b) can BCUK set one up?
This idea was prompted by this:
I Will Miss You
by GoingSomewhere @ Sunday, 09. Mar, 2008 - 19:47:38
I found out this morning that Lindow has burnt his blog, and as far as I know without even a word of farewell or explanation, although thinking about it now, he did say he might do so a little while back. I was already feeling rather fragile and this disappearance of someone I was really fond of has not helped to make me feel any better.
The World of Blog may be a virtual world, but the emotions we feel here are real enough. We become involved more closely with people we never meet (apart from those of us who go to Blog Meets) than those we are actually in contact with in real life. So many secrets, so many emotional outpourings. And I'm thinking, I don't know if I can take it any more - if I can take the wrenches involved in each parting. Of course, it isn't like this with everyone who goes, but there have been some people here of whom I have become really, really fond and when they go, I miss them so much. Lindow is the latest in quite a line now. I'm feeling very vulnerable at this time and blogging is becoming a negative activity for me, so I think I'm going to have to go myself. This isn't to say that I won't be back, because almost certainly I shall, but I just have to move away for now at least.
UPDATE:
I think that James' exit has affected a lot of people. As you know I have made a suggestion to BCUK that they develop a "Where Are They Now?" Blog to provide a forum for saying goodbye.
Leavers could simply post a goodbye and if they don't feel able, for whatever reason, then we can at least post our own farewells or tributes in one easily accessable place.
A NEW GROUP BLOG (http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/) HAS NOW BEEN STARTED - PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS
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That will be nice. At least to provide reasons for leaving! 
I'm sure the reason for my blog comment numbers going down is because friends who used to comment have given up on blogging (which is very selfish of them! 
).
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 22:04 |
The reasons would have to be an optional thing!
I still read your blogs but lack wit to comment. Sorry sweet.
And yes, I like the idea, at least we would know why people were going and be able to say goodbye.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 22:12 |
Great - please pass this idea on to your friends. Thank you :wave
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:31 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
2008-03-09 @ 22:43
I see it on my other blog as well, though it appears to be a trend toward "enlightenment" there. It seems if one does it and appears to have lofty reasons for it about moving on to greater things, others follow. My sarcasm is pushing through today as I witnessed some of this there yesterday. Those who leave often come back redesigned and that is a good thing too. I think some people just get tied up and have no time for it but this is a community much more so than my other blog. We lose some good blogs there but feel the hit personally here. I wish folks would say goodbye. I don't know what makes them leave and I wish they would express it if there is something bothering them.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 22:55 |
Yes it's the not knowing isn't it? A bit like losing a child in a busy store!
Well said. I agree. xx
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:31 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | soyunperdedor pro http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk 2008-03-09 @ 23:24 |
Very good idea. I always notice when the number of friends goes down by one or two but feel terrible when I'm looking through the list and it takes me a while to figure out who has gone...I can't imagine just leaving without saying anything.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 23:27 |
Thank you for your comment - I hope BCUK will think seriously about it.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:32 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | louidog [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 23:29 |
What a great idea!
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 23:32 |
Thank you - I'm sure it would be workable.
Those chosing to leave probably need some sort of "closure" too!
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:32 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | MrFlighty [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 23:35 |
As I commented to Isadora I don't understand it when people don't do a last entry to say they're taking a break, moving on or giving up.
Surely if they can't do what you suggest on their own blog then it would seem unlikely that they'd do it on a exit blog!
I've had various blogs in several places and have always informed people of my intentions, which seems to be the courteous thing to do, especially for friends. xx
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-09 @ 23:43 |
I can't imagine leaving without letting people know but neither could I destroy my blog.
Thank you for your comments.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:32 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | glancerim [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 08:51 |
As what i've experienced before, i hardly and cannot log-in to BCUK for about four months and that's the reason i wasn't able to bid friends here or temporarily out in a while and the saddest thing was not to mention what you did??? you know it..( here we go again) he,he. Wish it won't happen in the exit blog you suggested, as it is part of the the site BCUK.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 09:49 |
Exactly - anyone planning on taking an extended break could leave a quick message to say "back soon" or whatever.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:33 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | jenray pro http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk 2008-03-10 @ 11:29 |
Would be nice to be able to at least say goodbye, or to encourage them to come back if things change...with Lindow, that's sad to suddenly just vanish...hope all is well with him and his wife and the farm...maybe he's just too busy now to combine blogging with farming if his wife has got a job outside of it now...anyway whatever the reason, if he's reading this, great big hugs to Lindow in particular...and loads of love too...XXX
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 11:38 |
If BCUK did use this idea it could be a two-fold blog. If someone left in a pique of anger or whatever they could nip back afterwards and quite anonymously read everyone's comments.
Thank you Jen!
| jenray pro http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk 2008-03-10 @ 11:41 |
I thought people could do that already...what about when 'a visitor' makes a comment on your post? I know it doesn't seem to happen so much now so maybe that access has been cut off...if it has, that's a shame, but BCUK hasn't said it has so might be interesting to find out if visitors have access to our blogs...big hugs..
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 11:48 |
Yes that still happens on any public postings.
| jenray pro http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk 2008-03-10 @ 13:30 |
Oh, well, at least, our friends, can still pop in and check us out... Big hugs...
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 13:35 |
I've just posted this on Sweetladyjane's blog:
I think that James' exit has affected a lot of people. As you know I have made a suggestion to BCUK that they develop a "Where Are They Now?" Blog to provide a forum for saying goodbye.
Leavers could simply post a goodbye and if they don't feel able (for whatever reason) then we can at least post our own farewells or tributes in one easily accessable place.
BTW I've had a nice response from BCUK
| jenray pro http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk 2008-03-10 @ 13:38 |
That's a nice idea...hope BCUK this so too...big hugs...
| jenray pro http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk 2008-03-10 @ 13:39 |
'thinks' not 'this' darned typos...HLOL....
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:34 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Thank you for your support - please tell your blogfriends.
 | Rampage team 2008-03-10 @ 12:41 |
I could certainly make a farewell group, no problem.
However I'm not sure that it would be especially useful. If someone wants to leave, there`re going to do it. If they want to do it in the way Lindow did (and I too am saddended by his departure, he was always one of my favourite reads) a farewell group won't change that.
But if the consensus if pro the idea, I'll do it.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 12:59 |
Great - I know that people do come and go it's the nature of the beast and nothing will alter that. It's dealing with the knock on effect and I know there's a lot of unease amongst many members.
If you look at the latest comments you can see a two way use emerging - not to mention that it might provide some useful feedback for BCUK.
"Farewell Group" might be a bit misleading as for some it might be a "I need time out but I'll be back" message they want to relay. Something like a "Where Are They Now Group" might be better.
Marian
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 13:04 |
ps - if it does get set up it would be useful if we could have a "Where Are They Now?" button or whatever they're called - like AJ produced for the Bloscars and similar.
 | notanotherblogger [Member] http://www.poemhunter.com/gordon-david/ 2008-03-10 @ 14:21 |
If someone wishes to leave BCUK, that is up to them. Unless we know why someone has decided to leave, then should we really be interfering? Just my humble opinion...
2008-03-10 @ 14:42
I agree. I know its not nice when someone you consider to be a friend just disappears, but i think if you want to leave without saying goodbye, your going to. If you want to say goodbye you can either post on your own blog or send PMs to certain people. A farewell blog just seems so contrived.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 14:50 |
Another fair comment. As I just said to Gordon:
"in no way is this meant to interfere with the natural process - people do come and go. It's more a mark of respect for "absent friends" and chance for people to express that.
Of course people's freedom to come and go can and will never be infringed."
Thank you for contributing to the subject
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 19:35 |
RESULT! http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
Please tell your blogfriends.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 14:44 |
A fair comment - in no way is this meant to interfere with the natural process - people do come and go. It's more a mark of respect for "absent friends" and chance for people to express that.
Of course people's freedom to come and go can and will never be infringed.
Thank you for your imput.
| Rampage team 2008-03-10 @ 14:47 |
OK, I made a group, it's here: http://blogbreak.blog.co.uk/
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 15:33 |
Thanks - I've kicked it off.
Could you show the tags so that they can be used as a "search tool"
 | Batsman [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 14:51 |
Hi Marian,
Great idea I think, it is sad when people just disappear!
Chris.
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 14:54 |
Thank you - Rampage has just created a "Blog Break Group" Let's see if it will work.
2008-03-10 @ 16:12
Nice to hear that I am not the only one being confused about friends leaving without saying good bye. As some of you have said, an exit/time out blog might be good for people who want to leave a word behind, before they go. And if they don't want to, well then it is up to them, of course. So I think it is a good idea la-spice!
| la_spice [Member] 2008-03-10 @ 16:16 |
'tis done!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rithompson/
2008-03-09 @ 22:01