New Years Resolutions @ MindSay

What do you want out of your life in the upcoming year.

No New... new, new years resolutions. Dream big, dream small, go with something deserving or simply something that is achievable.

be honest WHAT DO YOU WANT

 

 

I want ...........

In parts of the world, it’s already 2008, but for the MindSay team, we still have a few hours to go, so we figured we’d publish some of our own “resolutions” for the new year, as well as update everyone on "the state of MindSay."  

OUR 2008 RESOLUTIONS

1. Better Responsiveness

A few recent blog posts that came to my attention gave me the impression that a lot of people don’t really know how to get in touch with us about issues on the site.  Whatever the reason, I just thought I’d take this opportunity to remind you that you can always email us, but to get an even quicker response, just send me (Adam) an IM.  It’s publicly posted on my blog/profile for a reason.  Most of our best ideas come from conversations with members, so we really do want you to get in touch with us.

2. Continue a “Hands Off” Approach to Moderating Content

One thing that I think sets MindSay apart from other blogging communities is that we’ve always been very hands-off in terms of moderating content.  Short of blatant pornography, hate speech, or situations in which we’ve been forced to take down content due to copyright infringement, we pretty much let anything go here, which is why we’re called “MindSay” (say what’s on your mind).  We’re not a big corporate entity that answers to advertisers or investors – just two guys that enjoy running a fun and open blogging community, that make some beer money in the process if we’re lucky.

3. Expand News Coverage

In our opinion, MindSay News has been one of our better product launches in the last year or two.  While it’s relatively simple compared to some other undertakings, it has been a great way to start new conversations and get more contributions from the community at-large.  In 2008, we’ll hopefully expand our coverage (a wider array of topics that will hopefully interest more users) and perhaps even bring on a couple writers to help keep things fresh.

4. Keep it Simple, Stupid

Since launching “version 3” all the way back in 2004 (wow, time flies), changes to the site have been very gradual and measured, and we’ve kept our interface relatively clutter-free.  I think that’s part of the reason we have so many users that have stuck with us for our nearly full 5 years of existence.  While other sites might offer a few more features or sexier designs, our objective is to keep people in touch and foster new relationships, which, I think the site still does a great job of doing.     

5. Play a More Active Role in User Participation

This is kind of a vague idea, but I think we should try and become more engaged in organizing user events – online or off.  A lot of users already do this on their own – from voting on “album of the year” to “secret Santa” activities and lots of other things we’ve seen going on around the site.  But, since we run the place, we have the ability to drop a plug on the homepage, in a newsletter, or on our blogs and help get people more involved in these types of activities.  Along the lines of resolution #1, if you have ideas, please get in touch and we’ll do what we can to help!

THE STATE OF MINDSAY

In one of the recent posts I saw, the user implied that they really had no idea who was behind MindSay, how stable it was, or whether or not we’d be around one week, one month, or one decade from now.  To address those issues, a few comments:

1. MindSay was co-founded by Adam Ostrow (aostrow)  and Brian Klug (dustball)  in 2003, with the help of Brian’s talented girlfriend Jen (jen).  As we enter 2008, it’s still the same exact team.  In addition to MindSay, we all work full-time jobs.

2. MindSay is profitable and at no risk of going out of business.  Through advertisements, we make enough money to cover our server costs and then some.  

3. If we were ever on the verge of shutting down (.000001% chance this happens in 2008), we would give everyone an option to download their blogs and do whatever else possible to keep people in touch.  I hate to even mention this because it’s so unlikely, but people ask, and I just want to re-assure people we’re not insensitive a-holes.  We know how much time you’ve invested with us in building your blogs and friend networks, and there is no way we’d ever let that simply disappear.  

4. Some people are curious as to the size of MindSay.  At last check, we have around 160,000 registered users, and as we noted recently, we’re quickly approaching a total of 5 million comments, which is pretty cool.  There are something like 1.5 million blog posts!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We thank you for continuing to use MindSay and wish you, your family, and friends a healthy and happy new year.  Comments welcome.

Sincerely,

Adam, Brian, Jen, and the cats …

Soooo New years. Who is thinking about resolutions, I know i should. 

So here is my list:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

 

Yeah all blank I dont think it is worth making resolutions when you know you wont even fulfill them. Just a waste of time and thought. Sure you can fool everyone else but when it comes down to it in the end you cant fool yourself and thats the only person that these really matter to.

 

Instead of planning the future I am going to look at the past and learn from it all. Just think about it, the stuff you should have done, would have done, wanted to do, how you changed, what made you happy, made you sad, what you regret and what you dont, how honest you were, who you were genuine with, the people in general. Who was there when you started and suddenly left as fast as they came, who you care about but have strayed away from, who you kept close and who you chased away. the people you loved and the ones you hated. Think about the songs, the ones you drove to, the ones you loved and the ones who drove you nuts. How you changed and how you are the same. From all that you learn, change and all these interactions and experiences make something inside us happen. we transform and become something new with every memory, thought, action that happens. With every second that passes by we are different, so learn from your past and your future will be easier.

 

Im going to be 17 soon. Woooohooooo

None, as usual! Since i never stick to them!

 

I'm not sure i like the number 7 though... hopefully this year will be ok in spite of its number!

 

 

Apart from that... i'm not going to blog about what has happened the last few months because it would be too much to catch up with...

 

All i can say is that today i finally got my new printer (i've needed one for over 2 years now, but can only afford it now), and i can't wait to try it! It will be so useful to prepare my lessons and all!  I'm glad. :)

 

Also, i'm still knitting my dad his birthday present! I don't think it will be ready by next wednesday unfortunately... I did knit everyday and i started more than 2 weeks ago... but i'm slow... i hope he will like it because it's taking me much more time than making a Queen size bed quilt! I know what to make for him next year i suppose!

 

Well, i should be going since i have still a lot of work to do, tests to correct ans so on... and all that before Monday... Oh, my! Oh, my!

 

By the way! Happy New Year everybody!

This year I resolve to continue going from strength to strength building on the hard work I put in last year to turn things around having had a poor 2005.

 

Also, watch out for blog entries subject titles to be lyrics from songs.