A quick note about this blog
Posted March 13th, 2009 by Dan
Each month for the past three months, the traffic for this blog has doubled. That is something Luke and I can hang our hats on and something we're forever grateful.
However, the increased exposure has apparently led to some misconception. Twice in the past couple of weeks, we have been referred to as Akron Beacon Journal Browns reporters. While that would be pretty neat, please know that's not the case.
What Luke and I are is fans. We're one of you.
Do we have some connections? Yes. But a majority of the time, we're commenting on rumor and opining on the news. That is the case here. We're provoking thought, not passing fact. We're being bloggers.
While we may be a little more connected than most guys sitting behind a computer, the official Browns writer for the Beacon Journal is Marla Ridenour. She does good stuff here.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
So folks don't continue to have this misconception, and it is easy to see why they do, why don't you simply change the title of this blog to include the fact that it is nothing more than two fans' point of view? Problem solved.
March 14th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Like other non-professionally done blogs on Ohio.com, it does have the "Community Blog" tag at the time. That, I would hope, should suffice.
Thanks for chiming in, though, Alan. Your brand of comments are always very appreciated.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Once readers click onto the blog they don't read the title again, let alone the smaller red subtitle beneath it. If you are saying that readers are making the mistake repeatedly, once this note moves down the line nothing will keep new users from making the same mistake.
March 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Hey I'm just happy to have somewhere to voice my views where they could be heard. With the state of the Browns being as dismal as it is its hard to find a willing ear. Do the Detroit Lions have a brighter future ? Did they hire the next Bill Cowher in Swartz ? A DEF. leader with charisma that will be to rally the players and fans. Did the Browns make the same mistake twice ? Are we watching the Bellicheck hiring again ? Will we be aleinated to the point that we will see the team move again ? Its sad really seeing my number one use for escapism making so many blunders.
March 14th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Actually, Dan, so does George Thomas' blog, as one very quick example. So unless you're referring to Big George as a "non-professional," which he just might take exception to, then there is a very prudent and incredibly easy solution. What is this solution? Change your title.
Simply expressly add to your title that you are not Beacon Journal sports reporters, that you are not Beacon Journal sportswriters, that you are not affiliated with the Beacon Journal in any capacity other than you happen to enjoy professional football, and the two of you have been provided an Internet forum in which to express it.
"Two Fans With Four Eyes: The Browns Bulletin." Catchy, clever, to the point. Everybody wins.
Unless, of course, there is just a teeny tiny part of you and Luke that actually want to continue to create the illusion that you and Luke are much more than what you really are. Not accusing. Just saying.
March 15th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
How about, "Two fans with more connections than other fans."
March 17th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Odd, larry, no effort has since been made to modify the title.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
They are busy mining their connections over at ESPN. From the latest post it looks like they might be 'Insiders.'
March 18th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Coincidentally, I just finished mining my connections at SI.com and Yahoo Sports. And in a related story, the blog title here curiously stays unmodified.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Your comments are very important to me. Alan, please let me know what you think of these two title proposals:
http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/browns_bulletin/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1.jpg
http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/browns_bulletin/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2.jpg
March 18th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Dan, that's classy. You wacky, zany kid. Toga! Toga! Toga! Although, I kind of wonder if your bosses at ohio.com would appreciate the lowbrow humor.
I guess you answered the question as to whether or not your "concerns" were really legitimate. larry d.'s implication hits the nail on the head. You are yet another young blogger attempting to impersonate a veteran newspaper sportswriter. Best wishes to that.
You daffy "Akron Beacon Journal Browns reporter" you.
March 18th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Aww, Alan, what's wrong buddy? Can only dish it but don't like getting it back?
A few things, just to fill you in (because you seem to have some strange obsession with journalists):
1. The Toga! Toga! Toga! thing was a little over my head as I wasn't in a frat and am not the biggest John Belushi fan. Sorry.
2. You're a little wrong on me being a "young blogger attempting to impersonate a veteran reporter." I was a reporter. I could still be if I wanted. I now work online and merely blog for fun.
3. If you don't like this blog, or the "lowbrow humor" that is in it, you won't be missed.
4. If you do want to find out what my boss thinks, here's how you can contact him:
Director, Ohio.com Operations
Steve Cageao
scageao@thebeaconjournal.com
330-996-3295
March 18th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Dan, with all due respect, I don't count your brief "Tallmadge Express" experience as experience being a newspaper reporter. That's like saying that because I have experience making microwave popcorn, I have experience being a chef.
Again, point blank, I ask you: If others are repeatedly mistakenly referring to you as a Cleveland Browns Beacon Journal newspaper reporter, then why have you not expressly identified your blog as being a fan blog, on both the front page and here?
Just like the young man who is writing the Cavs blog, he is clearly identified both places. There is no misinterpretation possible. You, on the other hand, are not identified in *either* place as being a fan blog.
There are now literally a ridiculous *20* blogs (I counted) now appearing on ohio.com. Unfortunately, the wave of the future, I guess. They're all jumbled with one another. They're not separated between the reporters, the columnists and the bloggers in any way, shape or form. Nobody knows who is whom.
Let's get one thing clear – - you are the one who originally raised this issue in your post. I didn't raise the issue, until now I've just been a guy who would occasionally breeze by your blog and read whatever you and Luke happened to post.
My points are valid. larry d.'s points are valid. The fact that you evidently are still refusing to make any changes would lead one to believe your post was just a young guy covering his own tail.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
This post was made for any newcomers who would see us incorrectly being referred to as Beacon Journal reporters. I saw an upswing in traffic so I figured a note would be appropriate.
If you have a problem with this or anything else, you can email me.
March 18th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Dan, you just don't "get it." Or maybe you do, but just don't care. After seeing you are making no effort to do the right thing, I'm picking the latter.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I think you should keep it as is, then replay the 'note' once a week, Dan. To be honest I'm not sure if I'd looked in before but the 'note' made me curious and it's been more fun than I could have imagined. You may have hit a new comment record here as well.
Did you really work for the Tallmadge Express, or is that a real paper even?
March 19th, 2009 at 12:00 am
larry, I must interject here. I believe the 'note' should be "replayed" once every 3.756 days to coincide with the rotation of my favorite Saturn moons. That would be far easier than having a title that says "Browns Fan Blog." After further consideration, I believe you will agree.
With respect to the "Tallmadge Express," I believe it serves as both a community newspaper and a bus route. If memory serves, back in 1976, or maybe it was 1977, I took the Tallmadge Express to Randall Park Mall.
Also, did you see the front page of the online site this evening? They're actually adding a pets section. Check out their cute little color drawing featuring a little doggy and a little kitty.
The death of newspapers continues unabated.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:51 am
It is an industry that always reacts to poor performance by further watering down its product. They've probably got employees' family members producing half of their online content, for free.