I like . . .

I started reading other people's blogs about a year ago. I started this blog almost a year ago. I've developed some opinions about blogs, and even though no one asked, I thought I'd share some of them.

Before I get started, I just want to reiterate that these are just my opinions. It's your blog and you can do whatever you want with it, even use one of those butt-ugly, gross-colored templates, and I'll probably keep reading if you have something interesting to say, but I'll probably keep wondering what you're thinking.

1. So, since I already brought it up, I like blogs with white backgrounds, especially if you are showing your art or pictures of beautiful flowers or scenery, or any pictures actually. A lot of people use the same white, very plain template I am using. It seems to work nicely for a lot of things. I'm not too savvy about code and such, but I did figure out how to change the colors of the title box and titles.
   I don't like blogs with colored backgrounds. I especially don't like this pink and burgundy number. It sets my teeth on edge. I'm sorry, but your pictures just don't look that good on that pink background.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I like personalized banners at the top of a blog. Deb Richardson's new "red shoes" banner is great, isn't it? I wish I knew how to do that. I can create the banner, I just don't know how to get it on the blog. If someone can point me to some directions I'd appreciate it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. I like to see a photo of the blog owner up in the corner of the blog. I just identify better if I have a visual of who is talking. Some people put a picture of themselves as a child. Cute, but doesn't help me feel more connected. Likewise, a picture of their art doesn't do it either.
   I will concede that there probably are some people who don't need to include a picture. If you're in the Witness Protection Program, I can cut you some slack.
   
4. I don't like ugly or goofy fonts.
   Courier is an ugly font. This is Courier. It is the font you may recognize as the classic typewriter font. There is a reason it is obsolete. Reading it is tiresome. Every letter has the same spacing, so it takes up more space and just looks ugly. Proportional fonts are a vast improvement and one of the reasons that computers replaced typewriters. There is no reason to use Courier—ever. But, alas, there are blogs out there written entirely in Courier.
   Comic Sans is a goofy font. Did you know there is a web site devoted to banning Comic Sans? http://bancomicsans.com/ Fortunately Comic Sans is not available as a text font in Blogger, but a lot of people like to use it for banners and graphics.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. I like blogs that are updated regularly—well, duh, who doesn't? June and Jerry Underwood's blog is updated every single day! That is laudible and highly unusual. I don't expect that kind of consistency from everyone, but I wonder why some people even have blogs. I have one on my list to look at that was started in February and has 5 entries. That is less than one entry a month. They have all been interesting, so I keep going back to see if there is more, but, no. I'm taking it off my list.
   
6. I like artist's blogs, but I enjoy hearing about more than just their art. I enjoy cute grandchildren, and pictures of new shoes, and reports on trips and unusual sitings and even the occasional recipe. I don't like bitching and complaining. I recently read someone's blog where she listed all the things she doesn't like about her husband. It was not intended as humor. It was pretty serious. Yikes! I don't want to read that.
   
7. I don't like memes and quizzes. Filler with little to no entertainment or enlightenment value.
   
8. I like lots of good photos. I don't like little tiny photos that you have to click to get the view that is big enough to make out. I especially like when people go to some effort to create really beautiful photos. This blog is one with great photos. (note the nice white background template she uses) I try for good photos. Sometimes I am more successful than other times. Here's another blog with beautiful pictures, however she has been in a holding pattern for several weeks now. I hope she's busy taking lots of new photos.
   
9. I like music in general. I don't like it on blogs. Eeeeeee! That same song, not of my choosing, over and over and over—makes me very cranky.
   
10. I like lists of 10 items. Seems nice and neat and well-rounded, but, alas, I can't think of a good tenth item.