Over the last couple months I’ve focused more on reading than blogging. It hasn’t been exactly a blogging vacation–because I’ve been reading quite a few blogs each day, but no doubt my keyboard is going to last a few months longer without the daily tap-tap-tap of blogging.
Instead, I’ve been enjoying being a member of the audience, rather than an active participant. Taking a step back like this has gotten me to refocus on exactly where I see the value in blogs.
First, as a developer I appreciate all the bloggers that pass along technical tips. I should return the favor more often.
Second, I enjoy reading the perspectives people have on various news items. However, a little bit of this is usually enough. And I often find myself going back to two or three people to see what they say versus scanning the blogosphere for the best content.
Third, news aggregating communities such as Digg and Slashdot lose their edge rapidly the less frequently you check them as well as the more you check them. Either the stories seem too arbitrary and disinteresting or they appear too homogenous and tangential.
Fourth, I realized I’d rather blog each day than not.