LiveJournals and their use and utility

[Matt Trepal]

If you want an invite code to get a LiveJournal, Matt, I've got a few to spare.

Now, this brings up an interesting issue. I've thought about getting a LiveJournal, but it all comes down to "Why?" Which is a question I've got for anybody with a LiveJournal. Why do you have one?

I've finally decided that I don't want a LiveJournal, for reasons which I will not go into here because I wrote them out and they sounded awfully nasty (if you really want to know, drop me a line). But I'm curious as to why those of you that have them do, and what sort of use and value you get out of it.

(I don't read them, either, except when following links back from my referal page)

[ThePooka]

I've got a LJ.
I absolutely adore it. It's just a place to throw my inane thoughts.
I don't bitch about my life and how everything sucks, constantly. I hate that.
I don't whine about how depressed I am. That annoys me.
I don't write commentarys pretending to be any sort of activists. I hate that.
I have a tendancy to post whatever amuses me, whatever pops into my head, and whatever strikes my fancy. AKA whenever I'm bored as hell. *grin*
Address avaliable upon request. I'm a bit shy about giving it out sometimes.

[CaptainSpam]

I basically use my LJ as a brain dump whenever I feel like it. Usually the only way to figure out what's going on in my life besides asking me direct. I talk, I rant, I explain, I banter, and I fairly consistently whine about my job. Basically, anything I feel like saying.

It's fun. Really. :-) (me: http://www.livejournal.com/users/captainspam)

[Matt Trepal]

Okay, those are fair answers. But then I guess my main question is "Why on the Internet?" Could the same stuff not be done in an offline journal?

[CaptainSpam]

Certainly. However, one of the finer bits about LJ is that you can have people comment on your journal entries. That is, part of the intent could be to get comments from people on certain things, have people make smartarse comments about your daily rants (heh), that sort. And, most offline journals are usually just kept in private.

Of course, you CAN set LiveJournal entries to be private to just you, private to only the people you have marked as 'friends', that sort. But, the concept is more of a public journally thing.

[ThePooka]

He's got a point.
The friends thing is just so uber cool. It is a quick and easy way to see what your friends are upto, provided they arn't useing LJ to make their lives appear cooler than what they are.
But yah. Some of the comments sections just crack me up.
There is no reason for holding it online. But then there really isn't a reson for keeping it offline. It's rather simple really, anything that's extreamly personal, you don't have to post, just like you don't have to write it down offline either.

Captainspam made me bold. this is where I am in the LJ community. And I still can't spell any better in my LJ than I can here ;)

http://www.livejournal.com/users/nycbrujah

enjoy.

[Labgoat]

I have a <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/petie_ ... Journal</a> as well (I actually got the code from Spam, after seeing his in my weblogs), and I like the fact that I can talk to other 'toonists and old friends.

[Matt Trepal]

Hey, Petie! Good to see you here!

You guys make some good points. I guess that my biggest reservation about it is that I'm somewhat antisocial, and I find it awkward just conducting a stream-of-conciousness exercise.

On the other hand, maybe if I got some of this bile out of my system then I could get beyond it.

I may yet take you up on that offer, Cap'n.

[CaptainSpam]

Feel free to ask. Contact me somehow (email, various instant message protocols, locating me at Oakland University and smacking me with a wet fish, etc) if'n you want one.

[Kellogg]

I find it useful to record thoughts that I would not necessarily want associated with my strip. It's nice to be able to keep up with the thoughts of friends and what they're up to. You're not obliged to reply, but you can read their thoughts.

Not really possible with an offline journal.

But, it also depends upon how you feel about sharing your thoughts with
people and how much you're prepared to reveal about yourself. Some folks I think go extremely overboard with too much information on their personal lives. I don't have that much to say there.

But, it helps me keep up with the lives of folks I've gotten to know. I think of it more as a sort of Virtual Watercooler, where folks can talk on any particular topic they feel like.

Your mileage may vary.

Scott

[Matt Trepal]

I'm starting to come around.

I'm not completely convinced, but I can no longer discount it.

We'll see, we'll see.

[Big Bad Al]

I've got one but I quickly bored of it.

[Matt Trepal]

I've got one but I quickly bored of it.

Yeah, this is the sort of thing I'm afraid will happen. But as long as they don't take them down due to disuse (which they say they won't), I can always start it up again.

I think I may take the leap....

[CaptainSpam]

Nope, they don't kill off journals for lack of use... they'll only do it if you break their (Fairly lenient) terms o' service or request it be deleted yourself. (30-day waiting period on that). I've got quite a few friends who haven't updated in months now...

[Big Bad Al]

Saying all that, I've resurrected my LJ... mainly because my normal haunt, the F**k Society forums have been down for ages now but I digress!

[Matt Trepal]

And I got myself one. Anyone who already doesn't know about it can go <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/trpeal">here</a> to peruse my mindless blatherings.