8 Tools I Can’t Blog Without
September 10th, 2007
As I was sitting down to start working on a few new posts this afternoon, it occurred to me that my blogging routine is a little insane! I like to make things as simple as possible, so as I sit down to begin writing, I open everything I might need in Firefox tabs. As of right now, I have the following 8:
- Bloglines - it’s always helpful to have a little inspiration from your favorite blogs!
- My StumbleUpon Page - I am an extremely active Stumbler, so I always have things I want to blog saved on my SU blog!
- LastFM - I don’t know if it’s just me and possibly my fellow Gen Y’ers, but I cannot write in silence!
- IStockPhoto -although I don’t always include images, I like to when possible. I use IStock mainly because I like their search functions, their prices and the fact that for $1 I can avoid copyright and attribution hassles.
- Thesaurus.com - I have a bit of a pet peeve about repetitive word use!
- Google - when I’m working on a post or an article and coming up with titles, I like to make sure they are unique. A lot of times I find that what I thought was so brilliantly original has been written 10 times over!
- Technorati - same reasoning as # 6
- Digg - same as 6 & 7!
What can’t you blog without? Do you have a set routine for writing?
About
That’s funny, why do you need LastFM?
I’m not exactly sure Daniel. I think it must be related to the reason that I have to have the TV on to go to sleep:)
StumbleUpon has been by far the most addictive tool I’ve picked up in the last couple of months.
Pownce has been quite addictive as well (I have invites if anyone should need them). The community there is very blogging/tech oriented, and I tend to get some good ideas from the general conversation.
You’re wasting electricity, a cup of warm milk has the same effect
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I’m a last.fm fan too. I thought it was more a Gen X thing
http://www.last.fm/user/ses5909/
Mozart and SuperTramp are often my companions while blogging, not necessarily in that order and I can only blog if our cat “OneTon” allows it.
Other companions; far too many social media sites than I care to announce (embarrassing), my StumbleUpon button is almost worn out. Google is always there as my steadfast friend, my daily to-do-list and of course my specs, a block and a pen - ’cause old habits aren’t that easy to shake.
Maybe so Daniel…I do use a 30 minute sleep timer though
It’s a great companion isn’t it Sara?!
Ha, ha Sus! SuperTramp and Mozart such an interesting combination! I hear you on the StumbleUpon…working on an update post about my SU obsession!
Hey, good to know that you’re an active Stumbler!
Yes, I like the fact that you use picture in your post. That is one reason I like reading your post. Picture make me remember it better and I can visualize it.
Keep it Up!
Sean
Thanks Sean! I like throwing in pictures as much as possible…sometimes it’s tough to find relevant ones…but I try
PS I just put up a new StumbleUpon post…I’m on a quest to hit the Top Stumblers page!
Hey Kate, can you invite me to Pownce?
Hey Daniel (and anyone else who may want a Pownce invite),
Send me a message on StumbleUpon (I’m Khook20 there) with your email address and I will get you an invite ASAP. I have 10 left, so first come, first served!
My gf also goes to sleep faster with the TV on - but it’s usually when something boring is on.
Not sure about the being original part - just about everyone writes about the same stuff - one of the key things is to add your own opinions to it - then it makes it original.
Or did you mean just the titles?