Game 24: #2 Seed I’d Rather Be Writing Versus #6 Seed PODdy Mouth

The Matchup

This was supposed to be a head-to-head contest between sixth-seeded PODdy Mouth and second-seeded I’d Rather Be Writing. Unfortunately, PODdy Mouth has been deleted by its author. The blog has been tussling with the print-on-demand publishers it discusses, and it appears that the publishers won. After this article came out, PODdy, which had discussed closing shop after the last attack by publishers, picked up its ball and went home.

Unfortunately, this leaves me with a contestant who wins by default. That isn’t much fun from a tournament standpoint, but nonetheless IRBW deserves to be reviewed, so I will go ahead and review it in each category, although I will dispense with the points because there is no competition.

Community

The author of IRBW, Tom Johnson, doesn’t appear to be interacting with his community. Over the last ten posts Johnson he has not replied to any of the comments. Some of the comments ask him direct questions, but I cannot find any responses to those questions. It is possible that he answers them via email. Despite the lack of interaction, IRBW averages about three comments per post, with one or two comments per post providing helpful information.

Value

IRBW focuses on technical writing and communication. Johnson also discusses some of the surrounding technology such as DITA and WordPress. The focus stays close to the intended topic, but it also includes a good bit of self-promotion. The comments add some value, but are limited.

Top Commented Article #1

Looking for Corporate Examples of Web 2.0 Engagement

Johnson discusses an upcoming class in WordPress that he will be teaching and asks for people to give him examples of companies using Web 2.0 technology such as blogs, wikis and podcasting. Several people provide information in the comments. This isn’t really an educational article so much as a plug for his class.

Top Commented Article #2

WordPress for Beginners Course - Wednesday Evening, April 30

This post also discusses Johnson’s upcoming WordPress class. It gives the list of topics he is expecting to teach. The article makes the class sound interesting, but doesn’t provide much value otherwise. The comments aren’t particularly informative.

Top Commented Article #3

The Broken STC Model - and What’s Replacing It

STC, the Society for Technical Communication, is a professional group for technical writers. I have been a technical writer for twelve years and I have yet to go to a meeting, much less join. I know some people who have been involved with the group, and they have had mixed comments. It appears from this article that I’m really not missing much. Less and less people are showing up. Johnson’s article discusses some possible solutions to STC’s problems, but he does not sound very confident that any of these things would happen or would help. Two commenters offer their own take on the problems.

Post Game Analysis

I would suggest that Johnson get more involved in his community. There are certainly people out there who want to add to the conversation, but they aren’t getting much encouragement.