I am toying with an idea of how to decide what makes the list of BiblioBlogs. There was some debate about what exactly a BiblioBlog is a while back, and I don’t think that discussion was ever resolved. I could personally make decisions about what is a BiblioBlog and what is not, but I am sure that there is a better way. So, here’s my idea …
Using PollDaddy I can create a simple yes-no survey (takes about 2 minutes) that can be sent by e-mail with the URL of whoever has requested to be on the list. I can compile a list of BiblioBloggers willing to participate in these surveys from time to time. I can e-mail the survey and BiblioBloggers could take a look and all decide. This would certainly not require everyone participating every time, but it would mean that decisions about what belongs on the list is more representative of the BiblioBlogging community as a whole rather than the opinions of one person.
Anyway, I’d like to know what you all think. Do you think this is a good idea? And, would you be willing to participate? Here’s my opinion. We could always give it a try and see if it works. And, if it doesn’t … no harm done. Please comment below.
Related:
BiblioBlog Rankings So Far This Month
I will do it … I will do the Biblioblog Rankings
17 responses to “How To Decide What Makes the BiblioBlog List”
I think it is a great idea, Jeremy.
Though I’m generally optimistic, I don’t think any consensus will be attained in the matter. I like the ‘unofficial-ness’ of the identity, anyway.
I was under the assumption that the Top 50 Biblioblogs list was not out of commission, just simply suspending the monthly rankings in lieu of bi-annual rankings. Thus, I assumed that the Top 50 Biblioblogs site would continue to compile the list of biblioblogs. I see now that the blog is password protected. Before setting up a new system, I would check to ensure that the old system is defunct. Perhaps with a program written, the already existing site would be willing to resume posting the monthly rankings and maintain the list of biblioblogs. If the old site and those who maintained her is indeed out of comission, I would suggest that a new blog be set up for the purposes of compiling the biblioblog list and posting the rankings.
Considering there are less than four hundred blogs listed, I can’t understand why there would be any need to regulate admission. Apart from the entertainment value (I mean this Internet drama the top blogs are providing), the real use of the list is in finding new, interesting blogs dealing with matters biblical. Unless thousands of people are suddenly willing to include their blog in a list of “BiblioBlogs”, I think anyone wishing to be included should be included.
Instead of regulating admission to the list, I could use some tags or keywords associated with each blog, or maybe even a three-sentence summary of the focus of the blog provided by the author.
Sounds good to me.
I think that some form of non-admission should be addressed though. Blogs such as those which are purely commercial or blogs from conspiratorial morons, in brotherly love and bless their little hearts, of course.
I’d be more than happy to participate should you decide to go the polling route. (However, I’m not a biblioblogger by any official standard that I know of, i.e. I don’t think I’m on any of the standard lists. So whether you decide to include me or not is up to you.)
[…] has decided to take up himself the noble task of rescuing the orphaned biblioblog list. Not only that, he has come up with a nifty script to produce the rankings quickly. For now, […]
I would be willing to take your survey Jeremy. Just email me it. Thanks for doing this man!
I think the content should be about the Bible, not political commentary, nor philosophical musings. I think the blog owner should have at least a college degree in a Bible related field too. High School educated bloggers need not apply. I would further argue it should be limited to bloggers who have an accredited master’s degree too, since this should be a list of the finest bloggers. I think the list should include team blogs. I don’t see why not. However, websites that don’t allow comments should be disallowed.
This should be the basis for discussion. The list is way too long too. I would also argue that unless a blog breaks into to top 200 it should not even be on the list, nor those blogs that have no data for them. After all this is a list of rankings, so if there is no data on a blog is has no rank.
Cheers.
I think John Loftus should take a flying leap.
I agree with John that No Data blogs should not appear on the rankings. They can be included on the biblioblog list. I think the not over 200 rank is worth considering. I do not agree, however, with requiring that ranked biblioblogs must have “credentials.” I believe the quality of the content of a biblioblog should be the sole “credential.”
…because?
You’re funny Joel.
No more funnier than you, John.
Listen Joel, I was asked my opinion and I gave it. What exactly is wrong with that? No, really. I want to know.
And while you’re throwing ad hominems around why not at least offer a few reasons why you disagree.
Sheesh.
I think the poll is a good idea. I am one of those whose blog had been classified under Related Blogs. As a result, I was never ranked, so I have no vested interest in this choice.
I disagree with John Loftus’ idea to exclude those without an accredited graduate degree. I have one and understand the intent, but there are fine, relevant blogs that do not meet this test.
John Loftus is a master of making vicious statements about believers, such as calling them delusional in his book, so it is really hilarious to see him complaining about “ad hominems”.
His blog is not really about the Bible, it is about how much he hates religion, and hate is not too strong a word.