A blog post from 1999.

I was invited to participate in answering the following series of questions related to blogging. Maybe they’re right, it’s the 90s again. As more folks leave the platforms in search of something different it seems like blogging may grow again. In support of that happening, I offer these responses in the hope it inspire someone to blog again or start one for the first time.

Why did you start blogging in the first place?

I wanted to practice and improve my ability to write. It’s why I continue blogging today.

What platform are you using to manage your blog and why did you choose it? Have you blogged on other platforms before?

I started blogging when I got access to the beta of a CMS called MovableType (MT). I tinkered with another application called Blogger, but I waited for MT to launch my blog because it had commenting built in. As much as I like publishing, I enjoy engaging with people even more. Thankfully, my blog at the time—Airbag—was host to a whole lot of conversations. Airbag ran on MT 3.2 for many years, well beyond the release date.

As content management systems are always interesting to me, I’ve tried several in addition to the two I mentioned: WordPress (which I will never use), Tumblr, Textpattern, ExpressionEngine, Craft, Statamic, Jekyll, Hugo, Siteleaf, and Kirby. After much consideration, I started this blog with Ghost on a Magic Pages Lifetime Plan. I highly recommend Ghost.

How do you write your posts? For example, in a local editing tool, or in a panel/dashboard that’s part of your blog?

I write all of my posts using Bear because it’s the best writing experience out there. After I’m done, I use Grammarly to help me catch misspelled words and run-on sentences that don’t always make sense. It doesn’t always catch everything—that’s on me—but I’m happy that my grammar is improving.

When do you feel most inspired to write?

When I’m pissed off or an intriguing thought immerges after consuming information.

Do you publish immediately after writing, or do you let it simmer a bit as a draft?

It depends on how much rage I channeled while trying to form coherent sentences. If it's a lot then I've learned the hard way that I either need to sit on the post for a bit or have my Editor in Chief also know as my wife read the draft and give me some much needed perspective. Otherwise, I typically publish as soon as I've finished editing.

What’s your favorite post on your blog?

After blogging for as long as I have that’s a tough question, but I always enjoy reading and remembering this story: One frosty morning at Burns Tobacconist. I also enjoy pulling together every weekly issue of The Dice.

Any future plans for your blog? Maybe a redesign, a move to another platform, or adding a new feature?

I’m working on a new section for publishing photos.

Next?

I’d love to read entries by Brett Harned, anhvn, Dave Rupert, Lynn Fisher, and Anthony Baker, who is supposed to launch his blog tomorrow.