Substack is to Blogger like Tik Tok is to writing letters. Modern, trendy, culturally relative. I follow a few interesting Substacks and thought I'd try setting up my own. I lasted about five minutes before deleting the whole thing, including the app on my phone. It was more a matter of curiosity rather than seriously trying out a new blogging format. I found the site confusing and difficult to navigate.
My very first blog was created on AOL around the year 2000. It was when the term "online log" or "blog" entered the vocabulary. AOL had a site where you could start your own blog. I got excited about the idea of writing an online journal for our older kids leaving home. They weren't the slightest bit interested. They couldn't wait to leave the nest and focus on their own lives. "No time, Mom, sorry, I've been too busy to read it."
My husband was my biggest fan. He actually printed each entry. I have no idea where those hard copies ended up. Probably in a file or a box somewhere that disappeared during a move. Eventually, AOL got sold or otherwise lost the prominence of those early Internet days. Their blogging service disappeared as did my entries, despite what people say about once online, always online.
I must be an ancient relic, one of the first bloggers on perhaps the first blogging service. AOL, folks! That's the modern equivalent to the Dinosaur Age.
And now there's Substack, popular and successful, earning some folks quite a nice living. Anything where talented and thoughtful writers can earn a living from their craft has my vote.
Have any of you explored Substack, or set up an account? Probably even more unusual, did any of you start a blog on AOL? I think it might have been called AOL Journal.
DH insists that BLOG comes from "WeB-log." You were the original reason I weblogged, Karen, I still do every Tuesday morning. It's a place to put my mini musings that don't fit elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSubstack, which I neither read nor write, seems to be a trendy way to monetize one's musings. So many do. TikTok to blogger you say? Yes, the $$ are both in TikTok and Substack. You're on to something.
That's right, Web log, Blog. I'd forgotten that. I do remember thinking it was an ugly sounding word and hoping it would not catch on.
DeleteI follow some bloggers now on Substack but have no interest in trying it. I don't like the feel of it. Everyone's Substack blog has a similar look, like there is little way to personalize it.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the clean, article-like format but do find it awkward and difficult to navigate.
DeleteI started my blog here on Blogspot 21 years ago. Substack is an alternative and one that can earn money but I often have problems leaving comments on Substack blogs.
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that Blogger has continued supporting us for all these many years. We're still here and so is Blogspot.
DeleteHi Karen - I started a blogspot blog 17 years ago ... as you know we've connected for years. I won't change ... but note Substack, which some friends use ... other social media I won't use - cheers as you rethink this world of ours as at 2026!! Hilary
ReplyDeleteI've tried different things, one or two new set-ups and my website on Wordpress, but always come back to this blog. I appreciate the stability of Blogspot, and the ease of use. And I love the continuity of blogs like yours that I've followed for so many years. Cheers to another year, Hilary!
DeleteI've been on Blogspot since 2009. I was on CompuServe when I joined the online world in 1997, and on AOL for a handful of years but never even knew a journal existed. You are a pioneer!. I hope our Google overlords never abandon Blogspot because it's easy and I need easy. I do follow a couple of people on Substack but have never thought about trying it.
ReplyDeleteAlana, I'm with you! I appreciate that they've kept it easy through the years and not overcomplicated things with constant updates. Maybe we are a forgotten piece of their universe. And one day they'll wake up and say, What, is Blogger still a thing? We meant to get rid of that years ago.
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