February 9, 2009
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Xanga – The Pulsing Community
I read a pulse today by trunthepaige and she said, “My pulses have become more popular than my blog entries.”
It is interesting because I have noticed that pulses have increased since xanga put the pulses on top of the old subscription page. It causes more people to comment on pulses. Plus on the new private page, pulses are given equal weight as blogs. So a whole blog is knocked down by a simple pulse update.
I am not being critical of the pulses. I am sort of curious as to what the long term impact this will have on xanga. I mentioned to xanga a few years ago that I thought they had to create more passive ways for people to update without having to write a whole pulse. I wasn’t even familiar with the possibility of pulsing at that time. I didn’t know about status updates on Facebook or twitter.
Pulsing is an easier way for people to communicate and I think that by the end of the year you will see more pulsing than blogging. In fact, it probably won’t take that long.
Again, my post is not designed to be critical of the pulsing. I am just curious as to the long term impact. I wonder if it will slowly move xanga away from a blogging community. Then I wonder if people will just move over to Facebook or twitter to do the same thing. Or I wonder if this is just xanga keeping up with the times and adding passive ways for people to update. I wonder if it will ultimately help xanga and their traffic.
Do you think xanga has a better chance to survive as a pulsing/blogging community.
Comments (73)
Eh I dunno.
I hope Xanga remains a blogging community.
I don’t think it is a good idea to give “pulses” equal wait to blogs on the universal inbox. I think that does exactly what Xanga claims to want to avoid – drawing attention *away* from the blogs instead of *to* the blogs. Actually, what I think would be better is to integrate the “pulse” feature with the weblogs so that a “pulse” actually shows up as a post in the blog instead of being a seperate section. I’ve always wondered why they felt the need to have two different sections for it.
IDK either, but that’s a thought.
To be honest, I don’t consider pulsing to be blogging.
They’re a way to update status for some, a way to advertise one’s site for others.
I don’t see pulses taking over. If they haven’t already? I don’t believe they will.
I think it’s easier, because they take less time to read so when people only have a few minutes they can comment on a lot more of them. I try to give blogs priority though.
It’s definitely something to think about, I mean I get on here to BLOG. But I am a fan of the pulses. Honestly, sometimes you just wanna say what you’re doing, and I’d hate to write a post that was like a couple sentences long.
Kinda like I’d rather text that make a call if it’s not that important, or it won’t take long.
However, that’s bad example, because now I NEVER call anyone.
AHHHH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY THINKING!?
Could they… in the main private page… put two columns, perhaps? One for the blogs, and one for the pulses?
I generally don’t have time for a full-on blog entry, hence my use of pulses.
I think they compliment each other well. Not too much taking away on either side.
After becoming a regular to someones page I enjoy reading their single sentence thoughts.
A 100% pulse site, like twitter, isn’t as entertaining to me.
I’ve noticed the same thing, I get far more footprints at least on my pulses than blogs. Although pulses don’t have view counts to be certain of how much more drastic it is.
I don’t think it’s really a bad thing, but, it will definitely change the look of xanga. Will make it somewhat more like twitter I guess.
“I mentioned to xanga a few years ago that I thought they had to create
more passive ways for people to update without having to write a whole
pulse.” I think you meant that to be blog there.
If they make the pulse unlimited with characters you can type, it could possibly take quite a bit away from doing a blog.I like they way they have it, maybe a few more characters then only 128 though
BTW, I have seen the suggestion that pulses be given a sidebar on the private page, so they don’t knock down entire posts.
Sounds good to me.
It would be good also for those who love to read and comment on pulses- it would make things easier for them.
I love pulses, because I often don’t have time to write a blog, but I hope the pulses remain only an accessory to blogs. Blogs are the real heart of this community, and it’s why I stay here even though I have 900-some friends on FB and would probably be better able to keep in touch with them if I devoted more energy to that site.
Blogging.
While the twigs may be sexy, Xanga needs its roots to stand.
@ClockworkBunny - ditto.
Dan, without a pulse, we have no heart.
Look, I gapped ‘em just for you!
I prefer reading blogs to pulses.
Blogging.
I know with the new private page I tend to see who has posted when I get on and don’t go looking as much at other sites. I think a lot do that because after about the first three hours I don’t get as many comments myself. Just an occasional comment or a reply to something I said on another site.So giving pulses as much time as a post, it makes since that a pulse would get commented on more. After all though, it is more up to date on what someone is doing right then or just thoughts that people might like to share
I’ve seen a few people get so caught up in Pulsing they neglected their blogs, but they weren’t the majority and they eventually got back to blogging. I like having both options. I generally post a blog once a day and a Pulse whenever I feel like it.
I like writing pulses, because it’s an easy way for me to rant. Plus, I’m just too used to updating my moods on myspace and facebook, so I want to do the equivalent here. o.0
@jediwa72 - I didn’t have a pulse for a long time cuz I didn’t even know what they were for. I would click the pulse tab and it would say I had no pulse. That scared me!
Eh, some people do more with their pulses than their blogs and some people literally post pulses.
Maybe they should use their blog to post pulse sized entries.
They could always use sites like Twitter.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - I thought too for the longest time.
I hope it remains blogging. But it certainly is easier to pulse and just do something real quick, if you’re compelled to update.
@huginn - LOL
no clue. i don’t read pulses…and i didnt even know what they were until april.
i think they are just a way to update nothing more , i dont think they compare to blogging at all and i hope they dont take bloggings place.
I use them as a quick basically personal comment. I find I like pulsing. I don’t like dropping a more important blog entry off of my front page. Just so I can make a silly or cute comment. But I still like to make such comments. Xanga has both a social and more serious side to it.
I don’t see this hurting xanga in any way but one does need to look at their sub page page once in a while. The drown side is that pluses, like all inbox clutter, encourages people to time stamp their main blog entries
Eh. I’m already on Facebook and Twitter. Most of my Pulses happen when I’m upset about something Xanga-related. The rest of my Pulse-ish things go onto my Twitter. I’d rather read blogs than Pulses, most of the time, even if I’m in a rush.
Pulses are okay occasionally, but I hope Xanga stays a blogging community. You can’t really communicate or get to know people through pulsing.
Kathi
I think both. It seems like they are using pulsing the way Facebook is using the status updates.
I come here to write/read..I don’t get a real sense of community on Facebook. I do like how one has so many options now on Xanga and how it is more interactive. I’m not a big pulser–I like to write a lot so it just isn’t my thing.
You forgot the question mark.
I hate the word blog….it just straight up agitates me….Pulsing is a better word. The ideas of pulsing and blogging should be reversed.
Dan is against efficiency. Down with Dan!
We’re all robots.
I really hope xanga will remain as a blogging community but I’ve noticed the trend is moving more so to “statuses” on fb or twitter… this world has become so fast paced I don’t think people have time to read blogs anymore… they rather cut the bs and straight to the point to know wat ppl are up to…
you forgot a question mark at the end of your question
Personally, I re-opened my xanga because I wanted to blog…I have frequent updates on different sites, but I wanted to WRITE. lol
Good question though. Keep Xanga a blogging community everyone!
Pulse’s are like a blog accessory. I like being able to just write a pulse of a single sentence instead of putting it in a blog sometimes.
I was told once before that I don’t have a heart so there you go (ha ha)
I’ve posted a few things on my Pulse nobody really responded but than again it don’t bother me none.
I’ve hardly ever used Pulse ever since I found out about it. I think I’ve only Pulsed like 4 times maybe. (I suddenly thought of food processor). One of my friends has never used Pulse and on her page it says “[She] has no pulse” haha. But yeah, we mainly post blogs.
Hopefully Xanga will always remain a blogging community. Micro blogging is okay, but you can’t convey enough in them.
Interesting. I try not to pulse often. I wish the length limit were longer. I’m pretty windy. Many times I’ve pulsed and then commented a few times after to fit it all in. I pulse a few times a week, and often it is my friendly way of timestamping my post. I post 1-2 times per week, and I might pulse the next morning that I have a new blog and to go read it. *shrug*.
@ClockworkBunny - That seems to be a good solution.
I no longer can pulse or respond to pulses from my phone since I changed my number. But I receive them. I’ve written xanga about it several times and got nothing back yet. So I got Twitter and have it on my page. No, no one’s notified when there’s something new, like with Xanga pulses, but at least there’s SOMETHING available for inquiring minds.
What is a Pulse
I hope that Xanga stays true to what it is now. Pulsing is an added bonus. We have Facebook and all the other things to put up what we’re thinking in a short sentence. I can’t say I’m much of a pulser anyways.
Twitter’s cute.
I find pulses to be complimentary to blogging. It’s a nice way to get the “little thoughts” out of your system and uncork the full blog posts. I actually blog a lot more now that I use Twitter and pulses.
I think a good pulse is always nice, but it could never over-take blogging. Many people develop posts off of their pulses, some one elses pulse or comments on pulses.
Not necessarily =/.
Oh easily. People pulse just to put a funny little thing that happened to them out there, or just to update people.
I think that pulses are great, but, this is a blogging site. If all you want to do is pulse, go use Twitter. That’s what Twitter is for. Blogging is for more then that.
Good morning, Dan. I actually starting trying to remember to pulse on purpose. I decided that the more xanga features that got use would enable the team to sell more advertising, targeted advertising, and that would be good for us all. Most magazines work like that. The more responses from readership they generate the more ads they can sell. If they sell enough advertising then the magazine continues to be free or very low cost. I truly enjoy xanga and am willing to pulse and blog and make use of as many features as I can figure out if it will help.
My two cents. I hope you are well.
Old Hat
I hope Xanga doesn’t. It’s a blogging community not a pulsing community. I do a pulse every now and then, but I prefer to read full blogs.
I think the pulse is a good thing. You wouldn’t want to waste blog space on a thought as little as that. My pulse’s get more comments then my blogs, but thats fine. Even still, if someone doesn’t like that, then don’t post a pulse. Its that simple. I doubt that pulsing will take over blogging. The pulse’s are to small, there isn’t a lot of space, and some people have more to say then just a few lines. Also, other people have just enough to say to fit the pulse, to they use it. I don’t think its that big of a deal, and I doubt it will affect Xanga completely. I like the pulse, I pulse a lot. Just get a thought out of my mind, without having to post a big blog about it
that’s why twitter is so popular as well. People are not just a blog nation but a cellphone nation. Pulse will stay popular…
I think people love big controversial blogs wayy too much for pulsing to take over. Granted, it’s easier to read/react to a small update, but there’s only so much to react to, and people want juice! Then again, people might start calling for the numbers of characters allowed in a pulse to be expanded, lol.
Xanga better not become Twitter.
That’s all I have to say about this.
I rarely read or even see people’s pulses.
This means people had better start making quality pulses.
I think blogging will always be the basis, but I happen to like the pulsing. Often times there are small thoughts I’d like to include in my blog, but I don’t have time to actually blog. So it’s nice to include a little pulse on whatever the thought is.
I wish they’d increase or do away with the limit on comment characters, though. That’s annoying!
we must evolve we must adapt
I like the blogging.
No idea…I don’t know what pulsing is…
I didn’t even know the purpose of a pulse or that you’re able to comment on them. Hm.
I hope Xanga remains more blog-popular. I know that I appreciate pulses because I don’t always have time to write a blog (hey, I’m a SAHM with 2 kids under the age of 3!). I think that Xanga first implemented them when Facebook became popular, and that’s why I like FB so much. I don’t have to sit down and write 3-4 paragraphs in a blog, but I can update my pulse (or status on FB) in a second!
I don’t think blogging will die here, or anywhere. Those with something to say will keep saying it, especially as long as readers keep reading and leaving feedback. My pulses tend to be more notes to myself than anything, ha. Besides that pulses are too short for me.. sometimes even my short thoughts are too long.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - I thought it was amusing. I think my first pulse was, “Hmm. I have no pulse. I guess I’m dead?”
I hope it stays a blogging site, I still pluse a lot.
I think I get most my footprints from blogging pages and 2nd pulses.
My twitter is connected to my Facebook updates and I use that way more than my Xanga Pulse. I like Facebook’s interface better. Xanga is still just a blog site to me.
@AllMyNamesAreTaken - Me too, funny the way they have it set up to say that!
Why do you make it sound like we have to choose sides? I liked them both; pulse and regular blog post. However, for a while I’ve been blogging in private and once a while pulse so people now that I’m still alive.