Craig McGinty

Why blogs are important

HERE are two example of why blogs have had such an impact on people and how they live their lives, and it has nothing to do with citizen journalism, marketing campaigns or "buzz".

A Change Really is as Good as a Rest
The Kiss. The Story of a Dream

Blogging in UK towns and cities

THE Guardian takes a look at the blogging scene around the UK, and Manchester gets a good mention.

Mapping Britain's blogosphere

Crain's Manchester Business live (again)

THE Crain's Manchester Business website is now up and running so you can have a nose around to see what is being covered.

The site has plenty of news on its home page and individual stories are clearly laid out, with headlines to other stories featured in a right hand column.

Crain's Manchester Business website live

THE first edition of Crain's Manchester Business is set to hit the streets next week, but if you want a peek under the tarpaulin in advance their website is now live.

UPDATE: Oh, seems as though those who didn't click the link earlier will have to wait, but you can click the thumbnail to get an idea of what the Crain's Manchester Business site looks like.

You'd have thought they didn't want talking about...

Writing tips from Kate Mosse

I RECENTLY ran an interview with author Kate Mosse, the writer behind the best selling Labyrinth, on This French Life about her latest book Sepulchre.

While I was doing some reading up before chatting to Kate I spent some time on her website and crossed a collection of tips she has drawn together from her creative writing classes at West Dean College in Sussex.

I thought some people might want to take a browse.

So You Wanna be a Blogstar?

IT looks as if Mancester is becoming, if not already, the blog capital of the UK as here is another in-depth talk and hands on course for those keen to get up to speed with the world of blogging.

Organised by a couple of blogging pals I know well, Kate Feld of The Manchizzle and the Manchester Blog Awards and Chis Horkan of Mancubist, they are hosting the So You Wanna be a Blogstar? workshop.

It takes place on Saturday, January 19 and if the previous workshop is anything to go by then you'll have to get your skates on to book a place.

Expect to learn everything from setting up a blog professionally, to help with writing, site design and both attracting and retaining readers - find out more on Kate's site.

Galgo News is up and running

I HAVE helped set up a TypePad based blog for a campaign group that rescues greyhounds, or galgos, from quite horrible treatment in Spain.

Galgo News is based around the work of a French group that regularly drives to Spain to bring back dogs, helps them recover form their ordeal and finds a new home for them.

The site is already being updated regularly by Beryl Brennan who will keep people up to date with news from groups predominantly in France and Spain, as well as help raise awareness of fund raising events, campaigns and rehoming stories.

A quick collection of links

JUST a quick collection of interesting articles I've crossed in the last few days or so.

8 ways to turn your processes into content
Robin writes how he uses many of the simple tools out there to ensure his work lands in front of many readers, I've left a comment about using photographs as the basis of video clips that are then posted to YouTube.

How to Track Down Anyone Online
This will either freak you out or you'll waste hours tracking down what information there is about people you know.

2008 claims to be full of events in Manchester...
A number of events and talks are on the way in the new year for those with an interest in all things web.

And the video is Kiwi! and shows the reach that a great piece of work can have if YouTube, or other social networking sites, are used to get your "stuff" out there.