It wasn’t just today. It wasn’t really the day last week when I registered my new domain name. It was pretty soon after starting this blog that I realized how much more powerful having a website with multiple contributors to keep a consistent flow of information. “Welcome to the party!”, right? I realize there are a lot of other sites that take advantage of this idea. I didn’t think of it earlier though so here’s my chance. And here’s your chance too.
I am now on the hunt for the most articulate and technically proficient EEs and quasi-EEs out there. I plan to use this new website as a warehouse for important electrical engineering knowledge I wish I always had. I still wish I have it, because it can be very hard to keep track of (ever searched through that old pile of industry magazines? Yeah, me neither). Sure, there are sites out there like EDN and EETimes that have some spectacular writers and some interesting insight into the industry; however, I have always felt their hands were tied by a business model built upon advertising revenues that also might happen to maybe, possibly, sometimes on the harvest moon, when the winds are blowing right…influence the articles (at least in terms of what is written about). Maybe not, but it feels that way. Moreover, it feels like there is less technical content on those sites than there used to be. It’s understandable, the recession is kicking everyone’s butt, and it’s not taking it easy on the publishing industry. But the point remains, I want a place where I can consistently go to for up to date information about skills and techniques and I want to be able to understand it. I want it to be written by the top engineers and scientists out there and I want it to be in a format that is instantly applicable and useful.
As for ChrisGammell.com, I don’t really plan on changing too much. I will still write articles somewhere between technical and non-technical and try to post as often as I can. However, I think for my long term writing, I need to be part of a site that is on neutral ground and with a community built around it. I, like many in my generation, was raised working in teams and I think this will be the best format to help disseminate knowledge to others in the future.
If you are interested in contributing to a site such as this, please feel free to contact me and let me know what you would like to contribute. If you have a suggestion for the new site please leave a note in the comments below. I always appreciate feedback (even negative feedback! heh).
So let’s see, I told you my plans, I explained why I think they are important to me and others, I explained what would (or would not) happen to this site and I suggested you contact me if you’re interested in joining. Am I forgetting something?
Ah yes. The new site and community I started is called Electricio.us. I hope you like it.
3 replies on “A Day of Labor: My New Website and Project”
I agree with you about EDN and EETimes. And it’s a noble goal, Chris, but one that I’m afraid is aptly filled by the online version of the IEEE Spectrum magazine: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/
Basically, it’s all EE all the time with a wide range of topics touching on both technology and its impact on society. It’s technical, but not overly so as to not to narrow its audience to a tiny subset. It’s even got 6 dedicated blogs on there.
Tough competition.
I would contend with that. First off, there is always room for competition. Secondly, they are based on current events only and are much more bloggy than I would really envision this site being for the long term. Yes, it is a blog setup and backbone, but I don’t imagine it will always be that way.
Thirdly and most importantly: will IEEE spectrum let you do a guest post?? If not, I know a site that will 🙂
On that third and most important point, I’d certainly have to agree. 😀