Friday, February 22nd, 2008
好一阵子没上网了，在这里更新一下自己的行踪。由于搬家的关系，网络户口还没搬迁到新家，所以不能上网。如果真想要上网（像现在一样），就必须来到图书馆（半个小时步程）。这一段日子很多留言可能会扣住等待本人的审核，让各位久等了。
这两个星期接触了不少人，发现到当中很多朋友都有读我的blog。他们讲了很多意见，其中最多的就是不喜欢新的theme，因为很难理解。我开玩笑地说这是给高智商的人看的。
其中有人问我，身为一个blogger，我觉得自己最缺什么？我想了想，我觉得是相机。
写了blog好几年，我都没自己的相机。原因是我不想花钱去买（我很吝啬的）。另外一个原因是我很容易嫌身上多一个身外物，而且我不是个喜欢拍照的人。通常我如果真要拍照，我就会拿出我的手机来拍。当然拍出来的效果没那么好，图质差，而且很慢。
很多bloggers都告诉我说，相机在他们blogging路程中扮演了很重要的角色。第一个原因是看到什么有趣的东西能即时拍下来，而且不论近或远都能拍得清清楚楚（这和手机最大的分别）。第二个就是图片很容易把浏览的人吸引下来。人们看到密密麻麻的字很常都会产生一种厌倦感，如果有张图片，那可能会把这些流动的人吸引下来。图片也能帮助读者了解你要表达的东西。就如我一样，我的语言没那么好，表达能力也没那么强，如果有张图片，加上寥寥数字，读者会更了解我要表达的东西。
没有相机拍照，那平时我是如何有照片的呢？就如我之前说过的，我是用手机来拍。另外就是用朋友的相机，然后叫他们send给我。这样做会造成时间上的延误，因为有些朋友并非那么高效率的。另外一个方法就是在网络上载图。
如果哪个产家要sponsor我迷你相机（一定要mini易携的那种），或高素质手机相机，我可是会很不介意以及很不客气地收下来的。
张贴于 部落格/博客 | 2 则评论 »
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
自从有了《大马部落格祭》，不少人（特别是国外的）问说为何有个‘自爽奖’？
That’s why I never had any target readers. I never had a blogging plan. I never had any inkling of marketability. More to the point, I never stopped blogging. I never stopped growing. I never stopped improving. I never (really) stopped and wondered what’s the point. While the face of blogging may have changed, it doesn’t mean that its purpose should fade away as well.
—— Footsteps in the Mirror: The Old Era Of Blogging Isn’t Dead Yet
为何不可以有‘自爽奖’呢？当初在讨论奖项种类时，顾虑到大多bloggers都是爱写什么就写什么的人，并没有什么特定的主题。譬如说我今天想写我爱那个女人，明天我可以宣布我结婚了。我高兴，你奈我何？
为何这些我行我素的blogs还会这么受欢迎呢？或许人就因为其它人和自己一样，所以感到一种欣慰。不过不就是这种我行我素的blogging作风为读者带来不少惊喜吗？
张贴于 部落格/博客 | 4 则评论 »
Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
自己的文章品质越来越差，虽然浏览人数越来越多，不过过不了自己ego这关。当初想写中文blog就是因为热爱中文，不想自己的中文写作退步，而且传达自己的意念想法。现在虽英文单词的使用数量减少很多，不过觉得自己写的东西越来越没有了‘文字灵魂’。虽然现在才十一月，不过2007年很快就过去了。心里头有个问题，到底要做一个高产量，文章品质不保证，可是却又高浏览量的blogger呢？还是做一个少产量，文章品质有所保证，可是浏览量却没保证的blogger呢？
高浏览量有什么用？
由于这个blog是自己出钱host的，而且自己没什么收入，自然而然就希望能透过blog赚取钱来抵消这个负担。而浏览量和blog收入就成了对比。浏览量一高，blog广告收入自然就高。有了收入那就不用担心hosting的费用，而且可能还有额外收入可供花费，那样生活负担也减低很多。
产量和浏览量有什么关系？
有些人或许会困惑为什么我把产量和浏览量拉在一起。其实浏览量和产量是息息相关的。你可以试试看连续写两个星期的blog，然后你停止写两个星期，你可以观察到这四个星期来的浏览量变化。当你少更新时，就意味着帮你推广的联播网站不会出现你的踪迹，而订阅你feed的人也会因为你的blog不更新而来到你的blog。当产量少也意味着内容少，那样子从搜寻器来的读者也会减少（这和广告收入有什么关系待会会讨论到）。
产量和品质有什么关系？
有些人能出产高品质的文章并维持固定的产量，可是对我来说这是不可能的。一篇比较好的文章要花的时间相对比一些随手写的文章多出很多。一方面是要找题材和资料，一方面是写完后要过目一遍（还好我没必须草稿的习惯）。如果每天一篇高品质文章，个人会面对两种困境，一个就是会使用很多时间，另一方面可能会面对写作瓶颈。
品质有那么重要吗？
品质确实很重要。如果一篇文章错字满篇，狗屁不通，那读者会被你吓走。如果连一定的水准都不好，那和在升学时写作文不及格有什么分别呢？而且劣质的文章也会对声誉造成严重的影响。还有一点就是可能会给新读者不好的影响，而吓跑有可能成为长期读者的人。
少产量，高品质，难道不会有高浏览量吗？
少产量而且高品质的文章也是可以有高浏览量的，不过这些文章都必须经得起时间的考验，不论在何时都是高品质文章。而少产量的blog必须要懂得推销自己，不然你写得再好，如果不让人懂，那你的文章就想在暗室里的砖石，发光不了。
高浏览量真的就代表有钱赚吗？
高浏览量不代表有钱赚。为什么这样说呢？你的忠实读者对你blog里的广告已经麻木了。通常会按你的广告的都是那些新读者，特别是从搜寻器来的。可是如果有一大群忠实读者，这些读者也是可以转为收入来源的。
当然bloggers可以赚钱的方法不只是透过广告，不过这些是很多bloggers的收入来源。其实打工比blogging好赚很多，投稿给报馆也比较值钱。至少报馆收一篇稿也有RM30的稿酬，而这个blog的每篇文章差不多只值USD$0.20。
当理想和现实必须兼具时，这个blog就会出现短句和长文。
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Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
It happened like this.
And this is their reply:
Dear Mr Wong
Thank you for your email received Tuesday 9 October and apologies for the delay in response as I am only in the office three days a week. You have raised an interesting issue and I suggest that if you strongly believe that action should be taken you first contact Professor Liddell and give her the opportunity to respond to your views. However my reading of the advice to students by the university does not suggest that the notice is inappropriate. The students are not restricted from blogging or told that there will be any penalties for doing so they are merely reminded of their responsibility to guard the reputation of the university. That is not an unreasonable expectation for staff or students as the students benefit from attending a university with a good reputation. If they have criticisms of the university they can raise them within the university. You may be pleased to learn that the Malaysian campus of Monash will appoint a Campus Ombudsman who will liaise closely with the University Student Ombudsman so that if students at that campus have concerns they will have the same opportunity to raise those concerns as students on Victorian campuses. Having carefully considered the information you have provided I do not intend to take any further action on this matter.
Regards
As if they know how Monash Malaysia management style is like.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
English entries is at the last part of this article, just scroll down and you’ll see.
在读这篇之前请看《Monash Teach You How To Blog》。
在知道消息后，我到处问朋友发生了什么事。大多给我的回应很冷淡，说他们并不用blog，所以对这件事没有兴趣。我想再强调一次，这是你们的student rights。
经过多方询问，只能得到以下资料，原来是新的Monash Malaysia Building开幕典礼邀请我国的副首相纳吉去开幕，而很多学生认为说为什么一所大学会请一个racist的人来开幕。学校因为怕事，所以就希望各位学生不要写关于这件事。
上面的说法只是我听说而来的，真实性不明。如果你知道更多内幕的话不妨email我，或者可以在这里匿名留言。我也会尝试找找看澳洲Monash学生人权的代表（如果能被我联络上的话）。
Evil Bunny’s Burrow看到他写对这件事的看法，我觉得怎么去年我没认识到他：
Is the reputation of the university more important compared to the well being of its students? Or even to have a good reputation by covering everything inside the carpet? You judge yourself.
还有一个朋友介绍我看这个对着Monash Malaysia的自称学生团体的一些少数掌权为了私利者对着干的blog(Coalition for the Abolistment of MUSA)，我欣赏！离开短短几个月，原本沉闷的校园一下子变得这么有趣，如果我还留在马来西亚我一定会参与这个团体的。
English:
My friends back in Monash Malaysia had forwarded me an email sent to Malaysia students. The content of this email was warning students not to write anything bad to defame the institute or certain person (that’s my interpretation). I asked many friends of mine about this matter, but most of them dont’ care about it with an excuse that blogging is not their thing, and it’s none of their business.
This is all your business! It’s your rights to express what you think is not right. I had complain it to the Australia campus Ombudsman but I don’t know if they will look into the matter or not (mostly won’t).
I tried to investigate the truth behind and this is what I heard (don’t sue me or catch me). Some people told me that it’s because the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Najib, was invited to the opening ceremoney of Monash Malaysia new building. Some students were not happy with that as they think that DPM was racist and the institute shouldn’t invite him. In order to avoid any troubles at all costs, Prof. Merilyn Liddell sent an email to warn/advise students not to blog anything that defame anyeone orelse they’ll face the law suits.
Do you have other side of the stories? Please tell me through email or comment.
A blogger back in Monash Malaysia had blogged about it (I discovered it during the investigation), Evil Bunny’s Burrow. I don’t know him, which I think “how could i not know him back then?”.
I used to study in Monash Malaysia for a year, and I know their goods and bads. I’ve all the rights to condemn them for their wrong-doings. As a matter of fact, Monash being an international institute, such act is unacceptable. Just now I just notice this blog, Coalition for the Abolistment of MUSA, again I feel sorry that I can’t join them for what they are doing. MUSA is a student association back in Malaysia campus, the council is being elected by Monash students. Although it practised democracy, but there are so few students back in Malaysia are willing to vote. During my days in Monash Malaysia, many dudes from MUSA had abused their powers. They have the control power over all student societies under Monash Malaysia, including the funds, and they had abused it. Often they do things without concerning other students, and many decisions made were based on minority decisions. It’s corrupted. I think every dudes in Monash Malaysia should read this blog and have a good thought. You don’t pay your school fees for any parties or institute to expense your rights.
张贴于 部落格/博客 | 6 则评论 »
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
听闻马来西亚的Monash学生接受到关于Monash Malaysia教学生如何blogging的传闻，所以就到处问了朋友一下，这是一位朋友forward给我的email。
Date: Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:28:07 +1000
Subject: Blogging
***********************************************************************
A message from Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Malaysia), Prof. Merilyn Liddell
***********************************************************************
Dear Students,
It has come to my attention that there have been a number of blogs by
students that are defamatory in nature, causing hurt to the persons
named, and put the students who author the blogs at risk in a number of
ways. I suspect that this has arisen because students are not aware of
the laws of Malaysia relevant to such situations, nor of the University
policies that pertain.
Please note that while free speech is welcome, there are limitations
provided by the law particularly regarding defamation and sedition. It
would appear that some students are not aware of this, and have perhaps
inadvertently contravened the law.
In light of this, the University wishes to provide relevant information
to students regarding the legal and institutional context that applies.
Please find attached a document prepared by the campus solicitor, for
your information, and action as necessary.
Prof. Merilyn Liddell
Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Malaysia)
NOTICE TO STUDENTS
RE: BLOGGING
It has recently come to the attention of the University that there have
been several blogs written by students on the internet which were
derogatory in nature and made against the University and its lecturers
(“the Blogs”).
As such, we wish to bring to awareness that there are laws in Malaysia
and disciplinary policies at Monash University relating to such matters.
The words used in the Blogs could be construed as defamatory or seditious
words and constitute offences under the said laws and policies, thereby
placing the blogger (“the Offender”) in danger of attracting legal action
and/or disciplinary action against him/her.
Definitions
Words are “defamatory” in nature if the words “tend to lower a person in
the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally” (per the
Defamation Act 1957) or if the words “makes or publishes any imputation
concerning any person, intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to
believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of such person”
(per the Penal Code (Revised 1997)).
Words are considered “seditious” if they have a tendency to bring into
hatred or contempt, excite, raise discontent or disaffection, promote
feelings of ill-will and hostility against another person or party (per
the Sedition Act 1948).
Consequences/Dangers for using defamatory or seditious words in blogs
There are numerous legal and/or disciplinary actions which may be taken
against the Offender:-
(i) a civil action for defamation may be initiated in court by the
University and/or the offended lecturer against the Offender;
(ii) a criminal action for sedition may be commenced in court by the
Authorities against the Offender;
(iii) the University may take disciplinary action against the Offender
for committing a misconduct under the Students Disciplinary Policy;
(iv) the University may take disciplinary action against the Offender
for committing an offence under the Acceptable Use of Information
Technology Facilities By Students Policy.
Advice to Students
In view of the above and in view of the very public nature of the blogs,
the University advises all students as follows:-
(i) to exercise caution when blogging or making any other postings on
the internet so as to avoid writing anything which may be defamatory or
seditious in their blogs or postings;
(ii) to immediately remove any blogs (together with its entire blog
trail) or postings which could be defamatory or seditious in nature;
(iii) to lodge any grievances or complaints through the proper channels
made available at the University, such as through:-
(a) the University’s Counselling Services;
(b) MUSA Education Affairs Committee;
(c) the University’s Student Services Department;
(d) the Course Managers of the respective Schools.
The University also encourages students to at all times maintain and
uphold (and not tarnish nor prejudice) the good name and reputation of
Monash University as being a premier international university as a good
name and reputation serves to benefit not just the University but also
the students.
Please be so advised.
Thank you.
我不知道导致他们寄出这封email的原因。不过其中一个原因大概是Monash Malaysia不想它的丑闻被传出去，也不想学生透过blog诋毁它们的名誉。我在文中highlight了一些段落。
自由blogging也是学生的人权之一，Monash身为一所国际大学，不应该有此举动。我已经在Monash Ombudsman那里做出了投诉，也希望各位学生也做同样的事情，这是关系到你们的权益。
以下是我写的信（不能在网页中submit）：
Details of Grievance
Faculty / department: Monash Malaysia
Key contact person: Prof. Merilyn Liddell
Summarise in one or two sentences what action, decision or conduct forms the basis of your grievance: Recently Students in Monash Malaysia received email which ‘teach’ students how to blog.
Please give details of your grievance:
In the email I received from my friedns back in Malaysia, there’re two paragraphs which caught my attention.
“It has recently come to the attention of the University that there have
been several blogs written by students on the internet which were
derogatory in nature and made against the University and its lecturers
(“the Blogs”).”
“The University also encourages students to at all times maintain and
uphold (and not tarnish nor prejudice) the good name and reputation of
Monash University as being a premier international university as a good
name and reputation serves to benefit not just the University but also
the students.”
I used to studies in Monash Malaysia, I know teh goods and bads of Monash Malaysia.
Blog is something for people to express themselves, and Monash SHOULDN’T having any business with a students’ doings outside the school. Besides, students may just writing out the truth, and Monash should accept it and make improvement, but not hiding it from the publics.
Have you completed the grievance procedure with the faculty or department? No
If you answered no to the previous question, please give reasons for contacting the University Student Ombudsman
Blogging is students’ rights, Monash has no responsibility stopping us, and shouldn’t send an email warning students about it. It’s a failure of Monash education that you educated someone to be that moron to spoil your name for no reason and no proof. Monash as an international institute body shouldn’t have this 3rd world mentality thinking of this will cover up their wrong-doings back in Malaysia.
What outcome are you seeking?
Explaining why this email was sent, an apologize email from Prof. Merilyn Liddell to monash malaysia students and promise that Monash will respect the students’ rights.
如果因为我此文造成Monash将我退学什么的，请各位见证。
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Thursday, September 20th, 2007
这几个月马来西亚的bloggers人人自危。Footsteps in the Mirror写了《The Guide To Not Going To Jail For Blogging》。在这里我翻译出来让各位看看，中国的朋友可以参考看看。
1. 用常识：
这不用我多说，如果你要写政府有多笨，怎样食用毒品，或者你现在的另一半是全世界最美好的东西的话，请不要用你的真名。如果你使用的你真名，请有心理准备面对所有后果。如果没有什么特别的理由，最好别用。不然最糟糕的事情就是午夜梦醒时分因为你blog的内容被黑衣人拐走。然后你将会坐牢，这些黑衣人呢则会得到你完美另一半的电话号码然后和他们共度良宵。
2. 用事实说话，不是情感：
你可以讨厌其他人所做的事，不过如果不是什么突破性大新闻的话，请不要写出来，特别是在留言评论里那些嘲讽的话（政府很厉害纠出这些问题的）或者直接诬蔑（政府对这些很敏感的）。如果你一定会被整理的话，你不如保留写你能在法庭上捍卫自己的资料。“你们全部是臭鸡蛋”不是一个有力的证据。
3. 去远远的地方：
最简单的方法也是最明显的方法。当你写的时候不要逗留在国内。如果你不在国内，他们就没有机会逮到你。他们甚至会忽视你的存在，当作你对马来西亚国情一点都不了解。还有一点就是不要用国内的伺服器。法律司法是无法横跨疆界的。一些国家有很严格的隐私法律来保护人们的。
4. 做纳粹留言
如果你能像老鹰监视食物一养监视着你的留言，那再好不过。虽然很多人很讨厌那种得经过审核才能显示留言的做法，可是如果你不是24/7在你的blog上，那就审核留言就是最好的做法。当然你得有个声明告诉大众你有权删除任何不合适的留言。有个声明在法律上有个站角。最好是你自己维持你的留言，好过警察来帮你维持。
5. 有位高权重的朋友
如果你不小心就惹上官司，拥有一些能操控法律的朋友就是你最好的生存法则。如果他们对blogging抱有同情心，或者本身就是bloggers，那你生存的纪律就会更大。他们能把讯息传达出去，甚至能够把你搞出来。人们说律师是魔鬼派送的邪恶使者，这些律师可能永远都没因为blogging而坐过牢。
6. 做个天使：
我不是叫你随时都要做好人，可是至少在真实生活以及blog生活里有个好人的声誉。如果你在你的blog上有段反抗的痕迹，很肯定的他们能利用这些来对付你。如果你一直有良好纪录，一个不好的评语可能只会警告你过后就放走了你。如果你被警察请去问话，请确保你是以最好的行为面对这一切，与警察合作长远来说会让事情变得简单的。如果你是因为用你口袋里的抢指着警察骂着粗口以及因为你的blog被捉走，那你的形象会全毁的。
(原文链接： The Guide To Not Going To Jail For Blogging)
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Sunday, September 9th, 2007
Blogging两年多来，虽然读者人数不断增加，可是我又对这些读者有多少了解呢？对很多希望自己被读的bloggers来说，不管你是刚开始blogging还是个blogging老手，有五种读者群你是必须要知道的，这样才能让自己的读者群更上一层楼。（在这篇我撇开搜寻器还有怎样推广blog）
- 目前的读者 – 这些读者可能是你的blog长期以来的读者。他们说不上是忠实读者，不过一直以来都有读你的blog。这些人清楚知道你做得不好的地方以及你在什么方面能进步。当你的blog想要尝试新的方式或有什么活动时，这些人就是你咨询的最好人选。
- 新读者 – 这些读者可能不知道你的过去，可能不读你的旧文章，可是你可以透过他们知道到底是什么内容吸引他们开始读你的blog的，这样你可以朝着这一方面发展已发掘更多新的读者。
- 失去的读者 – 你或许不知道你的读者到底是谁，因为很多blog的留言量少过总浏览人数的1%。你可能不知不觉失去了一些读者群。这些读者群其实是很重要的，他们能告诉你到底是什么原因让他们失去读你的blog的兴趣。
- 忠实读者 – 这些读者清楚知道你的blog一路来的发展，你有什么活动或什么问题，他们就是第一个跳出来支持你的。偶尔他们还会提供你blogging的点子和资讯，这样你永远不怕没话题写。他们也可能是为你的blog宣传最多的人。
- 潜在读者 – 这些读者是和目前读你的blog的读者拥有着完全不同的兴趣，所以到现在他们都没读你的blog，也没发现你的blog。不过不要以为你永远和这些人无缘，这些读者的存在就表示你的blog还有发展空间。当你的blog发展到一个瓶颈时，或许你可以考虑调整你的路线已开发这些潜在读者的市场。
虽然blogging主要是以自我为中心，不过偶尔还是要靠blogging赚钱以填补hosting fee的bloggers（包括我），是必须要尝试了解自己的读者喜欢什么，讨厌什么，需要什么。
张贴于 部落格/博客 | 3 则评论 »
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
我相信很多bloggers到某个阶段就会忽然遇到所谓的writer’s block（写作障碍），到底要如何面对这个问题呢？
当你遇到写作障碍时，建议你停下来，不要写了，毕竟不写好过你写错导致读者流失。你可以考虑关掉你的电脑，做以下事情可能能解决你的写作障碍。
- 休息 – 你是不是很常面对着电脑？Blogging就像你对着一个人一样，不管你们再怎么聊得来，如果你们几乎24小时面对着自己，脑里只想着对方，你们到某个时候一定会没有什么新话题聊的。所以不要遇到或看到什么事都第一时间想到要把它们放上blog，这样只会缩小你的视野，也让你的人生很没有乐趣。
- 看书 – 多读一些书是可以给你很多ideas来写blog的。有空就看报纸书刊之类的，对你也有些帮助，在泡妞方面也是一样，一些女子会比较喜欢knowledgable的人。也会让你学到比较多字，这样不只可以提高你的文学素质（我曾经说过：“写作冲动并不代表写作才能”），也可以增加你的blog里的关键字。其实很多常常读blog的人是不看书的。看电视也是有益的。
- 多与人交际 – 找找朋友出去，多参加些社团认识新朋友，都是一些不错的方法为你找到bloggin灵感。每个人身后都有不同的故事，不要只是在msn上和人家聊天，找人出来见个面，大炮几句，很快你就可以有那种blogging ideas出来了。
- 运动 – 身体健康是很重要的，很多bloggers天天面对着电脑，什么运动都不做，那对身体多不好。偶尔出去散个步，游泳，做gym，yoga之类的都可以让你的头脑清楚些。病倒了还用脑是很伤脑的。
- 旅游 – 这是我最喜欢做的事，可以看到不同文化的人，不同的建筑物。
- 谈一场恋爱 – 没有感情滋润的人，通常在写作上很难有新idea的。
- 重提旧文 – 当你真的什么都不知道要写什么时可是又不想一天不写的话，可以建议你重看回你的旧文，或许你有什么要补充的，或者有什么想要推翻的，或者只是纯粹想推荐新读者你以前的文章，这些都是个办法。
- 当你有东西写时，就写下来，不过不全部都贴出来 – 当你忽然间有些灵感时，那就坐下来把你想写的东西写下来。我相信很多人会在某个时候忽然间想写很多东西，你就要把握这个机会。可是东西写了后，先不要post不要先，你不可以一次过亮出你的底牌，你可以择日在贴出来。这样子在这段日子里，你可能没有什么要写可是你不用担心没有新贴的问题。
- 不同环境写 – 有没有想过天天呆在一个家里写或许会让你的脑生锈？不如考虑去starbucks之类的咖啡厅（可以wifi的），坐下来喝杯咖啡，观看其他人，或许你就有idea要写什么了。
- 换个方法写 – 不要写作一成不变，偶尔换换方式来写作其实对你有帮助的。例如平时你写作时不用列表的，或许你可以考虑用用看。这样子或许可以为你带来全新的观点。
- 找人写 – 你可以找guest blogger客串帮你写文章。
- 拿张纸和笔在身边 – 当你有什么灵感时，马上记下来。很多灵感都会在眨眼间就不见的。
- 图片 – 有听过picture worths thousand words吗？有时候你不一样要什么都写出来的，你或许可以考虑以图片来为你表达你想表达的东西。
张贴于 部落格/博客 | 1 则评论 »
