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The unexpected maintenance update definitely warrants something new or crazy here at Banana Scoop. As a matter of fact, it’s a little bit of both. As bloggers I’d imagine each and everyone one of you who is reading this [all 4 of you, hi Mom and Dad], might understand the emotional and invigorating feeling you might get when you try to overhaul your blog for the better. In the past, Banana Scoop made a humungous jump when I first tried to include 15 – 18 posts a week on a regimented schedule and then another big jump when we tried to make that 20-24 posts a week. Next thing I knew, I had quadrupled the amount of writers on the site [4 x 1 = 4] and we were pumping out so much content weekly. With so many humungous changes in the past and each as [semi] life changing as the last, we now make another big change, hopefully for the better of the future. Today’s post is focused on the main point of those changes..And to those I still have on a leash at this point: interwebz points for you.
We’re Reducing Post Frequency by over 80%
Big one. The number of scheduled posts a week was 24. Reducing that by 80% brings you to about five posts. Five posts a week. That’s a big change and I don’t think we’ve had that since towards the beginning of this blog. That’s a big change up from 24 and I think it will bring us in the right direction. The 20 or so posts we’re cutting out are the pictures, videos, and links-related posts that used to litter our site. Those short posts were essentially the praises of other persons on the internet for their good work and while we liked to praise them for their dedication to pop culture, their promotion made me feel as though Banana Scoop didn’t provide enough of it’s own good work. So by reducing the numerous posts of others, we’re only doing our original 1000+ word articles.
From Bill Watterson via
So what exactly does this mean? No more Sunday Sketches, no more Morning Links, no more Weekend Funnies, no more random pictures of pop culture related things that other people drew or any videos of weird mash ups, etc. etc. We understand that some of these were the staples of what gets our site most of its views, but I actually want to be prouder of a site that promotes only original content.
I Knew This Would Happen Eventually
Ben reminded me that something like this would happen. That I’d have to stop contributing so many posts a week simply because real life moves on. Once I leave school to go find a job, I just wouldn’t be able to keep up, so a reduction in posts was always imminent. At first, this kinda bothered me, but I never thought that writing for Banana Scoop could be a legitimate money making thing. I’m going to an engineering school for God’s sake, I’m not going to throw that away for 3 Likes and a 0.000000000005% chance of hitting Freshly Pressed every post. I suppose it’s a good thing that this happened now. I have more time on my hands to focus on school and some other select things.
Quality over Quantity
A positive note in all this is that our group will be able to focus more on better content and delivery. Posting less frequently will mean we get to be better focused on our more favorite articles rather than just constantly churning each and every one out will less and less passion. At least I know this in my situation. There were simply some weeks [probably more than some] that I definitely phoned it in on some articles. With fewer articles and not having to worry about the other 15+ posts a week I’m responsible for, life will definitely be more simpler and less stressful. Slowing down from 3 or more posts a week to 1-2 is definitely welcome and will better have me energized in focusing on the articles I do have.
My Ordeal with Sourcing and then Saying Screw the Rules
From Toei Animation [you are a God of internet culture if you get this meme]
I really wanted this site to be 100% legitimate and that includes the internet’s laws on image usage. Apparently the internet’s laws are incredibly strict and essentially 95% of the internet’s photos are practically illegal to use if they’re not yours in the first place. Instead, you’re supposed to get at least 80 bajillion peoples’ [more like 1, but still] permission and then you can host it on your site. If you don’t do this, you’re apparently breaking some sort of internet law. Sure, there are a number of free image sites you can use, but most of these images include crappy stock photos of families doing weird things or obscure fields of grass. This is not the kind of ‘Parks and Recreation’ image I’m looking for. There are ways you can ‘get around’ this idea by attributing site sources and linking back to the original artists/photographers, but apparently these methods are just as illegal and not okay.
So I said screw it. When even my most favorite sites are doing basic image usage of things I don’t believe they’ve gotten permission for, a pretty much grain-sized blog like myself will surely be able to get away with it. So I’ll be trying to go as legitimate as possible by attributing links back to images sources. Of course, we’ll be acting according to the DMCA act where if any artists or corporations are asking us to put their material we may have used to be taken down, we will act accordingly. Images are essential in hooking an audience to a post and making it aesthetically more pleasing. In a way, I’m breaking the law for you, reader. Look how much I care fo you.
New Author Roles
Our authors will be taking slightly new roles. They used to be always slated and scheduled for posts weekly or biweekly. With these new changes, authors will be given a ‘looser’ collar when it comes to when they’re supposed to post. You can expect at least 2 posts from them a month. As for me, I’ll try to contribute at least 2 posts a week, but that’s also a loose estimation. They’ll be posting on their regular days, Rachel on Tuesdays, Ben on Wednesdays, and SoGoCJE on Thursdays. The actual posting times may or may not be 11:00, but they’ll be there at the corresponding days. Hopefully this little break will let them catch up on new items of pop culture and be further invigorated to write more passionately about it!
The Future of Banana Scoop
It’s very interesting about the direction we’re going in. Life changes all the time and facets of life change with it. Banana Scoop is absolutely a facet of my life, very much taking hours upon hours of my life every week. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished so far as well as the authors who have contributed over the months. We’ve had highs and lows, but Banana Scoop prevails in one way or the other. I hope you all move with me as we go forward to this new format…I mean, it can’t be that hard for you. All you do is click and read.
PS. Parks and Recreation is glorious this year.
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