What is WRONG with You Pingsters?
I try to not blog about the Ping community much as I have readers who are not from Ping and they will be scratching heads at what I say about the community I have grown to love but I must blog about this. Why do I love Ping anyway? Because, it’s a community that allows almost EVERYONE to have a chance to let their posts have exposure. Let’s just look at Ping’s FAQ, item #5.
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Basically, if anyone has a blog in which he/she THINKS might appeal to the local readers, the person can just join Ping. Uzyn nor Daphne, is NOT responsible for the content on Ping. Anyone can blog about anything and in whatever style they want. Even if the contents of a post or blog run afoul of a nation’s law, it has nothing to do with the staff at Ping.
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Recently, there has been a lot of feedback that the community has become ‘shallow’ and a handful of the ‘prominent bloggers’ have voiced their unhappiness at the content of the blogs and the shoutbox. Why? It could be a couple of reasons and various origins but I guess it’s the point when Daphne blogged about having a crush and there was a sudden surge of interest to who she was talking about. Bloggers like Wendy also had her share of traffic when she tried to find out who the mystery crush is. Why is there such a big hoo haa when probably there has always been posts made before like the one Daphne did? It’s because she is popular and she garners attention!
The so called ‘serious bloggers’ start to think why such ‘shallow’ topics get ‘Ponged’ to the top when they have used 30% of the words in the dictionary and done 3 days of research just to compose an insightful entry which eventually didn’t even make it to #10. And they are also disturbed when the shoutbox gets all lively when people talk about ‘shallow’ stuffs compared to serious issues.
Well, there are a few factors that make a post go to the top ranked in descending order.
1. Popularity of the blogger
2. Blog title
3. Reputation of the blogger
3. Content
The list above is not exhaustive but the point I like to bring is that unfortunately, CONTENT is the least importance. WHY? It’s because of a few factors.
1. There is no way you can know how good a content is without clicking on the post.
2. Most people who Pong entries because of other factors do not bother to revoke their Pong even if the entry they read is deemed ‘unworthy’.
3. Many people simply prefer to read ‘shallow’ stuffs.
.
I said this here and there I think but I will like to say it again. I am a ‘shallow’ blogger mostly. I mostly write about mundane stuffs. I am not someone like Endoh who can churn out topics that are very articulate and invoke your thoughts on serious issues. I do enjoy reading posts by bloggers like him but I PREFER reading about ‘shallow’ stuffs which are interesting. This is what I love and this is how I usually try to write. I want readers to come in and read and LAUGH. Even if I only manage to make one smile, I would be happy.
Look at the reasons Ping came up with if you wanted to ‘poof’ someone.
If someone’s post is qualifies for one of the reasons above, ‘POOF’ him/her! If you simply do not like the blogger and cannot find a valid reason to ‘poof’. Do click on the button below at Ping.
If you don’t like the way the community is heading, you can either QUIT Ping, or just ignore the ‘shallow’ ones you don’t like with the help of the tools Ping provided. If you people still think ‘shallow’ bloggers like me shouldn’t be allowed in Ping, go ahead and draft a new FAQ for Uzyn to bar ‘shallow’ bloggers and if it gets approved, I WILL QUIT PING.sg myself. Not because I don’t agree with that ruling, but because I AGREE that I am a ‘shallow’ blogger.
As I write this article, I also understand that it is not WRONG for Pingsters to voice their displeasure at the ‘shallow’ posts/bloggers. If you are unhappy, blog about it, talk about it in the shoutbox, discuss it over msn, announce it over twitter. You have every right to do so. But I think it’s wrong if you complain to people like Daphne and probably Uzyn, who work hard at ensuring this community’s success. What is your purpose? Do you want them to do something about it? Do you want them to encourage people to blog on more serious stuffs?
On another note, if everyone is just using the proper channels to voice their opinions, Daphne and Uzyn shouldn’t be so affected by it. I know it’s only human to be bothered about it but people are people and everyone has a right to a voice no matter how limited it is by the gahmen.
Before I end this post, I will like to clarify the following before all the flaming. I am not saying that ‘serious’ bloggers are culprits because I do like bloggers who write well with an original and strong point of view. I am just sad and angry that Daphne is very affected by this group of ‘prominent’ pingsters because she simply bother to care.
How hard is it to just ignore posts/bloggers that you don’t like? If you have something to say, voice it in the proper channels. And for Daphne, I know it’s hard but you really cannot please everyone. I know you want to keep the community as a whole but in reality, there will always be people that doesn’t like other people or trends in the top posts.
So just let them be.
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May 28th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I agree, there’s nothing much to complain about. If one thinks that ping.sg should be a place of seriousness where serious topics get into top 10, then feel free to recreate a ping.sg somewhere else. Maybe call it seriousping.sg. I’m sure one can learn how to do all those programming in a few months time.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
The shoutbox is a double edge sword.
Sites like ping.sg should be kept neutral, just like any other similar sites.
But then, as I’ve mentioned, it’s a double edge sword, hence I don’t think it’s entirely bad. there are good points too.
bottomline is, I don’t let it affect me.
PS: Hopefully you can grab my balls, Sick so can’t really bring out my thoughts properly.
chaosdingos last blog post..marbok
May 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
If you ask me, I think it is just sour grapes that their posts are not in the top 10. Though I am not regularly featured in the top 10, I believe my content will eventually win them over. Nothing to complain about! Ping.sg is great!
Darrans last blog post..Limetouch.com Is One Year Old
May 28th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
What is there to complain about? What opinion is there to raise?
When one is unhappy with the shallow posts or bloggers, just don’t pong the post. When one is sick of it all, just ‘walk’.
Before any sides is taken, before any line is drawn and battle is joined, my only plea is that you find out the facts from both sides and not just one before the shooting begins.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Yah, agree with Darran. I think they are merely jealous
Jacelyns last blog post..Swivelle
May 28th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I AM A SHALLOW BLOGGER! ><~
But that’s because i am not as articulate as some of the serious bloggers, therefore i can only try.. Anyway i have only joined ping.sg for a short while but i’m loving it already. There is a great community there!
May 28th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
people are too free.
FRIVOLOUSISM FTW!
*flicks hair bimbotically*
i don’t care that i don’t care hahahahaa.
Wendys last blog post..I cooked supper!
May 28th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Hey, we’re one big happy family right? Let’s don’t point fingers at each other ok? (not talking to kris but to the general community)
Everyone’s unique. Every bloggers are unique. Ping.sg is started not as an aggregator for smart bloggers, nor is it started as an aggregator for immature bloggers. It’s started because of blogs and bloggers of Singapore.
Everyone’s unique, and every bloggers have their own readerbase, even before Ping.sg. Ping.sg gives the bloggers a chance to exchange each others readership and naturally, a reader who likes to read sports blogs wouldn’t like to read a fashion blog, but that doesn’t mean the fashion blogger IQ is lower or anything.
Let’s open our arms and accept that all of us are bloggers (I know I’m becoming less of a blogger now due to the inactivity of my blog, paiseh) and all our blogs are unique in one way or the other, ok?
Anyway, here’s a promise. As long as I am able to (unless gahmen say i kenot), Ping.sg will always remain neutral, open and free. That’s my goal and my dream, and I’m sure most Pingsters’ goal and dream as well.
uzyns last blog post..Presenting Tomorrow at Barcamp Singapore II
May 28th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
i just want everyone to be a big happy family, welcome newbies. if they are not wise of the ways of the shoutbox, ie the rules, lets nudge them gently in the right direction.
im not pointing fingers at anyone either. but jus feel tht cos of the things tht some ppl said, thn its affecting others. ripple effect. this community is great. i invested a lot of time in it, to help to build this community with uzyn, altho i joined for only a year.
like some of u mentioned.. ping is for everyone, so we shdnt be too hoity toity abt the quality of posts.. there’s always the [-] button if u dont like to read it.. i admit tht i myself filter out a lot of the posts frm bloggers whom i dont enjoy reading.
anyway.. lets all not go the xiaxue route n think tht we’re all ‘elite bloggers’ or whatever. we r all equal (jus tht some r more equal than others, haha, but thts only cos they participate more in community activities, like shouting, n going for outings). so lets embrace bloggers from all walks of life. ok!?
i love u guys!! happy kitty! byebye!
Daphne Maias last blog post..Social Media Breakfast: Singapore 2
May 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
and ar kris. 30% of the dictionary is ALOT.
i don’t think ANYONE uses that many words in a post hahahaha, especially if they are “shallow”.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Aren’t you doing the same with this title to get traffic also?
May 28th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Daphne Maia, I have only this to say about you, you are a disappointment. Should not have blog about how to sabotage your landlord. Really disappointing.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Lol Kumsid doesn’t understand. It’s trying to say it doesn’t matter if the post is shallow. Gosh. Besides, I don’t think our Hello Kitty is a dissappointment..She took the post down in the end isn’t it? This isn’t the right avenue to talk about this.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Ping.sg, like Uzyn said, is a blog aggregator. Sadly though, some people view it as a popularity race. All this squabbling is rather petty, I feel. Thanks to ping.sg, I’ve gained quite a bit of traffic (and a few friends too), which is very nice and all, but I don’t blog for traffic (or pongs).
Maybe we should all get back to the basics of blogging and not be too concerned with how many gazillion pongs we get. If the post is good, people will read it and it will go up there in the top 10.
Then again, if the post is bad (but made to look good because of a catchy title or whatever), then like flies to a pile of dung, people will read it as well.
No fault of the good people at ping.sg. None at all.
mobys last blog post..The Jell-O Prank
May 29th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Thanks for pimping. Anyway just my 2 cents worth… it’s just a simple thing as “don’t like – don’t read”. Nothing much to complain about. Otherwise put it up as a discussion.
Eds last blog post..What’s on Dr. Mahathir’s mind?
May 29th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Whatever I’m going to say is totally irrelevant, but I’m going to say it anyway. Interesting entry. I actually came here first, then went back to Ping.sg just to pong it ;x
Princessas last blog post..xoxo Nadnut – I feel so much better now.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:30 am
In all seriousness, i believe that pongs do matter for a certain group of people. The more pongs they have, and it reaches top 10, the better they feel.
Though most of the time like what kris says, its dependent on the four factors: Popularity of the blogger, Blog title, Reputation and content.
Like what he says, Endoh’s posts are great and is wonderfully insightful, Kris’s posts enters the top 10 more often than not just because people like to read lighter & controversial stuff (and also sexual ones).
Not everyone here wants to read about the government and politics, not everyone wants to know who won the champion’s league and so on.
But most people like to laugh and feel good about the world.
So if you really want to be in the top 10 all the time, here’s my advice:
1) Be super popular in ping. Go for every outing and shout in the crapbox (shoutbox! i meant shoutbox!)often.
2) Write funny and/or light stuff. Or.. sexual or controversial. Your call (though overly sexual may be poofed).
3) Time your entries. Entries are 7am are very unlikely to be read by alot of people, while if you do it right, many more eyes will be on your post.
4) Get yourself featured in the paper! That will really help readership, especially when many people link to your blog.
Well, all in all i think Ping’s doing a great job (despite the various disagreements bloggers have against each other, like the NN and Advertlets Fiasco. Phew), we can’t keep everyone happy, and kudos to Uzyn and Daphne for keeping it up for so long~
Aaron
May 29th, 2008 at 12:47 am
everyone (be it in the community or just passerby) have a choice, whether to read or click that little red X button at the top.
that’s why it’s never a big deal to most.
to others, who value quantity over quality, be that as their choice and may they live with what they have.
my 2 cents.
*back to feeling dizzy after drinks & meds*
May 29th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Hmmm not sure if those ‘serious bloggers’ understand the name of the community. Its call PING.sg not PARLIMENT.sg. So why must they shoot down shallow posts? Be fair and neutral man. Anyway Ping sounds like a fun word . Eh.. like ping pong ? Although im not very good at it but at least its fun to wack a small white ball across a court. Other then that, i don’t think i can hit any ball across a court.
Adrians last blog post..Pronounce the name correctly
May 29th, 2008 at 1:36 am
I’m surprised anyone complained about shallow posts o_O? Or have I been missing out in some action in ping shoutbox? We love shallow slapstick silly mundane blog posts because when we get home from work/school, tired and dreary, we just want to read silly stuff to get our minds off the serious stuff.
and I need to sleep now cause early work tomorrow
thanks for this post anyway. 
May 29th, 2008 at 1:36 am
After all is said, so who is / are shooting down shallow post or making comments about the quality of the posts?
An URL (or a few) in the right direction(s), please?
If there’s someone or a group of people you wanna nail, name them.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:37 am
its just blogging.
maliques last blog post..Read a mothertrucking book!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:52 am
I think that if a post reaches top 10 thru fair means, it deserve it’s position up there. Those who dispute it are just sour grapes.
UNLESS it’s a NSFW entry…. then that is another story.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I generally don’t care much about the top 10 list. I mean I like it when I’m there (because I write content and it gives me hope that people care about content), but if I don’t, I don’t. A lot of traffic doesn’t come from ping anyway.
That said I’m from the side of the fence who can’t stand overly-frivolous posts, but I don’t think I’ve really bitched about it. I just don’t read it, don’t comment and don’t pong. The entertaining posts are fine by me, but not the really crappy ones.
In any case, it’s an aggregator. There’s no control over what goes in so I guess we’ll just have to deal with it.
Daryl Tays last blog post..Social Media Breakfast: Singapore 2 – Video, Podcast & Blog Coverage
May 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I don’t see anything wrong with Kris’ style and posts. In fact, I like his posts ‘cos they are light-hearted and funny. As for blogs, it’s either you like it or not.
Personally I don’t think not getting into the top 10 is a big deal for me…as long as somebody reads my blog, I am happy. Everyone’s style is different, there’s no absolute right or wrong.
mlmaestros last blog post..It’s been almost a 100 days
May 29th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Typo…the ‘not’ before ‘getting into the top 10′ should be removed.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I don’t think it’s a crime to write (almost) anything you want on your blog is it? I subscribe to Ping.sg via RSS so I have absolutely no idea who’s on the Top 10 currently, neither do I bother about it. As long as the entry seems interesting enough, I’ll read it.
Anyway, just found your blog a few weeks ago via Ping.sg Destiny – it’s not exactly serious stuff but hey, it’s entertaining man
Royss last blog post..Games Thursday : Learning About Productivity with Caveman Craig
May 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Nothing wrong with shallow post imo, I mean I do read friends blogs to know what goes on in their lives and to generally relax. We do get a good mix of want gets into the top 10 from serious posts by endoh and jean to generally crappy ones by Chillycraps.
Why are people taking getting into the top 10 so seriously? You win a cookie of you are in the top 10?
arzhous last blog post..Arzhou @ Kinabalu – Part 2 – The summit
May 29th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
[...] – 2:45 pm – Posted in Blogosphere, Singapore, Society | Some thoughts arose after reading Krisandro’s post, and I went in search of the big “hoo haa” he indicated in his post. It was [...]
May 29th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Well that pretty much summed up a lot about what my friend and I were discussing about the singapore blogosphere. Readers are drawn in more by “juicy” posts than excellent content.
Every blog caters to its own set of unique readers. Ultimately trying to please everyone will turn one into a miserable blogger.
We write because we choose to, not because we have to. And as long as we are happy ourselves, that’s all that matters.
Rich Grads last blog post..On Becoming A Full-Time Blogger/Internet Marketer
May 29th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Agree with kumsid, post title with the word ping inside almost always hit top10 in ping.sg. Someone here’s all out for traffic huh
Talking about proper channel, if you have an issue with someone, isn’t it more proper to talk to him directly instead of creating a traffic magnet?
Ah, I thought only ntoken writes fiction in his blog.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I think ping.sg let me know a lot more other bloggers, and find out more interesting posts.
Agnes Tans last blog post..How much will you willing to pay to have a video chat with her? Cannot cheat, must watch Part I before you watch Part II
May 29th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I wanted to comment in here to address all of you here in the comments but its long enough for an entry and I shall do that.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:57 am
@t-rats, kusmid
it’s also interesting how some people with accusatory comments almost never use their real name or identity.
Wendys last blog post..The only consistent factor in all your dysfunctional relationships is you.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Wendy, didn’t you also make empty accusation without revealing the complainants and evidences?
The “prominent” bloggers may not even exist and you bite on it.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Twat. Must go all out and defend your ‘friend’ over such a small matter? Must write post after post about this? Its your right, yes. But don’t blog ping.sg up with you whimsical shit.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
PunesAlways nice to see name calling people ard. I always treasure the better humans whenever I encounter ppl like you.
Have a nice day on your way out~
Byeeeee~~~
May 31st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
[...] hired by Yebber wrote two blog posts which became magnets for the discussion. First he asked what was wrong with the Pingsters and then followed up with an explanation for his mob-inciting [...]