Doctor Recommended

Blogger Attributes and Namespaces

Continuing from where I left off yesterday, I'd like to detail the attributes of a blogger. In MMORPGs like Everquest or Asheron's Call 2 each character is given a set of attributes from which they can modify throughout the game, increasing as they level up.

Note: I highly recommend Mike Reed’s cartoon depictions of Flame Warriors. If you’ve ever used a forum or a newsgroup you’ll understand immediately as to the depictions he develops. The blogging community is similar in many ways, you’ll know what I’m talking about after viewing all of them.

Dexterity usually improves speed and some strength or vitality.

Strength, how strong they can attack (damage), how many hit points they can dish out.

Wisdom, can they see long-term ramifications or the cause and effect of a certain situation, predict the future even - do they run in without planning? (Shoot first, ask questions later).

Mana, the ability to wield supernatural abilities; shapeshifting, lightening bolts, disappearing, fireballs, you've seen them all before.

Courage, can they take on that Level 70 Duck of Doom? What about the Raging Platypus? Can they count to 3 and thrust the Holy Hand Grenade properly? In short, do they have what it takes to be a Knight?

Intelligence, are they an Orc or an Elf? Can they conceptualize or is Zug Zug their entire vocabulary? Crafting weapons, learning new trades and memorizing spells all fit in this category.

Integrity, will they tell the NPCs lies and half-truths in order to gain access to the piggy banks of paupers? Are they turn-coats and traitors? Will they backstab you in the middle of the woods over and over, so they can get the loot from the Hill Giant?

For Bloggers, here are some of the intrinsic character attributes:

Dexterity – how clever can a blogger be? Can they obfuscate and slip out of a sticky situation? Are they aware of their surrounding - astute and sharp? How do they handle pressure, do they crack and lash out at others?

Strength – do they use their powers for good or for awesome? Are their positions impregnable from counterexamples and contrary beliefs? Can they stand their ground and maintain it through a barrage of continuous attacks? How intense can they utilize various strategies to leverage their views and vanquish the enemy? How mighty is their first attack, does it seem like they’re grasping at straws and rolling dice, or are they consistently good swingers?

Wisdom – do they understand what should and should not be published for the public eye? Are they living their age or their shoe size? What kind of common sense and judgment do they utilize when both posting articles and comments? Do they show any moments of desperation? Will they admit being wrong when shown a different perspective? Do they embody Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt or its antithesis?

Mana – what outside tools and techniques do they wield that most other bloggers do not use? Do they use them to maliciously attack an opponent or for pure defense? From what position of authority do they speak, how fast do they resort to argumentum ad verecundiam?

Courage – can they stare fear in the face and stand their ground, possibly even vanquishing the foe? How confident are they, does their demeanor reflect any inconsistencies? Are they willing to stand alone and fight Ze Uber Monster alone? Will they attempt to do the impossible or improbable? Are the assertive and bold, firm and gallant? Are they undaunted by the Men Who Say Ni? Can they pronounce intrepidity without stumbling?

Intelligence – do they seem well-read, knowledgeable and informed? Do they cite real sources or shredded newspaper clippings in a brief case? What comprises their counterexamples, more sources or more conjecture? How many four-letter-words do they eschew throughout their blogs, are they gratuitous or witty.

Integrity – will they stand up for what they believe is right no matter what the cost? How often do they resort to an argumentum ad hominem? Do they stand undivided or are they moving in all directions?

Feel free to add any input, these are by no means complete.

I'd also like to take the time to point out that I've been working on another syndication format: I plan on calling this RSS 6.237, so if you are developing a new version of RSS, please be aware of this.

Here are some of the new namespaces I plan on introducing:

[mahnahmahna:rss xmlns:mahnahmahna="http://www.fatchicksinpartyhats.com/RSS6_237"
xmlns:foo="http://www.whokeepsthemetricsystemdown.com/foo/"]
[mahnahmahna:channel]
[mahnahmahna:title]Not The Ingrish[/mahnahmahna:title]
[foo:title]Not the Irish either[/foo:title]
[biyotch:author]Bizatch[/biyotch:author]
[/mahnahmahna:channel]

I know this is a little revolutionary but it seems simple to me, once I learned that you can define any metatag I just went with the flow. Feel free to send in your additions, however if I don’t like them I will probably start another version of RSS. Actually, I’ll be blunt, I’m working on 4 more RSS versions as we speak just in case each one fails – I’ll let you know which one I’m going to promote and claim as mine at a later undisclosed time.

Posted by Tim at May 5, 2003 12:17 AM | TrackBack