I always thought that asynchronous chat allowed late replies – that’s what makes it so convenient.

Thanks for the info – I’ll follow it up.

Ka kite

Realising the true potential of tools like GReader and comment tracking tools is so empowering; makes the whole process much more efficient. Definitely never too old to learn new tricks (wish I could just convince some of my work colleagues of this).

@Bonnie Glad the photo uploader is now working for you. Good to see that photo Fridays is going strong.

@Murcha I wonder? Were you running iGoogle, Diigo and Cocomment with IE? My issues were that Diigo was causing the problems. The notify me by email is a setting in our blog dashboard that we can tick.

* Learning to use the software. CoComment and Google Reader were the software I chose in the beginning. I was impressed with what they did and glad I’d taken the time to find out on advice from Michele Martin on RSS and Sue Waters on comment tracker and how to install them and use them. When I found out what the reader and the comment tracker could do for me I was stoked!

* Creating my blog. I feel proud that this was something I chose to do for myself, before it became obvious during the challenge that it was really a necessary thing to have, at least as necessary as the other freebie software. That’s another payoff – all the software was free! (Scottish people are resourceful, not skinflintish – they simply say why part with money when you don’t need to).

* Learning blog etiquette and protocol. I knew a thing or two about the etiquette (not unlike netiquette) but it was good to confirm what I knew.

* I learnt a strategy for commenting, most of which I worked out for myself. The application of a few available tools like Word and Notepad in executing that strategy was easy to work out.

* I learnt that you’re never too old to learn new tricks. I had my ##th birthday during the challenge. I thought that it would test the old neurons. I wasn’t wrong, but I feel that they would have been tested the same way had I done the challenge 45 years ago, provided of course we had computers, Internet and the software in those days.

The nearest thing I operated to a computer when I was 18 years old was a traditional Facit pinwheel calculator, which was an entirely mechanical device that could afford answers to 13 decimal places. You’d to be able to operate all its handles with unerring accuracy or it turned to mush, quite literally.

Ka kite

I am still coming down to earth after doing my 31 or so days (as I’m sure everyone else is who participated like me). I didn’t find this blog until the near end of the Challenge – believe it or not!

Thank you for all you’ve done for us.

It must have been a thrill to see how it all took off, and I’m sure it wouldn’t have been without frustrations for you at times. You have amazing NRG!

A work colleague asked me recently about online courses in elearning with a special emphasis in ICT. Could you recommend any (is this appropriate?) She is looking for quals as well as learning for herself.

Ka kite

I also often write my comments using NotePad especially if I want to review the post as I write it makes the whole process easier.

@Ines I agree there was a great sense of community during the Challenge and it was lovely to interact with each other. From my experience with the 31 Day Project last year you will see these interactions will continue (if people choose it to be). It’s also good to know it is just beginning with so many great ideas for working together.

@Bonnie Glad you enjoyed the Challenge and tried hard to support all participants. The 365 (365) Flickr project has been very successful but you have to be very committed with one photo per day. Photo Fridays sound really good — but one problem I have is I struggle with words. Language doesn’t come easy to me. Could people like me combine quotes with great photos rather than write own words? But we would also have to think about if we use other peoples photos on Flickr that people make sure they include the attribution for the original source of the photo and the quote.

Also pleased to hear how much you have gained from the Comment Challenge. Its funny how daily tasks work well for some people but don’t for others. Yet ultimately everyone gained because those that didn’t do the daily tasks gained information from those that did.

With my Edublogs hat on – Are you using the Embed media buttons at the top of the Visual Editor (right hand side?). Also you need to make sure that you’re using the latest 9.0.124 version of Flash. You can grab it here: http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer
After you do, you need to clear out your browser’s file and cookie cache, and log out of your computer. That should now make the Flash Uploader that runs the photos work.

@Colin Your 4th point “Comments build relationships” is absolutely correct and probably an aspect that we haven’t emphasized enough. I’ve checked out your more detailed discussion on your blog. I really loved “#6. That being involved in this activity has helped strengthen me as a blogger and developed my understanding of the possibilities of ‘the blog’ in education. I’m now much better situated to provide informed advice and recommendations on social media in my work context and elsewhere.” That was one of my goals of the Challenge so I’m glad to know it helped you.

@Kevin I have to ask this after following the link from Gail’s blog to your article. Is 500 blogs correct? You are so right there are so many amazing people out there — so many that we can’t imagine. I think you really model the whole concept of thoughtful in what you write — when you don’t agree you explain it nicely in a way to clarify why you don’t agree.

1. Taking a step back and looking at your blog with the eyes of a visitor from time to time is an important reflective stance. This allows you to consider how welcoming and inviting you are to other people. All too often, we have tunnel vision about our world. By examining it from another angle, we may make improvements.

2. When visiting another blog, try to not to blast through. Read the post carefully and then engage in conversation. Leave a comment of more than three words, if you can. Let the writer know you read and thought about their post.

3. Find some system, any system, for returning to the conversation. It is great that we post a comment but not so great that we don’t always go back to see where the thread has gone. Your (my) voice remains critical to the discussion even after you (me) have gone.

4. There are more communities of writers/teachers/educators out there than one can imagine and yet, even in such a large world, there are many areas of overlap. I loved running into folks here and there, and learning more about them.

5. Be thoughtful in what you write. You don’t always have to agree or disagree, but a thoughtful comment goes a long way to opening up a dialogue.

Thanks
– Kevin

More comprehensive discussion on my blog. Thanks for your participation and encouragement during the challenge – it’s been a hoot!