Finding Our Niche ...

A post by Eric at Fire Ant Gazette, with comments from Wallace at Streams, discusses the "misperception that a few heavy hitting bloggers are somehow drowning out the rest of the blogosphere."

One spinoff of this discussion is the idea of 'niche blogging' ... boldy going, I suppose. where the A-List bloggers don't have the time or the wherewithall to go.

But aren't all blogs, really, 'niche blogs?' Think about it. A chain of newspapers may all run the same AP story or photo, a network of television stations might all run the same package. But weblogs may be one of the few media that is composed entirely of individual outlets. Even those of a similar attitude or political alignment, addressing the same story, will do so with a noticable degree of individuality.

For me, the individuality, the specialization, is one of the greatest attractions of these online journals.

I have a feeling there are already forces at work that could change that ... strings of blogs - each with a local 'feel' - that are really affiliates of a coordinating, and directing network.

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Let the Sun Shine In ...
NEW MEXICO - Public should see agendas, have notice of meetings

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (AP) - In recognition of Sunshine Week -- Your Right to Know -- a national project designed to open dialogue about public access to government information is asking:

DID YOU KNOW ... You have a right to attend meetings of public bodies such as your county commission, city council or school board?

All public bodies must adopt an annual resolution that tells where and when meetings will be held and how much notice will be given. The attorney general's office and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government recommend ten days' notice for regular meetings, three days for special meetings and as much time as possible for emergency meetings.

Notices must be posted in prominent places readily accessible to the public. Agendas must be posted or you must be told where you can obtain them 24 hours in advance of each meeting.
Action should be taken only on items listed on the agenda.