SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE - I AM...

MY BEST ARTICLE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST

I am aware that what follows is completely self serving but I feel I have no choice but to be self promoting. In someways this is a father's day gift to myself. Since nature abhoars a vacuum I have a responsibility to speak my piece or my consternation will be consigned to nothingness forever.

Yesterday I wrote an article called OK DEAR: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR FATHER'S DAY? Additionally I think it is one of the most important articles I have posted.

Since this is a topical article I would have expected that it would be highlighted as such. I think it was not. So what else is new? Why should I be treated differently than anyone else at Gather? I imagine that anyone who takes the time to write anything and then posts it feels exactly the same way as I do. Additionally some authors get chosen to be highlighted by some mysterious process and others obviously do not.

Life isn't fair . Gather isn't fair?

So what am I saying?

Besides feeling excluded I think there needs to be a better way for authors {all of us} to have their articles potentially noticed.

I thought that mass mailings would be a good way. That idea was instantly squelched by a number of well meaning commentators with whom I concur.

My suggestion is to try putting all articles under themes which have their own page and kept up to date. My article would fall under the theme of Father's Day.

I am open to any and all suggestions but as the system currently exists I think there is something wrong with this picture.

Happy Fathers Day and an early Happy Mothers Day and any other Happy Day one wishes to identify with.

P.S. If anyone wishes to read my father's day article it is found at:

DEAR: WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR FATHER'S DAY ?by gibbs williams to group(s):The About Absolutely Anything You Want to Publish/Post Group, Public Radio Forum, Publishing outside of Gather
June 16, 2006 11:37 AM EDT (Updated: June 16, 2006 12:00 PM EDT)

Comments: 2 Tags: the end of an era, hobby stores, sadness, choices, fathers day gift

Comments: 16

Mary M. Alward Jun 17, 2006, 10:06am EDT

Gibbs, There are times that articles that I write are not noticed. Some of those articles I feel are extremely important, such as the one I wrote on bear safey while camping or hiking. It received very few comment, yet is an article that could save someone's life. It's a strange process, but all we can do is post to other people's articles and hope they reciprocate. Happy Father's Day to you. I hope you get the model.

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gibbs williams Jun 17, 2006, 10:13am EDT

Dear Mary - I appreciate your reponsive and sensitive comments. I did get a model - four of them. I thought the Titanic was too big - about 4 feet. Apparently bigness is in - so what else is new. But I managed to find a two foot kit of the Queen Elizabeth. VOILA! Additionally I got a kit of a tug boat, a small scooner, and a motor you actually put together. Now there is a prescription for pure pleasure.

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Stephen Schneider Jun 17, 2006, 10:23am EDT

We've all been there Gibbs. My dog gets more readers than me. I'll check out your post. The secret to readers has always been having connections and commenting on others works. There is a reciprocal affect here. But we are fast losing a sense of worth here at gather.

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gibbs williams Jun 17, 2006, 10:26am EDT

My Dear Wilhelmine - There is definitely a conspiracy afoot. I plead not guilty. It is comforting and supportive to know that I am not the only one baying in the wind on Gather relative to this issue. As to the internet there is no question that it is an asset for those who write articles on Gather. However, internet or not, have you had the following experience: Just when you are about to print, or edit and post an article the computer freezes? Now what is all that about?

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gibbs williams Jun 17, 2006, 10:36am EDT

Dear Boopy: Thanks for your support. Is there a way I can communicate with your dog? Are you suggesting that Gather is going to the dogs?

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Aileen F. Jun 17, 2006, 1:24pm EDT

Wilhelmine, if you clock on the number 2 after "Comments" in the bottom of the article, it brings up the article in question.

Gibbs, the more people we get around here, the fewer comments I find on the worthwhile articles. I found a few yesterday that were very good and had no comments. Then you look at the highest ranked articles and they are rants about models or Gather.

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gibbs williams Jun 17, 2006, 1:34pm EDT

Aileen - Should we of like mind unionize? Gather ye Gatherers UNITE?

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Meryl Johnson Jun 17, 2006, 2:41pm EDT

I'll join that union.

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Jose Wolfster M. Jun 17, 2006, 2:59pm EDT

you know I have noticed that some articles seem to be picked at random yet others who are good never get the notice they deserve:) Tag your articles differently I guess:)

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Jose Wolfster M. Jun 17, 2006, 3:00pm EDT

Hey how about A Gather writers union :) *WEG*
ayyy matie the scurvy dogs of gathers unite!!
Time to walk thee plank!!! ARRRRRR!

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John S. (arizona) Jun 17, 2006, 4:08pm EDT

Maybe it would help if it had went to groups that have more to do about life, family, etc. I'm guessing here, but the only one of the three that it might fit in is Jake's group? Do you have a lot of contacts? The reason I say this is because I don't get my articles from the front page, but by emails sent by connections or groups. Also curiously, but understandable, some days I turn on the PC and will have like 250 Gather email alerts, but on other days I get blown away with over a thousand. It's impossible to read them all, but I do usually try to sort through them. So, maybe the day you published this on was just not a "hot" day for people?
By the way, Schooners are cool. Thanks for posting, and Happy Father's Day.

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La Lady Lisa Westerfield Jun 18, 2006, 2:31pm EDT

I think that there are some groups that are devoted to quality articles but if the piece is long, no matter how entertaining, it isn't going to get the kind of notice you want (at least in the comment area, although people may read and not comment). Other articles (the ones receiving a lot of comments) are topical, short or rants that most Gatherites have an opinion on one way or another. Besides Gibbs, I think you are doing fine with people noticing your stuff. There are some brilliant writers who have produced major quality articles that aren't noticed at all.

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