Site Stuff

Should Montclarions Commune Virtually?

Should we commune virtually, and have a social network to call our very own?

Today in Montclair limits the two-way conversation, due to the blog format.  We find something interesting to share almost every day, and are amazed by the traffic from Montclarions and other Oaklanders.  You send over all kind of ideas and questions, and I try to post items based on what’s interesting to you – but that’s only one posting a day.

Where do you go to ask a quick local question?  It feels like our virtual options are limited today.  Montclair Safety (MSIC) runs a Yahoo group that focuses on safety and crime matters.   Yelp provides user-contributed reviews about restaurants and some retail shops.  There seems to be a gap here.

Montclair-Social-Site

Let’s try out a real Montclair social network, where anything goes.  We just set up this site – http://montclairoak.ning.com – and encourage you to join and post messages to everyone.  It’s a pretty simple way to share questions, comments, events or even photos.  You even have “your own” pages to use.

Right now, your faithful Montclair blogger is there with a few others – and I’m officially rolling out the welcome mat.  Remember this social network succeeds if you and your neighbors have reasons to use it.  I’ll report back here about what happens…stay tuned.

More info:   Check out the specific resources on the site, through this quick tour.

Join The Oakland Bloggers Live, On Wed Night

Lately, Oaklanders have been coming out of the woodwork and doing an excellent job blogging about their specific neighborhoods, interests or points of view.  At some point there might be more amateur bloggers than journalists, though it’s hard to say.

Though the magic of online links, the local bloggers have formed their own virtual community.  Now we are about to actually meet each other, and anyone who blogs or even enjoys commenting on blogs is welcome to Blog This! on Wednesday night.  We will gather at The Washington Inn (495 10th Street, map), anytime from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.

Oakland Blogger Gathering

As part of the local blogging crew, Today in Montclair tries to be a friendly observer of this one-of-a-kind place, and finds inspiration from neighbors online and off-line.  Our blog ends up covering an eclectic mix of village doings, city politics, real estate, culture, history, mother nature…you name it.

Without even knowing it, this kind of hyper-local blogging has become quite the rage in Oakland and beyond.  It’s sort of like writing an old-fashioned diary, except the entries are meant for public consumption.  Of course, there are many blogs that come and go, because they take steady time and attention to nurture.

In Oakland alone, there are more than two dozen active blogs.  To take a quick look at what they cover, check out A Better Oakland and its recent love for local bloggers.  Whatever their individual passions, our bloggers share that hella love for Oakland.

So you’re welcome to schmooze with this motley crew, who are coming out of the woodwork to meet in person.  As an added benefit, no one will be tapping away at their keyboards this Wednesday night, either.

Come One, Come All

What’s happening in Montclair? What do Montclarions think about it?

Today in Montclair has officially arrived here! Feel free to visit every few days, and we’ll let you know what we think about the local news, shindigs — and everything else in our faire village.

We were blogging at 94611.net before, and the corporate owner has discontinued blogs. However, you will see the same active commentary and reactions here. Plus it’s even easier to share, so don’t hold back.

I look forward to our virtual coffee klatsch.

Top Five Reasons

Your faithful blogger felt compelled to register MontclairOak.com for this blog, and here’s why:

1 – We are not in New Jersey, and how can you confuse us?

2 – Montclair likes being an Oakland burg, it just seems more interesting.

3 – The Oaks are plentiful, and have not yet died from sudden oak disease.

4 – Somehow this means we will as strong as an oak, okay this lame.

5 – That old site where I blogged was just our zip code.