Watch a Video, Drop a Comment!

Ah, comments! How we bloggers and website proprietors adore comments. A comment is like a note, a howdy from a fan, friend, foe or fool (and those are just the “F”s!). Comments represent that oh, so, sought after “F” word: FEEDBACK! The only thing we blogging folks and website owners adore more than comments is feedback. Feedback is the stuff that equally crushes egos and inflates them, encourages one to continue down that sometimes lonely path of creative endeavor or gives you that valuable two-cents worth telling you to try some other hobby. Feedback, in the form of comments, is a good thing!

So why don’t I have a simple, fast and easy way to drop comments on my website, livelife365.com? The answers now is:

I DO!


There is no simple reason why it’s taken me this long to have a comment page added to my vid site except my stubbornness and frugality. Stubborn, because my video site already has several places where one, if so inclined, can leave comments or messages. My thought being: I don’t need one! (wrong, Mike!). As for my being a cheapskate, well, that is self-explanatory.

Enter: Webxpertz and Multi Media Information.





My two buddies, Keith and Eric, helped design and create my video site and are always there for me for all my website needs. I tell them I need something, they say it’s impossible to do, then do it, at a very reasonable cost. Just listen to this guy go on about them: “Thanks Webxpertz and MMI."

But why do I use these guys, when places like Blogger and WordPress offer their services for free? From the horse’s (Eric’s) mouth: “LL365 is a custom-built website. Some templates are quite attractive, easy to use for developers with limited skills and experience, and employ a structure that has been broadly tested and is familiar to wide audiences. But, they can have a "same old thing" appearance, and typically are limited in terms of a sense of individuality. Over a period of time, having complete control over the structure, format, content, and functionality of your site allows you to grow and change as your interests, abilities, and resources expand.

WebXpertz is a friendly team with a wide range of development skills in coding, scripting, programming, and all aspects of building a presence on the Internet. The support forums are a valuable resource for small businesses and hobbyists at all levels of ability. Their cost of services is certainly reasonable, especially when compared to many competitors in the market.”

Besides all that, Eric also is a top-notch copy editor. His work on the development and ongoing maintenance of both my sites is priceless. He is also an outstanding researcher whose valuable input on my blog posts is much appreciated (and needed). Do yourself a favor, and check them out the next time your website needs a facelift.

Besides the nifty comment page, these guys also created an equally nifty VOD format.

What, you may be asking, is VOD? Listen to this guy go on and on and on (like he usually does): “New: VOD and Comments!"

When you get right down to it, we all want to be loved, adored, have dozens of wonderful comments dropped on our sites. And in return, we all visit other sites and do the same. Why? Because it’s what we do, we bloggers, and it’s the right thing to do. Dropping comments is like visiting your next-door neighbor and saying “hello.” Like going to your favorite restaurant and chatting with the hostess. Like hanging out way too long in the produce section of your local grocery store and gabbing with your buddy, the produce guy (and do I ever get in trouble with the missus for doing it). It is electronic social networking at its finest. And speaking of social networking…

…stay tuned for my newest music video titled “Social Networking Blues.” If you enjoyed I Miss My Hair, you will love this. I promise. And when you visit my video site to watch it (or any of the hundreds of videos I’ve produced about health, personal development and entertainment), then drop me a comment letting me know what you think. It would make my day. And yours too.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

A “how-to” video for your viewing pleasure:

How To…Eat a Banana:

Look, Up in the Sky! It's a Bird, a Plane, a Blog, a...Vlog?

I am one of those rare birds lucky enough to have both a blog and a vlog. Most everyone knows what a blog is: a shortened version of "web log." This is a site where people can post just about anything that interests them, and, hopefully, the masses. There are blogs about everything one can possibly imagine. Most are very entertaining. I enjoy visiting them, checking them out, seeing what's new and interesting. And though, originally, they were mostly just in the form of the written word, now quite a few blogs have branched off into other areas of communication. Like videos. Technology has made it a breeze to add vids right onto most blogs with simple cutting and pasting. Heck, even I can do it.

The other side of the coin is something close to my heart: vlogs. The name derives from Video Log, and just like blogs these sites can be about any topic that interests you. The major difference between blogs and vlogs is the amount of video. Take my site, livelife365.com, for example. My goal when I created this site was to offer a venue to share my information using a video format. And, save for a few bits of text here or there, I have been true to my vision. A visit to my site offers you tips on diet and nutrition, exercise and motivation, self-help and overcoming adversity. As well as entertaining and funny songs, videos, and rants. And all of them are in video form. You will not find a written piece, like this one, anywhere on the site. And that to me is a true vlog.

But a funny thing happened while I was promoting my site, visiting other sites, mostly blogs, networking with all of the wonderful people who make up the blogging community. I wanted to be one of them, join them. And not just as the new kid on the block with the vlog. I wanted to be part of their blogging community with my very own blog. An interesting self realization, coming from a guy who thought that video-driven sites were going to be the next big thing.

The fact is, I have come to understand that while video is here to stay and will eventually be everywhere, on every site, mark my words. The blog will never die. Just like newspapers. Books. Magazines. Because there were many who thought that any paper-based from of media would eventually dry up and blow away, never being able to compete with the convenience of an electronic media. Not the case. True, sales and subscriptions may be down, but I honestly believe that newspapers will never die. And neither will the blog. There is room in this here town for the both of us.

I want to take a moment to thank all of the great people with whom I have networked and met online while promoting livelife365.com. I feel lucky and blessed to be part of such a kind and giving community...even if I do have a vlog. But, now, also a blog.

So, read or watch, as long as you are doing all that you can to make each day count, living your life every day and every way. Until next time...

peace,
Mike

Welcome to livelife365!

Greetings,

My name is Mike Foster. I am the creator of livelife365.com, a video-driven website dedicated to healthy living, self-development, and entertainment. Most of the information on my website is communicated using video...Manny just hit a two-run bomb to put the Red Sox on top, sorry for the segue. You see, I am a huge Red Sox fan, have been since, and this is really going to show my age, 1967. As I was saying, my website is all about videos, this blog offers me the opportunity to communicate using the written word. My aim is to entertain, offer helpful advice, and share information using both mediums. So, this is my first official blog entry, hope you enjoyed it (don't worry, they will get better). Please check back whenever you feel like it, and visit me on livelife365.com.

You never know, together we may just change your life.

peace,
Mike