New Blog on the block
From July 1- August 1 I am participating in Blogging Idol. A competition set up by Daniel Scocco that pits bloggers against each other to see who can gain the most subscribers. Here’s a look at some other new blogs which have sprung up over the past year, and which I will be competing against for the crown.
I make no apologies that these blogs focus on internet topics, such as design, development and optimisation for websites. This is, after all, the arena in which I work.
Blogging and internet marketing
This is by far the most popular topic covered by bloggers. “Learn from your experience” translates well into a vibrant blog which documents the owners own learning curve. This is an approach I have taken myself.
The University Kid
Topics covered: blogging and internet marketing
Established in 2007 this blog has taken off, thanks to dedication of blogger Jason Pereira. It contains lots of very practical information unlike many high level marketing concepts touted on similar blogs.
I’m Blogging That
Topics covered: blogging
Setup in 2006 this topic-focussed blog has a nice clean design, and some great posts full of examples. If you’re a blogger yourself it has plenty of great advice.
Catch the posts
Topics covered: blogging, internet marketing and web development
Started in January 2008 this is another crisp blog design with some great content on blogging, and internet marketing techniques. I like seeing what stock images are used to illustrate each article, these definitely boost the entire site dynamic.
Blogote
Topics covered: internet, technology, blogging
A growing resource for information, including some tips on creating wordpress themes using Artiseer, and how to watermark your images.
Rajaie Talks
Simple tips to make the most of your blogging experience. It includes some honest reviews of personal blogging experience and some great help on how to drive more traffic to your blog.
Mr Javo
Topics covered: internet, blogging tips
This tone has a friendly feel, from the caricature of Mr Bravo, to the helpful “Blogging for beginners”, it guides you through all you need to know to create your blog and make it a success.
Teen Blogger
Another young blogger, this blog proves that wisdom has nothing to do with years. This blogger occupies the common ground of how to make money online, and proves that determination and passion will get you far.
Ward on the web
Topics covered: internet marketing and SEO
Some great insights. The latest article includes some revealing stats which show that the trends in browser preference, with combined users of internet explorer, tending downward, compared to an increasing use of Mozilla browsers. This blog contains some really valuable insights and some really thoughtful analysis.
Techno diary
Topics covering: Internet marketing and SEO
With a strong focus on search engine optimisation, this blog answers all the questions you had about Google, including those you never knew you had!
Technology
Crenk
Topics covered: web apps, mobile apps and reviews
Founded in 2007, this is a webBlog dedicated to reviewing some of the newest and best web and mobile apps on the web. With three contributors each bringing different disciplines and experiences this blog has a tone of authority. One article I found helpful was a review of picapp, which is another take at stock photography, but targeted at bloggers.
TechnoWorld
Topics covered: general computers and technology
The technology area is one that is well-covered by blogs. Established this year, TechnoBlog already has a rich collection of articles. Covering topics from Google and SEO through to Baraha, a word-processing software for writing Hindi. There is certainly lots to explore!
Web development
Ledger pad
The simple, bold and engaging design draws you in. The content is mostly about front-end coding; jquery articles dominate. English can sometimes be a bit sketchy, but as the articles are about coding this is not such a big issue.
Web dev lounge
This blogs covers all the things that are my bread and butter. With article titles from “9 reasons why people love lists” to “Tables friend or foe”. This is the sort of content that a savvy web designer or a front-end developer needs to be familiar with.
Roshan’s blog
Topics covered: PHP, Ajax, JavaScript, Web 2.0 and Web development
Contains practical advice on how to incorporate PHP and JavaScript into your web page coding. If you are a web designer or developer still fighting against the tide of dynamic pages, you might want to implement some o these methods.
Miscellaneous
I find a lot of personal blogs can become too personal, but here’s a selection that made me smile. They also prove the Seinfeld effect: that sometimes a show about nothing can be better than anything else. So here are some blogs that celebrate the farcical events in everyday.
Absolutely Bananas
Personal blog of Jen, a woman who loves her family, and loves photoshopping her head onto things. She’s even written an article about it, titled “5 reasons why EVERYONE should know how to Photoshop their head onto someone elseâ??s body”.
Apocalypse picture book
From he sublime to the ridiculous, this blog certainly satisfies the latter. Starting from “A” and now up to “F” this blog goes through the A-Z of apocalypse. In it’s about page this site states that “Apocalypse Picture Book is a collective vision of the Apocalypse written in the style of a childrenâ??s book. We are systematically working Our way through the alphabet, and bringing together all of the pieces of the puzzle that could lead to Our demise. Best of all, Weâ??re doing it with some very cute pictures.” I’m not quite sure what this site aims to accomplish, but it is certainly intriguing.
Learning Nerd
Ever envied your child’s ability to pick up new skills, each day. Well this blogger, Liz, is on a mission to learn everything. From programming to art, this blog provides a daily energy boost for your brain. Like a health shot only tastier.
Graphic and web design
Inspiredology
Topics covered: Inspiration
This blog showcases lots of great graphic design, it has some great collections of images. Somewhere to go when your brain gets stuck in a rutt.
Elite by design
A great source of inspiration. The dark design provides a great backdrop to showcase some stunning designs from around the web.
Work environment
Work happy now
A beautifully designed blog that has tips about how to achieve satisfaction and happiness in the workplace - whatever that workplace may be. Sometimes we get so focussed in the activity that we forget what it is about our work that brings us the greatest sense of achievement. This blog helps us take a more philosophical approach to our work.
Comments
Katy Castro Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01 15 pm
Thanks for the inclusion and nice comments about my blog.
Rockstar Sid Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 02 09 pm
Excellent list their.. I subscribed to your list.. I hope u win :D
Brian Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 02 09 pm
Wow, what an honor to be featured on this post - Elite By Design. Thanks so much! Best of luck in Blogging Idol and with the future of your blog. Email me anytime if you wanna chat.
Rajaie AlKorani Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 02 18 pm
Currently read a few of the listed blogs above 
Thank you for mentioning my blog on your list, good luck with blogging idol!
Roshan Bhattarai Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 02 30 pm
Goo list….Thanks for mentioning my blog here….All the best for blogging idol dude…
Siddharth Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 03 52 pm
good list 
thx for including my blog here
TechnoDiary Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05 11 pm
Thanks for listing me. I checked few other blogs and they are really good. I think most of them will make it to my RSS reader.
~Sahil
Jason Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05 30 pm
Thanks for including me in the list, and for the email letting me know about it too (my WP incoming links aren’t working, so wouldn’t have known :razz: )
Looks a decent list, know of some, have never heard of others - will check out a few of the ones I hadn’t know before
Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11 10 pm
I’m a little late, but better to be a little late then never show up. I really appreciate the kind comments about my blog. I’ve been steadily improving over these past five months and I’m seeing some nice growth.
I really like the look and feel of your blog. It’s simple and easy to navigate. I’ll be back. I’ve subscribed to your RSS.
Good luck with Idol!
Craig Farrall Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11 20 pm
Damnn, I didn’t make the list, well considering its new I kind of didn’t expect to be there, but hopefully one day I can make the list
Great post, love the website to by the way, keep it up. Hope you can check out my blog and give me some feedback.
Stephen Ward Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11 23 pm
Thanks for including me in your list, Felicity.
Crystal Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 05 30 am
Thank You for adding Me to the list, and for checking Me out!
Dan Cole Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 05 48 am
It can sometime be hard to find blogs that have a topic that I like. Hopefully some of the blogs on this list keep up the good work.
LearningNerd Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 12 57 am
Hey, thanks for checking out my site and inculding me here! I hadn’t even managed to visit every blog on the Blogging Idol list yet, so I didn’t know about some of these gems. Good luck in the contest!
Winning Startups Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 06 02 am
What? no winningstartups.com?
Tom - StandOutBlogger.com Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 06 18 am
Didn’t make the list :(
But I notice some of the blogs I visit daily are there. Great List!