If you are part of the Japan-blogging scene then it can be a good idea to get involved with other like-minded people. Creating a network of friends and aquaitences not only helps you drive traffic to your site via exchanging links, but also gives you a support network when you need help or things go wrong.
We have recently been hosting online ‘conferences’ on the fabulous “Edufire” teaching platform for any J-bloggers who find it. They’re quite a lot of fun and it also leads you to new people and new blogs. Typically a lot of chat happens, people get on microphones and webcams and talk about blogging. A presentation is made on a blogging topic by the current host.
Michael (the Gakuranman) of gakuranman.com took the reins on the most recent conference. The J-blogger conference #3 was on ‘Blog security’, and featured a talk from Michael with a presentation from Japan Soc’s Nick Ramsey.
Much of the presentation went over things that hide in plain sight if you will. Things you should do to keep your blog safe and secure, but that many people forget to do. Some of the pointers included:
-Fixing security holes by updating blogging software/platforms and plugins
-Changing passwords for different things and making sure passwords are secure by using a number of letters, capital letters and numbers
-Deleting or updating old blogs you may not use anymore to keep you passwords or details away from some hacker’s sweaty little hands
-Backing up not only your Wordpress entries, but also backing up all of your blog’s files via ftp
There was a lot of discussion from other topics as well. We talked about dealing with annoying or damaging comments, fighting spam, promoting yourself and your blog and colour schemes. Michael, myself, Buddy Lindsey from Dumb Otaku and Joseph Tame from The Daily Mumble were all on webcam, as well as Shane Sakata from the Nihon Sun on mic, giving pointers and chipping in with the discussions. The chat box was a flutter with links and questions and advice; it turned out to be an educational and very enjoyable evening.
Here’s list of blogs from people who attended, you might want to check them out favourite them or add them to a blogroll:
Dumb Otaku
Nihon Sun
The Daily Mumble
Gakuranman
CEN.TAKU.ME
The Ramen Blues
Nao or Never
Frugalista
Thanks everyone who helped out and thanks all those who came! Big thank you to Michael for hosting it in Nick’s absence, and Nick from preparing the presentation!
We discussed the possiblity of having the next conference about ‘blog branding’. If you feel like coming next time, check on edufire, or check back here or on twitter (@theramenblues for me, @gakuranman for Michael). Anyone is welcome, whether you have a blog, are going to have one or are just interested. Go to Edufire (create an account if you don’t have one already) and sign up for the class there.
Hope to see you all there next time!
Dave Smith is an illustrator with great interest in Japan and Japanese culture. Find out more about Dave at
I’m bummed out that I missed this one, guys. I’ll make sure to get my eduFire account’s ducks in a row beforehand next time so I’m not stuck looking bewildered at my failed logins. Sigh. Looks like it went well, though. That’s good.
(Quote)
WHAT! Koichi (The father of the conference) didn’t show…*disappointment*
I’m a J-blog stalker…I read pretty much all of your blogs…just fyi…conferences are great….
its great that there is a community out there that is making better blogs!
Thanks a bundle…visit my site if you so choose…but its lame and boring and could never compete with one of your blogs….even if i were in the same niche
ciao
(Quote)
@ kuroshirohaiiro
Koichi didn’t turn up, neither did Nick from Jsoc. Some didn’t turn up because they were at Tokyo Bar Camp the night before. Poor timing I guess. ( T . T )
(Quote)
I wasn’t there because I was in the middle of a move, and was drivvvvving. I need to get a laptop stand + satellite internet hooked up in my car
Will be at the next one, for sure though!
(Quote)
I’m looking forward to the next one! I almost couldn’t make it with 30 minutes to spare… I wanted to use my mic, I just didn’t have time to set it up, but I’ll be ready next time. ^^
( By the way, the URL for my blog (CEN.TAKU.ME) is incorrect. ^^; )
(Quote)
Sorry about that! I’ve changed the link, should be working correctly now.
(Quote)
Apologies all for missing this. This was supposed to be my first delve into the conferences, but in the UK, it was held at 00:00 GMT on Sunday night and pre-work sleep was much needed. Will deffo be at the next one, even if it means pegs to keep my eyes open!
(Quote)
No worries. I’m in the UK too and I’m still feeling the misfortune of getting to bed at 3am and waking up at 8am. ^_^
Hope to see you at the next one though. We’ll try to battle for a more convenient time, say Friday or Saturday.
(Quote)
Actually, it was 12.00AM Saturday night/Sunday morning in the UK. ^^ We usually have to do it this way so as to allow most people from around the world to take part.
(Quote)
I would have liked to be there too, the time was alright for me in Brisbane, though the circumstances weren’t. Oh well, looking for to the next one.
(Quote)
Sorry I missed this one. I was at BarCamp the day before and did not get up in time. When’s the next one?
(Quote)
Yeah, a lot of people had been to BarCamp. Bad timing on our part, haha.
The next one? Not sure yet, probably in a month or so I think.
(Quote)
i was a few minutes late and was locked out like Deas, unfortunate, I really really really want to join in again
(Quote)
That really shouldn’t have happened! Edufire allows you to sign in late if you have registered in advance. I’ll ask the admins on edufire to look into it. For next time though, if you can’t get in, ping me on twitter and I’ll send you a direct link to enter the room
(Quote)