People:
1. How did you find out about/why did you become of estrip?
Shawn Rider and the DMS community at UB, I had stumbled on the site prior to that but never signed up for an account.
2. How "out" are you about having a publicly accessible online journal. Do your friends know? Does your family know? Do your co-workers know? Does your boss know? Do you use your real name? Do you use your real photo?
I don't write or use anything I don't want to be public. Don't use my real name. My journal will be more public soon because I have set up a basic API and will give it a simple address.
3. How many epeeps have you met real life? 4-5, most at the Geek Meet or UB
4. How has estrip changed the way that you meet people, on and/or off line?
Not much, sometimes I am more social on the site, but I don't use it to meet people outside.
5. How has estrip affected you love life?
None.
6. How many of your friends have joined estrip because of your influence?
None yet, though I have tried.
7. Are you from Buffalo/do you live in Buffalo?
Sure do, yes to both questions.
Equipment:
1. What type of hardware or software purchases have you made as a result of using estrip?
none
2. Have you used the mobile version of estrip? Why or why not?
No, seems very cool but I have no phone. Like the idea of posting from Concerts or news events.
Lifestyle:
1. In what way has estrip changed your Internet surfings habits? Describe the amount of time you spend on estrip, when you use it and about how long?
Depends on the week, at first I was on
(e:strip) about 2-3 hours per day, now it depends on whether I am having a discussion on the site.
1a. How many journals do you usually read per day?
I don't check the site every day anymore, I did for the first 3-4 months. Now I check probably twice a week. Average, I'll read 4-6 different user's journals.
2. In what ways has estrip changed the way you perceive your local community?
It allows me to see a range of perspectives from people who live differently than I do, I understand more facets of my community. I might not be able to find such a variety of perspectives otherwise.
3. How has journaling about your life affected the way you spend your free time?
Well, having a journal that people can easily read and respond to, has kind of filled the role of my old paper journal. Much of that had gotten political, rather than too personal to share. And I always wanted to publish some of my journals someday,
(e:strip) provides a great audience.
4. Has estrip changed your living situation in any way?
Nope.
5. Do you find that you mediate/document more of your experiences now that you share them with others?
Sometimes. Most of my pieces are opinion rather than personal stories. I find that my personal stories tend to be expressed and remembered through pictures, now that I think about it. I like to have my camera around when I do fun stuff that I might like to remember, concerts, hiking, traveling, etc. interesting, never thought about that. But I think I do write more about politics than I would without an account on a welcoming and functionally thoughtful site like
(e:strip).
6. Has publishing on estrip affected the way that write?
I haven't particularly noticed, but I do generally pay attention to my audience. I actually have gotten to be a little less picky about my writing, but I don't know the cause of that really, maybe just laziness.
7. Do you have other online journals? If so, with what service and has estrip affected your usage of that journal?
Blogger, I just use that for news articles, not my own writings.
WNY Media, I use that just for longer more important articles that I write, though I usually post them on
(e:strip) too, or they start on
(e:strip) and turn into longer pieces as I do research.
Myspace, never really used it, just played with the interface.
Flickr, I should post more pictures on
(e:strip) but I don't.
8. Have you ever gotten in trouble for using estrip at work?
Almost, I've definitely posted from work.
9. If you have stopped using estrip, why?
Decreased now just because I'm busier.
facilitator. She will be around Ache most of the time, where they had the tsunami. She is doing well, I got a couple updates from her. She's been gone about 2 weeks. I got her a 1 gigabyte memory card for her camera before she went, that will take about 700-1000 pictures, so I will get a pretty full tour when she gets home. They're not high tech so she can't e-mail any pictures to me now.
jenks, thats so funny! This has all turned into quite a dialogue eh? Thats good.
Speaking of Local stores that is really what downtown needs. It is great that there are lofts and all kinds of apartments and people moving downtown. But What would really help the city is if those people had local places to shop for clothes and food and other needed items. It would be nice to see that happen soon.
when i first moved here i was looking for a hardware store- and ended up at the allen street hardware store cafe. oops! haha.
Great points everyone.
I tend to walk to get most of what I need, that's why I like living in the city near a commercial district, not that I mind driving, but it's just a more enjoyable lifestyle. I shop at a 24 hour Walgreen’s, Latinas, Ambrosia, and Cafe 59. I have to drive to Aldi to get most of my food. but I am definitely boycotting Wal-Mart.
I'd like to see more local businesses because they seem to enrich my environment more than big all inclusive shopping centers that are surrounded by fields of asphalt. it's just my preference, but I really hate the wide Sprawlways, long traffic lights, and huge parking lots where the infrastructure is Only set up for cars, not people. so I shop locally.
and FYI, there are some good hardware stores and such at Grant and Ferry if you don't feel like venturing to the burbs for stuff.
I admit Target is a great store Movies, DVDs, CD's, clothes, house stuff, food and you get my point they sell a lot of stuff. It is nice to try to go to local places but often you really can't. In my hood I know of no local electronic stores, drug stores, sneaker place etc. I try to get my CD's at New World when I can. But quality and ones personal taste is verry important also. Some people like cafe' Aroma, some like spot, some prefer starbucks, or even solid grounds (why did i get that stair like no body has ever heard of it). If one has a choice of big corporate or local it is better to go with local. But I don't think I have ever seen a mall with all local stores. Convience is a big factor when buy things wich is why places like target are verry sucessfull.
First off I want to go on record as saying of course I support local business and would rather have them get my dollar than a big mega-chain.
That said, I will admit that I love Target. It's not so much about the price, as the convenience. If I need fish food, socks, paper towels, a plunger, and milk- I could go to five stores, or I could go to Target/Walmart.
Sure in a perfect world I'd drive my emissions-free vehicle, or better yet ride my bike/walk, to five mom and pop stores and stop and chat and ask about the kids and get warm fuzzies... But that's just not always feasible. Don't get me wrong, I wish it were, but it just isn't always.
(e:leetee) and I try to shop at small, local, mom and pop stores as much as possible even if it means paying a bit more.
I have been trying to be more aware of where I spend my money. hey its not that hard when you dont have any! We are lucky in Buffalo to have some great local stores. Some of my favorites are (e:petsupplies), Chef's Deli, Guercio's and Talking Leaves.