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I used to build the Database Weekly newsletter and write the editorial every week. It was a chore, and it’s a grind. I have to go through hundreds of blog entries and news feeds, pick up the 40 or 50 ones that I think DBAs are interested in, and load them into our publishing system. They appear on the Database Weekly site as well.
It’s a grind, and last year I was able to convince my boss that it would be good for others to understand the process, and practice as well. As a result there are 4 or 5 of us that take turns building the newsletter. However it’s not even and I end up doing every other one, or close to it.
So it’s my week again this week. I skipped last week, and was glad, but this week I’m dreading it. It feels like a grind, especially with a bunch of other stuff to do this week. Just thinking about what the RSS reader looks makes me want to just skip it and claim no news this week!
It’s not always like that. I learn a lot from going through things, keep in touch with the pulse of what others are blogging about, and I find interesting things to write about. It’s actually a good exercise, and many weeks I look forward to seeing what it brings.
Just not this week.
Posted by Jason Brimhall on 23 February 2010
Not fun at all when something useful becomes a grind. Maybe you and your boss can open it up to some of the more reliable and notable figures throughout the community. Just a thought.
Posted by Wesley Brown on 23 February 2010
Like my old man would say "You seem to have work confused with fun"
Posted by Steve Jones on 23 February 2010
It is fun sometimes.
It took awhile for a few others to understand DBW. Not sure that it would be easy to spread to other users in the community. There's also the issue of having them do it often enough for the compensation to matter, and for them to be dependable, and for them to remember how to do it.
Posted by dwentzel on 24 February 2010
What is the "compensation" you mention? If compensation=money, you're right. However, I wouldn't mind helping simply b/c I appreciate your content, find it invaluable, and believe in volunteering for worthy causes. I'm sure others would agree. If you ever decide to branch out I'd be willing to help.
Posted by Steve Jones on 24 February 2010
Thanks for the offer. If we decide to solicit help, I'll let you know. What I'd rather do is allow people to submit links which we'd approve