First, a little history. Then news of change.
When I started this blog with regular updates in late 1999, it was billed as the “The Final Days, a Newsroom Diary”, an inside look at the closing, and later the survival, of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. It was set up as part of the free web space provided by our home Internet provider, Oceanic Cable’s Roadrunner.
By early 2001, I was close to exceeding the 5 MB of RR storage, and my time in the Star-Bulletin newsroom was over. As a result, I selected a new hosting service and registered the domain name “iLind”, which I thought would be an easy thing to remember as the iMac, iPod, and other “i” things gained a foothold in popular consumer culture.
In practice, it hasn’t really translated well. I say “iLind” and people hear “island”. Even when I spell it out slowly, i-l-i-n-d, people hear “island”. Sometimes “islind”. And, as iLind.net appeared in various blog rolls, the name doesn’t really signal much to prospective new readers.
So I’ve decided to bring back “Hawaii Monitor”, which was the name of the political newsletter I published between 1990 and 1993. It was an experiment and a relatively successful one.
Starting some time next week, I’ll start merging the Hawaii Monitor name with this site. Not a lot else will change. “iLind” won’t be going away, the URL won’t be changing, and you don’t need to change your bookmarks. On the other hand, HawaiiMonitor.com will also bring you directly to this site as well. Actually, that part is already happening. Try it and you’ll see.
Hopefully, over time, “Hawaii Monitor” will signal more about the content readers can expect than “iLind” has over the past 10 years.
And when I tell someone how to find the site, I won’t have to worry that they will hear “island”.
And now, Friday’s Felines, beginning with Mr. Silverman.
He now spends the nights in a small guest room downstairs next to our laundry room, and when I walked in one morning earlier this week, there he was, soft morning light coming through the curtain from the window behind him, and it was just a lovely little still life. Luckily, I was carrying a camera and got the shot.
So please click on Silverman’s photo for another round of Feline Friday.
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How about using Hawaii Monitor for news and politics only? The name sounds a lot more like a news site.
I’m glad Damon Tucker seems easy enough.
I liked the way I was able to grab “FBIBlogs.com” for Big Island blogs.
That’s real easy to remember.
So on “Blogrolls” would you prefer we use your name Ian Lind… Or would you prefer Hawaii Monitor?
Damon’s way ahead of me on this transition.
I’ve said that I’m going to make the change, but I’m feeling wishy-washy about it.
The problem with “iLind” is that it’s realy an inside joke.
Someone seeking the name would have no reason to click through to the site unless they’re just on a curiosity-driven free form web walkabout.
So I’m looking for a name that conveys more than that and that captures some of what readers come to this site for.
I’m guessing that awsomesunrisescatsdogspoliticsmediaandmore.com is unworkable.
I once reserved roninreporter.com. I can’t help liking the image of the roaming samurai who no longer has a master, and a reporter unbundled from corporate media.
It still appeals, but I don’t know if it would work.
Maybe I really should be offering a “name that site” contest instead of plunging ahead under the “Hawaii Monitor” banner.
Angst is the word of the day.
ilind…island… It’s a tasty pun, so naturally there is some confusion.
Michael
Ok… well let us know how you would like those that link to your blog via our blogrolls to transition over.
Not much work for us to transition blogroll links… but would like to give credit where you would like it to go to and at least give it the name that you want.
If I had my choice… I’d just call it:
“Hawaii’s Best Blogger”
I agree with Aaron. iLind.net would be a great “personal” site.