Yesterday's post was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it's a real concern of mine. I can say the right things, I can answer the naysayers, I can champion the grannies, but my words won't be worth much if no one reads them.

So how's it going so far? Well, I launched with an email to 33 people, most of whom I met in Sanibel. I got a very nice mention in Shelley Power's blog. I've had a half-dozen supportive emails. Otherwise, no blog comments, or trackbacks, or website links as yet.

The stats show that readership is slowly increasing. I'm getting 100 human visits a day, which means I'm retaining readers, or somehow word is spreading. The keyword stats show these aren't accidental hits, with one exception being the person who typed "finding someone to teach me how to do digital photos on internet", which cracks me up.

It's strange to be able to measure all this. In time, I'm sure our common-sense notion of reputation and influence will become less vague and more measurable. Techniques that were once the exclusive tools of market researchers will become more familiar to everyone.

I know this and the last post seem a bit self-obsessed. There's something egotistical about the very idea of speaking my mind publicly like this. I mean, who am I? Why should anyone care what I have to say?

But I'll write anyway, because I believe there's room for another voice for change in this community, because I care about things, and writing's a way to show my support. Most of all though, I'm writing this because I've been driving my wife crazy with all this talk, and she needs a break. :)

So if you're reading this blog, and you like something I write, let me know by posting a comment or linking to this site. Writing out to the world without response can get old real quick. I'm here for the long haul, but it'll help me to hear from you.