Orble Bloggers Unite! MetaFilter.Com Asks Whether Orble is Legit
May 22nd 2007 22:58
While browsing the Web today, I happened across a discussion on MetaFilter.Com which questioned the legitimacy of Orble.Com as a blog hosting site. (Why not pop in over there and have a look?)
I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to set the record straight. However, when I attempted to sign up in order to leave my comments on that particular thread, I was informed that, due to the costs involved in keeping up the site, there would be a $5 fee to join.
Now, I am by no means cheap. In fact, most people who know me would say I'm quite the opposite. But, somehow it just didn't seem right to be required to pay for the privilege of simply leaving a comment. I therefore decided to send a message to the administrators of the site, via their "Contact Us" link, instead. In it, I addressed some of the specific points brought up in the discussion (originally posted sometime in March).
I thought it only fair to put in a good word for Orble. After all, I've had a great experience blogging at Orble.Com, and its gotten even better since they've given me my own domain (almost a week ago). I have no idea what will come of it. Perhaps they'll simply ignore me, since I didn't pay the signup fee. Perhaps they'll respond. This is something that only time will tell. But I do know one thing: They'd have a lot more trouble ignoring all of us--don't ya think?
'Nuff said!
Jeanne
I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to set the record straight. However, when I attempted to sign up in order to leave my comments on that particular thread, I was informed that, due to the costs involved in keeping up the site, there would be a $5 fee to join.
Now, I am by no means cheap. In fact, most people who know me would say I'm quite the opposite. But, somehow it just didn't seem right to be required to pay for the privilege of simply leaving a comment. I therefore decided to send a message to the administrators of the site, via their "Contact Us" link, instead. In it, I addressed some of the specific points brought up in the discussion (originally posted sometime in March).
I thought it only fair to put in a good word for Orble. After all, I've had a great experience blogging at Orble.Com, and its gotten even better since they've given me my own domain (almost a week ago). I have no idea what will come of it. Perhaps they'll simply ignore me, since I didn't pay the signup fee. Perhaps they'll respond. This is something that only time will tell. But I do know one thing: They'd have a lot more trouble ignoring all of us--don't ya think?
'Nuff said!
Jeanne
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Comment by David
People who want to make money out of other people's talents? ... They cover themselves ... legalistically, in rhetoric, jargon and semantics ... (Refer to the bolded and highlighted text which is Orble's)...
"If you are able to write consistently over a 2 week period and your posts attract some comments and votes we would then be happy to place your blog on a separate domain name and pay you a commission on any revenue your blog generates. At that time you would also be automatically considered for the weekly blogging "scholarship" which offers $40 pw for the first 8 weeks as your new blog is establishing itself."
If you really read that ... like I mean really read the bolded and highlighted text ... ? ... what Orble are saying is they will consider paying you a 'scholarship' ... It doesn't say they'll really pay anyone a scholarship or that the scholarships even exist or that one has ever been paid ....
It pays (intellectually) to read the fine print or read between the lines ... or just read the text itself ...
Orble have set up a great site for writers to interact ... but as to paying writers by advertising on Seek? ... It always pays for writers to read every word ...
If Orble pay anyone a scholarship? How come they don't release the information? How come they don't brag about their 'scholarships' like they do about their increasing reader base? ...
Call me a sceptic. Call me a cynic. I call myself a realist. And the day Orble release the details of one person on Orble who has received a 'scholarship' I'll believe them ... but until then? I'll keep my views to myself ...
Scholarships??? ... Why choose the word scholarship:? ... Why not just write plain simple English? ...
I think I've made my point ...
David ...
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Any other Orble bloggers ever actually receive one of these scholarships? Let the rest of us know!
Thanks!
Jeanne
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I can't remember whose post it was (it was a few months ago now) but there were A LOT of comments by bloggers saying that they found out about Orble through Seek and the possibility of being paid $40. Not one person that left a comment said that they were one of the lucky recipients.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for that info! I have read about this blogging scholarship right here at Orble, though. But now that they are revamping the site, I'm no longer finding any mention of it. Perhaps it's an outdated offer from back when Orble was just starting out? Still, it would be good to know that someone has actually received the scholarship in the past.
Take care!
Jeanne
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is a great topic to discuss. I was just thinking the other day about the $40 a week 'promise' that encouraged me to join Orble.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the interaction, the Orbleness and the fact that I have a blog where someone else looks after such all the technical stuff and I don't have to pay for it...but I am bothered by that advert (when I think of it).
I wonder if anyone gets that 'scholarship'.....it seems to me that they could've just said the truth so that people are less likely to be disappointed, ie that you earn commission only....that would be better...but I suppose they might not get as many participants and it is a business after all. None of this is said with malice towards Orble, rather I'm more perplexed and slightly bothered (but only when I think about it like I said).
Ah well, nighty night,
Tracy
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for your input! This is becoming a very interesting question! I think I'll reserve judgment until I see what other responses this post receives. I do admit, though, that I, too, am wondering whether anyone has ever gotten one of these blogging scholarships.
I'm all for Orble. I think it's a great place to blog and, while I'd certainly prefer to receive all the revenue from my Google Adsense ads, it would be unrealistic to expect Orble to host our blogs if they didn't make some money out of the deal. After all, they are a business, not a charity. Last time I checked, businesses were supposed to make a profit.
But, I still do find the scholarship question a fascinating one.
Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne
Anyone else have any comments on this topic?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Tracy
Comment by Damo
Personally I only write to practice my skills.
However I would like to see the figure of how many scholarships have been handed out and how many hits they have had.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I'd like to see that figure, as well! But, for now, I'm hoping someone--or more than one "someone"--who has actually been awarded one of these scholarships will come forward and let the rest of us Orbleites know about it!
Thanks for the info on the original scholarship amount! I wasn't aware that it had been twice as much previously.
Appreciate your input!
Jeanne
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I found the MetaFilter thread fascinating!
Jeanne