Like a phoenix rising from the ashes…

How would the FEC define “blog”? Like every other website you visit, this site is serving content via HTTP protocol on port 80. As far as the guts of the site, Movable Type considers itself a “publishing platform” these days. Like Slate, this site has multiple authors, covers a variety of topics, and updates sporadically throughout the day. If the FEC wants to draw a line between the online world and print, I’d love to see a comparison between the traffic statistics of NYTimes.com and the circulation numbers of The New York Times print version. Then again, the difference between whether or not I’m allowed to discuss politics could be as simple as not using the word “blog” anymore. Semantic restrictions are meaningless when you’re a template change away from avoiding legal scrutiny.

Then again, I guess it’s all a moot point now that I’ve stopped being a blogger. As much as I miss the blogosphere, at least I’ve got some company. So far, Atrios, Americablog, Crooks & Liars, Sadly, No!, Swing State Project, Law Dork, Dispassionate Liberalism, Chaos Digest, The Political Forecast have all joined me in the exciting world of online publishing. Am I missing anyone?

Conservatives, feel free to ditch your blogs as well. It affects you guys too.

UPDATE : The list of former bloggers has grown to include DirtyGreek.org, The Poorman, Jesus’ General, Archy, TalkLeft, The Whiskey Bar Times, This Space For Rent (sorta), Balloon Juice (our first conservative!), Instapundit, Annatopia, Left in the West, Unconventional Wisdom, Daily Pundit, The Reality Base, Dr. Laniac…

(I’ll be updating this post throughout the day to include new additions to the world of online magazine publishing.)


posted by greg on June 30, 2005 @ 7:13 am

12 comments

  1. DirtyGreek.org is now also an ‘Online Magazine.’

    Can I get a Matt Drudge hat and start being called ‘Chief?’

    Comment by george — June 30, 2005 @ 9:29 am

  2. Question:

    If you are hosted at say blogspot.com, as atrios is, then doesn’t follow that calling yourself something other than a blog makes no real nor legal difference?

    I mean, I may call my page an online publication, but if I’m hosted at a “blogging” site then I’m still a blog.

    The talent show appears to be hosted on your own server, so I’d say you can legally play the “word” game… others I’m not so sure…

    Comment by sgo — June 30, 2005 @ 9:34 am

  3. If you are hosted at say blogspot.com, as atrios is, then doesn’t follow that calling yourself something other than a blog makes no real nor legal difference?

    If the FEC decides that the use of the word “blog” by the hosting company or publishing system provider is what separates my online magazine and Atrios’, then I’ll gladly help with him migrate his site from Blogspot to Typepad.

    Comment by greg — June 30, 2005 @ 9:53 am

  4. The Poorman has changed to an online magazine as well, with a very distinctive announcement.

    Comment by chris — June 30, 2005 @ 9:54 am

  5. Jesus’ General too,
    http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/

    Comment by Buffalo Gal — June 30, 2005 @ 9:54 am

  6. I want to join, too, but first I meed to know what we’re going to call ourselves: Magazinotopia? The magazinosphere? Left Magazinistan?

    http://johnmckay.blogspot.com/2005/06/archy-magazine-talent-show-started-it.html

    Comment by John McKay — June 30, 2005 @ 10:37 am

  7. If you are hosted at say blogspot.com, as atrios is, then doesn’t follow that calling yourself something other than a blog makes no real nor legal difference?

    Maybe we can get them to create Magazinespot powered by Magaziner.

    Comment by John McKay — June 30, 2005 @ 10:40 am

  8. i think billmon has returned to online journalism too

    Comment by almostinfamous — June 30, 2005 @ 12:09 pm

  9. The Death of Blogging

    Greg is a genius: Atrios asks some good questions about the FEC’s proposed regulations on bloggers : Why is somebody who prints up and mails out weekly vanity newsletter entitled to the media exemption but not me? Why is Michael…

    Trackback by This Space For Rent — June 30, 2005 @ 12:22 pm

  10. I saw your article last night and discovered that Dr. Laniac’s Laboratory was already an on-line magazine.

    http://www.drlaniac.com/articles/view.asp?file=BlogIsDeadLongLiveTheBlog.htm

    See, I’m publishing articles.

    Comment by DrLaniac — June 30, 2005 @ 3:51 pm

  11. Awesome site. Whatever you call what you’re doing, keep it up.

    D

    Comment by donttipthewaiter — July 2, 2005 @ 7:23 pm

  12. Carol Darr Embarrasses IPDI in Press

    Yesterday, I wrote about Carol Darr. Really, how could I not with Darr being the guest of honor at the first ever online magazine celebration (now a blogosphere magosphere holiday). Now the George Washington University scandal has hit the newspapers wi…

    Trackback by Swing State Project — July 14, 2005 @ 2:29 pm

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