I started this as something I was going to toss in the promo section but after typing for 5 minutes, I realised it needed it's own post.
If memory serves me correct, FTW is coming up on it's first birthday (it's June I think maybe). Seems like so long ago when I look back, but it's been well worth it.
Just like any good Space Marine Chapter, the origins of FTW are shrouded in mystery and controversy. I consider myself very fortunate to have FTW where it's at now. I owe the success of this blog to every member of the FTW Blogger Group, every person who has commented and every person who has submitted something or emailed me with their thoughts.
I couldn't possibly begin to thank everyone else who has had a hand in helping me.
I originally started out just wanting to share the 40k stuff that I was doing. As I got back into the hobby and blogging more and more, FTW grew. Then it reached it's breaking point, too much too fast I suppose. But out of the ashes rose a new, better FTW.
It's been a struggle. I won't lie when I tell you that it's been hard to keep FTW on track some times. When I started the FTW Blogger Group, I said the purpose was this:
The FtW Blogger Group is a group of bloggers who share the same idea of promoting Warhammer 40k and the hobby through our individual 40k blogs.
This is true today, just as it was on the first day. As FTW continues to grow, I am constantly working to keep it on track with it's original purpose. I've made some changes recently and I wanted to let you guys know what's going on.
Things Added:
+ I've added a Recent Comments section for readers to follow what's getting talked about. It's one more way for readers to see what going on at a glance.
+ I also added a Followers widget again as a small way of saying thanks to those readers who follow FTW.
+ Collaborative Posts. These are going to continue and become a bigger part of FTW. I think these make great resources for anyone looking for information on a topic. The amount of expertise in the FTW Blogger Group is amazing.
Things Removed:
+ This has been the hard part. The focus of FTW is to promote the hobby and others blogs. As individual bloggers, we all have certain things we cover and certain things we don't.
+ The Battle Reports and Editorial articles have been taken down. Most of what the members of the FTW Blogger Group cover is modeling and painting and this is where FTW really shines I believe. In collecting those type of articles from members and networking it all together for all readers.
It's hard not to want to collect all kinds of things and have a little bit of everything to check out but I think staying focused on certain things will only help FTW in the long run.
I have to remind myself that there are many other blogs and sites out there that cover those things much better than I possibly could hope to.
Goals:
+ To improve the FTW site so that's it's easier to read and access information.
+ To focus FTW as a "jumping point" or portal for 40k blogs.
+ To continue to promote members contributions to FTW and their respective blogs above and beyond the FTW Blogroll.
+ To continue to collect the wisdom of the members of the FTW Blogger Group in things like Collaborative Posts and other ways.
+ To show you guys some of the modeling and painting work I'm doing.
It looks like it's going to be another great year for FTW. I just want to thank everyone who has been involved so far and hope that next year we can make FTW even better.
Thanks folks!
UPDATE: This post is fairly old and FTW has since experienced a number of changes. Sometimes it's nice to look back at where you came from and where you're going.
If memory serves me correct, FTW is coming up on it's first birthday (it's June I think maybe). Seems like so long ago when I look back, but it's been well worth it.
Just like any good Space Marine Chapter, the origins of FTW are shrouded in mystery and controversy. I consider myself very fortunate to have FTW where it's at now. I owe the success of this blog to every member of the FTW Blogger Group, every person who has commented and every person who has submitted something or emailed me with their thoughts.
I couldn't possibly begin to thank everyone else who has had a hand in helping me.
I originally started out just wanting to share the 40k stuff that I was doing. As I got back into the hobby and blogging more and more, FTW grew. Then it reached it's breaking point, too much too fast I suppose. But out of the ashes rose a new, better FTW.
It's been a struggle. I won't lie when I tell you that it's been hard to keep FTW on track some times. When I started the FTW Blogger Group, I said the purpose was this:
The FtW Blogger Group is a group of bloggers who share the same idea of promoting Warhammer 40k and the hobby through our individual 40k blogs.
This is true today, just as it was on the first day. As FTW continues to grow, I am constantly working to keep it on track with it's original purpose. I've made some changes recently and I wanted to let you guys know what's going on.
Things Added:
+ I've added a Recent Comments section for readers to follow what's getting talked about. It's one more way for readers to see what going on at a glance.
+ I also added a Followers widget again as a small way of saying thanks to those readers who follow FTW.
+ Collaborative Posts. These are going to continue and become a bigger part of FTW. I think these make great resources for anyone looking for information on a topic. The amount of expertise in the FTW Blogger Group is amazing.
Things Removed:
+ This has been the hard part. The focus of FTW is to promote the hobby and others blogs. As individual bloggers, we all have certain things we cover and certain things we don't.
+ The Battle Reports and Editorial articles have been taken down. Most of what the members of the FTW Blogger Group cover is modeling and painting and this is where FTW really shines I believe. In collecting those type of articles from members and networking it all together for all readers.
It's hard not to want to collect all kinds of things and have a little bit of everything to check out but I think staying focused on certain things will only help FTW in the long run.
I have to remind myself that there are many other blogs and sites out there that cover those things much better than I possibly could hope to.
Goals:
+ To improve the FTW site so that's it's easier to read and access information.
+ To focus FTW as a "jumping point" or portal for 40k blogs.
+ To continue to promote members contributions to FTW and their respective blogs above and beyond the FTW Blogroll.
+ To continue to collect the wisdom of the members of the FTW Blogger Group in things like Collaborative Posts and other ways.
+ To show you guys some of the modeling and painting work I'm doing.
It looks like it's going to be another great year for FTW. I just want to thank everyone who has been involved so far and hope that next year we can make FTW even better.
Thanks folks!
UPDATE: This post is fairly old and FTW has since experienced a number of changes. Sometimes it's nice to look back at where you came from and where you're going.