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How important to you is sharing online?
How important to you is sharing online?
| How important to you is sharing online? |
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| Written by Jessica Sprague | |||
| Monday, 20 April 2009 19:00 | |||
 So. The survey results are still coming in, THANK YOU for your terrific responses! Here's one tasty tidbit from the Statistics Department: 66% of you said you spend more than 10 hours a week online. Of that, 30% said you spend more than 20 hours online. YEAH HONEY. Work that keyboard! Obviously not all of that time is spent directly related to digital scrapbooking. Perhaps you play online games, or chat with friends and family, and we all spend time emailing, right? I actually do think that as digital (and hybrid) scrapbookers, we probably spend more time online than the average person, since our supplies are here, but I also suspect we might spend more time online because our communities are here, too. And I 'm wondering about that today - how important to you is sharing your work, your life, your hobby with others online? And related to this - how important is it to participate in the work, life, and hobby of others who scrapbook? {...} I really LOVE going through galleries to see the work that others have done. More than anything, this shows me how COOL this hobby is - that we can celebrate the big and little stories in our lives AND share those experiences with people all over the world who get it. I can point in my own life to my dear friend Liv, who I met right here at JessicaSprague.com. Liv is from the Philippines, and we are exactly 12 hours apart. So she's just waking up when I'm going to sleep, and vice versa (except she sleeps a LOT less than I do!). I would NEVER have just 'run into' Liv on the street, obviously. But our common hobby and our desire to share connected us almost immediately during a class here, and now, we chat almost every day. She has become a lifelong friend, and someone whose opinions, insights, courage, and optimism have changed my life forever. (I also got to meet her last year, and she is as fabulous in person as she is online!) I will say, that part of the reason this happened is because we were sharing. I think it takes some courage to put yourself out there online, to actively make yourself a part of a community, and become visible. But the reward in friendship and connectedness can be amazing. For me, there is so much power in knowing there are other people, however different they may be from us otherwise, who get what this scrapbooking thing is about. That it's partly about supplies (ahem), and partly about skills, and storytelling, and making beautiful things with your hands, and it's also about creativity, and remembering, and leaving a legacy. We find meaning in scrapbooking as an act of celebration, not only because it enriches us as we create, but we believe that what we're making will be valuable to other people, too. So, how important to you is sharing online? Whether that's pages, photos, stories, tutorials/hints/helps, message board posts, etc. Do you have a daily online routine that helps you keep a grasp on the industry? Why do you go where you go? Trackback(0)
Comments (28)
 
omgosh, jes, what a surprise (she says, picking herself up from the floor). i'm blushing all the way to my toes! you are the sweetest!
 how important to me is sharing online? it's so much a part of me that i almost think my passport would read, "identifying marks: forever found on the spraground" ROFL. i found one of my very best friends in the world right here! (ahem, that would be you, in case you were wondering). and along with you and jared, my spragsisters (and spragbros--scrappygary and earl!  ) are as much beloved family to me as these darlings that i hug in person everyday! why do i go where i go? i go here because it's home and i love being amongst family. i am always grateful for the opportunity to help in any little way that i can. and it always warms my heart to be able to share the lives and loves and amazing creativity of everyone here through their layouts and photographs and hearts and souls in our forums and galleries. i think that technology's biggest, most precious gift to mankind is the ability to reach across miles and time zones and connect with each other in deep and lasting friendships. i know that jessicasprague.com brought me many of the most precious gifts i treasure in my life!  1
April 21, 2009
I have found an amazing community on line. Being at home alone so much of the time, I find the Internet a good friend. The amazing thing about your site, Jessica, is not just what I have learned but what I have been able to share. I love the feed back on line and the encouragement. Also, as a result of sharing my pages with others in person, I have been able to get several of my friends to join in with many of your classes. What a delight to be able to share on line and at home. This scrapbook thing has certainly changed my life in many positive ways. Thank you.
2
April 21, 2009
I have never had a digital family before. I really like it. All the people I have interacted with through Jessica's site have become an integral part of my life now. I am of an older generation (I am 79 years old) and most of the physical people of my generation that I know are not that computer literate and/or have physical difficulties that make it hard for them to use a computer. My sister falls into this category. She is 10 years older than me and does not have good enough vision to see the elements on a computer screen very well. And, has limited motion in her hands and fingers. But, she still is able to use her laptop and create the things she needs to do. However, the internet is beyond her current capabilities. So we use the telephone and actually talk (sometimes for hours). Most of my friends are not too interested in the type of things that I do. Up to this time, my interaction with people in the things I like has been through my teaching classes and workshops in a classroom with real people. This has been a big joy to me. Now, in today's world, through Jessica's web site, I have entered a new place and have found you who have similar interests. I hope to share ideas with you for years to come. And, through the internet, I now can have conversations with someone anywhere in the world. What a thought! So, yes, sharing online is very important to me. I have been working with digital computers since 1952 (rooms filled with electron tubes). I was slightly involved in the beginnings of the Internet. Who knew that it would become what it is today? Life is really amazing! To keep abreast of what is happening in areas that interest me, I take a lot of online courses and am a member of sites such as lynda.com, NAPP, and others.
3
April 21, 2009
I've been a part of online communities since 2000 and to me the friendships that are formed are so very rewarding and very important. It's possible to meet people of all walk of life that you would never meet in any other way and I think that is a huge enrichment in my life. I get to see things from other perspectives than my own and that broadens my outlook on life. I also like that you can be yourself without being judged for how good you look, or how thin you are, or how cool your friends are.
I have several friends from online communities that are more dear to me than any of my real life friends so I know exactly what you mean when you talk about Liv (and yeah, I do feel the same way about her). 4
April 21, 2009
Online communities are great. A great way to get to know others from around the world. I use to live in Maryland. I had online friends that lived in Florida. Our family decided to move to Florida and we didn't know anyone and no family in Florida. I had my online friends from Florida. It was great for me because I felt like a had a slew of friends when moved. I got to meet my online friends in Florida in person. It is always great too when online friends meet up at retreats or luncheons etc.
I love to look at the gallerie before I begin scrapping for inspiration. I check my emails first and then go to my favorite sites skim through forums and check out a few blogs. Then off to do a little digital scrapping. Thanks for all you do, Kim 5
April 21, 2009
I also never had a digital family until I found one here. I have met some people here who I consider some of my closest friends and I have had the opportunity to meet them IRL. Not only do I get inspiration from them and answers to questions that are never considered stupid, I have also been able to turn to them when things get a little rough in my life. They just get me. I would never had gained the knowledge that I have now in Photoshop if I had not found this site and these people. So, how important is going online and "checking in" with my cyber friends, VERY!!!! So thanks to all my sweeties out there, you mean the world to me.
6
April 21, 2009
This is also my first real online community . . . I dabble over at Designer Digitals but find this closer to home for some reason.
 I've scrapbooked paper for 10+ years but just never felt the urge to be in an online community before this. Maybe it's because I don't have any pure digi friends IRL so I neeeeed to come find you! I have always been really techie and worked in technical fields, plus I have a journalism background, so alas, it fits I s'pose. But Jessica hit it right on the button when she said it takes some courage to get out there and announce yourself to the world. At least that's how it is for me. I still sort of fear sometimes that I don't "sounds" right or express my true self. I tend re-read things, hoping I haven't sounded rude! I started a blog a year ago, and that has been so fun. But I still have this inner fear of using my real last name or location anywhere so I just stick with my first name and middle initial + my favorite color (blue!). I tend to be really spooked about giving more info when I have pics of my kids all over my blog, scrapbook pages, etc. So I am not sure, maybe I have to get over that, too! hahaha! But I am loving it over here at the Spraground, and I only got involved a few months ago when I started photo editing. Now I can't stay away because YES, I think this is where people "get" me (glad somebody does!). You all get the techie-geeky side of me + my artsy side + my LOVE of cherishing memories and creating art and words about the people and things I love because you are that way too! I have scrapbooking friends IRL who are basically pure paper scrappers and they are dear, but they are not so obsessed (is that the right word? haha) as me. I live and breath all the tech/camera/computer info and I feel like I never stop thinking about making pages. Sometimes I wonder if I need to seek professional help . . . naw, I'll just come to the Spraground! HA! So, thank you everyone . . . for your warm welcomes, your cyber hugs, and your hearts like mine. (oh no, feelin' a bit weepy now!! haha) Oh, oh all this babble and I still didn't really answer the question. The only other places I go routinely are blogs of designers and some of you I've found that I just adore what you write and what you do. I never skip a day not visiting Ali Edwards blog (does anyone??) or Jess's or a few others. I read Scrapbook Update to keep up on the industry and other than that, I kind of bounce around. Sometimes there is just so much out there that I get overwhelmed and decide to sort my digi stash or---better yet---shut down the browser and make a page! hahahaha!  7
April 21, 2009
I am fortunate enough to have a friend that lives close to me that also scrapbooks digitally! Because of that, I haven't dived into the community of digital artists, but if I didn't have that, I'm certain that I would.
8
April 21, 2009
If it weren't for this online community, I probably would not have become a digital scrapper. Being able to share work, tips, photos and meeting friends all over the world is amazing. When I was just learning digiscrapping, my friends here kept me going and inspired with their encouragement and talent. When I look back,I've come a long way from those early days at the Spraground! Liv is so on-target when she says, "the most precious gift to mankind is the ability to reach across miles and time zones and connect with each other in deep and lasting friendships."
9
April 21, 2009
I don't have any friends or family nearby that scrapbook, so it is very important to me to be able to have an online place where I can upload my creations to share with them.
10
April 21, 2009
I started participating in the old AOL scrapbook boards some 10 years ago. When the board got a little um, shall we say, feisty, a group of us moved to a private board and over the years have become fast friends. It always amazes me when some one poo-poo's the value of internet friendship. I guess you just have to be there to understand the depth of a relationships one can forge while never having actually met the people IRL.
While scouring Ali Edwards blog a year ago last October, I discovered this site and took U@R. It didn't take me long to claim my swing. No drama found here. Just support and a lot of loving. So to answer why do I go where I go? I go to check up on my friends. To make new ones. To learn. To explore. To grow. Thanks Jess, and all of you really, for creating such a massively wonderful environment. 11
April 21, 2009
It was at JessicaSprague.com that I learned about the value of online communities . . . the sharing, encouraging, laughing, etc. I guess it was here that I found out that I could have REAL friendships online. Then, I ventured out into the bigger digi world and discovered that our community is filled with fun, loving, encouraging individuals who don't think that I'm weird because I spend all day on my computer . . . uh, 'cause they are there, too!
I've found a home at The Digichick. Partly because I design there, but mostly because I just LOVE those ladies and I know they love me. We are so open and honest and sincere in our friendships. And so very welcoming, too! I can't imagine not checking in with them at least 20 times a day!! 12
April 21, 2009
I am one of those people who have been in the background for quite awhile trying to screw up the courage to peek out and say something. I must admit, the first time I got a comment on one of my layouts I was so jazzed I could hardly stand it. Now I try and give positive feedback to others in the gallery so they can have that experience.
I don't know anyone in my geographical area who does digi scrapping so the internet interactions are vital to me maintaining my creativity and sense of belonging. I am a first class geek and have been playing computer since the mid 70s. I have caught the digi bug in a big way and love everything about it. I love cruising different blogs and digi scrap stores. I have my favorite designers and of course my favorite teachers, Jess, Liv, and Heidi. I appreciate the caring and sharing of the digi community. 13
April 21, 2009
10 years ago I was pregnant with my second child a SAHM and all my other mummy friends worked and I felt really isolated and alone. Enter the internet and a parenting site called Mother & Child and I found a group of online friends who I communicated with multiple times a day on all things parenting. That site is no longer in action but I still keep in contact with a mum I met there.
Life has been so much busier for me these days, and I dont interact on the forums here as much as I would like to, but I can honestly say the support and friendliness I encounter here at the sprageground, especially given I am not a regularly vocal member, is fantastic. There are some people who post here often, and I make it a point of checking on what they have been doing, and being inspired by their creativity and generosity in sharing their knowledge. I dont think the value of online communities should ever be underestimated. 14
April 21, 2009
I love your comments here - I think that connectedness to like-minded people is SO valuable! It's easy to feel isolated when you're by yourself in your office - or up late at night (more stats on that one coming soon!) working on pages, but sharing the experience with online friends helps tremendously!
15
April 21, 2009
I spend WAAAYYY too much time online. I visit lots of blogs regularly and am active on several message boards. It is truly amazing how welcoming, fun, supportive and just flat out FANTASTIC so many of the communities out there are! I have learned so much and have gotten so much inspiration from others - someone always knows about the newest trends and that helps me stay current with my scrapbooking, too. I have made several online friends that I've now met in person and our friendships are no less strong than IRL ones just because they started online.
16
April 21, 2009
Being a part of Jessica’s online “Spraground” is an invaluable part of my life! It was here where I first dared to chat & share online. It was here where I learned how to digiscrap and where I continue to learn. I remember how so many of us were hesitant, okay scared, to actually put our photos on our avatars. One by one we were brave enough to show our real faces and our friendships have grown deeper ever since! The support not only for our efforts in digi scrapping but for each other in our day to day living is amazing! I consider my friends here to be a vital part of my life! Having met several of them last summer just sealed the friendships even tighter.
My daily routine begins and ends with checking Jessica’s galleries & leaving some love as often as I can, perusing through the forums leaving comments and sharing in all the efforts put forth every day! I frequent other digi sites & blogs but no place feels like home as much as Jessica’s! My real friends are here, my real interests are here and my online hours are mostly spent here! The connections have enriched my life forever and the time and personal interest Jessica gives is like no other! Jared, Liv and Molly are always there for us too, each one sharing their expertise and steering us in the right direction. This is indeed a special place full of life, special people & friendships, inspiration and it is a community where all are welcome & valued! Thank you Jessica for your remarkable talent and devotion and for creating this Spraground in the first place! 17
April 22, 2009
It is important for me to keep in touch with other people that share my passion of digi/hybrid/trad scrapping as well as the photography/editing/tweaking end of it. I don't stray far from the Spraground mainly because of time constraints and the fact that I feel the most comfortable here. Perhaps it is because it is here that I made the first real steps in being serious in learning this craft. I try to participate when I can but have cut back a bit-my computer is old and running slower and slower so it takes forever to get anything finished there are just not enough hours in the day! I do check on here daily and love the people here.I whole heartedly agree with Jana-and could not say it better than she did!!
18
April 22, 2009
For starters, this place - JS.com - is just special. I work for an internet design firm, have been involved with the tech world since 1987 (think Sun Systems, Word v 1.0 & Lotus Notes...yes, I'm that old), have been part of hundreds of "online" communities....but NONE have provided the level of support and encouragement that this place does. I have learned more & met more amazing people in the 9 mos or so that I've been hanging out here than anywhere else. So - thank you all for giving so much of your time & your talent - it is the "sharing" of ideas, tips, freebies, and love that makes this such a unique & wonderful place.
19
April 22, 2009
To me, it is important to share with others who have like interest and understanding of what I am passionate about. On-line is a great place to find others who feel the same. ( Many others). While it is great to be able to share face to face and experience that type of feed-back, it is not possible to do this with as many people as it is on line.
~Ann 20
April 22, 2009
I plan to become active in an on-line digi community on this site.
21
April 22, 2009
JS.com was my first online community as well, and although I now participate in several forums around I know I can always come back HOME to where it all started to find my dearest of friends.
When I first started my classes here I would talk about my "friends" all the time. Of course my dear Tori lives here by me so we would talk about all of you like you were right here with us!! My husband just didn't "get it." I would make sure to say "so and so was posting ... she's the one from here" or other distinguishing traits. Now he just knows (or doesn't question . When I was desperate to go to Chicago last summer so I could meet my girlfriends FOR REAL he couldn't believe that someone I had never met (dear, sweet Shell ) would give up her airline miles so I could be there for less than 24 hours. I recognized every single one of my dear friends the first time I saw them ... from their avatars and pages. It was as if we had known each other for ages. Funny thing is I anticipated what it would feel like when we met and it was WAY better than I imagined - I could have hugged them all for hours!!! I think what adds to the family feel - especially here - is that we are sharing our personal stories. I've read stories of joy, pain, health, sickness, happiness, sorrow, celebration, and mourning. We share from our hearts and our hearts are what bind us together. I can't say enough about how my online life affects me. It is a part of me. I can't thank Jessica, Liv, and so many others here for taking me for who I am and loving me all the same!! 22
April 22, 2009
I start my morning by checking my email, my facebook page, and blog hopping. I regularly visit several blogs (Cathy Z. is a must - she's so darn funny) and I participate by leaving comments. I'm also a big fan of online classes, both here at the Spraground and on BPS, so I generally spend time there each day as well. But I'm a full-time work-from-home Mom, so at some point work and household stuff needs to get attended to. Which means I don't have a lot of time to participate in the forums. I do post when I'm in a class, but have never posted to a general forum.
I LOVE to share my work, both in the class galleries (and I try to spend a few minutes leaving love for others too - it is always disappointing when you post and get NO comments) and on my blog. The big thing for me in sharing my work is I really am looking for feedback - both positive (tell me you loved it and I'll be smiling all day) and constructive criticism which helps me grow my skills. I'm still relatively new to digi, so I know that stuff I post isn't always perfect and don't mind if someone shares how I could improve a layout. 23
April 22, 2009
Yes, it's important for me to share online with friends and community members. Feedback is necessary for me to grow in my digital work. I may never be a digital designer but I sure do like playing at it.
I usually start my morning by checking my personal email account, then I head over to Google Reader and read all my subscriptions. Those subscriptions include scrapbooking, sewing, thrifting, writing, and quilting. I do straighten up the house and plan my meals for the day so I'm not spending forever on the computer in the morning. Afternoons are usually spent tagging digital supplies in ACDSee, working on layouts, and maybe doing a little genealogy. Thanks goodness my husband has hobbies of his own to keep him happy. 24
April 22, 2009
This is really my first jump into the online community. I have to say that I am completely overwhelmed at how helpful and caring everyone is here. Beginning something new is always a little hard but this site and the community are just beyond anything I could have hoped to find. I am not new to technology but am completely new to digital scrapbooking and the forums. So far everyone has been very friendly and willing to help answer any and all questions. This site is much appreciated!
25
April 23, 2009
My first experience with sharing my own work online was with your Up&Running PhotoShop class. Until that point, I didn't know how to share my layouts on line! Most of my sharing is done with family and friends via Facebook. So far, the only online community I post some of my work is right here at the Spraground.
I have learned so much from the work other community members have shared and have appreciated the input and ideas offered by others. There are some very generous, knowledgeable people here and I'm not likely to be trying any other community out any time soon. That being said, I think its very important for us to take advantage of this awesome technology and reach out to others who want to share, need help, advice, or feedback. 26
April 23, 2009
ok, well your posts have often brought tears to my eyes!!! I love the history of JSprague and love how the friends here are so connected! My prayer list is long...... and filled with my friends needs, requests, praises! I feel as close, if not closer, to the scrappers here as i do with my closest friends at home! We have a connection that is very unique and indispensable to us!!!
Online community, especially here, is WAY important in my life! I have developed everlasting friendships here... all in less that 2 years! When something good or not so good happens in my life and i want to share or seek support, often i post here first! (well, AFTER i call my mom or talk to Paul! we are just that connected!! I came on as a veteran paper scrapper for over 10y, and when i learned digi, i was AMAZED! Now i'm hybrid so i don't post in galleries as much as i like, but I LOVE and look forward to the forum posts and devouring the galleries of all of these talented digi scrappers!!! My life has been touched, and FOREVER CHANGED by the amazing people here, the wonderful friendships i've made and of course the AWESOME courses!!! 27
April 24, 2009
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