in progress: dandelion report

Urban Tapestry in concert at Confluence. From left to right: Jodi, Allison, me.
Photo by Steve Brinich and Crystal Paul.


Today's entry is on the theme "In Progress", for Wordgoddess.

I've already Blathered about my writing projects, so I figure it's time I write something about my in-progress NON-writing projects, like The Dandelion Report (filking.net). The focus of this non-profit resource is to provide basic information about filkers and their music, as well as highlighting new and established filkers within the community. If you're not sure what "filk" is, please see What is filk.

Because of my tendinitis, I haven't been doing much with the filker interview section (if anyone's willing to help out with that, please do let me know), but am trying to set up the Filk FAQ so that the editorial content is mainly user-contributed. This is something I had wanted to do with Inkspot...a shame MovableType didn't exist back then. :-)

Example: The current poll question is asking for advice on how shy performers can get a turn in the circle. People post their responses, and eventually (though this isn't essential since responses are public), I summarize results and post it at the top of the page. Then I move onto another topic, post another poll question.

With some careful moderation and editing, it's clear that this procedure could be used to generate a FAQ about nearly any topic, as long as the community involved is willing. I'm very lucky with the filking community since members tend to be extremely helpful, especially when it comes to providing information for newcomers.

Once the newest version of MovableType is released (so that I can continue using MT-Blacklist to get rid of spam), I've decided to splurge on an Unlimited Personal Edition ($99.95) of the software, which allows an unlimited number of authors and blogs. I'm very glad the MovableType people recently decided to revise their pricing structure...when they originally announced their "new prices", it meant that I would have to either shut down a number of my online projects OR switch to other blogging software. Their new prices are much more reasonable, and I've been using MT long enough that I figure it's about time I show my support of the software via a full license.

Tentative plans for future Dandelion Report additions:

- Filk cartoons. I've been doing these on paper for years now, so I should probably get some of them online.

- Filk clipart. Free for anyone who wants to use my filk doodles in filk convention program books, non-profit Web sites, etc. These days, I lack the time and arm health to do custom-made pieces for free, but have no problem posting already-drawn doodles and Corel Painter experiments in one place for people to use. :-)

- Special section for concom-types to post announcements and updates (though if any wish to do so now via the main blog, please let me know).

If you're interested in filk, do check out The Dandelion Report, especially the Filk FAQ. If you're on Livejournal, you can get updates by adding "dandelionreport" to your LJ friends list.

Speaking of filking, Steve Brinich and Crystal Paul have given me permission to post some of their Confluence pics of Urban Tapestry (thanks, Steve & Crystal!):



Jodi and me participating in Dave Rood's concert at Confluence.
Photo by Steve Brinich and Crystal Paul.




Performing "Neurotic Love Song" in open filk. Photo by Steve Brinich and Crystal Paul.

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