Stealth Blogging- a Primer (text version)

This is a text version of the original post that was made in ink. I am always encouraged to blog more in ink but then get complaints about my poor handwriting.  Thus this text version.

Stealth blogging is blogging from any location where you typically are not supposed to blog. For me that usually means long, boring meetings where my presence has been requested but in reality is not required. So for me, lots of boring dead time + Tablet PC   + EV-DO = Stealth Blogging.

Obviously a key objective to Stealth blogging is to not get caught, something that is fairly easy to avoid with a few simple rules.  Here, then, is The Stealth Blogging Primer.

Stealth Blogging Primer

1) Ink or no go.  No matter how clever you think you are, using a notebook or smartphone to Stealth blog will not work. You will be caught. Inking on a Tablet PC or UMPC is the only safe way to Stealth Blog. You have been warned.

2) Pre-condition your "audience".  Use your Tablet for taking ink notes at every meeting, get everyone used to seeing you use that Tablet for real note taking so they won't be able to tell when you are really stealth blogging. Be prepared.

3) Sit strategically.  Front and center will just not do when Stealth Blogging. Sit at the end of the table and make sure no one is behind you. From the front it will look like you've taking notes, from behind they can see when your web browser is open.  Blog smart.

4) Pay attention.  Keep some of your attention on the meeting. It's embarrassing to be addressed and not realize it.  Keep at least 25% of your concentration on the conversation around you. Don't tune out.

5) Recovery. If you Stealth Blog much eventually you will be addressed when you don't know what's going on, no matter how hard you try to follow #4 above. If this happens don't panic, simply state you were writing detailed notes on the last topic, and ask them to repeat the question. Simple yet effective.

6) Don't browse. Doing quick reference for your blog post is OK, that's what you have EV-DO for. Keep it to a bare minimum, however, as the web will suck you into the vortex if you are not careful. You know it will.

7) Don't smirk or laugh. No matter how clever or funny your Stealth Blog post is, don't laugh and especially don't smirk. It will be mis-interpreted.

These are just a few rules that will go a long way to keep the Stealth Blogger scribbling away without trouble. Lets face it, the world is dying to read your opinions and the words of wit you need to share.

Note: this entire entry was written during a 3 1/2 hour boring meeting without any of the participants catching on. These rules do work. I'm pretty sure that if Stealth Blogging was a Wikipedia entry that this post would be listed as the world's longest Stealth Blog entry.

James Kendrick

Comments

[james]

It must be frustrating to be critiqued for ink blogging. I thought the handwritten entry was refreshing and I had no trouble reading your hand. I'm looking forward to more ink entries.

[Ctitanic]

James, we were just joking, blog in anyway you like, just keep blogging.

Ah... and thanks for the translation! :)

[James Kendrick]

Don't worry, this whole thing was very tongue-in-cheek.

[James Kendrick]

BTW, it's easy to see why the handwriting recognition of Tablet PCs blows me away given my handwriting. :) Matter of fact, this translation was converted from ink to text in OneNote, only minor editing was needed and most of that was formatting. I heart my Tablet PC.

[MASTER]

Nice!
I am pretty sure this can work on other stuff aswell as note taking. *bookmarks*