Interview with Blogger SpecialKolin

By The Pakistani Spectator • Aug 18th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • One Response

I’m a tech blogger based out of Central Florida. I haven’t been blogging for a long time, maybe a little more than 4 months, but I’m only nineteen, so I would imagine that my blog still has lots of time to progress.

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I pretty much started my blog on a whim. I had always had an interest in writing, but the blog wasn’t pre-meditated much. My blog is currently located at http://specialKolin.wordpress.com, but I’m hoping to move it over to my server soon at http://specialKolin.com. From time to time I also post blogs at http://dailytechtalk.com.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Of course I do. My theory is: there’s always room for growth. As time goes on, there will be things I’ll learn not to talk about, things that readers want me to focus on, and things that I’ll really enjoy, but not everyone else would. That kind of growth could easily lead to success.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

The biggest memory I can think of is from the 24 hours I had camped out for the iPhone 3G. It was a pretty boring scene, but I actually blogged it, TV and Newspapers came by to talk to me even. The only downside was that many of the people thought I was a nut for being the first one in line. But, all in all, I’m glad I did it, I love my phone, and I met some pretty awesome people. One of which also blogs at http://igerardftw.com.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

The list of mediums that I use is probably endless. In short, I use social media sites. Twitter is our main resource when it comes to communication, I have reason to believe. I post to my twitter (http://twitter.com/specialKolin) more than I post to my blog. There are a couple bloggers I e-mail personally, but overall, Twitter rules the best.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

Politics are getting pretty heavy over here in the US, but personally, I think that if a politician would blog, or use the social sites that most of the citizens use, thus opening better lines of communication, they would listen to the people better, possibly boosting morale. I’m not very much into politics, though, honestly. For all I know, if we were to get some of the old folks that we have running our senate on myspace, the Department of Defense would have a couple viruses to deal with, probably.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

I have reason to believe that they are. Social media is becoming the future of “hanging out.” I’ve met more people through new media than I actually have in the real world.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

Needless to say, I haven’t read every blog there is, but I’d guess that it’s different in that I try to speak my mind, to bring some logic to some of the new tech that is being developed, cause, really, some of it is kinda stupid. Also, I’ve started a small segment called “Cheap Tech” where I test out gadgets I bought for a lot less than what the usual price is for a similar product.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

I’d probably have to go with my eye for a good photograph. I’ve been a photographer more than I’ve been a writer. I grew up being fascinated by cameras. I currently have well over 14 thousand pictures that I’ve taken. People are always asking me to take pictures of things for them.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I’ve come to learn that every day I’m alive is my happiest day. My gloomiest day would probably be when my sister moved to the other side of the country.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

I’d love to see the UK, since my ancestors were from there. Then, probably, France, since my sister and I’ve always had that dream of going there. Then, to finish off the tour, Italy, cause I’m such an art fanatic.

What is your favorite book and why?

I’ve read my fair share of books, but if I were to pick up one and reread it, it would be William S. Burroughs’ “Naked Lunch.” It’s such a strange story, and I’m a sucker for strange stories.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Usually I first look in their eyes, but if they have a odd haircut, I’d look at that, too. If not either of those, I’m looking at their shoes.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No really, no. The worst it’s gotten was one of my teachers was determined that I had bad grammar. I still think she was a bit crazy.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Even though I don’t do it yet, I’d have to say allowing advertisements on your blog will help out your wallet, especially the more traffic you get.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time of their hands?

No, I don’t believe that that is true. One blogger I know is at parties at night thrown by the local tech companies. Another blogger I follow (who makes a huge amount of money from his blog) was out riding his bike the whole day. Personally, I don’t really have too much time on my hands. I consider my blog to be another job, but I also work elsewhere, so that I can go out and do fun things.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

It would take a lot of work to do that, but I think it’s possible thanks to the Internet. Through blogs, we could actually start to understand each other’s culture better, and maybe gain a better appreciation for our differences. We’re all in this together, and we shouldn’t waste our life fighting.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

Adam Jackson - http://dailytechtalk.com

iGerard (you’ve gotta like your friends) - http://igerardftw.com

Leo Laporte - http://leoville.com

Yaro Starak - http://entrepreneurs-journey.com

Jesus Diaz - http://gizmodo.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

So far the most popular post I’ve ever done was the one I did from when my iPhone 3G’s battery died for the first time. (http://specialkolin.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/my-first-experience-with-a-dead-iphone-3g/) After that, I’d have to say that when I started to have the suspicion that AT&T was bring ing the new 3G network to my area (http://specialkolin.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/3g-no-service-edge-full-service/)

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Honestly, you can consider me a typical ignorant American. The moment I saw “Pakistan” I thought “aren’t we at war with them?” We’re not, but it looks to me like you’ve got free press going on, and I think that’s awesome. If I could have added one more country to the three from earlier, I’d like to tour Pakistan.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

I’ve been stunned by the way that the blogger iJustine has gotten her fame. First, through the 300-page iPhone bill, then through being the one that has the highest iPhone drop count. I can’t really complain about what she does, though, she has become successful for what she’s done.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country.

Probably the biggest help to a developing country is that it is developing. Developed countries aren’t really known for trying new things, they have the attitude of “we’ve been doing this for years, and it works! So we’re going to keep doing it.” Developing countries not only get to learn from others, but they have the opportunity to try the things that others are afraid to.

What is the future of blogging?

In the near future, newspapers will be completely phased out, and replaces by blogs. Blogs deliver news faster than any other news source, I’ve found.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It’s affected my personal life in that, I spend a bit more time on the computer than I used to. I tend to blog on the go, sometimes when I’m driving, it makes my girlfriend very uneasy. Haha. My blogging hasn’t really affected my professional life any. While I’m at work, I jot down ideas for posts, and I keep busy.

What are your future plans?

Well, sooner or later, I’m going to start school up again. I’m going to be doing a lot of programming. I’m hoping that that would bring more of an experience to my blog. On the blog, I plan to have more Podcasts and video posts. I’d like to blog for one of the larger blogs, like Gizmodo or Engadget. Some say that bloggers don’t last very long, but I plan on blogging for the rest of my life.

Any Message you want to give tot he readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Whatever you aspire to do with your life, do it with all your might. If you forget your dreams, happiness could be just another word. Also, spread the word of peace and love.