Got this note back from Metro on my inquiry about how to be in on the blogger roundtables:
QuoteBen,
Thank you for your interest in our blogger roundtables. Metro recognizes social media such as Blogs, Twitter, and Facebook as important channels of communication and as means of organizing in our community.
Metro occasionally hosts roundtable discussions for bloggers; these discussions are by invitation and not open to the public. Similar to our roundtables for journalists of main stream media, they are not intended for those who are simply interested in transit or Metro. Attendees write or communicate both for and against Metro on a regular or daily basis.
I am familiar with your websites and have seen your comments on local blogs. It is obvious you have a strong interest in transit issues; however, your website and journal seem focused more on everyday items than on Metro.
Ron
Well, there you go, I suppose. Isn't that a real kick in the lily-bulbs...
The METRO response is a complete non sequitur and makes no sense. METRO should first give its employees a course in logic and that might also help the service.
Is that Ron as in Ron Holzer?
Quote from: Tristan on February 20, 2011, 08:56:13 PM
Is that Ron as in Ron Holzer?
It would be a fair assumption to make IMO
It makes limited sense, but I can see Metro wanting to limit participation to notable blogs that deal with Metro and Metro-related issues on a regular basis (UnSuck, GGW and its affiliates, Metro-Venture, et. al.) rather than taking any blogger in with a Metro slant. From what I've read of your blog, Ben, your blog isn't on the same level as the aforementioned blogs in terms of visibility of Metro-related content.
It's a valiant try, but I know some people from the lesser blogs didn't even try to join this roundtable given their chances would be low.
Quote from: Tristan on February 20, 2011, 08:56:13 PM
Is that Ron as in Ron Holzer?
Yes. Rather than the usual response from Customer Service, I got an Email directly from the desk of Ron Holzer.
And yes - I view it as "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as far as trying to get into the blogger roundtable discussions.