Blogging is becoming increasingly popular in technical circles as a way to post information and communicate ideas.  This information and these ideas might be technical in nature, but blog postings can also be about industry happenings and activities.  All of these subjects have been demonstrated here at Powder And Bulk Dot Com.

What's Next

Print media is now venturing into the blogging arena.  Take a look at the latest issue of InTech magazine.  InTech is the print magazine for the ISA (Instrument Society of America) and they also have a website.  In the February issue, the "perspectives from the editor" introduces their new weblog and promotes it as "a way to get a quick look at industry issues and events, offering insight and opinion on an immediate basis".  Print media seems to be recognizing their audiences' bent towards the online world and blogging as a way to share information and ideas.

Powder And Bulk . Com led industry by introducing this weblog early in 2005.  With much work by Powder And Bulk management, our moderator and bloggers that have contributed their ideas, opinions and information, I think it has been shown what a valuable commodity a weblog can be in the life of an Engineer.

The InTech editor unfortunately expresses an opinion that "we won't get caught up in marketing hype, but rather, give insight to industry issues".  I understand the desire and goal of not producing advertorial documents, however, solutions take the form of applying product to application problems and needs.  Therefore, disclosing the source of a solution is important to the practicing engineer so that they may learn and apply it.  In addition, where do you think some of the bloggers come from?  Some come from the supplier end of the business and, of course, present their solutions as a part of their blogging.

Have We Done Enough

The Powder And Bulk weblog and its contributing bloggers have spent an untold amount of time and effort to bring information and insight on issues of interest to those in the business of processing, moving and storing powders and bulk solids.  We have sought out and provided information on problems/solutions and tools and information to help the powder and bulk solids professional engineer.   It is compensation enough to know that we have assisted others in some way, brought enlightenment and ideas and maybe even a little bit of controversy and entertainment into the daily lives of thousands of viewers of this weblog.

But, have we addressed things of importance to you?  If not, tell us.... please!  If we aren't staying on topic, then let us know.  If we are hitting on the right things, great and let us know so we stay on topic.  If we are getting too advertorial, let us know so we can change.  We hope to hear from you.

Other Blogs

Here's another blog about a technical subject.  Click here.  This is about rubber products and the blog is sponsored and hosted by a supplier.  It's an interesting approach, both to marketing of their company, products and services and an interesting source for some good general information about rubber products.  Will powder and bulk equipment suppliers join the blogging world in a similar world?  Perhaps.  It's another way to communicate and has caught on in personal interaction and is catching on in industry.

Brussel Sprouts

I've enjoyed the blogs here at Powder And Bulk . Com over the last several months, I hope every reader has as well.  I wish success to InTech and its editorial staff as it ventures into blogging.  However, regarding Don Dunnington's most recent blog post and his comments about cooking and eating brussel sprouts..... I think I'll pass.

Joe Lewis
Vice President
Monitor Technologies LLC
jlewis@monitortech.com
www.monitortech.com
www.flexar.info

The idea to do a weblog for process engineers started with an interview at IAOCblog.com, hosted by the International Association of Online Communicators. It was in a Q&A with Joe Taylor, during IAOC's first week of blogging devoted to discussions about industrial companies.

We talked about how his two industrial websites PowderandBulk.com and WaterandWastewater.com have helped form a sense of community among his regular visitors, and I asked him if any of his regulars had sought to further the community spirit. He replied:

"Some of the regulars have suggested that we should build a tree house or start a club. There is a feeling among process engineers dealing with bulk solids that they don't have a way to congregate with their peers. There is no professional society focused on their field. Who knows, maybe a weblog could help serve that end."

So here's the tree. It's pretty bare right now, but you've got the tools to start building this community any way you want. Whether you are a designer of conveying systems, a user of process equipment, or a maker of bulk materials handling equipment, here is a place where you can tell us about what you do, how you do it and how it might be done better.

There are two ways you can add your own thoughts: You can comment on posts by others, and you can contact me, your moderator, to become an "author," which means you can be master of your own content. There are no dues for this club and you can subscribe for free to receive our feeds in your RSS news reader (learn more here about RSS) or subscribe to our email alerts.

If you need to get an RSS reader, try Bloglines or Newsgator. Both offer a number of ways to subscribe to and view your weblogs, including a personalized "my blogs" web page.

Of course like any voluntary association, the value your find here will be proportional to the effort you put into it. Become a regular reader, and you'll know a lot more about your industry and how your peers are solving similar problems. Comment on the thoughts posted by others, and you will become a more involved member of the community. Offer to post your own content, and you will come to be viewed as a leader in your community.

And while we want this club to serve your professional needs as process engineers, in the spirit of a true "tree house" we also want you to have some fun. Our "Gone Fish'n" section lets you share your favorite pass times and interests. We also know our readers are travel widely, for business and pleasure, and you're invited to share your favorite restaurants and travel tips or experiences.

For those attending the major trade shows, we invite you to vote on the best hotels and restaurants (and the best bargains) in the convention city and post your reviews.