aBlogtoRead.com » Evolving the Blog

aBlogtoRead.com Redesign: 2010 Makeover

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:17:00 +0000

New site design folks. It has been a long time coming and a lot of work went into the design and implementation. I would like to thank the designer and developer, and all of you for making it worth the time (and money). Please note that there will be little tweaks and enhancements to the site over the new few days and weeks. If you notice any problems, please report them to me.

From a design perspective, the site concept is to present a technical and masculine feel, with a sense that whatever is being discussed on the site is something special. Even watch novices should come here and be impressed enough with the presentation to give the topics and items being discussed extra attention. I want you to be satisfied as a regular aBlogtoRead.com reader, and have pride when showing the site off your peers. Thanks again, and I hope you continue to enjoy aBlogtoRead.com.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Over 1000 aBlogtoRead.com Articles – Well Earned

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:57:13 +0000

I like to post about these milestones -they feel important to me. I've written over 1000 aBlogtoRead.com articles. And I must remind myself that I also regularly write for a few other sites such as Luxist.com, AskMen.com, and more (see all my current work on the About page here). So the total watch articles I have written since starting in late 2007, is over 2000. But aBlogtoRead.com being my own place, I think 1000 here is still pretty impressive. I wonder if I put it all in a single book, how many pages it would be? I think we are talking more than War & Peace here. In this time of reflection I feel as though I have only scratched the surface of my passion for watches and entrance into the watch industry. Last month at exclusive invite-only SIHH in Geneva, I felt as though the occasion was my symbolic "true entrance" into the watch industry.

While most of the commenting readers on aBlogtoRead.com are watch enthusiasts, I learned that I am well-read and regarded by the watch industry itself. I am proud to have a close relationship with many of the top brands, as well as the legions of independent brands that are keeping the watch industry fresh and interesting. Given the attention the watch industry has on me, and the loyal following of many watch fans, I feel proud to be a integral part of watch news and more importantly analytical and in-depth opinion. Unlike many of the watch sites out there, I've always wanted to give you an educated perspective and discussion on what I cover. This means a hands-on experience with watches, or at the very least a dissection of a press release to tell you what you need to know, and what is mere hyperbole.

Moving forward I only wish to continue offering more and increasingly polished reporting on watches and the watch industry. This includes my work here and elsewhere, as well as on the HourTime Podcast. While I can't always respond to e-mails or comments in the length I would prefer (or at all), I continually encourage your daily feedback, suggestions, and of course rants. Thanks for giving me the purpose and motivation to do what I have done in over 1000 articles, and I will keep it up as long as you keep reading. Thanks and expect another such post in maybe after another 1000 articles - they too will be "well earned."

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Update To Getting aBlogtoRead.com Articles Via Email

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:12:18 +0000

aBlogtoRead.com is now fully back in action. If you notice any problems or issues let me know (via my contact page). A lot of you enjoy aBlogtoRead.com via e-mail. One of the changes that I have needed to make on my new server is how I send e-mail updates to you. The system I previously used no longer works due to my new host's e-mail policies. I'm not allowed to send more than 250 e-mails per an hour - and as more than 250 of you enjoy aBlogtoRead.com's new articles in your inbox, it was time for a new approach.

I apologize to say that all of you who already have been getting aBlogtoRead.com via e-mail need to sign up again. I know it is a pain, but there was no way around it. Auto signing people up would make it too easy for spammers, and none of us want any more of that.

To get aBlogtoRead.com sent to you via e-mail you'll need to use the form above, or visit the Email Subscribe page. You'll need to enter you e-mail address, enter the CAPTCHA, and then active the link that will be sent to your e-mail address. This applies even if you have already been getting aBlogtoRead.com via e-mail in the past (as that system will no longer be working). Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for reading.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

aBlogtoRead.com Traffic Control Warns Of Delays

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:27:45 +0000

As you know aBlogtoRead.com has been currently working to make itself at home on a new, more powerful server. The initial migration was only partially successful. Which is why aBlogtoRead.com currently has limited functionality. For instance you can't contact me vial e-mail here, though there is always Twitter. Tweet me here at aBlogtoRead.

The short of it is that aBlogtoRead.com will be experiencing more down time this weekend. 48 hours max, on and off. So wish me luck, and know that all of this will be cleared up soon. I won't stop until it is back at 110%. I'll be back with more watch love so very soon.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

aBlogtoRead.com Still Open During Construction

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:13:23 +0000

You may not know it, but aBlogtoRead.com is on a new web host now, but the work is far from over. I was up all last night working on this, and things still need "a fixin'." Until there will be some limited functionality and features on aBlogtoRead.com. Don't worry though, things are being smoothed out and improved over time. In the next several days it will all be better. Trust me, this is much harder on me, than it is on you!

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Server Migration Phase 2: aBlogtoRead.com Down For A Bit

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:37:19 +0000

A few weeks ago you may recall that I notified you that aBlogtoRead.com would be down for a bit. That was the first phase of the upgrades to make aBlogtoRead.com faster, and more powerful for you. Well that was a band-aid compared to what I am doing now. As such, I am undergoing a more intensive full web host migration. The site will be down a bit, can't say how long. No matter what, aBlogtoRead.com will be back and serious soon. Wish me luck!

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Temporary Website Hiccups

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:22:43 +0000

aBlogtoRead.com is moving to a new server. Please pardon possible temporary interruptions in site functionality or service for up to 72 hours (I sure hope it is not that long). aBlogtoRead.com is enjoying more visitors than ever, so you've all … Continue reading → Related posts:

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aBlogtoRead.com Now Available On Your Amazon Kindle

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:14:07 +0000

This is pretty cool actually. For those of you who have an Amazon Kindle e-ink device, you can now get aBlogtoRead.com sent directly to your device. Many people rely on their Kindles for reading material when they are not at home and when they are on the go. The ingenious device uses wireless phone network signals to send and receive data from the devices. In fact, that part of the system is free once you get a Kindle. In addition to books, the Kindle has magazines, newspapers, and now blogs available. You can browse the catalog on the go, and get whatever you want delivered to you automatically, all the time.

Receiving aBlogtoRead.com on your Kindle is not free, but it is very cheap. Getting aBlogtoRead.com sent automatically each day to your Kindle with each new post costs $1.99 a month. Overall really cheap I think. What Amazon does is transform the website into an e-ink version that looks pretty cool, and it will automatically get each new post directly to your device. The Kindle is about to get it's third device, the Kindle DX. This version is similar to the Kindle 2, but has a larger 9.7 inch screen, as opposed to the 6 inch screen. If you've never played with a Kindle, they are pretty cool, and addictive. A real good tech toy, even for those people who aren't into tech stuff.

Not all blogs are available for the Kindle, but the catalog is growing, and I am proud that they chose to include aBlogtoRead.com. Learn about getting aBlogtoRead.com on your Amazon Kindle here.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Welcoming New aBlogtoRead.com Female Watch Blogger Molly McDermott

admin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:15:19 +0000

You no doubt have been reading a few articles on here about female watches and thought to yourselves that the tone doesn't quite sound like me. Hopefully at that point you noticed that the author of the blog article was not me, but rather the newest addition to aBlogtoRead.com; who will regularly be commenting on the watch world in addition to myself. So please welcome Molly McDermott, who is here to bring a different perspective to watch appreciation.

Molly is a veteran of the watch industryÂ - an experience that gives her a special insight and perspective on how to view and discuss the nicer things in life (that you can buy). Starting with bridal wear and the jewelry, she ended up working with luxury watches, until recently - but the passion and interest remains. It doesn't hurt that she is quite opinionated and energetic as well. You can be sure that she'll be honest with her thoughts but come at concepts with a tasteful and discerning eye. While Molly is going to be focusing women's watches, she will also be writing some very interesting articles on watch industry trends as well as advertising, and men's watches from a female standpoint. She will at least for myself, be answering that questions I frequently have; "well I like this watch, but would a woman find it flattering?"

Feel free to comment on her posts (which will likely be at least weekly) and tell her what you think.

aBlogtoRead.com Celebrates Over 500 Watch Articles

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:36:48 +0000

It is hard for me to believe too. Some call me a machine, and others just think I am crazy. Most people who know me are sick of hearing about watches at this point. "This is going to be a watch talk free evening" they say (to which I frown). Then I remember that I have all of you with whom to share my passion for time telling machines. That passion has inspired over 500 articles over the past 15 months with no end in site. The established watch community is adopting me as a reputable voice (notable by my inclusion as the watch blogger on Luxist.com), and the growth of my readership is impressive. I'd be merely a guy who spends too much time online if it weren't for you, the readers.

aBlogtoRead.com has seen a lot of change, and I hope that this trend continues for the better. Over the summer, I wrote aBlogtoRead.com'sÂ "300 articles published" announcement. That seemed like a big number at the time. Pretty soon I will lose count, but here is a way for you to catch up a bit. I've added a new feature on the site that some of you are bound to have missed. It is pretty cool actually. Look over on the navigation bar to the right. There is a newer section called "Random aBlogtoRead.com Article." Underneath the heading is the title, which is a link to an aBlogtoRead.com article that you might have missed. Each time you visit aBlogtoRead.com, a new random article will automatically show up in that space . It even works if you reload the site from your browser. I think it is a great way to help introduce content to you, that you'd otherwise have to go back countless pages to retrieve.

There are a lot of exiting things to look forward to that are coming up. I've new sources for content and am working more closely with watch makers to bring you exclusive and hard to get information that you might not be able to find anywhere else. Regardless, I will continue to focus on all aspects of the watch market from the ultra high end, to humility on your wrist incarnate.

Finally for now, I want to explicitly thank you, and offer my attention anytime you have any questions or suggestions (Contact aBlogtoRead.com here).