Between iToot and iBaloo6 …
I think that most readers of my blog are already familiar with iToot and have visited the aggregator every once in a while. For those who do not know it yet, it is a private venture in the form of an aggregator; it includes regional blogs and very interesting reads; at least this is my opinion.
From my understanding of private venture; I fathom that the selection process is rather subjective as it should be, just like when I am adding my own personal blogroll on my blog; no one can tell me who should be there because the only criteria of choice is my own preference. With iToot; it is different because the guys do their best to be perceived as unbiased and I think that they succeeded at that most of the time, so who are we to tell them what they should or shouldn’t be doing??
Some bloggers have stated their frustration about not being picked or added on iToot; each in his/her own way. One way was the introduction of the iBaloo6 concept which I find to be very cool; it is true that it is inspired by iToot and not being included there but still I really like the idea and wish the initiators all the best in their effort. This is what I consider a civilized method of protesting against something, they did not attack anyone; they simply are looking for a substitute.
This whole thing with the frustration with iToot brings a question to my mind; why is it so important for these bloggers to be featured on iToot if they don’t think so highly of it in the first place? Or let me say; why do they want to be included any way? Is it the need to feel that they belong somewhere? Is it the privilege of being in and within? Or is it just the attitude “others are not better than me” or “I am much better than most”?
Whatever the reason is, the selection process is subjective and no one has the right to object to that or attempt to change it; and certainly no one has the right to accuse the moderators of iToot of placing “Wasta” on the top of the choice criteria; this argument is not valid and I will give you a couple of examples.
The first example is my own blog; when iToot was first launched, I was so excited to join especially that I know most of iToot team personally and I would like to think that I had some “Wasta” at the time, that is if “Wasta” actually played a part of it. Despite that; I was not added to iToot in the first group and that was really frustrating to me because I wanted in so badly; I thought it was a professional venture that would add value to my blog and indeed it did when I was finally added in the second group. If “Wasta” is the main criterion in the selection process; I should have been there from the beginning and I would like to think that my blog is worthy of getting selected, but I did not bash iToot for not including me and was very privileged and flattered when they finally did, thank you iToot!
The second example is my dear and best friend Jad, and I am sure he will not mind that I included him as an example. He works with iToot, however; he was only added to the group last week, so how does this agree with the “Wasta” theory?? It simply doesn’t.
iToot does not need me to defend its efforts and I do this voluntarily because I respect its founders and moderators, and I respect the initiative as a whole; it is something we all should be proud of and support even if we were not there in the first place, and this is exactly what I said to Ahmad when I was not selected in the first bunch of tooters.
Bashing them and blaming them for their choices of who appears or who gets in is simply like telling someone who he/she should receive in their own homes; you simply cannot do that and you don’t have the right to say that. However; you do have the right to give your opinion and share your feedback with the moderators and I never heard of them turning their backs to such attempts; quite the contrary; they welcome this and do reply and take it seriously.
Finally; this is not a virtual war and it shouldn’t be; I for one, am proud to be on iToot and thank the guys for picking me. I am also supportive of the iBaloo6 team, the squirrels, and wish them all the best in their effort; I am sure they will include me because I do have “Wasta” with them and they have already stated that this is their main criterion to be chosen, so I am expecting to be there Moey, Amino and Abed 
October 14th, 2006 at 12:12 am
يسلم تمك هادا هو الكلام الزين
:]
October 14th, 2006 at 1:00 am
Your post was quite defensive at certain points, as if you were trying to send a message to someone who attacked or something.
I don’t respect their criteria, I think it’s based on personal ‘taste’ and the blogs to be picked do not go through certain requirements to be added. That’s what frustrates me, that some blogs there are poorly updated, lacking quite the good content, while others who applied ages ago and I personally (since it’s a personal hand picking of the toots) think they’re more competent to be there.
Hate to sound ungrateful, but I stress out that I am happy being added there. But I’m also not happy that my friends are not there.
Why do you keep referring to it as “iToot”?
this is the address domain’s name. Obviously the logo and the official name is plain “Toot”
See you!
October 14th, 2006 at 1:24 am
for me iam sure neither Itoot or iBaloo6
will take me !!
iam a problem maker.. and i’lll stay a problem maker
October 14th, 2006 at 1:39 am
Walkom … despite the valid concerns from “non-tooters” that neither you nor toot owners/employees can dismiss. This whole thing is a Joke … you can take it at face value or keep looking for the Bat7a on your head
October 14th, 2006 at 2:24 am
LoL
October 14th, 2006 at 4:09 am
Bakkouz,
Inta illi fahemny
Omar,
I am glad I could get the message through
We do not get to decide for them who they should or should not add in their site; it is their choice and it is that pure and simple … why is this so hard to accept? They do not have to add anyone even if they have the best blogs out there … so we don’t have the right to demand that …
If you are there and your friends are still not … this does not and should not mean anything … so should have they taken the whole shilleh for you to be happy and respect their choice?? Come on
I like iToot better … wella kaman hay feha moshkeleh sha3biyeh??
Wedad,
It is always to have someone who would stir things up a bit and I don’t see you as a problem maker … those who do not like your ideas are free not to read them or comment on them … if they still read, don’t like and comment that they don’t like you or what you say … that is purely their problem and not yours … so don’t let this get to you .. ok?
Qwaider,
No one is dismissing anything … the whole point is that it is their own choice to add or not add any one regardless of their content or frequent posts … just like you add people to your blogroll … no one can tell you who to include … right?
I certainly did not find your argument with Ahmad on his blog as a joke and it was not amusing to me … I fail to see the humor and I think a lot of people out there do too … so if there is anyone with a bat7a on his head … don’t you think that it might be you?
So is toot now officially the latest victim in your Qwaider Victims Club??
Take it easy … you might be added one day .. who knows?
Jad,
Wallah sa7i7 LOL … why is everything a big deal any way??
October 14th, 2006 at 4:42 am
Yes Khalidah,
You might be surprised to know that I didn’t start the latest rounds of resentment towards toot
I added many people to my blogroll based on their requests. And I would NEVER … EVER deny someone from being herd through my blog, regardless if I agree or disagree with them
You are not a victim, we do conflict, we do have disagreements, but that doesn’t victimise you.
My comments to Ahmad were ALL warranted, and the fact that I didn’t want to give SPECIFIC reasons or blogs as examples doesn’t deny the fact that there are blogs that defy the toot motto or rationalization.
Yes, I know it’s a private venture, So is Dwwen, Jordan Planet, Sawtona and many others and many have more transparency when it comes to their rules.
At any rate, you failed to add anything new or of substance in this post, but anyway, I am getting so used to your style.
And Excuse me, there is no reason for me to blindly accept your point of view which I view as extremely preposterous and if anything hypocritical, because failing to see the sun with your own eyes can only be explained with only that.
At any rate, my posts regarding toot are all categorized under Humorous on my blog, with the exception of the one that I actually talk objectively about them And when a sentence was challenged by Ahmad, I immediately updated it.
Anyway, I hate to bash you further on your own blog … but you also should know me by now, I’m uncompromising when I’m accused of anything…
You may keep, delete or reply to this comment, it’s your choice .. but You have to understand one thing. My respect to you is beyond my disagreement with you, keep that in mind.
October 14th, 2006 at 4:52 am
Qwaider,
Why am I not surprised?
Apparently everyone is used to your style by now … you attack, you bash, you reject the other point of view and anyone else saying anything that defies your opinion is simply wrong …
I am amused by the fact that you see my post as hypocritical … and exactly why do I need to do that? I am not getting paid for this and I am already included on toot as they have given me this privilege a long time ago … so why do I need to suck up to them?
Again … it is their choice to choose who to include or not include … and not everyone should see things your way .. why don’t you accept this and respect it … although I really find your respect style to be very peculiar …
Like you don’t have to accept my or any other point of view .. no one is obliged to accept yours … maybe you should try introducing some objectivity in your arguments … you would certainly save us all of such conflicts all the time
Don’t take this personal as I respect you exactly like you respect me
October 14th, 2006 at 5:03 am
So Now I am against the universe? don’t you think you’re being too extreme in your reply?
The choice is yours, and theirs … but remember that your most favorite word is “Agree to disagree” not because you’re compromising because you’re not.
Anyway, you have a point, but since you’re not in the situation of the many people like Moey, Abed, Amino and others I would ask you … to just, slightly consider that maybe, just maybe, if it is only this once … I might be .. ya3ni god forbid … maybe … just maybe that I’m right and you’re wrong (wal 3yatho billah)
October 14th, 2006 at 5:08 am
Qwaider,
LOL
So you are speaking on their behalf and not your own???
That is very interesting indeed
October 14th, 2006 at 5:09 am
Thanks khalidah, on behalf and own. Because I’m feeling with these folks
Now please accept my most sincere respect… have a wonderful day
October 14th, 2006 at 5:12 am
Khalidah, I’m not gonna comment on this..
October 14th, 2006 at 10:03 am
me too…..!!!
October 14th, 2006 at 10:14 am
[...] “The field is for toots and they have the right to admit whoever we think is appropriate to their fruit standards.” Kind Berry stated. “That Nut has no right to bash the toots.” [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 7:53 am
[...] “The field is for toots and they have the right to admit whoever we think is appropriate to their fruit standards.” Kind Berry stated. “That Nut has no right to bash the toots.” [...]