Well, I've now been using OS since June 4th 2009 and how do I feel about it?

By and large I think it's excellent. I really like the fact I've struck up a few relationships with people living in places thousands of miles from where I sit right now. I like the fact that the overwhelming majority of posts I read are inspiring, positive, moving, informative or educational.

I enjoy the way my blog page is laid out, showing me instantly the newest posts by those I've made my favourites ("Updates"), plus recent comments I've made to others' blogs. I get much more response from the OS "family" to the posts I've done than I do on my other blog, which I use primarily to help people purchase my books.

I have only come across a few OS bloggers who I'd describe as excessively opinionated, or negative. Maybe even a bit offensive. But they are mercifully few and far between and I'd like to thank Sgt. Mom, who I've communicated with in various ways for a couple of years now (ever since she was kind enough to review my first book), for alerting me to the existence of OS. 

I also have a presence on Author's Den (once again at the suggestion of Sgt. Mom), but don't get a lot of feedback from it, which she said was her experience compared to OS, hence her recommendation to begin contributing to OS.

I'm pleased to say I've encouraged a couple of friends to begin blogging with OS and shall continue to do so.

So, all in all what's my verdict? Open Salon seems to be doing what it set out to do. In fact, apparently doing it pretty well. I'm pleased to be part of a worldwide (though at present, it has to be said, heavily USA-based, but nevertheless expanding...) family of bloggers and look forward to even more inter-reaction with the passage of time.

Sorry about the "self"-photo; but if you're interested, it was taken last week at Ancient Kamiros, one of the archaeological sites here on Rhodes. Actually, I tend to like to know what people who I communicate with look like, so that's yours truly folks.