How do you use LiveJournal?

[theljstaff]

We appreciate all the feedback you have already given us on both the redesign of the site and the recent discussion about a potential +1 feature. With this post, though, we're wanting to get your input on how you use LiveJournal rather than just asking about a specific feature or page on the site. So, with that said, on with the questions!

• What

Comments

[mangofandango]

Two primary things: journaling and reading friends journals (rather than just status updates and other short form, highly public thoughts), and communities. I also saw the fandom aspect of LJ as really huge for a long time, and I would still be using it that way - but I know fandom has largely left, which is a bummer. I'd like to still be doing more of that here.

For journaling, I like the customizable nature of writing semi-privately (under a username and not a real name, but openly if I choose) or more privately (with friends lock, custom groups, and private options). I like that I can really get to know people better this way, and read more about their lives and thoughts than I could in other forums. I like documenting my life in a way that is more open and personalizable (not a word, but).

Communities have been huge for me on LJ. I have learned a lot, gotten to know people, and found subject-specific places to talk about things. I like that communities are self-governing and self-selecting, and that some are more intimate groups while others are huge open spaces.

As a semi-aside, I love that LJ does not mess around with what I choose to read in my friends page. I join comms I want and see all their posts, I see whatever friends choose to share with me, there is no mystery about it. That is a huge advantage over Facebook.

Oh, and even thiugh I don't really have time for it right now, I love user pics and icon communities and all that jazz. That LJ is customizable in that way is fun and for a lib time, it was very important to the way I used
It. It might be again one day.

[thtsgoodsquishy]

You touched on a lot of the reasons I'm here--your three middle paragraphs are things I would have mentioned (but haven't gotten that far as of yet).

[vvalkyri]

God yes. Long form, and not trying to divine what one might or might not read.