Reader Feedback
It’s time for a reader question – How can I make The Survivalist Blog more useful for you?
I plan to ask readers this question every six months to a year in an effort to keep improving the blog and making it more effective in helping to improve your survival preps.
Everyone has an idea of what they feel is most important, strong points and those that need improvement. That is what todays post is about, what do you like about this site and how would you improve it? So here are some areas you might like to comment on:
Topics – are there topics (specific or general) you’d like covered in the coming months?
Types of Posts – reader questions, tutorials, short tips, guest posts, book reviews, news links…. what do you want to see most/least?
Posting Frequency – too many posts, not enough, just right?
Design – do you like the layout of the blog? Is it easy to navigate? Easy to Read?
Community – do you feel you connect well with other readers?
Other Ideas and Feedback – anything goes, big or small.
The ‘Rules’ – Any feedback or suggestions that you have are welcome. I can’t promise to respond to each comment or put every suggestion into place I make a commitment to you to read anything you have to say.
Please refrain from the you stink and the you are great type comments, I want to know why you think the blog is great or stinks…
So it’s over to you. Feel free to either leave your feedback in comments below or to share them privately with me via email.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:16 am
M.D., I love the site, and your dedication to it. You update frequently and encourage discussion. What I would like to see, is reviews and comparisons of various survival foods (especially freeze dried) and emergency gear. Your advertisers might be willing to contribute samples for you to test and review for us.
Keep up the great work. Your site is one of a handful that I visit on a daily basis. (yours is the only survival site I check regularly.)
January 29th, 2010 at 3:30 am
The only thing I would like to see are some printable checklists to follow. These would make it alot easier to remember all the important ideas. Other then that this is a very easy read blog and realistically affordable. Keep up the good work.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:30 am
I'm with AZguy more book and product reviews. I want to know what is good and what to avoid. Otherwise keep up the good work.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:59 am
I own 40 acres in Colorado (open prairie). I am currently unemployed and was thinking of the "trailer on some land" lifestyle. I would like to see more on the practical problems like water, sanitation and electricity. I’m looking for the everyday problem that one may not consider until their neck deep in it. The biggest problem I see for myself would be water. I have a 525 gallon tank but how do you keep it from freezing? Even buried I think it will freeze. The pipes up to and inside the trailer will freeze. I also see the county having a problem if they where to find out I was living there… I mean camping… as in spending fewer then 50% of my overnights here…sir…
Topics – Nice assortment. I don’t feel like I know what’s next so your keeping me on my toes
Types of Posts – Good mix. Again you mix it up so the site doesn’t get repetitive.
Posting Frequency – just right
Design – Easy to read (firefox) Scrolling seems to be very sluggish though. Do you have some high cpu usage ad somewhere?
Community – Not much for community, but I do tend to see references to other sites/blogs I read, which kind of makes me feel like I’m doing it right.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:59 am
I would like to see some videos
January 29th, 2010 at 5:12 am
I completely agree with the checklist idea. Especially if it were prioritized. I know what I have and I know what I need to get, but just like your post mentioned awhile back, I keep getting off task. I get paid and walk into a store and find some things I know I need and buy them. Last week I bought a nice new ax and a Lee magnetic powder scale (for reloading if the electricity goes out). I know I should be getting a hand pump for my well or getting honey for the food storage, but I keep procrastinating on that one. Granted, this is a me problem and nothing else, but I think if I had a checklist with me that I could review regularly, it would help. You know you are doing good work when my only critique is asking you to help solve MY problem. Keep up the good work.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Kesten,
What kind of videos?
January 29th, 2010 at 6:06 am
Maybe you could Offer a collection of some of the ideas in your posts, and comments sections. I would be willing to buy a cd from you with this info.
For those of us who are new to all this, how about something on water storage, ways to store food,
why or why not have canned, freeze dried, home dried, dehydrated foods.
Just this week I realized that we need some 'instant' kinds of storage foods. Like instant rice, potatoes, and beans. And disposable dishes, cups, silverware too.
Thanks,
AnnaMouse
January 29th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
AnnaMouse
No need to buy this information – I have provided most of it for free in my ebook if you have specific questions don't be afraid to ask.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I would like to see more about how our ancestors survived the great depression, natural medications, and old timey life. By old timey life im speaking of outhouses, laundry, and home canning, and salting meat. Thanks for all the valuable information.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I'm with Mechanic, I think the printable check lists would be a great idea. I also enjoy the "what would you if" postings. I think these give us different perspectives and ideas on handling situations and events that we may not have been able to come up with on our own.
I also enjoy and find very valuable the postings on firearms and ammunition. I know that sometimes these posting turn into "mine is better that yours" but a blog posting about two years ago completely changed my mind on 9mm vs 40 cal., and I think my arsenal is better off for the change.
I also liked the posting "What have you done to prep this week" The weekly may have been to frequent but a monthly "What have you Done to Prep" would be interesting and helpful.
And one last item I would like to see is an occational posting where we can pose questions to you and this forum on what we are doing to prep, and if you or the forum see this as a good idea and provide helpful advise and comment.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I'm for the printable checklists, too…especially for different scenarios. A slight bit more info on natural disasters (and checklists for), such as earthquakes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc. For example, if you lose power in an ice storm for a week and you've got radiators full of water that will freeze, what do you do?
January 29th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Continue having a rich variety of material.
I think you do a great job soliciting feedback and contributions – I see this slightly less of a blog and more of a venue for people to share information and support.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
M.D. how about this:
For those who have never trapped or hunted, do a video on how to field dress a deer, moose, cow, etc.
How to field dress a bird. Many people (including women) do not know how to do that and some video's don't give good shots.
How to correctly gut a fish… depending on size.
Also, if you want to do a trapping (multi type) video and how to dispose properly. I may help with those families who do not trap.
How about loading a weapon properly and how to carry it with a large pack of goods.
Show them how your grinder works on flour and such. That would be very helpful for those who have never seen one used before. Also a hand turn meat grinder as well.
Not sure if you know, but maybe you know os someone who could, do a make shift fishing pole. How to properly set up a tarp tent. What you can do in the cold, especially for those who have never seen anyone hypothermic.
Those are a few ideas.
upinak
January 29th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Personally I would enjoy more concrete 'how to' practical stuff. Both successes and failures. Ideally with pictures.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Upinak's idea of videos for field dressing animals is a great one. Chickens, squirrels, deer, cow, fish, etc.
And considering the challenges I've been having grinding flour, that's another great video idea. (Who would have thought something that you would think so simple can be overthought or difficult…
Maybe some vids of setting up snares and traps?
Checklists? Check.
All great ideas.
Bret
January 29th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Bret, you can find great videos all over. But sometimes it is good to have a central location.
I post on the alaska preppers site, but mostly for gardening at the moment, as there are many here in Alaska who are new and do not know how to.
I know how to trap, hunt, fish etc. But some don't (especially woman) and I am glad I found M.D.'s site as it has some great avenues for what woman should read about.
Video's are great for those who are more visual also.
M.D. maybe do some regional differences as well? Sounds like you are going to be one busy man!
upinak
January 29th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
New reader here, so forgive me if this topic has already been covered. One area in which I feel insecure is security. I don't mean armaments as I don't plan on shooting the exterminator or the pet sitter. I pay these companies to provide a service but I have some items that I don't want known — perhaps things like large containers of food. The exterminator has access to every nook and cranny and the pet sitter has a key to the house!
The best solution is for the pets to eat the bugs, I know. But that's just not happening.
Thanks for all the great info!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
I really wish you'd have the "what did you do to prep this week" again!
And I suggest a Prepping 101 series, for people who don't know beans about anything, such as "how to pitch a tent." By calling it Prepping 101, you shouldn't have people leaving you nasty comments about how basic the post was.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
hey M.D. Creekmore. i've tried to post in the past but it wouldn't let me.
You should do an article on Dave Canterbury! If you don't know who he is then you should definately find out! He's a great guy- has a youtube channel called "wildernessoutfitters" and has a "Pathfinder" school in Ohio. he teaches Bushcraft, camping, hiking and treking, hunting and trapping, cooking, shelter building, archery, and Woodslore. He prefers to call it "Wilderness Self-Reliance" instead of "survival". you would love this guy!
Dave actually got selected alongside Cody Lundin to do a new show for the Discovery Network called "Dual Survivor" that will air later this year. maybe you already know him.
All of his work on his Youtube videos is what got the network's attention as well as his loyal fanbase.
But Your blog is great.
But if we take into account everybody's views on our future, it gives us one clear message: TIME IS LIMITED. whether you believe in planet x or financial meltdown or SHTF we must be quick to see our environment around us (Situational Awareness) and act on it.
Firstly, the "what have you done to prep this week?" is great and since time is limited, you shouldn't change it to "what have you done to prep this month?" like the other commenter said.
and Secondly… you, Mr. Creekmore, could be a great warning system to us later on this year when, one by one, things start to collapse and mushroom out of control going into 2011. This blog could serve as a great indicator to your readers to know exactly when they must start to react to the situation and begin to leave the world we know now, behind us.
Thanks! Murphy from canada.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Product reviews would be awesome. For instance, should I opt for the $50 Molle type vest from cheaper than dirt (quality and options may be lacking), or the $150 Molle type set-up with probably everything you'd want.
I thought your grain mill posts were great in giving options and how each one could benefit different people.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
I’m not sure it would have crossed my mind if someone else hadn’t mentioned it briefly above, but I think it would be interesting to hear stories from you, and other readers, about things they have tried that didn’t work. Any particular products, strategies, etc. that didn’t pan out might be useful to us novices who might have otherwise considered trying them.
January 30th, 2010 at 12:29 am
To Murphy from canada,we don't need a warning system the end started Jan 09 when Obama took over. Things are already out of control just as M.D. and everyone on this blog have been saying(really we've been screaming). Reacting now is too late,act now. Get out of debt,save your money,and prep. It's coming,we better be ready.
January 30th, 2010 at 2:49 am
This is on the subject of condensation in your kitty. We used a oil heater and it helped tremendously. I dont know if your solar panels would be enough to run one of these though.
January 30th, 2010 at 4:12 am
Great ideas, as usual, from the other posters! Good idea for you, as well. The 'what would you do if' sounds sort of like a book title. A scenario-based prep manual might find a ready market, is my thinking.
A couple of months ago, the docudrama "After the Apocalypse" aired on teevee. It was enthralling, but admittedly I am already a convert. However, a book based on 'what would you do if', with checklists, and the low tech version of essential medicines – I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But then again, I'm one of the doomer believers so YMMV.
One of my lingering anxieties after seeing that docudrama: what WOULD we do for antiseptics (and antibiotics for that matter) after our bottles of hydrogen peroxide, bleach and Betadine run out? I have read more than once that the major difference between the 40s lifespans of the early 20C and the 80s lifespans today, other things being equal, is controlling infection.
There are things that are accessible now, whose value is much greater than their cost. Antiseptics and antibiotics are among them. Others are salt, sugar, potassium – the raw materials for oral rehydration salts.
Is honey REALLY a super antiseptic?
Can vinegar substitute? How hard is it to make both of these from scratch? I'm thinking any parent with children would find a discussion of these questions compelling.
We trust you, know that you know your stuff, and write truth. But you may want to consider a front page with a boldface hold harmless statement anyway.
If I knew this stuff, and were not still (gratefully) working, I'd do it myself. But from me, it would be an academic exercise. You are close to ground truth.
Knotty problem, your posters have brought up.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
For Pete's sake, it's a bug-out BAG! That means one bag that has to carry the essentials for you, your family members and pets – good luck with putting a couple of long guns and a handgun in a BAG with all the other stuff. My Colt 1911 Gold Cup goes in it, with two extra full magazines. That's it. If we have time – we'll pack our mini -van to the gills, and bring at least one gun, but remember – it's a bag – and you may have to lug it by hand a long ways.
P.S. – I'm an M.D. – honey really is an antiseptic – not a wonder one, but it works. Vinegar does not. Plain old soap and water are still the best way to clean wounds in a survival situation.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
The blog looks fine as it is and has plenty of information. However as someone who lives outside of the USA (I live in Ireland with my American wife) it would be nice to see news articles and comments about life outside of the USA. As our gun laws, politics, economy etc. are going the same way as the USA. I you felt it appropriate I would be willing to make contributions on the goings on in Europe.
Keep up the good work!!
February 5th, 2010 at 3:47 am
You have 'Community'in a distant sort of way. A "listed subject" chat room would allow realtime feedback and exchange. Am I missing something here, a link, ?