I remember the first time I read Travels with Samantha. I was still fairly new to the Internet and all that it could offer. It had to be back in 1996 or 1997, and I fell in love with Philip Greenspun’s photography. It was part of my drive to put up a website, and part of my inspiration to want to share my photos online. When working on a website and really wanting to use one of his photographs, I wrote to him – I figured he would say no. Instead he generously said yes, and shared his talent with me. It has always stuck with me, and I still feel that is how the web should work. People should ask – and other people should say yes.
I still find myself sucked in to reading “Travels with Samantha” every time I come across it, and every time it takes my breath away, even 6 or 7 years later. Philip had dinner Saturday night with Dave Winer, and it was Dave’s post that lead me back to Philip’s site tonight. Philip shared his thoughts on blogs today. My thoughts? I would love to see a blog written by Philip, especially if there were photographs…
Who were your early inspirations? What got you online? What made you stay?