Diverse Tech Geek 2017 year in review

Updated on April 16, 2023

It’s time to look back over 2017’s most popular blog posts in each category.

I know, there’s not much to be nostalgic about, given this year’s events. (Though ISPs, Nazis, and the Donald might disagree.) Still, I feel it’s worth looking back on the top posts from this year for each category on Diverse Tech Geek.

The information below’s taken from Google Analytics statistics from January 1 through December 23, 2017. (I doubt skipping the last week of 2017 will cause any major deviations from this.)

Overall

1. Web-based tax filing for Linux and Chromebook users
2. Cartoons that should’ve entered the public domain in 2017 (but didn’t)
3. A look at comic prices and price inflation over the years
4. 6 ways superhero comics have tackled social issues
5. The best on demand streaming video services for cartoons
6. R&B, hip-hop are now the most popular streaming music genres
7. “Star vs the Forces of Evil” shows same-sex couples
8. How to start reading digital comics
9. Animated cartoons set in the South
10. NBCUniversal plans to relaunch Sprout as “Universal Kids”

The top post written this year was about web-based tax filing services. It’s easily the most popular post, with twice the traffic of #2, a post about cartoons that would’ve entered the public domain in 2017 if not for retroactively lengthened copyright lengths. Meanwhile, #3 focuses on comic book price inflation.

The most popular comics posts deal with tips and advice on reading comics. An exception is one on how superheroes have handled social justice issues.

Animation

1. Cartoons that should’ve entered the public domain in 2017 (but didn’t)
2. “Star vs the Forces of Evil” shows same-sex couples
3. Animated cartoons set in the South
4. The best live streaming video services for cartoons?
5. 10 noteworthy vegetarian cartoon characters

#2 is my post about “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” showing same-sex couples, which is a long-overdue and welcome addition to children’s animation.

I wrote a series of list posts about animated cartoons set in various regions of the United States; the one about the South is quite popular.

Comics

1. Cartoons that should’ve entered the public domain in 2017 (but didn’t)
2. A look at comic prices and price inflation over the years
3. 6 ways superhero comics have tackled social issues
4. How to start reading digital comics
5. Anthony’s 10 favorite LGBT cartoon characters

#5 is a list of 10 of my favorite LGBT cartoon characters. Of course, all of them basically come from comic books and strips, given animation still has a long ways to go.

Media

1. R&B, hip-hop are now the most popular streaming music genres
2. NBCUniversal plans to relaunch Sprout as “Universal Kids”
3. What are the advantages of PBS?
4. R&B and hip-hop are now the most popular overall music genres
5. Disney in (stalled) talks to buy most of Fox’s assets

R&B and hip-hop music became the most popular music genres in 2017, at first for just streaming, and then overall.

A post about PBS’ importance got attention. A good thing, given public broadcasting’s being unfairly targeted for budget cuts for (basically) ideological/selfish reasons.

However, #5 is one of the year’s most important media news stories. Namely, the initial talks between Disney and Fox to buy the latter’s assets. In mid-December, the buyout finally came to pass.

Technology

1. Web-based tax filing for Linux and Chromebook users
2. The best on demand streaming video services for cartoons
3. Sources of stock photos featuring people of color
4. 5 sources of free Creative Commons licensed images
5. Digital movie store guide 2017: The impact of Movies Anywhere

It’s useful to know where to find decent stock photos online. On a related note, where to find stock photos with people of color is also of interest to many, for good reason.

The digital movie store post is an update of an older post I wrote. Movies Anywhere is a revamp/improvement upon the concept of UltraViolet.

Miscellaneous

Of course, the blog’s biggest change this year was changing its name to Diverse Tech Geek. I’ve also moved the site back to its previous web host, MDD Hosting.

Additionally, I’ve pared back on the number of posts from five per week to three, which is working out much better. I don’t have to struggle to come up with as much material, and there’s less burnout.

What are your favorite posts or topics from 2017?