My 50th Hub: 50 Things I’ve Learned, and 50 Friends I’ve made

1) That a Hub is not the center of a wheel, nor is it a center where freight is sorted. It is an article written on HUBPAGES! (And to us Hubbers that’s the center of the universe.)

2) That Hubbers are, overall, a friendly and helpful bunch. There may be one or two who come here to copy and cheat, but they soon disappear off.

3) That if I need help with technical stuff or rules I can:

(a)check the Learning Center

(b)Ask a Question – in the Answers Section of HubPages

(c) Ask on the Forums

4) That it is better to look ignorant and ask for help, than to be ignorant and get nowhere.

5) That I wish I’d realised sooner how useful the copy existing layout button is when creating a hub. It’s far quicker to delete a few capsules if I don’t need them than it is to keep adding more.

6) That there are spiders crawling around in my computer looking for creatures with long tails.

7) That the more of those creatures with long tails I put into my hubs the better chance I have of getting noticed by the great God Google and getting rich quick. Except…

8) If I stuff my page with keys I’ll get into trouble from the great God Google. And…

9) Nobody gets rich quick on HubPages. But…

10) People who persist do see a growing income.

11) That it pays to be patient. My first hub, Sugar-Free Chocolate Muffins: Tasty Recipe Suitable for Diabetics is now on page 2 for one of its keyword phrases and on page 1 at number 3 for another of its phrases. Seven months ago it was around page 15 for both terms.

12) That it’s not always necessary to backlink everywhere to achieve this – I have posted one link to that first hub on Redgage, and nowhere else.

13) That I love writing, but do not enjoy promoting my hubs. I wish my cat would do all the Digging and Tweeting for me. The only digging that lazy so-and-so does in the garden. She just sits about all day and then comes into the kitchen and shouts at me when I go to make a cup of tea. You didn’t think cats could shout? You haven’t met mine when she thinks I’m not moving fast enough. “Now! NOW!” she yells. And she gets louder with each passing second. No, make that millisecond. Oops, here she is, I better go…

14) Whew! Glad that’s over. Now where was I? Oh yes, another thing I wish I’d realised sooner is that a great way to use Digg is to post links to the articles I use as references. If I post them to Digg it also makes it easier for me to find them when I need them again, and it means I can slip in the occasional link to one of my hubs without being considered over-promotional. (I have no idea if this is a useful way to use Digg for anyone else and since I have only started to do it I can’t say if it will increase traffic.)

15) That answering Questions with a hub probably increases your hub score. It seemed to increase mine, but don’t come crying to me if it does nothing for yours. See my cat instead – she’s taking over the complaints department since she’s so good at it. Which reminds me…

16) Coincidences do happen and hub scores do fluctuate. So best to just get writing and not worry about it. But…

17) I have heard that following too many people too quickly reduces your score. And since you need a score of 75 or more to be seen by the great God Google it’s best not to go mad following everyone you meet. Choose Hubbers whose work you genuinely like.

18) That red arrows are better than blue arrows.

19) That skull signs are worse than blue arrows (and fortunately I have never had one.)

20) That I find it hard to write lists of things I’ve learned on HubPages.

21) But that once I start a hub I like to finish.

22) And (20) is not because I haven’t learned loads, but because of some other reason that I haven’t yet learned.

23) That I can write articles people like to read.

24) That I can write faster than I thought I could.

25) That I can write on any subject if I put my mind to it.

26) That taking part in the Weekly Topic Inspiration is a great way to learn to do (25)

27) That apparently even my bathroom is of interest to people. (Who’d have guessed? Not me a year ago that’s for sure.) As I write, my hub Practical and Stylish Storage Ideas For Small Bathrooms is at number 11 on Hot Hubs. If it’s not there when you read this, remember to send any complaints to the cat.

28) That I’d rather write an article that’s thoroughly researched and carefully written even if it doesn’t get instant traffic, than I would write one that is sloppy and lacking research. (Actually I knew that before I came here.)

29) That people like recipe hubs to have lots of step-by-step photos.

30) That people are more interested in recipes than they are in premature babies.

31) People are even less interested in reading about peace than they are in premature babies.

32) Premature is a word you shouldn’t use frequently in a hub or the ads get disallowed. (I discovered this before skulls were introduced to HubPages, or I might have had a few. I could yet get a skull for this one!)

33) That it’s best to keep away from the Religion and Philosophy forum.

34) That the Religion and Philosophy forum would be better named: the “I’m right and you’re wrong, neh, neh, ne, neh, neh,” forum.

35) That, according to my spell-checker, “ne,” is a word, but “neh,” is not.

36) That “ne” is a chemical symbol and stands for neon. (Now I may have learned that in elementary chemistry at school, but if I did I’d forgotten, so it counts!)

37) That NE is an abbreviation and stands for North East. (Okay, yes I did know that one before.)

38) That when I write silly hubs it makes me smile.

39) And sometimes it makes other people smile too.

40) That I love smiling and

41) Making other people smile.

42) That although I love when you press any feedback button, the one that thrills me most is Funny.

43) That this is probably because I have fewer funnies than anything else. It seems that I am a teeny bit funny, sort of beautiful and almost as awesome as I am interesting, but mostly I’m useful. (Well, I’m a mother, and everyone knows mothers are useful because they always know where everyone’s shoes, clean shirts, gym kit, homework and ipods are. And if they don’t know they should!)

44) That writing this list isn’t turning out as hard as what I thought it was going to be at number (20)

45) That adding photos to a hub is far easier with a desktop computer than it was with a tiny laptop. (So is doing research.)

46) That wikicommons is my favourite place to look for legal photos, followed by freedigitalphotos and then the creative commons section of flickr. The reason I like wiki best is because it’s so, so easy to use.

47) That no matter how many times I check, re-check and read allowed my hubs, their will allways be at least one typo that I mist and then notise after I have published it and peeple have left commends.

48) That it’s normal behaviour to photograph meals as you cook them. (Truly it is. Surely everybody does that, don’t they?)

49) That HubPages is addictive. I’m always going to have a break after I’ve done just this next hub. Then truly I’ll clean the kitchen and wash the clothes.

50) That it’s very, very challenging picking 50 hubs by 50 hubbers, and that I am very grateful to ALL my followers. Thank you.

(This list used to be 50, but has dropped to 49 as one follower who was new to HubPages when I wrote this hub has now deleted hers.)

I write hubs on a variety of subjects, and my reading is equally wide.

While I avoid the Religion and Philosophy forum, I love to read philosophy and other other hubs that challenge and inspire.

Here are some hubs that I have found inspiring:

Happyboomernurse was one of my earliest followers, and has encouraged me throughout with kind comments on many of my hubs. Her hubs are full of wisdom, kindness and thoughtfulness. This hub explores racial prejudice from both sides, and gives a powerful example of the power of standing strong for what is right. How My Swimming Pool Party Became a Civil Rights Lesson

Motown2Chitown was one of the first people I met through the forums, and her hub on Real Friends in a Virtual World - Relationships in the Age of Technology sums up how I feel about the Hubber friends I’ve made. Thank you Motown

Marcoujor survived being shot in an incident at her work where a colleague died, and in this remarkable hub she explains how that day has made her stronger and more appreciative of life. Appreciating the Gift of Life - After Survival

TKs view’s writing is philosophical and wise, and challenges mainstream thinking. His hub on Spiritual Motivation is illuminating and thought-provoking.

Ian Dabasori Hetr shares some wisdom in this hub: 7 Leadership Characteristics of Eagles That Man Should Learn From

MsDora receives inspiration from an oak tree: The Parable Of The Oak Tree In Winter

Lord de cross introduces us to some: WOMEN THAT CHANGED HISTORY

Just Ask Susan survived breast cancer as a young woman, and 20 years on has written her story. I think you will find it as inspiring and encouraging as I did. This is part one: Breast Cancer My Story Part 1 of 2

Earthy Mother is a young woman, currently going through treatment for breast cancer, and this hub is part of her story: I Have Cancer

We all want to have a great quality of life, but don’t always know how to get that. I like to share what works for me and I also like to learn from others. The following Hubbers have all written great hubs that I feel sure will help many people:

In this hub Dayzeebee suggests: Creative Living or Ways on How to Improve Your Quality of Life

I’ve chosen this hub from the many Kim039 has written because it helped me to sleep better. I Can't Sleep and I Can't Stand It! Tips for Overcoming Sleep Problems

Cepheid has several hubs on overcoming depression including: Self-therapy for Depression

Maren Morgan M-T wrote about: The New Normal After Bereavement

In this hub poshcoffeeco tells about the success of People Power versus The establishment

Barry Rutherford shares how he improved his quality of life: Mental Attitude. Improving Mental outlook: A personal testimony

ishwaryaa22 suggests that we: Accept Your Imperfections As They Define You - Only Your Confidence Takes You Places!

Ripplemaker shows you how to: Boost Your Emotional Health- How to be Emotionally Healthy

Kenneth Avery says: BE HONEST: Isn't It Time You Quit Smoking Cigarettes?

MissOlive’s tutorial hubs are probably better known, but her hubs on autism from a parent’s perspective are those I’ve chosen to highlight: Autism, Inside Distant Eyes - Prologue

A thought-provoking hub from ThePracticalMommy: When a Death of Another Mother's Child Changes a Life: Parents,Cherish Every Moment with Your Children

An important message on play from sholland10: Play Time Helps Kids Maintain Balance in Mind and Body

Another important message this time from Stephhicks68 on: Juvenile Diabetes: Diagnosis, Treatment and Coping When Your Child has Diabetes

When highlighting environmental and health issues, I think it is important not just to bring issues to attention but to offer ways to protect ourselves. All these writers do that.

Kris Heeter is scientist and several of her hubs have information and advice on health issues. This hub gives advice on how to reduce exposure to a commonly found toxin: Toxic Substance in Plastics Also Found In Numerous Medicines and Supplements

Eliminate Cancer is a cancer survivor who writes on ways to keep ourselves healthy by avoiding hazards in the environment. This hub is about some hazardous products you may have in your home, and ways to find alternatives. Time For Some Anti-Cancer Housekeeping

cclitgirl has great suggestions for: Non toxic home cleaning products

arusho says: Pick up the poop, please! I agree.

Juicing my way back to healthy - part 2 by VeronicaFarkas

Benefits Of Coriander And Ground Coriander by rajan jolly

Top 5 Healthy Meals for Students by Brian Slater

Sinea Pies wrote a great hub on how to create links that automatically open in a new page. It takes few moments, but it means people don’t lose your page when they check another one: Readers--How to Keep Them

Melbel writes hubs on many subjects, including on how to increase your income on HubPages. This is her hub on 72 Places to Get Amazing Backlinks

Homesteadbound also writes on many subjects and has written an astonishing 168 hubs in her first 5 months on HubPages. This is her hub on: Ten Reasons to Create the Text for Your Hub Outside of HubPages; Also Addresses Obstacles to Overcome

Alocsin had written about the dangers of being over-eager to promote your own hubs on Reddit, and how to do it judiciously on this hub: Lessons of Repentance: Avoiding a Ban from Reddit

5 Basic Things I Wish I'd Known as a New Hubber on HubPages by Victoria Lynn

How & Why I Say Thank You in My Hubs by smog

How To Pack When Flying: DON'T BOTHER by JamaGenee

How to be a Security Officer by Ardie Paul

A Disturbing Flaw in Disney's Movie Beauty and the Beast by tammyswallow

Laughter Is Contagious.... by Sunshine625

How To Beat A Polygraph Exam by RealHousewife

The Probing 'A’ Question by ThoughtSandwiches

What If We Re-Wrote Nursery Rhymes? by tillsontitan

Several of my followers express themselves poetically. Here are a few poems to savour.

Upon Seeing the Old People on My Way to School by PDXKarokeGuy

Stymied myself by Makusr

10 Ways to Pamper Your Cat - by the Cat (as dictated to hubber Stephanie Henkel)

WHEN I BECAME A CAT LOVER by Sharyn’s Slant

How Cats are Different from Dogs by Denise Handlon

Actually the boss isn’t too keen on the title of this one by Deborah Neyens, and thinks it should be: How a Wild Cat Can Tame You, but other than that she thinks it’s a great hub: How to Tame a Wild Cat.