The last week has been very interesting in the blog world and it occurred to me today that I am watching, and taking part in an on-line soap-opera.

Previously on the blog soap opera…

Aral Balkan announced SWX format.

SWX stands for SWF Data Exchange Format. It’s a new way of working with data in Flash that uses simple SWF files to exchange data. SWX is the natural, native way to get data into Flash: You loadMovie() your data!

I signed a petition on No. 10′s site against the use of ‘unlimited’ with fair usage policies.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Insist that OFCOM and the ASA stop Broadband Providers advertising ‘unlimited’ services that are in fact limited in the small print or by un-defined fair use policies.

Ma Merret started to blog.

Molly discussed A Blogger’s Paradox and then was “Stuffed With Nonsense” but has since removed the post…

Andy Clarke was deeply saddened but also removed the post…

Kathy Sierra told us about death threats and other attacks on her person.

I’m at home, with the doors locked, terrified. For the last four weeks, I’ve been getting death threat comments on this blog. But that’s not what pushed me over the edge. What finally did it was some disturbing threats of violence and sex posted on two other blogs… blogs authored and/or owned by a group that includes prominent bloggers.

I wonder what treats we are in for next week?

The real question is how long will we remember this? You may read the posts that I have linked to and you may remember some of the stories but soon your “real life” will take over and it will all be forgotten. These events are huge for the people who are involved, life changing even and yet we read them as stories and move on. The message that we should learn from this is that when you step out into the public view you open yourself up to all sorts of comments, praise and even attacks.

I am reminded to keep personal issues off-line and remain in hope that I do not suffer many public and personal attacks.