Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week

All of these comments are unsolicited, and either publicly posted online (and linked) or used with explicit permission of the authors.

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“[SV-POW! is] the most remarkable thing” — Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, Bristol University; Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“I think SV POW is fantastic, especially the tutorials, and very accessible to those without expertise in the field. We are always pleased to see researchers out there who are keen to share their enthusiasm for their work with the general public, as it all helps improving understanding and attitudes towards science.” — Toni Hamill, researcher, Center for Life.

“This article brought tears to my eyes, it’s so good.” — Nathan Myers.

“If your blog was just a rehash of published information, I would have much less reason to read it. But the current setup is like visiting a museum collection or SVP, but without the cost and travel time. […] Keep up the good work!” — Mickey Mortimer.

“SV-POW is not a photoblog. It has always been one of the most serious science blogs out there. Their posts, almost every one of them, deserves a DOI.” — Bora Zivkovic, Online Discussion Expert for PLoS.

“Blogs allow a forum for knowledgeable people to speak and be heard. Degreed professionals–such as the guys at SV-POW!–[…] do a tremendous job of presenting complicated information to the public and professional communities.” — Andy Farke, Curator, Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology.

“I just want to tell you guys that I’m a huge fan of SV-POW.  I’ve always loved dinosaurs, but I really had no interest in sauropods until I read your blog, and you’ve completely turned me around.”–Grant Harding.

“… a good opening to say how excellent SV-POW! is. I look for opportunities to tout it to people because I think that the enthusiasm and good cheer you guys show in a blog with such a narrow focus says something very positive about the nature of doing science and the power of the sense of wonder.” — Mike Traynor.

“…if anyone ever has a question about the value of blog posts to ‘real’ science I’ll be referring them to this post. It’s a brilliant example of the sort of discussion that occurs outside of the literature but can strongly inform subsequent publications.” — Scott Hartman.

“I’ve been reading SV-POW since I came to college, and the advice posts are absolutely invaluable. I’m looking forward to seeing the future advice posts as well.” — Ian Cannon.

“I must admit it was reading one of the posts on SVPOW that I finally decided to get my arse in gear and publish something.” — Simon Wills.

“It’s SV-POW. I come for the pedantry and stay for the pneumatics.” — Neil Kelley, microecos.

“I have been reading SV-POW for about a year, and I have been consistently impressed by the ability of you and your colleagues to demythologize the scientific process. You’ve been able to use a very erudite topic to foster an intimate understanding of science in your readership, and your enthusiasm is contagious.” — Benjamin Miller.

“I often refer students to SV-POW! for its various ‘How to…’ guides for writing and presenting, not to mention learning a thing or two from them myself.” — Mark Witton.

“Information like this is a great reference for those of us with a more generalized knowledge of anatomy who are attempting to bring accuracy into our depictions of animals.” — mattvr.

“I can always rely on such clear writing, earnest scientific discussion, motivating ideas, and openness to non-professionals from you guys at SV-POW.” — Demetrios Vital.

“Recently dismembered necks of extant theropods and the less recently disarticulated necks of extinct sauropods, book reviews, discourses on phylogeny, Academic Spring and the push for OA, all interspersed with occasional fluff pieces. I love that I’m never sure what the next SV-POW! post will be but that they are all eminently readable, often informative, and very enjoyable. The comments thread, when it kicks off, can be kick-ass too.” — Mark Robinson.

“This is the one blog I feel comfortable commenting on largely because I hope that regardless of the awful things I write, we’ll still remain friends and colleagues. I also think this is always at the forefront of professional trends (e.g. Open Source, blogging) so I like to sort these things out here.” — Casey Holliday

“Did I mention how much I like Sauropod Vertebrae Picture of the Week? Wins the internet. Wins it.” — Sal Robinson, Melville House Books.

“Anyone saying paleontologists have no humour haven’t read this blog in general and this post in particular.” — Darius Nau.

“The posts and the comments (!!!) are fascinating. I really like reading semi-technical stuff at the edge of my field and I’ve found your blog to be technical enough to hold my attention and yet friendly enough for non-paleontologists for me to follow […] The A. fragillimus issue is also hardly the only bit of SV-POW! I’ll be using in my General Zoology lectures this fall. My undergraduate assistants will probably be forced to read the tutorials on giving talks as well.” — Eric Butler, Assistant Professor of Biology, Shaw University.

“This blog is really one of the few that have consistently maintained a kind and collegiate atmosphere even while fighting the good fight.” — nwfonseca.

“When I first visited this website, I thought that it was a complete breath of fresh air […] Keep up your great work in popularization of dinosaur paleontology! SVPOW is simply…awesome! :-)” — Vladimir Socha.

I have long referred to SVPOW as “the site which justifies the existence of the blog format.” — @publius@mastodon.sdf.org.

“SV-POW! continues to demonstrate the value of old-school science blogging, with its flexible format and wide accessibility, and it just happens to be on a great group of animals, too!” — Mark Witton.