I'm subscribed to about about 24 people and 11 of those are male (some are duplicate accounts for the same person.) Actually a few of my subs aren't even writing anymore. I mostly sub to the people who I really want to read every single thing that they say but who I can't remember to check their blog on my own. I also sub to people who I'm on their protected list if I'm notified somehow that I'm on it, since otherwise it's unlikely I'll get to read them. Everyone else is just a friend because I know they will pop into my UI. 

I'll have to come back and see the responses

I keep my account on friends lock so that I can remain in control of who is reading my content.  That's why I send a friend request.  I subscribe to all kinds of blogs... it takes A LOT for me to unsubscribe.  Well, actually, just recently someone wrote a protected post about me that I heard about from another xanga.  This protected poster just wanted to know who I was because she was dealing with a stalker.  That kind of shit will get you unsubscribed and unfriended fast. She should have just asked me. 

Well, this is new to me, only been on Xanga less than two months, and the last site I was on didn't do it like this one does, as in automatically pop-up when you leave a comment on a person's page.  Usually, about 99% of the time I will not "submit" a friend/subscriber request when I leave a comment because I don't want to get so many of either that I can't keep up with them.  What's the point of having 1000 of either when you have absolutely no time on your hands to check them all?  Also, if I see a request I usually don't accept until I've had a chance to check out their site and will certainly not accept if they either do not have a profile pic or do not have anything on their page to read, especially if it sounds like they would not be someone I would be interested in reading.

Like I said, it's still kind of new to me this subscribing thing.  Not really certain what it's all about except that you will see their posts show up on your main page.  Not sure if that is the same for the friend part as well, or if there is even a difference.  If they're the same then that would really confuse me to no ends.  Never really asked for a clarification, perhaps you can fill me in?  hehe

@light_blue_fables - You do realize some people just aren't cut out for confrontations.  They may feel more comfy asking ppl they know rather than going to the perp directly.  You shouldn't take that the wrong way unless she was saying disparaging things about you in particular.  I'm just sayin, don't be upset with me.

I am a love all serve all, and don't really care because I tend not to post terribly personal stuff on here.

@olwd - I'm not really upset with anyone.  Disappointed with the protected poster (which wasn't you)?  Yeah.  Sending a message over xanga isn't THAT confrontational. 

@light_blue_fables - Ok, I was just trying to read into your statement, "That kind of shit will get you unsubscribed and unfriended fast".

Whether it's in person, much more difficult, even for me, or online, it can be difficult for some people.  Remember, we're not all the same.  Again, just sayin. please don't beat me Sir.  *snickers*

@Thatslifekid - Amen Sister!

@lorelei - Ah, that makes sense. Friends still show up on your UI, but won't clutter your subs list. So can I assume I'm either one of your 11 male subscriptions or you just remember to check my blog on your own? I need something to brag about.

@light_blue_fables - Is there a particular reason you want to manage who can read your posts?

@olwd - Yeah, it can be difficult to keep up with so many subs. What I find is that there are a handful of people who update regularly. And they tend to stay at the top of my UI (Universal Inbox). By default, they wind up getting more of my attention.

@Thatslifekid - Yeah, I don't come to Xanga to stalk you. I do that on Facebook. lol

@MyxlDove - Ok, so I need to post more then, is that what you're saying?  hehehe

I sub to people I want to read, and normally friend request them at the same time. Other than that, I don't really ever send friend requests (at least, I don't remember any times where I've sent only a friend request), but I'll accept friend requests.

I subscribe to interesting people who I like to read or interact with. But I only friend people who I trust or know very well. Because my family is on my blog, and I don't allow just anybody access to my family. 

I sub to people I want to read without having them feel like they have a stalker. I become friends with those that I want to have contact with back and forth. And there are a few that have friends lock I want to read I send out friends request for those.

I do both at the same time and I have no idea why I do that. I think I'm probably just not sure what the difference is. I mean, if I'm going to friend you why wouldn't I subscribe to you?

I keep my site friends lock just to keep on who can see my work but I tend to accept everyone as friends so...

as for subscribing it's usually a site that I read and enjoy often :)

Dear Riis,

I've blogged about this at length but will paraphrase: I don't subscribe. And I never ask for friendship. I only read blogs when leaving comments from the comments I receive. Usually. I make exceptions in some cases. @vanedave. @thetheologianscafe, @roadlesstaken, you.Some others. If I do subscribe to a blog, then it's an honor to the blogger. I don't read from sub lists anymore. 

I don't see the point of friend requests. If I've subbed to someone's blog, I've subbed to their blog. If I can't sub to it without being a friend (I think there is a setting to do that? Not sure), then I'll friend. I mostly receive those requests, and I will usually accept them, but not always. Personally my Xanga is very private and very few people IRL know about it. I also don't like people knowing whose blogs I read/sub to, and I *think* that if you have your friends list visible, it's out there for anyone to see who you read. You might not think that's any big deal, but I had a stalker on Xanga once who would try and find all my comments and be creepy with the information in e-mails to me.

i friend them so they'd comment on my stuff too. i subscribe when i just found out about their blog 

@randaness - Oh, so that one time when you sent me like 20 friend request was a fluke? lol I'm kidding. I understand what you mean. The only time I really send friend requests is when someone's blog is on Friend Lock.

@sarahsmurfette - Well, I am very grateful to be counted among the select few. You are a delightful read, to say the least.

@alterEGGO - I think you've pretty much summed up my approach as well.

@bethro78 - I bet that's probably how most people view subs/friends.

@summereque - Any particular reason for wanting to manage who can see your site?

@baldmike2004 - I think you're right about the algorithm and the bot that latches onto the word "Xanga" in a post. lol Thanks for allowing me to be an exception.

@karos - Hmm... that's true. I think there is exposure of your friends list with some of the Xanga themes. Plus, if you're "Friends" link is viewable, they can check out your list that way. Sheesh... I didn't realize your stalker was going to such creepy lengths. But I guess that's part of what makes them a stalker. :-/

@MyxlDove - I don't want people to steal my magnificent works of art :) 

I've had nasty experiences on here and keep my page on Friends Lock. I sub to a lot of people who are interesting to read but I prefer to get to know them a bit before giving access to my page. Sometimes I forget though that I haven't added somebody as a friend if I'm subbed to them but it isn't a perfect system.

I love all of you crazy pplz so's I add 'em all as friends ;)

@EmilyandAtticus - I am sorry to hear that you had bad experience on xanga :(