What is a blog?
A blog, or web log, is a log of events kept on the internet. This “log” is regularly updated using software that is available to anyone with an internet connection and is displayed in reverse chronological order. This can range from a personal journal to political events to technical upgrades.
History of blogs
From wikipedia
- The modern blog evolved from the online diary where people would keep a running account (or blog) of their personal lives, the first of these personal blogs started in 1995. Most of the writers called themselves diarists, journalists, journallers, or journalers. A few called themselves escribitionists.
Types of blogs
Personal blog
- Dooce.com, one of the most popular personal blogs on the internet today. Heather Armstrong has been written about in the NYTimes, the Washington Post, and other magazines about being fired for writing about co-workers in her blog. She now mostly writes about motherhood, life in Utah, and her family.
Business blogs
- GoogleBlog gives developmental information as well as any changes, milestones, or product information.
Political blogs
- Daily Kos boasts a large readership and is considered an A-list blog.
- The MediaMatters blog has been set up to feed political blogs news-worthy information.
Technology
- The WordPress blog has been set up to let users know the latest developments in their software.
Language
- Linguistics - The Language Log is a popular linguistics blog that has contributors from across the country
- Rhetoric - The Kairosnews is a rhetoric blog that focuses on rhetoric, technology, and pedagogy with various writers (typically professors) from around the country
Education
- Educational Bloggers Network - Connects educators through blogs, information, and technology
- weblogg-ed - A blog geared toward blogging in the classroom and uses in the classroom
- Blog Technology for Educators - A blog that focuses on technologies and collaborative tools used in education
Arts
- ArtsJournal.com - A collaboration of blogs about the arts, written by artists.
- Smithsonian Institute - Shares information about the SI museums (including video blogging)
- Photography - Chromasia http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/
Science
- Science Blog - A daily entry about a new scientific event or explaining existing theories.
Why blog?
- Blogs have been seen as archives of human thought. Blogs can provide useful space to understand and work through some psychological problems (such as depression and addiction).
- Blogs have also had an influence on minority languages, bringing together scattered speakers and learners. Minority language publishing (which may lack economic feasibility) can find its audience through inexpensive blogging.
What does blogging require?
Commitment
- The key to this is regular entries. In order to attract an audience and keep them, regular entries must be maintained. Whether is daily, weekly, or monthly, sticking to that schedule is essential.
Purpose
- What is the purpose of your blog? Do you want share research you are doing, engage students, speak about your personal life, or project your political leanings into the blogosphere? The purpose will define your audience.
Software
- Ready-mades are instantaneous. Plug in a user name and password, decide on a layout, and you’re ready to go.
- Installed are much more customizable and allow for different uses by a wide-variety of bloggers (including groups)
Online, ready-made
Requires installation on a web-server
Differences:
