WeblogsWeblogsAKA Blogs

What is a blog?What is a blog?Wikipedia Definition: Wikipedia Definition:

A weblog, web log or simply a blog, is a web A weblog, web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic time-application which contains periodic time-stamped posts on a common webpage. stamped posts on a common webpage. The term “blog” is used rather than weblog to The term “blog” is used rather than weblog to avoid confusion with the word web server log.avoid confusion with the word web server log.

What is a Blog?What is a Blog?A A BLOG BLOG is a web site that often provides is a web site that often provides commentary or news on a particular commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal news; some function as more personal online diaries.online diaries.

A A BLOG BLOG is a web site that allows an author is a web site that allows an author to publish instantly from any Internet to publish instantly from any Internet connection. A blog can be interactive, connection. A blog can be interactive, allowing the Blogger and Subscriber to allowing the Blogger and Subscriber to begin conversations or add information begin conversations or add information published here. published here.

Distinct Distinct AttributesAttributes

Unlike Unlike threaded discussionsthreaded discussions, only the , only the author of a blog can create a new topic, author of a blog can create a new topic, called making a post, for a discussion.called making a post, for a discussion.

Unlike Unlike e-maile-mail, blogs are sites where , blogs are sites where authors post in reverse chronological authors post in reverse chronological order.order.

Sample BlogsSample Blogshttp://www.blogscanada.com/

http://www.pointsofinformation.ca/http://www.pointsofinformation.ca/

http://www.bookninja.com/http://www.bookninja.com/

http://toreal.blogs.com/http://toreal.blogs.com/

http://hockeynation.blogspot.com/http://hockeynation.blogspot.com/

http://ramcguire.com/http://ramcguire.com/

Blogs Go Blogs Go MainstreamMainstream

2004:2004:Political Consultants, new services and Political Consultants, new services and candidates use blogs as toolscandidates use blogs as tools

Blogs become standard publicity arsenalBlogs become standard publicity arsenal

Blog pieces reach print and blogging Blog pieces reach print and blogging personalities began appearing on radio personalities began appearing on radio and TV and TV Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary declared Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary declared “Blog” as the word of the year“Blog” as the word of the year““Rathergate” ScandalRathergate” Scandal

Blogs accepted by the mass media as a source Blogs accepted by the mass media as a source of newsof news

What Blogs are What Blogs are NOTNOT

A place just to turn in papersA place just to turn in papers

A replacement for a message boardA replacement for a message board

Something that will sit there and run Something that will sit there and run itselfitself

Benign, boring document without Benign, boring document without hyperlinks or referenceshyperlinks or references

A place to write in the 3A place to write in the 3rdrd person person

What Blogs AREWhat Blogs AREA place to share your reflections about A place to share your reflections about your passionyour passion

Part of a conversationPart of a conversation

A place to site your opinionsA place to site your opinions

A place where decisions makers are A place where decisions makers are looking to spot trends and opinionslooking to spot trends and opinions

A place to promote yourself and your A place to promote yourself and your opinionsopinions

What Blogs AREWhat Blogs AREA place to address issues of A place to address issues of professional concernprofessional concern

A place to overcome geographic or A place to overcome geographic or professional isolationprofessional isolation

A place to vent (blow off stream)A place to vent (blow off stream)

Why Should You Why Should You Blog?Blog?

Blogs are easy to create.Blogs are easy to create.

Many are free. Those that are not free Many are free. Those that are not free are affordable.are affordable.

You will have a worldwide audience for You will have a worldwide audience for their opinions.their opinions.

You can You can syndicate syndicate your blog, that is, your blog, that is, make the blog available to Internet make the blog available to Internet users who subscribe to your blog.users who subscribe to your blog.

Blogs are flexible, lots of uses. Blogs are flexible, lots of uses.

Why Should You Why Should You Blog?Blog?

Encourages participation and Encourages participation and discussion.discussion.

Easy way to practice writing and Easy way to practice writing and improving writing skills.improving writing skills.

Gives you a feeling of ownership.Gives you a feeling of ownership.

Why You Might Why You Might Not Want to Blog?Not Want to Blog?

It takes time to keep a blog updated.It takes time to keep a blog updated.

No confidentiality.No confidentiality.

It is sometimes difficult to find a topic It is sometimes difficult to find a topic or topics to write about.or topics to write about.

The worldwide audience might scare The worldwide audience might scare you.you.

Blog ServicesBlog ServicesBloggerBlogger

http://www.blogger.comhttp://www.blogger.com

MSN SpacesMSN Spaceshttp://spaces.msn.comhttp://spaces.msn.com

FeedburnerFeedburnerhttp://feedburner.comhttp://feedburner.comwhat is/was feedburner?what is/was feedburner?Who seems to own Who seems to own feedburner now?feedburner now?

Blog TypesBlog Types1.1. Personal – Personal – an online diary that people an online diary that people

use to post their day to day experiences use to post their day to day experiences complaints, poems, etc… complaints, poems, etc… (thoughtful/Friendblog)(thoughtful/Friendblog)

2.2. Topical – Topical – Focuses on a specific niche, Focuses on a specific niche, often a technical one, like Google’s blog, often a technical one, like Google’s blog, which covers nothing but Google news.which covers nothing but Google news.

3.3. News – News – Focuses on news on a certain Focuses on news on a certain topic like basketball or cell phone use in topic like basketball or cell phone use in high schools.high schools.

4.4. Collaborative – Collaborative – a blog written by more a blog written by more than one personthan one person

5.5. Political – Political – a free space for comments and a free space for comments and criticism of other authors.criticism of other authors.

Blog TypesBlog Types6.Legal6.Legal – blogs that discuss law and legal – blogs that discuss law and legal

affairs are often referred to as “blawgs.”affairs are often referred to as “blawgs.”

7.Directory 7.Directory – useful for web surfers because – useful for web surfers because they often collect numerous web sites with they often collect numerous web sites with interesting content in an easy to use and interesting content in an easy to use and constantly updated format.constantly updated format.

8.Corporate –8.Corporate – official or semi-official blogs official or semi-official blogs posted by employees of corporations.posted by employees of corporations.

9.Advice –9.Advice – provides expert advice such as provides expert advice such as Microsoft technical knowledge.Microsoft technical knowledge.