Understanding Blogging

Compiled by Lori Harris, Medford Library

"Almost 50 million--or one in six--Americans spent at least some time on blogs
during [January through March 2005]. That's a 45 percent rise over the year before."

-- "Behaviors of the Blogosphere" (August 2005)
http://www.comscore.com

[(we)blog.]

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/BLOG

blog
n.A weblog.
intr.v. blogged, blog·ging, blogs To write entries in, add material to, or maintain a weblog.

Related: blog·ger n.

BLOGIVERSITY

From http://www.blogiversity.org/

A blog (web log) is way to express your insight on a particular topic through an on-line journal. Blogs usually consist of daily or weekly posts on either personal or professional experience and may also include links or pictures. Visitors to the blog have the opportunity to make comments and add to your topic of discussion.

BLOGGER

From http://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g

What's a blog?

A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.

In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.

Since Blogger was launched, almost five years ago, blogs have reshaped the web, impacted politics, shaken up journalism, and enabled millions of people to have a voice and connect with others.

And we're pretty sure the whole deal is just getting started.

Publish your thoughts

A blog gives you your own voice on the web. It's a place to collect and share things that you find interesting— whether it's your political commentary, a personal diary, or links to web sites you want to remember.

Many people use a blog just to organize their own thoughts, while others command influential, worldwide audiences of thousands. Professional and amateur journalists use blogs to publish breaking news, while personal journalers reveal inner thoughts.

Whatever you have to say, Blogger can help you say it.

Get feedback

The blogging experience is about not only putting your thoughts on the web, but hearing back from and connecting with other like-minded folks.

Blogger Comments let readers of your site from all over the world give feedback on what you share on your blog. You can choose whether or not you want to allow comments on a post-by-post basis (and you can delete anything you don't like).

Group blogs can be excellent communication tools for small teams, families, or other groups. Give your group its own space on the web for sharing news, links, and ideas.

Blogger Profiles let you find people and blogs that share your interests. And your profile lets people find you (but only if you want to be found).

Your Blogger Profile lists your blogs, your recent posts and more. Clicking on interests or location takes you to other people's profiles, whose blogs you might enjoy.

TIME: 5 RIVETING SOLDIER BLOGS

From http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1106331-1,00.html

http://misoldierthoughts.blogspot.com

http://bootsinbaghdad.blogspot.com

http://sgtlizzie.blogspot.com

http://thunder6.typepad.com

http://madeucegunners.blogspot.com