Posted on June 15, 2006 - by John

What is a Blog?

What a good question, and I am glad you asked it. The word ‘blog’ has been flying around the internet for a number of years now. In order to gain an insight into how it is defined publicly let us first take a look at some examples of how various publications define the word blog.

“A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.” Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.” www.conceptwebsites.com/SEO/common-terms.htm

“The name “blog” is a truncated form of “web log” according to Rebecca Blood’s essay “Weblogs: a history and perspective.” Blog is used to refer to sites that can best be described as mini sites or mini directories, populated with the site owner’s personal opinions. Blogs are now popular for business use as well.” www.thewebdivision.com/glossary.html

A weblog (usually shortened to blog, but occasionally spelled web log) is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally in reverse chronological order). Although most early weblogs were manually updated, tools to automate the maintenance of such sites made them accessible to a much larger population, and the use of some sort of browser-based software is now a typical aspect of “blogging”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

A “web log” produced with Blogger; a type of personal diary posted on the internet. Blueline: is a proof made with photosensitized paper from the final offset negatives that will be used to make the final printing plates. www.dupinanddupin.com/b.html

I wont give too many examples here, but you can see more by doing a google search for the topic or the definition. As you can see there are many ideas out there which discuss how blog can be defined. But I am sure you agree that there is some consensus on the overall meaning of the word. In this short article my aim is to define the word blog in a format which will allow you, the reader, the ability to understand it’s definition. So maybe, you can apply this information and get a blog for yourself, or even if you have a blog already you may find this an interesting article and have some comments you feel you would like to add. Please feel free to do so.

The word blog has evolved and is still evolving, like the internet blogs too are changing constantly in many new and exciting ways. However, the definition is basically the same, as is the core meaning of the world of ‘blogging’. A blog is a kind of journal or diary, but it is so much more than that really. It is a public journal available on the internet, it can contain personal information, in diary form, or serve as a source of information on a particular topic. Often one finds that a blog also contains many links to other websites, pictures, and some even go as far as offering downloads, and videos.

There is usually a list of information and services on a blog. These include, but are certainly not limited to:
Comments
If you see the word comments under a post, this usually will take you to a page where people commented on the particular post, you may also have the opportunity to add your own comments.
Archives
Some blogs have been in existence for just a few weeks, some for a few years and many for a good few years. The data or entries are usually archived into easy to find sections usually ordered by category or by date.
Syndication
Many blogs such as those powered by wordpress have the ability to syndicate their content so that you can add the posts to your favorite RSS reader. Find out more about RSS by doing a google search.

Recently many companies have allowed there employees to have blogs, sometimes showcasing their work in the company. Companies themselves publish their public official Blogs to showcase information and make official announcements, for example google has adopted this strategy. Why not take a spin over to their official blog by clicking here.

There can be an negative side to blogging however, issues such as employees blogging about private work business and information which should not be shared with the public has caused some people even to loose their jobs. A blogger should be aware of what is acceptable and what is not. While setting up a blog can only take a few clicks there is some serious implications to those who do not have a certain standard of what is right and what is wrong when it comes to blogging.

Don’t let this put you off though, these cases tend to be limited, and blogging can offer you a new and exciting way to communicate with the world, the ability to voice yourself and be heard is something which is a great attraction to any person regardless of age sex or whatever.

People blog about: Sports, Cameras, Celebrities, blogs.

I hope you have success with yours if you do decided to blog, and hope you found this article interesting.