Blogging 101

The word blog seems like something out of Dr. Suess---a made up name. In a way it is. Until fairly recently, the word blog wasn't even a word and now it is both a noun and a verb. In 1997, the word Web Log was born as companies and media journalists began to use this new technology to chronicle events such as hurricanes and ongoing projects. The earliest web logs, known as online diaries, began in the mid 1990's and were mainly written by journalists, writers and researchers. By the turn of the century, web log was shortened (typical of our hurried generation) to "blog" and the craze began. Companies such as Wordpress and Blogger made it easy and free for anyone to open up a blog. Mechanics, hairstylists and business gurus all make up the incredible 100 million bloggers on the World Wide Web. Even President elect Barack Obama has a blog! (www.barackobama.com/blog)

What is a blog?

A blog is a personal diary or chronicle of events that allows average everyday people to tap into their creative spirit. Who hasn't dreamed of being a Dear Abbey, or a sports journalist? What pensive teenager hasn't wished for an outlet to vent about parents, boys, and friends? Blogging is now mainstream and provides everyone the opportunity to have their voice heard. Bloggers can freely vent about the latest political scandal, that all-important blown sports call, and give advice on love, sex, and money. Everyone is suddenly an expert and that has proved to be both a blessing and a curse.

Since even Joe the Plummer can voice his opinions, information you read on blogs must be scrutinized carefully. A typical newspaper or magazine has numerous editors and fact checkers making sure that the stories they run are accurate and filled with timely information. Bloggers do not need to follow such tight regulations. The only consequences bloggers need to be aware of are liability and defamation. If you print inaccurate and harmful information about another person in your blog, you may be sued. Otherwise, bloggers are free to print what they want and when they want. This massive amount of information often creates confusion and blurs the lines between facts and opinion. If you choose to read a blog, double check its' sources before taking them at face value.

Where can you find a blog?

Blogs can be found anytime you do a search on Google. Chances are you have read a blog without even realizing it. Many blogs are built to look like actual websites, which in turn lend credibility to the author's writings. If you want to find a particular blog or just surf blogs in your area of expertise, you can visit several websites.

1.www.wordpress.com

2.www.blogger.com

3.www.technorati.com

Wordpress is a free site that allows you to build your own blog for free and read the thousands of blogs contained in their library. Once on their home page, you can search for blogs by categories (known as tags), keywords, or just browse the latest entries of the day. Wordpress also offers choice blogs and ranks the best of the day for those with less time to browse. Technorati actually ranks blogs according to popularity so you can only follow those blogs who are well established. Since the majority of blogs fizzle out and die after a short time, you may not want to invest your time and energy in the ramblings of a stay at home mom who may leave her blog in the dust after the initial novelty wears off. The best part about reading a blog is that it offers you the ability to comment on it. Disagree with the author's opinion? Say so in the comment box at the bottom of the page. Want to add your own two cents? Leave a comment for the world to read. Comments on blogs range from snarling disagreements to factual corrections and advice.

How to Follow a Blog:

What if you find a blog you want to read over again? Google makes it very easy to follow your favorite blogs by offering a blog following gadget you can download directly to your Google Reader or Blogger Dashboard. If you own a blog on Wordpress or Blogger, you can also add a blog to your Blogroll (a fancy name for a favorites list). There are several great blogs out there that are worthy of your time and affection. If you want service-centered blogs (blogs that are out to teach something and written like an article), try these great blogs:

1. The Huffington Post (http://huffingtonpost.com): a blog on news and opinion
2. TechCrunch (http://techcrunch.com): a blog on technology, business, and gadgets
3. Smashing Magazine (http://smashingmagazine.com) a blog for web developers and designers
4. Octopus Mom (http://octopusmom.wordpress.com) a parenting blog dealing with housework, children, exercise and even entertainment

For blogs that are written in a journal style of writing and are purely entertainment, there are numerous ones out there to fit just about every interest you have. Follow the latest celebrity gossip at Perez Hilton's blog (http://perezhilton.com), follow the weird and crazy secrets of an anonymous nation at Post Secret (http://postsecret.com) and even get a laugh as you watch crazy pictures of cats at Cheeseburger Cat (http://icanhascheezburger.com). Beware though; once you find a blog you enjoy, it can be rather addictive. Companies often have strict blogging policies to limit employees' time spent on blogging sites. So if you choose to visit blogging site, check your company's policy before you start.

Joining in the Fun: How to set up your own blog:

Inevitably, once you begin to read blogs you will say to yourself, "Hey, I can do that! Maybe I should open a blog." Even if you are not Internet savvy, opening up your own blog is a breeze. Free sites like Blogger and Wordpress make it unbelievably easy to do and it only takes a matter of minutes. At Wordpress for example, all you need to do is click on the link that says "Sign up now". You will be asked to create an account and pick a name for your masterpiece. Once you do that, you can begin to blog. The templates are easy to use and you can customize them with your own pictures and gadgets. Within minutes your first official blog post can be published.

Seeing your ideas in print can be very liberating for many people. Most bloggers use their own names, but many choose to blog under a pen name. By using an alias, the blogger can say things he otherwise wouldn't want to disclose to the general public. Bloggers have chronicled affairs, addiction problems, and even work issues. Just be careful and responsible. Even if no one knows who you are, doesn't mean they can't eventually find out and you should never publish something that isn't factual. If you choose to write your own opinions, make sure you qualify that in your blog posts or somewhere on your blog site (maybe even in the title).

A blog is truly only as great as its' writer. Do you have something to say? Something that other people would find interesting? Are you an expert in a particular field and want to share your knowledge with the world? Or are you simply looking to create a blog that friends and family can visit to keep track of all your comings and goings? Whatever your reason, chances are there is a blog out there for you. If there isn't, be the first to create one and you may find yourself at the top of the blogging elite.