Blog what?
Until today, despite the popularity of blogs, a lot of people still don't know what these blogs are and what they are for. Are blogs not just websites? Then why not just call them websites?
"Getting Started: Basics of Blogging" aims to introduce blogs to the beginner and the curious.
What is a blog?
The word "blog" is a shortened version of "web blog," which essentially is an online journal. A blog can be anything, from a diary of a bubbling teenager to a news site of a big corporation. Blogs are usually powered by blogging software, either running on its own web server, like Wordpress, Moveable Type or Drupal, or hosted on a blogging service, such as Blogger, LiveJournal or TypePad.
Common features of blogs are:
1. Chronological entries - blog posts are ordered by the date they were posted, usually the latest on top;
2. Categorized posts - entries are "tagged" or placed in categories, allowing readers to sort entries by topic;
3. Commenting system - anonymous readers or registered users can respond to blog posts, encouraging feedback and discussion
4. Trackback system - blogs communicate each other through trackback; when Blog A links to a post in Blog B, a trackback appears in the comments section of Blog B linkback back to Blog A
What is Blogging?
Blogging is the act or practice of posting entries to a blog. Thanks to blogging software, blogging can be as simple as using a word processor. Blogging has empowered so many people, even the "non-techie" types can have websites of their own (blogs) even without knowing HTML.
Blogging for most of us often starts because of a compelling reason or idea, such as:
1. An extreme emotion
2. A desire to share knowledge
3. A desire to communicate
4. A desire to promote one's self
Blogging can become a hobby that anyone can do during sparetime. It is even addicting, as some would admit.
It can also be a hobby that can turn into a full-time occupation, since blogs have the potential of making money just like any other website by selling advertisements, products or services.
Often, blogging is used in support of an existing profession, a project or a business. As such, blogs have been used in the business and professional world to update clients and stakeholders of the latest news and developments..
Who is a blogger
A blogger is a person who posts entries to a blog, either his/her own or somebody else's. Strictly speaking, anybody who has posted to a blog can be called a blogger, but some say that a blogger is one who posts on a regullar basis.
That notwithstanding, a blogger can be anybody -- from an anonymous employee blogging about office politics, to a well-known author promoting his latest book.
Bloggers can be experts already known even before they started blogging, or experts who became known by blogging. As such, blogs can become powerful tools for self-promotion, either in search of business, jobs, or mere popularity. A virtual unknown can become a celebrity overnight or establish himself as an expert by running a successful blog.
Ready to blog?
Click on the topics below.
