What is Blogging and How Do Get Started?

By Randall White

A blog is a lot like an online journal, but it can be written by a number of people, or by just one person. Each post is written on a website in chronological order, but usually displayed in reverse order. The term 'blogging' or 'blog' can also be used as a verb to imply an action - in other words, that of posting a comment on a blog.

The word 'blog' comes from Jorn Barger's word 'weblog' and reportedly sprung into being when Peter Merholz divided it into the two words 'we blog' on his website for a laugh.

When lots of folks interact using a blog, they are typically discussing a particular subject of interest for them. Consequently, if someone wants to know what's the best pink gadget to buy for his boat, others will write in with their comment on how that particular gadget worked - or didn't work. Blogs are ideal for discovering what other folk's experiences have been with anything you can conceive.

If someone is knowledgeable on some topic with plenty of experience that other people can benefit from, then he might start up a blog about it and offer advice. They might in addition offer links to other sites that promote products applicable to the area of competence. Also he may offer links to other articles or other blogs regarding the same subject.

Blogs utilize both images and text, even so, some blogs emphasize art (artblog), videos (vlog), photographs (photoblog) and audio, that is, podcasting or MP3. Blogs can be short or long, but those that are very short are referred to as micro-blogging. Blogs are usually updated several times a day and the technology utilized today allows people who understand very little about it to become confident bloggers with just a brief learning curve.

In the early days of blogging, bloggers referred to themselves diarists, journalers, or even escribitionists. An article or comment placed on a blog is called a post, a blog post or an entry. Old blogs on a topic are sometimes referred to as 'archives' and may be maintained on a different page or pages that can be accessed via a hyperlink. There are occassionally a variety of links - like the index at the end of a book and they are located on the right or left of the blogging page.

The great thing about blogging is that individuals who have the same interests can all come together and talk about, getting to know each other (so to speak) at the same time.

About the Author:

Randall White, the author, writes often on topics such as What is Blogging? If you want more great articles, videos, and products, take a few seconds and visit Blogging for Fun and Profit