MEDE102 Introduction to New Media Communications

Weblogs
AKA Blogs
 What is a blog?
Wikipedia Definition:
A weblog, web log or simply a blog, is a web application
which contains periodic time-stamped posts on a common
webpage.
The term “blog” is used rather than weblog to avoid
confusion with the word web server log.
 What is a Blog?
A BLOG is a web site that often provides commentary
or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics,
or local news; some function as more personal online
diaries.

A BLOG is a web site that allows an author to publish

instantly from any Internet connection. A blog can
be interactive, allowing the Blogger and Subscriber
to begin conversations or add information published
here.
 Distinct Attributes
Unlike threaded discussions, only the author of a
blog can create a new topic, called making a post, for
a discussion.

Unlike e-mail, blogs are sites where authors post in

reverse chronological order.
 Blog Search Engines
http://www.blogsearchengine.com/

http://www.blogsearch.com/

http://www.blogpulse.com/

http://www.technorati.com/

http://www.blogdigger.com/index.html

http://www.icerocket.com/
 Sample Blogs
http://www.blogscanada.com/

http://www.pointsofinformation.ca/

http://www.bookninja.com/

http://toreal.blogs.com/

http://hockeynation.blogspot.com/

http://ramcguire.com/
Blogs Go Mainstream
2004:
Political Consultants, new services and candidates
use blogs as tools
Blogs become standard publicity arsenal
Blog pieces reach print and blogging personalities
began appearing on radio and TV
Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary declared “Blog” as
the word of the year
“Rathergate” Scandal
Blogs accepted by the mass media as a source of news
 What Blogs are NOT
A place just to turn in papers

A replacement for a message board

Something that will sit there and run itself

Benign, boring document without hyperlinks or

references

A place to write in the 3rd person

 What Blogs ARE
A place to share your reflections about your passion

Part of a conversation

A place to site your opinions

A place where decisions makers are looking to spot

trends and opinions

A place to promote yourself and your opinions

 What Blogs ARE
A place to address issues of professional concern

A place to overcome geographic or professional

isolation

A place to vent (blow off stream)

Why Should You Blog?
Blogs are easy to create.
Many are free. Those that are not free are affordable.
You will have a worldwide audience for their
opinions.
You can syndicate your blog, that is, make the blog
available to Internet users who subscribe to your
blog.
Blogs are flexible, lots of uses.
Why Should You Blog?
Encourages participation and discussion.

Easy way to practice writing and improving writing

skills.

Gives you a feeling of ownership.

 Why You Might Not
Want to Blog?
It takes time to keep a blog updated.

No confidentiality.

It is sometimes difficult to find a topic or topics to

write about.

The worldwide audience might scare you.

 Blog Services
Blogger
http://www.blogger.com

MSN Spaces
http://spaces.msn.com

Feedburner
http://feedburner.com
 Blog Types
1. Personal – an online diary that people use to post their
day to day experiences complaints, poems, etc…
(thoughtful/Friendblog)
2. Topical – Focuses on a specific niche, often a technical
one, like Google’s blog, which covers nothing but
Google news.
3. News – Focuses on news on a certain topic like
basketball or cell phone use in high schools.
4. Collaborative – a blog written by more than one
person
5. Political – a free space for comments and criticism of
other authors.
 Blog Types
6.Legal – blogs that discuss law and legal affairs are often
referred to as “blawgs.”

7.Directory – useful for web surfers because they often

collect numerous web sites with interesting content in an
easy to use and constantly updated format.

8.Corporate – official or semi-official blogs posted by

employees of corporations.

9.Advice – provides expert advice such as Microsoft

technical knowledge.
 Activity
Split up into groups

Find examples of 2-4 different types of blogs

Compare & contrast the following attributes of those

blogs:
Format
Content
Readership
 Blog Types
Activity
1. Personal
2. Topical Pick 3-4, then Compare &
Contrast…
3. News
4. Collaborative •Format
5. Political •Content
•Readership
6. Legal
7. Directory
8. Corporate
9. Advice