Blogging

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Blogging for Web newcomers

A blog is essentially an online journal wherein you can digitally write down (share) your thoughts, ideas and opinions or practically anything else that you want people to read. Blogs come in different styles, formats, and settings – depending on the preference of the user. Many blogging sites offer built-in features such as html formatting, hyperlinks, straight text as well as photos and images, among other features. Some blogging sites even allow you to publish video and mp3’s on your blogs.

Instead of writing text, there are bloggers who choose to make their blogs more audio friendly by using spoken word entries. This is called audio blogging.
Basically a blog contains these features:

The Blog Title – which allows you to label your posts

The Blog Body – this is the content of your posts

Trackback Capability – which allows other sites can be linked back to your blog

Permanent Links – enabling every article that you write to have a URL

Comments Section – which allow readers to post comments on your blog.

One of the advantages of blogging is the simplicity of the templates, unlike other websites that is made up of numerous individual pages. This makes it easier for blog users to create new pages, because it already has a fix setting that include: slots for blog title, body and category, etc. It is especially useful for first time users, since they can start blogging right away. They can choose from the select number of templates that a blogging website provides.

To start a blog

Anyone who wants to start a blog can do so by creating a membership account with a blogging website of their choice. Once they’ve activated the membership, they automatically become a part of that particular blogging community. The new blogger can browse through other bloggers’ pages, and link them back to their own blogs. They can also post comments on other members’ blogs and create relationships with those that share their interests.

Blogging is not just limited to personal usage. There are plenty of blogs that follow specific themes such as: sports, politics, philosophy, social commentary, etc. These blogs elaborate on and enhance their specific themes and in so doing blogging becomes a medium in which people can share their knowledge and opinions about a variety of themes and topics. Some bloggers even use their blogs as a means of advertising and promotion for their books as well as books of other authors while other bloggers use their blogs to shed light on current issues, events, news and catastrophes.

In today’s progressive educational facilities, blogs also play an important part pursuant to which teachers and professors use blogging to document the lessons that they have discussed and taught. This way, students who who have missed classes, can easily catch up with their assignments. Blogging also benefit many entrepreneurs who utilize their posts to promote businesses in which they are involved. With millions and millions of people logging onto the Web everyday, blogging has become a lucrative marketing method.

The community

Some bloggers who run online businesses promote their merchandise online while others profit through advertisement; But by far, the most popular blog type is that which takes the form of a personal journal. This is the kind that is often used by first time bloggers and individuals who want to document the daily struggle of their everyday lives, or post poems, or rants and opinions find that blogging offers them a medium in which to express themselves.

Bloggers usually communicate among themselves. This is one of the appealing characteristics of blogging. It creates a community of people sharing their ideas, thoughts, and comments with each other and the varying features (in topics, themes, and set-ups) can be found in blog directories. First time users who want to get an idea of what the blogging world is all about can browse through a number of blogs using these directories. This way they’d get an idea of what activities are highlighted in these blogging communities.

The origins

The term Blog was derived from weblog which originally meant website log, but blogging caught on and has become a popular type of communication all over the World Wide Web. There are no rules when it comes to blogging. Bloggers have the freedom to express themselves in whatever way they wish, except in some instances of vulgar, offensive and/or sexually explicit content. Overall, the best part about blogging, is that most blogging sites are free.

There are numerous blogging websites to choose from on the Web. This give newcomers the option of joining a blogging community that appeals to their interests. Just search any blogging directory and you’d get a listing of blogging sites that are available on the Web. It’s easy to search a blogging directory because it is organized according to category. This way you would get exactly what you are after. Blogging is really for everyone, beginner and experienced Web user. It is fun, simple and easy.