What is a blog?

I am sure that this isn't the first article posted on this topic at HelpMeRick.com, but hopefully it will be the most complete.

There are three ways to define blogs: As news, as journals and as a ventilation system for people who want to be important.

In fact you could easily draw a vin diagram showing how most blogs overlap.

Blogs as News:

Blogs are websites that allow users to build and post to as easily as they send an email. This means that factors like web design, and computer literacy are of little importance.

Think of blogs as an online diary that the world can read. Why wait for a newspaper or turn on the TV for news when there is most likely someone in the middle of the action posting updates as the event is taking place? Does it really matter whether the reporter is on the payroll of a news organization if they are providing real news in real time?

This is why the traditional news outlets are trying to take action to limit the definition of blogs (and talk radio) as "the press." Otherwise a teenager with a camera phone may (and often does) get the scoop on a story over a larger outfit like CNN or FOX.

 Blogs as Journals:

Journaling is where blogs really shine for individual users. Since blogs are open web pages, they allow a single person or small group to get a mass message out easily.

If you are the president of your home owner's association and need to post updates to meetings and announcements, a blog is the perfect place to do it.

If you take long vacations and tire of writing mass emails, creating a blog can be a great alternative.

Blogs are regular websites. Anyone you invite can view your blog at any time. Visitors can also leave comments and questions if you'd like. You can even set up a blog for multiple contributors. 

Blogs are an excellent for any kind of newsletter or announcement list.

Blogs as Ventilation:

Opinions are like nose holes (or so the saying goes) everybody has one.

The most popular use for blogs is ranting. When you have a strong opinion about something and you keep getting told to go away, create a blog.

You can write on your blog day and night and invite others to read it. Once in a while this type of blog really takes off and becomes a "news" blog. Most of the time though, vistiors will happen across your blog as they are googling other topics.

 HelpMeRick.com is technically a blog. We are a combination. Rick writes informative and timely stuff and I complain.

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