Module 6 - learning activity 1

Researching blogs

The word "blog" means: The word "blog" means: A shortened version of "Web Log" (Macquarie Dictionary,4th ed.,2006). 'The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger[4] on 17 December 1997. The short form, "blog," was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April or May 1999.[5][6][7] Shortly thereafter, Evan Williams at Pyra Labs used "blog" as both a noun and verb ("to blog," meaning "to edit one's weblog or to post to one's weblog") and devised the term "blogger" in connection with Pyra Labs' Blogger product, leading to the popularization of the terms' (http://en.wikapedia.org/wiki/Blog) What a "blog" is and what it does: 'A blog is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs.' (http://en.wikapedia.org/wiki/Blog) Types of "blogs" available: 'Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (Art blog), photographs (photoblog), videos (video blogging), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting.' (http://en.wikapedia.org/wiki/Blog/) Example ! - Art blog: http://www.artnewsblog.com/ Example 2 - Photo blog: http://www.whitetulipblog.com/ Example 3 - MP3 blog: http://www.sixeyes.blogspot.com/2009/06/nick-cave-live-melbourne-australia-2009.html Blogging system strengths and weaknesses: This is a great table answering all questions and more, except for hacking? There doesn't seems to be a system that can really avoid it - best hints I can find are to change your passwords regularly and don't choose anything that might be found on your blog??? This table comparison from: http://www.blog-services-review.toptenreviews.com/ )