To blog or not to blog

If you have a blog or are a regular blog respondent, then this article is not for you.
I, on the other hand, set out to learn what all this blogging is about.
According to blogger.com, a blog is “a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.”
It seems your blog is whatever you want it to be. And there are millions of them. As of December 2007, blog search engine Technorati was reportedly tracking more than 112 million blogs.
Rick Racela, webmaster for the Herald Newspaper, explained to me that the word blog is a contraction of the term “Web log” and is basically a Web site, set up by an individual who posts regular entries.
As technology developed and Web pages went from static, read only sources of information to dynamic, interactive designs, user-friendly programs helped the blog emerge into a real phenomenon.
“Blogs have become mini-independent publishing companies of a sort with little to no advertising,” said Racela.
People select a blog for its particular topic, author, or category. You can follow a topic or a particular personality. You can touch base with old friends, new acquaintances, or even celebrities.
There is no set schedule for blog entries; authors write whenever they feel the desire to do so.
Each new entry is posted at the top in reverse chronological order and usually readers can comment if they wish.
Blogs served as an important news source during the 2004 Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Blogs that were able to maintain an Internet connection became first-hand sources of information.
More recently, the role of blogs took on an important role when political consultants, news services, and candidates used them as tools to reach prospective voters and test their opinions.
There are currently seven blogs at CapeMayCountyHerald.com. One of the more popular is Motherhood Avenue, written by Elizabeth (Beth) Norton.
Norton loves to blog. She loves to read blogs.
“Blogs embrace an opinion with honesty wrapped around fact,” said Norton.
“While others may have some problems with blogs, I choose to read good supported blogs to receive some news,” she continued. “You may say that they could be leaning towards their personal agenda, but I would rather read from a personal blog reporting fact with their opinion interjected then have a media source report their news with their agenda hidden.”
Blogging is more than gossiping, or ranting, or advancing one’s own agenda.
“Important successful bloggers take this seriously and good blogs will not comment on false things or misrepresent facts, since they do not want to betray their readers’ trust,” said Norton.
Reading good, reliable blogs can be a comfort as you read opinions and views from like-minded individuals and connect with those that think the same as you. This connection is a rewarding experience, and it’s what keeps most bloggers going strong.
Norton’s blog explains in plain terms her life experiences as a mom. She has built a social network that celebrates the good times, advises in doubtful times, and supports her in troubled times.
She calls it a ‘true life blog.’
Norton writes entries about four times a week and has over 400 responders. She reads and comments on other mom blogs, too. She has even been able to re-connect with friends from her past.
“A blog is a convenient way to keep in touch with others who share your experience. There are no time constraints on when you write or comment,” she said.
Norton’s blog has been so successful that it has been picked up by NJmoms blog.com.
There are all sorts of blogs, like serious news blogs such as Greta Van Susteren, blogs for artists, and retirees, such as the Herald’s own Ray Rebmann’s blog, “On Edge in the Middle.”
There are recipe blogs, coupon blogs, and even manufacturer’s blogs asking for reviews of new products. Sometimes you get the product free to try. Creating chatter about a new product is every advertiser’s dream.
Blogs are constantly recreating themselves. Technology now allows the blogger to add photos, audio, and videos. Norton has a video imbedded in her last blog entry; now she calls it a vlog.
If you are interested in blogging, start by reading some about topics that interest you. Most blogs can be set up free through several sources. Just Google ‘blog.’
Racela warns though that the hardest part about blogging is keeping it up-dated and reliable. It will take up your time.
Give it a try. Blogging is certainly the newest way to stay current on news issues, trends, and the hot topics of the day.