Traveling around the net, you've probably already run into
several blogs and may even already know a little about them.

A blog is recognized as an Internet journal of more personal
nature than a regular website. Here the writer or "blogger" will
write his or her comments on a given subject or provide links to
useful websites. And the content varies widely - from
opinionated, to review, to sharing "how to" information and
more.

Bloggers are similar to newspaper columnists. However, they
don't necessarily have the same or even similar specialized
training. Anyone, regardless of age, profession, technological &
writing skills levels, maturity level...can blog.

The phrase blog is derived from a combination of the words web
and log. Blogs have become so mainstream that Merriam-Webster's
termed 'blog' the word of the year in 2004.

History
-------

Even before the popularity of the Internet, working electronic
communities existed. For example, AP wire was similar to modern
chat room where electronic conversations went on. Before the
blog set its foot in the scene other form were employed as
Usenet, email lists and bulletin boards.

Blogging employs the personal web page with tools like blogrolls
and TrackBacks to forms links to other pages, especially those
of comments or posted afterthoughts.

Justin Hall, who began blogging in 1994, is known to be one of
the blogging pioneers.

Blogging's rise to influence and goes mainstream
------------------------------------------------

In the beginning, blogs were mostly lists of suggested links
with commentary. But over time, they developed into something
more. These days anyone and everyone seems to own a blog on the
Internet, even celebrities, students, Internet newbies... --
people of all ages write Blogs, thanks to easy-to-use programs
like WordPress and Blogger.

However this growth and development has also lead to some
interesting uses of blogs. For example, some bloggers take blogs
to be a vanity tool and rattle on about their daily observations
to family and friends. And writing complaints in blogs about
others has turned into a common phenomenon; sometimes names are
named, leading to repercussions.

With the bad comes the good, though. There are also blogs of
serious nature. They are used to make political statements,
promote products, provide research information, and give
tutorials.