What is a blog?

A blog (also called a web log) is a web site consisting of entries. (Entries are also known as posts.) The entries appear in reverse chronological order; that is, the newest entry is at the top and the oldest is at the bottom.

Blogs also often contain links for one purpose or another, and they often allow readers to post comments, perhaps using a text area in a form. Comments typically are listed in a section below the original entries.

Some vocabulary:

• A blog is also called a "web log" or "weblog".
• Entries are also called "posts".
• A "blogger" is a person who writes entries for a blog.
• The "blogosphere" is the entire online community of bloggers and blogs.
• "Blogging" is the act of writing an entry for a blog.
• The "blog host" is the server on which the blog lives.

What are blogs used?

Blogs originally were used for online diaries by people who wanted to live their lives entirely in the open. (This is not the safest way to live.) Many blogs still are basically diaries.

Over time, people have found other uses for blogs:

• Political commentary
• Announcements of new products or services
• Reviews of concerts, films, TV shows or sporting events

How do I set up a blog?

As a blog is basically just a web page, you could start one by getting an account on a server and then using a text editor to create your web page and later to add new entries, along with an FTP program to post the web page on the server.

It is much easier, of course, to use software designed for the purpose. Such software may do a lot for you:

• Allow you to post new entries easily and automatically insert them at the top of the page (with a time stamp).
• Allow readers to add comments and automatically insert them at the top of the comments section (with a time stamp).
• Remove old entries and comments and keep them in an archive. (The timing would be under your control.)
• Allow users to search the archive for old entries.
• Provide an ID for each entry so people can bookmark a specific entry.

How do I get blog software?

There are lots of possibilities. One is WordPress.Com which provides free software and plenty of documentation. It will also host the blog for you, meaning that it will provide the server and manage ths software. You can set up a blog through WordPress very easily; all you need is an e-mail address.