Submitted by

V Viswanath Reddy

II MCA

09751F0048

Sreenivasa Institute of Technology & Management Studies

Chittoor

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Introduction:
A blog (a blend of the term web log) 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

Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (Art blog), photographs
(photoblog), videos (video blogging), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting). Micro blogging
is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts.

As of December 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than
112,000,000 blogs

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History:

The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger 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.

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

Rise in popularity:
After a slow start, blogging rapidly gained in popularity. Blog usage spread during 1999
and the years following, being further popularized by the near-simultaneous arrival of the first
hosted blog tools:

Bruce Ableson launched Open Diary in October 1998, which soon grew to thousands of
online diaries. Open Diary innovated the reader comment, becoming the first blog community
where readers could add comments to other writers' blog entries.

Brad Fitzpatrick started LiveJournal in March 1999.

Andrew Smales created Pitas.com in July 1999 as an easier alternative to maintaining a

Evan Williams and Meg Hourihan (Pyra Labs) launched blogger.com in August 1999
(purchased by Google in February 2003)

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Types:
There are many different types of blogs, differing not only in the type of content, but
also in the way that content is delivered or written.

Personal blogs:

The personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the traditional,

Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to
reflect on life, or works of art. Blogging can have a sentimental quality. Few personal blogs rise
to fame and the mainstream, but some personal blogs quickly garner an extensive following.

One type of personal blog, referred to as a microblog, is extremely detailed and seeks to
capture a moment in time.

Some sites, such as Twitter, allow bloggers to share thoughts and feelings
instantaneously with friends and family, and are much faster than emailing or writing.

Corporate and organizational blogs:

A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs used
internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for
marketing, branding or public relations purposes are called corporate blogs.

Similar blogs for clubs and societies are called club blogs, group blogs, or by similar
names; typical use is to inform members and other interested parties of club and member
activities.

By genre:

Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs (also known
as travelogs), house blogs, fashion blogs, project blogs, education blogs, niche blogs, classical
music blogs, quizzing blogs and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs.

Two common types of genre blogs are art blogs and music blogs. A blog featuring
discussions especially about home and family is not uncommonly called a mom blog. While not
a legitimate type of blog, one used for the sole purpose of spamming is known as a Splog.

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By media type:

A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site
containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a
photoblog. Blogs with shorter posts and mixed media types are called tumblelogs. Blogs that
are written on typewriters and then scanned are called typecast or typecast blogs; see
typecasting (blogging).

By device:

Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written
by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog.

One early blog was Wearable Wireless Webcam, an online shared diary of a person's
personal life combining text, video, and pictures transmitted live from a wearable computer
and EyeTap device to a web site.

This practice of semi-automated blogging with live video together with text was referred
to as sousveillance. Such journals have been used as evidence in legal matters.

Blogging and advertising:

Community and cataloging:

BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to
getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. The designated date
is August 31, because when written 3108, it resembles the word "Blog".

On that day, bloggers recommend five new blogs to their visitors, so that readers
discover new, previously unknown blogs.

Blog search engines:

Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents, such as Bloglines,
BlogScope, and Technorati. Technorati, which is among the most popular blog search engines,
provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog
postings.

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 The research community is working on going beyond simple keyword search, by
inventing new ways to navigate through huge amounts of information present in the
blogosphere, as demonstrated by projects like BlogScope

Political dangers:
Blogging can sometimes have unforeseen consequences in politically sensitive areas.
Blogs are much harder to control than broadcast or even print media. As a result, totalitarian
and authoritarian regimes often seek to suppress blogs and/or to punish those who maintain
them.

In Singapore, two ethnic Chinese were imprisoned under the country’s anti-sedition law
for posting anti-Muslim remarks in their blogs.

Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer was charged with insulting the Egyptian president Hosni
Mubarak and an Islamic institution through his blog. It is the first time in the history of Egypt
that a blogger was prosecuted. After a brief trial session that took place in Alexandria, the
blogger was found guilty and sentenced to prison terms of three years for insulting Islam and
inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mubarak.

Egyptian blogger Abdel Monem Mahmoud was arrested in April 2007 for anti-
government writings in his blog. Monem is a member of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

After expressing opinions in his personal blog about the state of the Sudanese armed
forces, an Pronk, United Nations Special Representative for the Sudan, was given three days
notice to leave Sudan. The Sudanese army had demanded his deportation.

In Myanmar, Nay Phone Latt, a blogger, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for posting a
cartoon critical of head of state Than Shwe.

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Free Blog Providers:
For anyone interested in blogging, it can be hard to find the one that works for you. You
want to go where people can read your blog or maybe you want it where only your family or
friends can read it. It took me some time, but I complied what I believe to be the list of the best.
If anyone sees one I missed, please feel free to add the blog in your comment, that way you can
help me make this the ultimate list of the best blogs.

WordPress (http://wordpress.com)

This one is number one for one main reason, it does not have ads on your blog. You can
set up your layout, color scheme, theme and everything just the way you want it. Not only
can you install WordPress on your own sites, you can use the same software on their site
and save yourself all of the technical work. You do not have to install anything, but you can
if you choose to.

Blogger/BlogSpot (http://blogger.com)

This one is one of most commonly used blogs, linking to others is quite easy and
updating it is very user-friendly. You also have the option of deleting comments, which is
nice for those who don’t want people advertising on their blogs.

LiveJournal (http://livejournal.com)

Not only is this a great blog, but it a great tool for writers. There are hundreds of groups
set up designed to let you join a writing challenge. For anyone who is looking to have their
skills as a writer tested, this is the place for you. Customizable theme, avatars, layouts and a
few more things you can get if you want to pay for them, but I did that a few years back, not
really worth the money.

Vox (http://vox.com)

A personal blogging service where people share thoughts, photos, videos with friends
and family

BlogSome (blogsome.com)

BlogSome is the fastest growing blog host in the world (in percentage terms) Was voted
Forbes Best of The Web pick. Based out of Ireland, this site uses the WordPress MU
platform, large choice of themes.

Xanga (www.xanga.com) 

This is more community-centric blogging, including Friends lists.

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MySpace (www.myspace.com)

This is more community-centric blogging, but you get all sorts of layout and
backgrounds to play with. There are so many websites dedicated to making backgrounds
and goodies for MySpace it is not funny.

Facebook: (www.facebook.com)

On Facebook, you can have “Notes” which are viewed by your friends. If you want only
friends and family to see this, you have the option on Facebook.

Insane Journal (InsaneJournal.com) –

Another site based on the same software that runs LiveJournal, offers free and paid
accounts, paid benefits are only enhancements.

Journal Fen (JournalFen.net) –

Runs on the same platform as LiveJournal platform, very much directed towards various
topics and is meant for users 18 and older.

BlogABond (Blogabond.com) –

A site dedicated to travel blogs with map integration and more.

Blog Cheese (BlogCheese.com) –

A video blogging website. Nothing to do with cheese.

Busy Thumbs (BusyThumbs.com)-

A blog site specifically for your text messages and camera phone images.

FreeVlog (Freevlog) –

Designed for video blogging and completely free.

Trippert (Trippert.com) –

Create and share blogs of your travels.