WHAT'S A BLOG?

(by Pointblog.com, published in HANDBOOK FOR BLOGGERS AND CYBER-DISSIDENTS, Reporters without Borders, 2005.)

A “BLOG” (OR “WEBLOG”) IS A PERSONAL WEBSITE :

• containing mostly news (“posts”).
• regularly updated.
• in the form of a diary (most recent posts at the top of the page), with most of the posts also arranged in categories.
• set up using a specially-designed interactive tool.
• usually created and run by a single person, sometimes anonymously.
  

A BLOG’S POSTS :

• are usually text (including external links), sometimes with pictures and, more and more often, sound and video.
• can be commented on by visitors.
• are archived on the blog and can been accessed there indefinitely.
  

SO A BLOG IS MUCH LIKE A “PERSONAL WEBPAGE, EXCEPT THAT IT :

• is easier to set up and maintain and so much more active and more frequently updated.
• encourages a more open and personal style and franker viewpoints.
• greatly encourages discussion with visitors and other bloggers.
• sets a standard worldwide format for blogs, involving similar methods (two or three-column layout, comments on posts and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed.