The Phenomenon
According to Technorati (2008), there are 133 million registered blogs in web space. In addition, there is an update every 8 seconds. This shows that the blogging phenomenon has truly taken over the world.
The term blog is derived from the term ‘web log’. According to Blood (2000), the term “weblog” was first coined by Jorn Barger on his Robot Wisdom website in 1997 and is now used to describe personal websites that offer “frequently updated observations, news, headlines, commentary, recommended links or diary entries, generally chronologically organized.” This shows the diversity and functionality of a blog.
According to Technorati (2008), there are 133 million registered blogs in web space. In addition, there is an update every 8 seconds. This shows that the blogging phenomenon has truly taken over the world.
The term blog is derived from the term ‘web log’. According to Blood (2000), the term “weblog” was first coined by Jorn Barger on his Robot Wisdom website in 1997 and is now used to describe personal websites that offer “frequently updated observations, news, headlines, commentary, recommended links or diary entries, generally chronologically organized.” This shows the diversity and functionality of a blog.
The Popularity
One main reason for the popularity of blogs is how the Internet allows it to be dynamic and entertaining at the same time. The Internet or the World Wide Web offers a ‘complex interplay of written text, images and other graphic or sound elements …’ (Kress & van Leeuwen 2006, p.17). The author of the blog is able to utilize all these elements into making his or her weblog an exciting yet informative one.
Based on a study of blogging by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in 2005, the growth of Internet users who read blogs jumped by 58% in 2004 (Pew 2005). In the Asian context, it is found that nearly half of those online in Asia have a blog (Stern 2006). These statistics show that the blogosphere is far-reaching and has no restrictions on cultures or continents.
One main reason for the popularity of blogs is how the Internet allows it to be dynamic and entertaining at the same time. The Internet or the World Wide Web offers a ‘complex interplay of written text, images and other graphic or sound elements …’ (Kress & van Leeuwen 2006, p.17). The author of the blog is able to utilize all these elements into making his or her weblog an exciting yet informative one.
Based on a study of blogging by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in 2005, the growth of Internet users who read blogs jumped by 58% in 2004 (Pew 2005). In the Asian context, it is found that nearly half of those online in Asia have a blog (Stern 2006). These statistics show that the blogosphere is far-reaching and has no restrictions on cultures or continents.
Benefits to the Community?
Blogging is able to benefit communities in various ways. Firstly, blogging is an excellent way for businesses to increase their visibility on the web and to project their brand into the marketplace (Falkow 2005). In addition, many experts are able like to extend their ideas, thoughts and messages beyond just their clients - even for no fee (Perera 2008).
Blogs have taken the world by storm. There is no doubt about that. Now, it is time to repay the people for their trust and belief in it.
References
Technorati Media, 2008, About Us, viewed 8 November 2008, http://technoratimedia.com/about/
Blood, R 2000, Weblogs: a history and perspective. Rebecca's pocket, viewed 10 November 2008, http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html
Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, Reading Images: Grammar of Visual Design, Routledge, London.
Reports: Technology and Media Use 2005, Pew Internet & American Life Project, viewed on 10 November 2008, http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/144/report_display.asp
Stern, A 2006, Blogging Phenomenon Sweeps Asia, viewed 11 November 2008, http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/144/report_display.asp
Falkow, S 2005, Businesses begin to realize the benefits of blogging, viewed on 11 November 2008, http://falkow.blogsite.com/public/item/84684
Perera, G 2008, The Personal Benefits of Blogging, Article Alley, viewed 11 November 2008, ,http://falkow.blogsite.com/public/item/84684
Blogging is able to benefit communities in various ways. Firstly, blogging is an excellent way for businesses to increase their visibility on the web and to project their brand into the marketplace (Falkow 2005). In addition, many experts are able like to extend their ideas, thoughts and messages beyond just their clients - even for no fee (Perera 2008).
Blogs have taken the world by storm. There is no doubt about that. Now, it is time to repay the people for their trust and belief in it.
References
Technorati Media, 2008, About Us, viewed 8 November 2008, http://technoratimedia.com/about/
Blood, R 2000, Weblogs: a history and perspective. Rebecca's pocket, viewed 10 November 2008, http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html
Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, Reading Images: Grammar of Visual Design, Routledge, London.
Reports: Technology and Media Use 2005, Pew Internet & American Life Project, viewed on 10 November 2008, http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/144/report_display.asp
Stern, A 2006, Blogging Phenomenon Sweeps Asia, viewed 11 November 2008, http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/144/report_display.asp
Falkow, S 2005, Businesses begin to realize the benefits of blogging, viewed on 11 November 2008, http://falkow.blogsite.com/public/item/84684
Perera, G 2008, The Personal Benefits of Blogging, Article Alley, viewed 11 November 2008, ,http://falkow.blogsite.com/public/item/84684
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