by Zhuan Lee
Diaries. Our deepest, darkest secrets that we wouldn’t even trade the world for. Sometimes they even come with a flimsy little lock and key. Wouldn’t you get hysterical if someone tried to peep into your diary? I would. But now, there are now countless bloggers around the world who are publishing their diaries on the internet in the form of a blog, or web log. A blog is THE thing to have now, and blogging is fast becoming a favorite global pastime. What exactly is all the hype about? “Have you seen my blog?” I asked a British friend. He replied cheekily, “What on earth is a blog?” A blog is a web page that serves as a publicly accessible journal for an individual. Typically they are updated daily, and just like personal diaries each blog is unique in its own way, and blogs often reflect the personality of their authors. The term web log was created in December 1997 by an American blogger, and by 1999 only 23 blogs existed. Now, however, the blogging virus has spread around the world. Anyone who has a blog is a blogger, and a virtual community who interact through each other’s blogs is a blogosphere. “Hi, I’m a blogger and I love blogging. Do you blog too? Yes? Great. Do drop by my blog at the XYZ blogosphere when you’re free!” Besides being online diaries, blogs can also be platforms for large-scale or intercontinental forums, and many companies have used blogging to enable communication between all levels of staff. Universities like Harvard have also held academic forums using blogs. Professional uses aside, many aspiring writers and artists also use blogs to showcase their portfolio, in the hope of being spotted, or to interact with fellow artists. There are also many brilliant writers who use blogs for “online journalism”, writing about current affairs, giving commentaries as well as welcoming comments from fellow internet users, just like a public forum. Moreover, because these discussions are held over the internet, where there is total freedom of expression, people are much more vocal and have no qualms about expressing themselves directly. So very often blog discussions are controversial. Being a blogger myself, my blog is basically an online journal which keeps me connected to close friends back home while I’m studying overseas. I also like to put in random thoughts, poetry, and whatever comes to my mind. But didn’t I just say that I would be hysterical if someone peeped into my diary? The trick is to retain a certain degree of privacy by being anonymous in your blog, so that your identity is not revealed to curious busybodies. Obviously, only publish in your blog things that you want to share with those who know your true identity. Though I do let a close few know about my blog, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Have some gripes and grumbles that you have nowhere to channel? Write them in your blog. It’s perfectly fine if nobody bothers to read them, but at least you’ve gotten something off your chest. For all you know, someone out there may just share the same sentiments! Got pretty photos to share? Upload them to your blog. Some randomly-scribbled sentences you consider as poetry? Nobody’s going to laugh when you publish them (anonymously, of course!) over the internet. Sweet nothings you wish you could tell a special someone but never had the courage? Write them in your blog, save the embarrassment! Anything and everything can go into blogs, and anyone can become a blogger. No special skills required, just some basic computer and internet knowledge. I still swear by emotion- saturated handwritten letters, but I am also hooked on blogging through the internet. I still write (by hand, mind you) letters very often, but with blogs being so convenient, what more could a busy overseas student like me ask for? Welcome to the blog-age! Take some time to experience the joys of being a blog-head. A gentle reminder though: don’t end up being glued to your computer all day! The joys of blogging may be many, but never forget that the essence of life still eventually lies in the REAL world out there. Starting your own blog. A foolproof guide Go to any free blog-hosting website. E.g. http://www.blogdrive.com/, http://www.blogspot.com/ Register as a member. You will need to submit some basic information & your email address. An email will be sent to you, confirming your registration. Voila, you’re officially a blogger! Log in with your username, follow the instructions to new bloggers. Choose your favorite layout, colours, etc. When the layout’s done, start writing your new blog entry. It’s that simple! P.S. Instructions given by different blog hosts may vary, but they’re generally foolproof. Some interesting blogs http://www.rebeccablood.net/ http://www.bladam.com/ http://boredslacker.blogspot.com/ http://www.shanqing.com/ http://vivrelavie.blogdrive.com/ a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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