What is this all about? I keep hearing/reading about blogs and I just don't know what they are. I went to a blog website (I don't even know if that's how you say it or not!) but I couldn't catch on. Any explanations/examples/info would be appreciated!

By Vicki on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 06:13 pm:

Aren't they basically an inline journal/diary that you can share with others?? I don't really understand them either. I don't think I would want the whole world reading what I wrote. Of course, I would most likely bore them to death anyway. LOL

By Vicki on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 06:13 pm:

online, not inline

By Karen~moderator on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 06:24 pm:

Yep, that's what they are....

By Jann on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 06:55 pm:

I was talking with a girl friend of my ds' asking about this. Of course, I was dating myself tremendously, but in my day, diaries/journals/blogs were secret. I don't understand telling your inner most thoughts to the unseen world. The girl just looked at me like I had 3 heads! LOL

By Kathy on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 07:02 pm:

I have an online journal. I really don't post anything too personal, just my plans for the summer or just other things going on in my life. I don't write in it every day though. People can make comments on what I write. Most are nice comments, but I've had a nasty one or two...I just delete those. ;)

By Amy~moderator on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 08:26 pm:

I've just started blogging this month. I find it helps me relieve a lot of stress, by typing it out.

By Marcia on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 11:11 pm:

I have read some incredibly hilarious blogs! I don't know the authors, but they should be professional writers!
I started one, but I think I've only written in it twice. I'm not even sure where it is. LOL

By Tink on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 11:38 pm:

I have a blog and really enjoy the outlet it gives me. I can write about how I feel about current events, things going on at home, personal issues I'm dealing with or just show off funny or interesting things I've found online. Then others give feedback, whether it's a "Way to Go!", "If I was in your shoes, I'd..." or a hug and an offer of support. Generally, a type of community forms and some of us even have "parties" where we all conference chat via IM at a scheduled time. I've been doing it for almost a year and can't believe the satisfaction I've found with it.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 12:42 am:

Dawn's Blog

Like the other women said, it's an online diary. With mine, I can keep track of when I put my screens on, or took them down! LOL! Such interesting stuff. Only last year, we were very distracted by our new dog, so I never wrote anything about the windows!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 09:36 am:

Okay, thanks guys for updating me! Now I'm in the know. Dawn's example really explained it to me. Doesn't sound like it's something for me, but happy blogging to all of those who do!

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 11:33 am:

Here is a blog of a soldier in Iraq. It's my husband's brother...gives a real view into what's really going on.
Soldier Blog

By Melissa on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 11:47 am:

If you have teens you might want to really investigate if they have blogs, I work at a teen clinic, someone here accidently came across one of our clients blogs- We thought we knew what teens here were doing, we didn't know half of it!
Very sad and frightening! These kids are posting their whole names, school, pictures and very graphic info.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 06:39 pm:

My kids have livejournals, but they don't post anything like that.

By Pamt on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 07:44 pm:

I have a blog, but you really don't type diary-type stuff in them because you KNOW that they are being read by other people. You actually want people to read them and comment on them. Typically you write about interesting personal experiences that you don't mind sharing or hash out thoughts about religion, politics, social issues, etc. that you are trying to work out for yourself and would appreciate feedback on. I think they're pretty neat and it's also a great way to keep up with the day to day activities of friends and family who don't live near.

Also, re: Melissa's post. DH and I have a lot of kids in the youth ministry and their friends on our list of frequently read blogs. It is great because it helps us keep tabs on youth culture. Most of the kids know we read their blogs because we usually comment, but some don't. One thing to keep in mind is that just because kids type it doesn't mean it is happening. There is cyber-locker room talk too and sometimes these kids just want to seem edgy or alternative to their computer friends. One thing about it is that once you find one kid, you find all of their friends because they usually have contact lists.