Serendipity
To blog or not to blog
That is the question... that all technologically-challenged writers are probably asking themselves at this very moment. I may be fashionably adept, but when it comes to widgets, gadgets, gizmos or the latest PC tech trend -- I'm a fumbling, bumbling idiot. If not for my dear techie husband, I'd be wallowing in the pool of low-tech misery and I'd probably be writing this column using the same Underwood typewriter I had in college.
Anyway, ever since I got this laptop (an IBM Thinkpad that I absolutely cherish) and hooked it up with the equally wonderful and speedy DSL, I have rediscovered the wonders of 'googling'. Now, in one of my googling sessions, I found out about 'blogging'. And you know what else I found? I found out that not only was I low-tech, I was also extremely behind - like, five years behind to be exact. I learned that 'blogging' or blogs have been in existence since the late 1990s. Can you believe that? And I thought Grunge was the wave of the future.
Before I talk more about blogs, I would like to properly define what it is. I know some of you are just too afraid to show your ignorance and ask the question, 'What is a blog?' So here's a comprehensive definition: The word is a loose contraction of the term, 'Web Log.' It is similar to a journal that is available on the web and updated regularly, usually on a daily basis. In some cases blogs are used as daily diaries about people's personal lives, political views, or even as social commentaries. The activity of updating a blog is 'blogging' and someone who keeps a blog is a 'blogger'.
Where did blogs come from? Well, the roots of blogging can be traced back to the mid 1990's. Who the very first blogger actually was is unclear (whoever he or she is, I take my hats off to you), as the art of blogging did not really take hold until 1999. I won't complicate things by going to the nitty-gritty of blogging history because I think most of you are probably more curious about what the uses of the damn things are.
Well, according to some bloggers, blogging offers the opportunity for them to tell the world what's on their minds, to share their passions, to inform people of current events or what's going on in their business. In short, blogging is not just for personal use (which is actually the most common use), but it's also for business. You can give opinions, advice and personal recommendations on specific products or services related to your field of business and make money in the process. And of course, for the most common use, your blog can actually be a therapeutic, stress reliever tool / medium. Since it's an online diary, not only can you jot down and vent all your anger, complaints, frustrations, thoughts, and what-have-you, but you can also let the whole world know about them too (and much cheaper than going to a shrink). If that won't feed your hunger for attention (as well as condone some people's voyeuristic tendencies), I don't know what will.
And so, to blog or not to blog? In my opinion, I think writers (especially the serious ones who make a living out of writing) should have blogs. Not only is a blog meant for writers to write down their random thoughts (like they would in a diary) but more importantly, due to the dynamic nature of blogs, the bloggers (with their laptops) could report in real time, thus getting their stories online faster than any morning newspaper or daily possibly can (with the exception of The News Today, of course - talk about bootlicking…). And the good part is, they won't have to deal with any rejection slip from any know-it-all editor (and I don't mean you, Erl).
Blogging really is a matter of personal choice. If you're comfortable opening up and making your life known to the worldwide web, then go ahead. If not, you can always take the age-old route of diary writing. Which reminds me, I have to go to www.blogger.com (a free blog provider) and edit my blog again. Actually, I've been doing this for the past months. I've been editing and tweaking my blog for the longest time, but for some reason, I can't do the damn thing right (low-techness is a birth defect that I obviously have). So basically, right now, I have half-a-blog hanging somewhere in the cyber-abyss, waiting for its worldwide debut. Oh well, I guess my cyber-fans will have to wait, won't they? In the meantime, for some of you who have perfected the art -- just keep on blogging!