Response to blog questions

1. What is the difference between a blog and a book?

A blog is a journal or log that appears on a Web site. All interaction in a blog is effected on line. Its open for everyone with access to internet connection, and open to all kinds of comments. The term "blog" comes from the conjuncture of Web+Log, or Weblog. On the other hand, a book is "a set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers". Its a tangible element which we can manipulated physically. But it has a limited use, because not too many people can use it at a time, and the public which has access to book is much more limited than those with access to blogs.

2. How have blogs changed recently?

Although blogs have been around since 1980, they only started growing strong in 1998. From 1999, people with internet had access to create their own blogs through some free programs that had been opened to the people. The development and growth of blogs spiked up, and by 2003 there where over two million blogs. with time, more blogs have been created to the point where we have over 100 million blogs presently. Even their utility has changed over the past years. At the beginning, they where a source of information and links to useful websites where readers found what they are looking for. With time, they have been turned towards opinion and gossip, and eventually a competition. Bloggers now create their blogs to attract people, even if what they say are lies or irrelevant.

3. Why might you read a blog?

You might read blog in search of opinion about a certain topic. You might also seek enterteinment through topics and comments other people make. But you could also read blogs looking for (factual) information, wich is hard to find in a blog. There are several reasons for people to read blogs, and thats what takes them to all kinds of different blogs for different purposes. Blogs provide an opportunity to confront different points of view about a topic, sort of like an on-line debate. But blogs may also display lies, information made up by viewers that have no way of proving their ideas. When reading blogs its important to doubt the information you read and ask for evidence, because not all of what you will find is true.

4. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?

There are reasons to put into doubt the objectivity of a blog. Because almost anyone has access to read and comment on a blog, the information may have any source (including unreliable sources). So the information you are inferring might be posted by anyone, even a person ignorant on the topic being discussed. This is why you must check the reliability of the information you read on blogs, and expect factual proof. Comparing all posts, or event comments on different blogs help so understand the topic and identify some irrelevant posts. Its all about checking what you find, and doubting any information you may read.

5. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?

If i kept my own blog its title would have to be relevant to the subject being discussed. It may be some type of a grabber to attract people to read my posts and comment on my ideas. It might also be a title that gives a hint on the topic, but that leaves my position ambiguous orcing people to read everything. Choosing a title is an important decision, because as in books, your title will decide how many people buy (or read) your ideas. A title for my blog could be something like "Obama lost popularity: did he win the debate?" this could attract people to figure out what im talking about, and to share their ideas about the debate. Then again, this title shows im getting into politics;wich selects a public for my blog. But by involving a current event, more people are informed about the topic and more readers will be able to comment and compare ideas.