‘Weblogs’
What is a weblog?
A weblog (or ‘blog’ for short), is an internet website consisting of multiple
dated entries, (or ‘posts’) similar to a diary. These entries are most commonly
text based, but can also include other mediums such as image, video, and sound.
The entries are arranged in reverse chronological order so that the most recent
post appears at the top of the page. The website is updated when each new post
is made.
There are no set rules for the length
of an entry, or the frequency of posting. In general, a weblog is published by an individual
(known as a blogger), however comments by those other than the author are usually allowed.
The style of each blog is personal and informal. There are no regulations regarding who can
or cannot publish a weblog, as anyone with an internet connection can essentially do so.
More definitions and basic facts:
Jill/Txt – Weblog Definition:
http://www.unbsj.ca/arts/english/jones/blogging/
Marketing Terms – Definition, Info & Links:
http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/
Wikipedia – ‘Weblog’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
History of Weblogs
Rebecca Blood - A history and Perspective:
http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html
Wikipedia – Weblog history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog#History
‘Densely Interlinked’
What is a link?
In general, a link is something which connects two or more fragments or pieces. This can be physical or metaphorical.
From the perspective of the internet, a link is a special icon which, when clicked on, transports the user to a separate
specified website or page. The ‘link’ usually takes the form of text (most commonly blue and underlined), but can also be
an image or other object. The new web page will open automatically, either in the same window or in a new one, depending
on how the link is coded.
How is a blog ‘densely interlinked’?
One very common aspect of a blog is a ‘Blogroll’, which is a list of links to other blogs or websites, usually displayed in
a menu bar. Most blogs contain many links to other related blogs and websites, and this causes them to be ‘densely interlinked’.
There is no single linear path between separate blogs, but instead, a dense and complex mesh of links, which stretch right across
the internet. A blog might have hundreds or even thousands of links going into it, which allows it to be accessed from many
different pathways (as well as the initial URL). A link between two blogs does not physically change them, but makes a connection
between them which can be thought of as physical. This ‘link’ idea instead changes the context of the blog, and how/where it
appears in the framework of the internet.
Further Discussion
Of course, this statement is not infinitely consistent. Like websites, some blogs are more popular (i.e. more frequently accessed)
than others, and therefore, will have more links going into them. Other blogs however are less popular, and may not have any links
connected to them. The density of these links is therefore varied.
Generally though, a blog is never far away from being in this dense field. For example, a blog which has just been born may not be
linked to by any others, but its outgoing links may connect to one which is more popular, placing it right next to the densely
interlinked plane. This demonstrates the function of links, and how their density is so simple and natural.
The concepts of ‘Exponential Growth’ and ‘Chain reactions’ are raised here. When a blogger is linked to from another blog, several
other individuals will see that link, and eventually might place a link to the blog on their own blog roll. This process is then
repeated, and a chain reaction takes place, creating what can be an exponential growth of popularity, or link density.
This then is an interesting and unique form of media communication. If one compares this to media which is broadcast, such as
Television and Radio, a significant difference arises. These forms of ‘Broadcast Media’ are examples of ‘one-to-many’ communication,
where a single piece of media (e.g. A TV show) is delivered to many recipients, who all receive the same content. There is only one
source, and it is a single event of communication.
With Weblogs however, the communication process differs greatly. This idea of a densely interlinked field means that there are many
different sources and many receivers. The process of communication is progressive, ongoing, and repeated. The media content producers
(i.e. the bloggers) are numerous rather than singular, and they communicate with one another (rather than from one to many), as a result
of this dense interlinking. It is therefore a form of ‘many-to-many’ communication, and this idea of being densely interlinked is how
such a form of communication operates.
More about Links
Wikipedia – ‘Links’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Links
Examples of Blogrolls and dense interlinking
Most linked-to Blogs
http://www.technorati.com/pop/blogs/
'Public Arena'
What is meant by the public arena?
The term "arena" is sometimes used to refer to any event or type of event which either literally or metaphorically takes place in such
a location, such as "the arena of love" or "the political arena". Therefore, “the public arena” refers to the ‘location’ in which public
things takes place. This is not a specific physical location as such, as it refers to all places, situations, communities, conversations
and events which are in the public zone (i.e. free and open to all, the environment of interaction and communication).
How are blogs anchored in the public arena?
(1) Blogs are anchored in the public arena firstly because of their infinite and unrestrictive access. Like the majorette of locations
on the World Wide Web, blog websites are allowed to be accessed by anyone at any time. The internet can be used by any individual,
and blogs are simply a location which one can freely travel to.
(2) More specifically though, blogs are anchored in the public arena because of their purpose and function. Despite the fact that each
blog holds its own subject, intention and style, there are several commonalities between them relating to ‘purpose’. In general, blogs
are designed to be reflective, informative and opinionative, with the intention of being read by others. Comments and conversations grow
between bloggers and other internet users, and this is not restricted to certain individuals or members of a specific group. Therefore,
blogs are anchored in the public arena as a result of their entire reason for existence.
(3) The initial claim of the extract though, was that blogs are situated in the public arena because of their densely interlinked nature.
This again relates to the fact that blogs are a form of ‘many to many’ communication. Basically, this concept allows people from anywhere
in the public arena to interact, communicate and participate in a form of media.
The dense linking between blogs (and other media forms) allows blogs to be connected right across the public arena, involved with different
communities, networks and groups. This idea of blogs being densely interlinked is a prime principle of how they are situated in the public arena.
Why are blogs public?
Earlier in the extract, Mortensen and Walker analysed the differences between ‘private’ and ‘public’, and discussed where blogs sit in
relation to this. The controlling idea that came out of this was that weblogs are always both for oneself and for one's readers.
If it were only for oneself, a private diary would be more useful. If it were only for readers (and not a tool for oneself), a more
polished and finished form of publication would probably be more appropriate.
(*This then relates to the physical properties of blogs. They in fact have no formal writing guidelines, and posts can instead be
written as casual, informal discussions or observations. *see: ‘Formal Properties of blogs’)
It is this dual nature of blogs though which causes them to exist right on the border between what's private and what's public.
They can be thought of as private, due to their personal opinionative nature, and their informal properties, but they still are situated
right in the public arena. (*see: ‘How are blogs anchored in the public arena)
More on the Public Arena
Wikipedia – ‘Public’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public
'Communal Discourse'
What is a ‘Communal Discourse’?
A discourse community is a term which refers to the users of a particular style of language. This might take the form of writers for an
academic journal, who must all emulate a specific style, structure and/or form of writing.
Communal discourses are essentially ‘groups’, yet most people move between multiple communal discourses every day. It is an environment
with an agreed set of public goals or intentions, and has mechanisms of communication between its members.
How are blogs a part of a Communal Discourse?
The blog is an example of an ‘Online Discourse Environment’, which is an online space where people interact with one another by some
means of discourse. Blogs are public spaces where people express their own opinions, share ideas and interact with one another in an
online community. Like all communal discourses, blogs have specified properties, functions, objectives and styles of language and communication.
Unlike an academic journal though, the style of language of a blog is not restricted and fully determined. In fact, the only formal
property of a blog’s writing style is that there are no formal properties. A post can be one sentence, an entire essay, or something
that doesn’t even make sense. Having said this though, blogs do generally emulate a vague style of writing; one that is casual, informal,
opinionative, observational, and more or less a discussion of an idea.
Essentially, it is this idea of blogs being densely interlinked which allows them to be located in the public arena, and which helps them
become part of a communal discourse.
More on Communal Discourse
Wikipedia – ‘Discourse Community’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_community
‘My World’ - RMIT 2nd year Media Student Blog
http://dazed.adc.rmit.edu.au/~s3094194/blog/?p=33