How to blog

What is a blog?
The term blog is the shortened form of the words web log. Blogs are commentaries on just about any theme going. Themes include everything from personal diaries and sharing of different crafts and projects to business or technology information and entertainment news. Blogs have the ability to connect like-minded individuals and give authors the ability to express their thoughts, philosophies and opinions to anyone interested in reading. There are no official rules for what a blog must be about. It is up to the author to provide the direction and content.

How do I start a blog?
When looking to create your own space on the Internet, there are many options available. The best one for you depends on your level of technical ability and the purpose of the blog. For those who own their own domain (for instance, xyz.com -- in essence, a website), a blog can be easily installed in a few minutes. The biggest advantage to hosting your own blog is that customization of look and function can be taken to a higher level to meet the specific needs that your blog has. An intermediate knowledge of -- or immediate access to someone with -- graphics and web tools is recommended when hosting your own blog, to ensure proper design and functionality.

If you don't own your own domain, there are some fantastic online blog services and signing up is as easy as signing up for a web-based e-mail service. Services such as Wordpress.com, Blog.com and Blogger.com offer free blogging services and are a great place to start your first blog. Typically, a blog can be set up in a matter of minutes, and can then be customized with graphics, fonts and colours to reflect the look and feel you wish to present. Most blogs contain text as the main content; however, there are also blogs that are entirely (or a combination of): pictures (photoblogs), video (videoblogs) or audio-based (podcasts) for listening to on your computer or MP3 player.

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