weblog youblog theyblog

First post: a homework! Yippee! ;)

I had to find an online definition of weblog. So here it is, taken from a longer definition on Whatis.com:

A weblog (sometimes shortened to blog or written as "web log" or "Weblog") is a Web site of personal or non-commercial origin that uses a dated log format that is updated on a daily or very frequent basis with new information about a particular subject or range of subjects. The information can be written by the site owner, gleaned from other Web sites or other sources, or contributed by users.

I liked this definition, because it is somewhat more complete than the boring one from Wikipedia (although the full Wiki entry is very interesting and informative), but I have to admit there is a flaw to it: the fact that it states that blogs are of non-commercial origin. More and more companies are establishing their own blogs, from newspapers to car companies. Where is that all going?

Whatis.com is actually mentioning the flowing 'identity' of blogs. It would be interesting to revisit this definition in a few years, to see how much it evolved... because it surely will!

I also reflected back on a comment made by a friend on my first blog: 'Welcome to the Blogosphere!'

The Blogosphere idea is crucial to our understanding of the blog phenomenon. To be a blogger is to be part of a community. And depending on the goals of the blog, it can be an actual exercise in community building... allowing for the sharing of information on certain topics of interest, put forward an agenda, or as we have recently seen, make light on some controversial issues. This is REAL freedom of expression, beyond boundaries, laws.

Lovely!

Pour une définition et un petit historique en français... Wikipédia FR.