A blog or a Discussion Board?

[DaleTincher]

What is a Blog? Blog is an abbreviations for Weblog. Blogs are Web pages that typically have short, frequent updates. They are similar to a Web journal, diary or "what's new" page. They have many similarities to a discussion board.

Deciding whether to use a blog or a discussion board can be difficult because some of the software has features of both. Generally, if interactivity between the writer and reader(s) is desired, a discussion board may be preferable. If a writer is writing his/her thoughts/musings for readers to follow/read, a blog may be desirable. A discussion board can be configured to provide contributions that prevent responses or limit responses to certain authors. Some blogs allow multiple writers to respond or start discussions.

You are currently using a discussion board. You can register and contribute to any thread (discussion.) This board, for example, can be configured to require or bypass registration. Registrants can sign up as "guests." It allows unlimited forums and posts, multiple language interfaces, private or public forums, a powerful search utility, polls that can be added to posts, e-mail notification of replies to topics, a powerful topic subscription capability, original emoticons such as to portray emotions, and a private messaging system. A complete list of features can be found at http://www.phpbb.com/features.php.

I personally have limited time to read the thoughts/musings of others and prefer a discussion board that has clearly defined topic titles and number of responses, etc.

Some people think that a free-flowing blog will attract more readers. However, only interesting or needed information will attract readers.

Many blog owners do not desire to have numerous readers. Their "journal" may be intended for family and friends or a narrowly defined community.

One of the best known blog systems is "Blogger" http://www.blogger.com/about.pyra. Blogger's "About us" page contains the following:
"What is Blogger?

Blogger is a web-based tool that helps you publish to the web instantly -- whenever the urge strikes. Blogger is the leading tool in the rapidly growing area of web publishing known as weblogs, or "blogs."

What is a weblog/blog?
A blog is a web page made up of usually short, frequently updated posts that are arranged chronologically—like a what's new page or a journal. The content and purposes of blogs varies greatly—from links and commentary about other web sites, to news about a company/person/idea, to diaries, photos, poetry, mini-essays, project updates, even fiction.

Blog posts are like instant messages to the web.

Many blogs are personal, "what's on my mind" type musings. Others are collaborative efforts based on a specific topic or area of mutual interest. Some blogs are for play. Some are for work. Some are both.

Blogs are also excellent team/department/company/family communication tools. They help small groups communicate in a way that is simpler and easier to follow than email or discussion forums. Use a private blog on an intranet to allow team members to post related links, files, quotes, or commentary. Set up a family blog where relatives can share personal news. A blog can help keep everyone in the loop, promote cohesiveness and group culture, and provide an informal "voice" of a project or department to outsiders."

Some links include:
http://html.about.com/library/weekly/aa101402a.htm
http://html.about.com/cs/weblogs/index.htm
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/rose/2002/05/10/blogs/index1.html
http://www.blogger.com

I hope that helps.

Dale

[DaleTincher]

One other thought. FrontPage is very easy to use. If the blog is to be unidirectioal, it is very easy to set up a template or design and simply post blog-like comments to the page. FrontPage contains discussion board capability.

Please feel free to contact us if you are trying to decide which option to use.

[DaleTincher]

Monday, February 17, 2003

NEW YORK — Internet search company Google Inc. has agreed to acquire Pyra Labs, the handful of Web developers who helped jump-start the personal publishing phenomenon known as blogging, Pyra's founder said Sunday.

Word of the deal spread after Pyra Labs Chief Executive Evan Williams confirmed on his personal Weblog that his team of six developers would join Google. In typical blog fashion, the news spread first Saturday from San Jose Mercury technology columnist Dan Gillmor's eJournal diary to other blog sites.

Weblogs, or "blogs" for short, are a form of grass-roots online diary publishing that give ordinary people with limited technical knowledge the ability to update personal Web sites. A blog consists of short, frequently updated postings that are arranged chronologically, highlighting the latest material.

For Google, which has become a household name for searching the Web, the move marks the privately held company's latest push beyond search and into publishing. Last fall, it launched Google News. Two years ago Google acquired Deja.com's Usenet, a massive archive of Web-based discussion groups.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,78791,00.html

[DaleTi]

An excellent blog and blog resource site, developed by attorney Jerry Lawson, can be found at http://www.netlawblog.com. Jerry Lawson is a frequent and respected legal technology author/speaker. Topics include legal technology, marketing, ethics, resources, current legal data, etc.
_________________
Dale H. Tincher - dtincher@consultwebs.com
919-272-8052
Web Site - www.consultwebs.com

[DaleTi]

Wired.com - 02:00 AM Jun. 30, 2003 PT

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last Tuesday that Web loggers, website operators and e-mail list editors can't be held responsible for libel for information they republish, extending crucial First Amendment protections to do-it-yourself online publishers.

Online free speech advocates praised the decision as a victory. The ruling effectively differentiates conventional news media, which can be sued relatively easily for libel, from certain forms of online communication such as moderated e-mail lists. One implication is that DIY publishers like bloggers cannot be sued as easily.

For the remainder of the article, see:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59424,00.html
_________________
Dale H. Tincher - dtincher@consultwebs.com
919-272-8052
Web Site - www.consultwebs.com