Wikipedia says this about blogs, "A blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog."

That describes about only one small aspect of a blog and it doesn't even explain why the entries are displayed in reverse chronological order. The reason entries are displayed in this fashion is to give readers the most recently added entry. This is very important for news blogs where their material is time-sensitive. It is less important for other blogs, but it is very helpful to let regular readers know what is new on the blog.

A more detailed explanation of a blog


A blog is not a blog unless it has the following features:

1. Comments

First, for the uninitiated, what is a comment? A comment is basically feedback on an article from a blog that a reader leaves on the blog. This is usually located at the bottom of an article or you can get to it by a link that is usually labeled comments or signified by a number.

A blog without comments loses the ability to discuss the entries, which makes it nothing more than a frequently updated website.

2. Dynamic content

Dynamic content is content that changes pretty often. Blogs are often updated frequently, but how much depends on the author of the blog.

A blog that does not update might as well disappear, because it will easily be forgotten in the blogosphere (world of blogging).

3. RSS feed

A RSS feed is a method used by rss readers to keep you updated when the blog posts a new article. For a video demonstration of how RSS feeds work, check out the video below this.

A blog without the ability to stay updated to it by using rss readers make it nearly impossible to follow unless one checks it everyday. This is only practical for big blogs that update multiple times a day.

Subjective features of a blog


4. A voice

Thousands of blogs are created everyday. Without a voice, a blog will be unheard except by those who are close to the blogger. A voice comes from a blogger's perceptions, bias, experiences, and opinions.

5. Core readers

A blog is nothing without a set of core readers who follow the blog when it is updated. Core readers also help add to discussions and spread information about the blog.

A blog is about the dynamic interaction between the readers of a blog as well as the author of the blog. A blog does not exist in a vacuum and will not survive without a readership that interacts with the content. Without that interaction, a blog is just a frequently updated website.

Below this section are some good books on blogging that will help you get started along your way to being a blogging master.

On creating a blog


If you are looking to start your first blog, try www.blogger.com or www.blogspot.com. They are the popular blog softwares of choice for beginners. If you want advice on how to improve your blog's design or you are just sick of using a template, come visit my blog where I talk about creating a blog design. Or try my squidoo page on creating a blog design that you can be proud of, which is full of helpful resources and links.