I've had a couple inquiries from my friends asking me what this blogging thing is all about. First, blog is short for weblog. Tom Coates, the author of one of the best weblogs I've seen, plasticbag.org, has a good little article in his about section explaining the finer distinctions of the world of weblogs. Here's a little taste:
...Weblogs allow people to find new and interesting links on the internet. They let people read the soap-operas (small and large) of real people's lives. They give you access to the news stories from the people who were actually there on the ground. And it's a space where you can get to know another human being personally - through the immediacy of e-mail .
And there are so many weblogs, personal sites and journals out there - they represent such a wealth of different experiences, backgrounds, sexualities, lifestyles and cultures - that there will always be something there to keep you entertained...
Excerpted from What the hell is this site for? where you can read Tom's full article.
For another good definition, see Walt Mossberg's column excerpted here:
A blog, short for Web log, is a type of Web site in which the owner posts frequent musings or reports about topics of interest. These postings are usually filled with numerous links to other Web sites of interest, including other blogs. It's a sort of instant, constantly updated, electronic journal and guide to other items of interest.
Blogs are in some ways a new form of journalism, open to anyone who can establish and maintain a Web site, and they have exploded in the past year. The good thing about them is that they introduce fresh voices into the national discourse on various topics, and help build communities of interest through their collections of links....a blog is only as good as the blogger.