Blogging creates forum for venting
By: Sanela Dzankovic
Issue date: 2/11/04 Section: Culture
Five years ago, no one had ever heard of blogging. Today it is all the rage. Weblogs, or blogs, are modern versions of a diary, but with an electronic twist that creates communities in cyberspace.
Lara Lanigan, a Webster alumni, created Webster World, an online community where current students, prospective students and alumni can interact with one another.
Each member of the community keeps an online journal with topics covering upcoming Webster theater events, comments about classes and information about social events.
There are several ways for people to set up their own personal blogs. The simplest option is to use programs like Blogspot and LiveJournal, which are the most popular choices. People can also download software off the Internet and follow directions to set up their own Weblog.
The author of the blog posts links, text, etc. and readers can comment on the entries. Topics range from entertainment, politics, love and anything else possible. With Weblogs multiplying all over the Internet, media outlets, politicians and corporations have caught on to blogging.
According to Perseus Development Corporation, blogs are expected to exceed five million by the end of 2003, and ten million by the end of 2004.
Commuter students find Webster World's blogs particularly helpful, according to Lanigan. They can establish communication with current students, and when they move to St. Louis, these students could show them around.
"The reason that blogging is so popular is because it gives the author insulation. They can let people know only what they want them to know. It is also extremely easy to get your message across, and get a fast response back," said John Aleshanus, an associate professor in the computer science department.
Aleshanus has followed blogging and seen it become a huge trend. He compares it to Web cams, which were popular five years ago.
"Everyone practically had a Web cam. Eventually people grew tired of them, and many were not so comfortable letting the whole world into their private lives," Aleshanus said.
