If you spend any time on the internet, you've probably seen quite a few examples of the relatively new web site format known as a blog. Ever wondered how to get your own? Read on...

What is a blog, anyway?

Blogs, short for web logs, are personalized online journals users can post to as often as they want to share thoughts, news, updates or whatever crosses their minds with the world. Internet browsers can discover blogs on just about any topic imaginable. Some blogs are just for fun; some are sounding boards for political or societal expression; some are informative and function as active forums for a particular subject or area. Though the topics vary, the common aspect of a blog is the ability to post regular updates with ease.

Who blogs?

Everybody! Most blog providers are free and easy to use, so anyone with access to the internet can set up a blog in minutes. There are blogs by waitresses, mechanics and stay-at-home parents; blogs by industry professionals in every conceivable job category (the most popular of these are "insiders" who anonymously expose what goes on beyond the public eye in their particular industry); even a host of celebrities and media personalities have set up blogs allowing fans a personal glimpse into their lives.

Why should I blog?

Many blog users simply enjoy the ability to share their thoughts with people around the world. Some use blogs to transmit information in a manner that makes it easy for search engines to find; since many blogs are updated daily, their content is more likely to be picked up by spiders (those little electronic pulses that crawl the web looking for new material to list on search engines). More often, blogs are becoming a new promotional venue for authors, artists, musicians—anyone looking for fans or converts. You can use your blog to communicate, promote a product or an idea, or just connect with people around the world who share your interests. And best of all: blogging is fun!

How can I blog?

Setting up a blog is fast, simple and free. The majority of blog hosters provide service that is no more complicated than setting up an e-mail account. Blog providers generally allow you to customize the look of your blog, including background, font size, colors and link lists; let you choose whether or not to allow reader comments on your posts; offer the option of joining various blogging groups or communities; and provide easy tools for creating multiple-user blogs (so, for example, your bowling team can set up a blog that all members can post to from their home computers). No knowledge of HTML coding is necessary. All you need is a valid e-mail address, a user name and password, and a catchy title for your blog, and you're in business!

Where can I get a blog?

There are several service providers that host blogs. The most popular, Blogger, is run by Google (no surprise there) and has millions of users posting daily. The links following this article point to some of the most popular and easiest to use blog hosting companies.