A Look Back

First, thoughts of MySpace crept into mind when assigned to begging a blog. I imagined myself glued to the computer screen 24 hours a day, seven days a week trying to better my blog. Although I do not have a MySpace, I find that both it and blogging are similar in the way that people lay themselves out online like an open book, along with pictures and fun little activities available on either page. I believe that because my blog was set up for school purposes, I did not become obsessed with it and only visited when working on a new assignment. I have not allowed myself to use blogging to its full potential, as in dedicating some of my time to blogging about personal matters to me certainly because I am only concentrating on my class assignments. Therefore, I don’t believe it had a strong affect on me because it didn’t grab a hold of me completely. Rather what it did was make me aware that there are a lot of blogs that can be very helpful, useful and credible.

Having to register for a blog and answering questions regarding them gave the class a better insight into the blogosphere. It is absolutely a great tool to have and to experience a blog, while writing about how they contribute as sources, and how many people actually have set up accounts. Also they are somewhat of an advantage. Since a lot of companies so far have set up their own blogs for the employees to interact in, people seeking jobs are able to network within them. Research is no longer limited to popular search engines like Yahoo. The blogosphere hosts hundreds of topics, where the most serious of subjects discussing politics and current events, have credible sources.

In retrospect, the research found supports the fact that generally blogs are a credible source of information. The most acclaimed blogs are those that discuss national or international matters. These blogs are highly anticipated, and some blogs along with their authors have gotten recognition for their work from the media.

Information and Vanity

Sushi? Yes! Sounds familiar. As one of the examples given for an information blog. I think it is an awesome idea to have a blog be all about sushi because I love sushi! Sushi Day has amazing photos and is very helpful for those that don’t know much about sushi, that has been developed by a fellow sushi lover who is not herself a cook. It is a great blog because people are able to give her feedback and she can advise others as much as possible. She encourages others to try new and different things as much as she does; she has fun creating her own versions of sushi.

My second choice for “vanity” blog is Charity, of Gothic Peach is a woman from Iowa who is a paid blogger, a goth,and who loves food and NASCAR. Recently she needs a new bed, she’s been sleeping in her mom’s old bed. She blogs not much about herself but rather things that matter to her like her work as a technical support professional.

Any blog is a good blog because they serve a purpose for the creator of it. They can connect with others and they can express themselves freely. Primarily though, the audience in the end decides what blog is better. Blogs that get the most feedback are the most successful. Blogs that are frequently updated and neat, with pictures and all sorts of topics would be the most eye catching for me because I appreciate organization and various thoughts on different subjects. If I’m going to be enthralled by a blogger they must be able to range in moods to keep me on my toes.

I think journalism online supports these types of blogs, the informative and “vain” more than print media does because online journalism is being separated from the print media. The internet has blogging and chat rooms where anyone can communicate their opinions.

Originally my response to whether blogging was or is a credible source of information was unstable. I stated that it is but, it isn’t. Quickly I went back and reinstated my answer and came to the conclusion that blogging is credible, and still remains credible after my last researches on informative and vanity blogs.