Blogging

I thought that this might be an appropriate area to start, as I am currently a blogger novice!

Factual information:

Blogs are web pages made up of short and frequently updated posts. They can be used like a public diary, where people can voice their opinions, thoughts or ideas online. They allow people to say virtually anything they like. It replaces traditional methods of keeping a diary, however it is open for public viewing and is therefore not perhaps where you want to publish your innermost thoughts.

Technology:

Uses the internet, specifically on blogging, social networking host sites, like myspace.com or http://www.blogger.com

How does it relate to the audience

Blogging would be beneficial to a very wide range of audiences, however the technology is currently not very mainstream. It is very popular with teenage and university groups, including people aged around 13-25 and is mainly used for social networking. However it has many potential uses:
i. Family blog-keeping in touch with family and friends
ii. Reuniting friends after many years apart.
iii. Recording research and ideas during projects
iv. Meeting people with common interests
v. Sharing your own productions, eg songs, videos
It is used by audiences to consume the media. They can:
i. Post links to other websites,
ii. Embed video, pictures and music
iii. By targeted by advertisers

Institutional Stuff:

Blogging works differently to conventional media forms.
i. Production and exhibition is controlled (up to a point) by the audience, it is a highly personalised service that is dictated by the consumer.

Relevant media texts:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=547875275&highlight
Blogger.com

Key Concepts. Blogging is a good example of:
Personalisation – You can personalise you blog and comment on a number of things
Convergence – music, video and diary keeping
Interactivity-you can interact with the website, and other people
Globalisation-communicate anywhere in the world and with anyone