From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Annotated Biblography
The Motivation Behind Weblogs
Gillmor, Dan. (2004) “Executive Blogging for Fun and Profit,� Computerworld: Framingham, 2 Aug., p. 14.
- This article discusses the use of blogs as a method for businesses to provide more personal information to their customers and the general public through their corporate websites. Dan Gillmor offers a balanced discussion of both the advantages of employing weblogs as a marketing technique and also the inherent risks involved. It establishes that a corporate weblog can be an effective way to make the company appear more open, but can also cause legal and public relations problems if sensible rules are not enforced. This source suggests that in business, blogs could be used as a tool for commercial gain and in the business world, little more incentive is required.
Glaser, Mark. (2003) “The Infectious Desire to be Linked in the Blogosphere,� Nieman Reports: Cambridge, Vol. 57, Iss. 3 Fall., p. 86.
- While this article focuses primarily focuses on the effects of blogging on the journalism industry, it also discusses the motivation behind the creation of weblogs, and suggests that many bloggers seek to gain a large audience for their sites to boost their egos. The author discusses his dreams of topping an online ‘weblog chart’ and also talks of how popular bloggers list themselves as influential and popular, and the associated backlash from fellow bloggers. The suggestion that bloggers do what they do solely for popularity contradicts the theory that self-expression it the motivation for non-commercial blogs.
Heyboer, Kelly. (2003) “Bloggin’ in the Newsroom,� American Journalism Review, Vol.25, Iss. 8; Dec., p. 10.
- Heyboer discusses the merits of blogging being used in the journalism industry, primarily using Daniel Weintraub’s weblog as an example. Weintraub reported through a blog on his online newspaper’s website, at first untouched by his editor, but eventually reworked, after complaints from both people within the paper and outside it. Using this case study, the article illustrates how an unedited blog does not exactly constitute journalism, due to its spontaneous nature. However, it also suggests that despite the immediacy of them, heavily edited weblogs by journalists are not the same as traditional blogs. To an extent, such a suggestion opposes the use of weblogs in commercial industries, particularly journalism.
Telecom Worldwire (2004). “Mobrio Launches new ‘Moblogging’ Service� Telecom Worldwire: Newsletter, 24 Jun.
- This newsletter is simply an announcement of a new technology called ‘moblogging’ – a service which allows users to read and create weblogs on both fixed and mobile internet. While the source itself is brief and contains little information, the idea of moblogging would have an effect on the way blogs are currently, as it would no doubt make them further widespread. The expansion of blogs would see different reasons for bloggers to create their online diaries. This source says little about the motivation for bloggers, but the announcement it presents does effect such motivation.
Toner, Mark. (2004) “’Blogs’ Help Educators Share Ideas, Air Frustrations,� Education Week, Vol. 23 Iss. 8. 14 Jan., p .8.
- This is a commentary that observes the way teachers use blogging both as a place to vent and a method to help make their jobs easier. It explains how teachers use weblogs as an avenue to share information, give and receive professional advice and offering encouragement. Two case studies of different teachers’ blogs are used to outline how teachers use weblogs outside the workplace to air concerns about their work, and how doing so can put their jobs in jeopardy. While this source talks of the use of blogs as modes of self-expression, it also speaks of the commercial use for the technology.
Trimbath, Karen. (2004) “US Media: Women go Blogging and Find Freedom of Speech,� Global Information Network retrieved August 12, 2004.
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/1934
- This article, from the ‘Global Information Network’ tells of the extent to which women use weblogs and their motivations for doing so. It uses interviews with various female bloggers to explain that women generally use blogging as an avenue to express their opinion where their voice can inform someone else’s. The article also discusses how blogs can be used to establish an identity for someone, and to connect with others. Trimbath supports the theory that the motivation behind blogging is self-expression and communicating their views to any audience.
Wagstaff, Jeremy. (2004) “The Beauty of Blogging,� Far Eastern Economic Review: Hong Kong, Vol. 167. Iss. 30. 29, July., p. 40
- This source identifies weblogs as an effective advertising tool, as it is almost the online equivalent to word-of-mouth communication. It illustrates this by discussing Microsoft employee Robert Scoble, who wrote a credible weblog before being hired by the company. Microsoft hired Scoble as a spokesperson for the firm and his weblog effectively benefited Microsoft’s reputation due to his credibility and authenticity. This method of using blogs in business differs from simply using a blog as a way for the business to communicate with the public, as it openly advertises the business. Rather than just opening the doors to the business, it attempts to sell the business to the customer. Advertising weblogs are less prominent than others, but the motivation behind them is more clear cut than any other.
Email Matthew Prentice
Matthew Prentice 13:21, 20 Aug 2004 (EST)
