Discovering the Wonderful World of Blogs
A blog — the name is short for Web log is an online journal of a person's thoughts, experiences, and interests. Blogging is not just another tool for generating Web content. Even though it's relatively new, blogging has developed such a following that many people spend hours a day perusing others' blogs and commenting on them as they add to their own. There's even a special word for all this: the blogosphere, the world of blogs and commentary about blogs and blogging.
Many blogs are focused on the Web itself or on technical matters relating to computers — different types of computers, different operating systems, and so on.
One site that is, essentially, a big blog, is the Netsurfer site ( www.netsurf.com). Netsurfer hosts a series of online magazines, or e-zines, each of which includes a brief description of interesting news and a link to a site for more information. It's updated constantly — and the results are sent to users via e-mail.
Finding blogs to read
To find some blogs yourself, you can simply do a Web search using blogs as the search word. You're likely to run into a lot of stories about blogs and some technically oriented blogs before you find personal or otherwise interesting blogs.
Here are some list sites that give you a quick peek at what other bloggers are doing:
- www.britblog.com: A blog listing with the top British blogs, as contributors see them — it even includes invitations to in-person get-togethers.
- www.bloggersblog.com: If you don't like the sound of "blog," you really may not like the name of this site. But it's a very useful directory of hot blog topics.
- www.weblogs.com: Some blogs aren't updated much; this list shows only recently updated blogs.
Finding software for blogging
Be forewarned — once you start blogging — you may never want to stop! Blogging can be an art form, so if you want to know more about blogs and get your own blog started, here are several top blogging resources you should check out:
- Movable Type: Movable Type is quite technical and quite powerful.
- DiaryLand: Easy, easy, easy is Diaryland's claim to fame.
- AOL Hometown: AOL's Web logging service — free to all, even non-AOL members.
- LiveJournal.com: LiveJournal and its users emphasize the community aspect of blogs.
Skype Glossary
account
1. (noun) The formal establishment of a relationship between the user and a software product that lets the user make use of the technology. 2. (noun) The representation of the details of the user’s relationship with the software, particularly showing what services of the software the reader can use.
Skype Glossary
beta version
An early version of software that is not in its final release form. Consequently, beta software is sometimes prone to quirks and bugs.
Skype Glossary
Bluetooth
A short-range technology used for transferring data wirelessly. It is commonly used for wireless mice, keyboards, and other consumer products.
Skype Glossary
call history
The record of an individual’s Skype calls.
Skype Glossary
case sensitive
An indication that software differentiates uppercase from lowercase capitalization. For example, if JohnDoe123 is a case-sensitive password, typing in JOHNDOE123 will fail.
Skype Glossary
conferencing
Hosting or participating in calls with multiple contacts using Skype, which can also extend to landline and mobile phone calls.
Skype Glossary
CrazyTalk
A program that allows you to create animated faces that are synchronized to move as you speak.
Skype Glossary
credit
The method by which you purchase time in advance and later spend it when using various Skype features.
Skype Glossary
End User License Agreement
Sometimes referred to by the acronym EULA, the contract a user agrees to in order to be able to use a specific software. This contract, or license agreement, defines the rights and restrictions of the user regarding the software.
Skype Glossary
firewall
A security program or machine that enables users to use a computer or network while also preventing unauthorized access from other parties over the Internet.
Skype Glossary
GMT zone
The GMT — or Greenwich Mean Time — is the system by which the majority of the world sets time according to global lines of longitude, starting with 0 being the meridian that runs between the poles through Greenwich, England and all other time zones being +/- hours in relationship to the 0 meridian.
Skype Glossary
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications are the most widely used communications standard for mobile phones in the world.
Skype Glossary
IM
Instant messaging is a form of real-time typed communication between two or more people over the Internet or another network.
Skype Glossary
PayPal
1. (noun) The service that is used to securely make financial transactions over the Internet. 2. (noun) The company that provides the service.
Skype Glossary
profile
Your online Skype identity, including information that is private, shared with your contacts, or shared with the world.
Skype Glossary
proxy settings
The settings used to connect to other computers through the Internet or another network by using a proxy server, as in a networked business environment.
Skype Glossary
Skylook
An add-in that allows you to use Skype seamlessly with Outlook.
Skype Glossary
Skype Global Rate
A single low rate that applies equally to a set of more than 30 popularly called countries, as opposed to the individual county-by country rates that are otherwise charged.
Skype Glossary
Skype Name
Your unique name on Skype that you use to sign in and that others use to contact you.
Skype Glossary
SkypeIn
Your personal Skype online number that people use to call your computer.
Skype Glossary
SkypeOut
Calls made from Skype to mobile and landline phones.
Skype Glossary
SMS
Short Message System is a communication service that allows you to send text messages to and from cell phones and other devices.
Skype Glossary
USB
1. (noun) A rectangular port — universal serial bus — on a device that enables you to connect another device to it. 2. (noun) A cable that connects devices using a USB port. 3. (noun) The technology by which the connection is accomplished.
Skype Glossary
VAT
The Value Added Tax applied in European countries to goods and services.
Skype Glossary
VoIP
The Voice over Internet Protocol technology that allows you to send voice communication over the Internet.
Skype Glossary
voucher
A certificate or number, either purchased or provided as a free promotion with phones or other devices, that can be exchanged for Skype credit.
Skype Glossary
XML
A tag-based markup language that is widely used to create documents and Web services.
Skype Glossary
ZIP files
Files that have been compressed to reduce their size, thereby making file transfer and storage faster and easier.
