Classification of Blogs and Methods to Built Blogging Communities

Blogs may touch on the issues of law, politics, fashion, culture, travel or history. We can use them through devices such as the mobile blogging method (moblog) or direct from the computer. Blogs come in varieties such as linklog, vlog, sketchlog, tu,blelog and many more. Some are used for personal advertising, business or corporate and to create an interrelation links between friends.

According to The Daily Edition (2007), blogs are used in two arenas;

• The professional arena which includes sales blogs, departmental discussions, collaboration blogs, relationship building blogs and progress report blogs.
• The recreational arena which includes daily diaries, personal profiles, social news, topical discussions and social updates. Example: Facebook, Twitter and MySpace

Somehow, when being compared with Funnell and Davies (2008), on an interview with author and media analyst, Margaret Simons, a wide range of blogs classifications are lined out. They are;

• Pamphleteering blog - blogs where one or many authors contributes to push a cause. Example: Lim Kit Siang for Malaysia
• Digest blog - guide blog
• Advocacy blog - formed by an organization group such as SPCA
• Popular Mechanics blog - blogs that are specialized in one particular field
• Exhibition blog - blogs which deliver creative ways, procedures or techniques of doing something in interest
  
• Gatewatcher blog - experts to observe the media, trends or politics and give opinions about it such as The Economist
• Diary - personal online blogging on daily life
• Advertisement - advertisers paying bloggers to advertise their ads
• News blog - news breaking blogs such as Malaysia Information Blog

Blogging communities are built based on the enthusiasm people share. For example, people who have great interest in traveling would most likely be a loyal follower of a travel blog to know new places and updates.

In order to create this blogging community, people would first have to an access to link to a certain blog. 'In a blogging community, blogrolls, linkbacks, comments and backlinks are among tools which interconnect people to have in depth discussions and for media in aspect of social and legal causes. Comments provided by people are a way of attracting attention or spark interest among others over an issue' (Vidal 2009).

The 3 types of blogging communities based on White (2006):

1. The Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community - the common type of blogging from single blogger such as Kenny Sia or Perez Hilton
2. The Central Connecting Community - a network formation with links to many other blogs on interest to topics of politics, travels, arts or food. Example: Sapiensbryan
3. The Boundaried Community - place where members are recruited to register and have their own blog. Example: Facebook

On the Central Connecting Community which according to White (2006), 'is community that arises between blogs linked by a common passion or topic...self-focus is not much portrayed, as they topics are more crucial...the rich network of perspectives allows the readers many views on an issues'. In this case, we can look at Sapiensbryan.com where it evolves around hi-tech news, computer and gadgets information. There are many links to other sites relating to the topics and personal details are not enclosed as tech infos are prioritized. Comments from followers on products reviews are well received too.

References:

Classification of Blogs 2007, The Daily Edition, viewed 10 June 2009, http://mediamatters.wetpaint.com/page/Classification+of+blogs

Funnell, A & Davies, A 2008, A taxanomy of blogs, The Media Report, viewed 10 June 2009, http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript

Vidal, A 2009, Blogging communities for the blogging enthusiast, Webbusinesswizz, viewed 10 June 2009, http://www.webbusinesswiz.com/blogging/blogging-communities-for-the-blogging-enthusiast/

White, N 2006, Blogs and community - launching a new paradigm for online community?, 11th edn, updated September 2006, viewed 10 June 2009, http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community