The Blogging Community

We are all familiar with the definition of ‘blog’ where it can be described as a series of journals or essays written online in chronological order through a series of weblogs, however a blogging community is somewhat an extension of that. 

In other words, a blogging community are made of independent blogs that share similar outlook or mindsets with different groups of people that are connected via a similar platform (Kinkeldei, 2007, p. 2).

Figure 1: An exemplary of a blogging community in Malaysia

                                                                  (Image source: http://www.blogged.my/ , 2012)

There are various ways that a blogger can create a blog community, According to Swafford: 

• It is important to be visible. No blogger would like to be a “wallpaper”. Bloggers should give and reply comments as a step to reach out to other bloggers.

• Create a linkage of posts and share them on other networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

• Create a partnership with another well-known blogger to do a combined weblog or postings as this will not only help traffic but also recognition (2011).

Nancy White’s three models of blogging communities (2006):

 

The Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community:

Figure 2: Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community Model

                                                             (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

 

This type is typically owned by an individual or an organisation but they have several authors that can access to post the weblogs. Like the image above, the readers not only get to comment on the blog but also get to know other commentors. Therefore, the organisation or individual have total control over the blog. 

Central Connecting Topic Community:

 

Figure 3: Topic Centric Community Model

                                                           (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

 

This type is usually used by bloggers that share a particular interest or a common passion and are less concern about being in the spot light. Different from the single blogger, the community does not depend on a common platform and have less control.  

Boundaried Communities:

 

Figure 4: Boundaried Communities

 (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

This type promotes regulatory membership requirements in order to gain access where it contains more than one tool and forms part of the overall ecosystem.

 

Application

Figure 5: Taylor's Online Portal

 (Image source: http://portals.taylors.edu.my , 2012)

In application to Nancy White’s theory of Boundaried Communities,  student portals such as the one provided by Taylor’s University (Taylor’s portal) is one form of the third model where it grants access to their students while simultaneously provides tools such as discussion boards to comment and share ideas, directory of staffs and their information, similar to the concept in Figure 1. 

REFERENCE LIST: 

2012, “Malaysia’s Blogging Community (image)”, blogged.my, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.blogged.my/

 

 

2012, “Taylor’s Online Portal (image)”, portals.taylors.edu.my, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://portals.taylors.edu.my/portal/login.do

Kinkeldei, B., 2007, “Whitepaper Blog Communities: Forging Connections and Promoting Growth Through Blog Communities”, 21Publish Cooperative Publishing, Viewed 26th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.21publish.com/pub/21publish/blogging-whitepaper.pdf

Swafford, B., 2011, “How to Build a Blog Community”, bloggingwithoutablog.com, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/how-to-build-a-blog-community/

 

 

White, N., 2006, “Blogs and Community – Launching A New Paradigm for Online Community”, Australian Flexible Learning Framework, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community

The Taxonomy of Blogs

In my previous posting, I have merely explained the popular blog category which emphasizes on the daily nature of blogs that people are generally read upon which are: Personal blogs, Business blogs and Political blogs. However; Funnell (2008), has interviewed Margaret Simons for her own views upon the types of taxonomy that blogs (generally) falls into:

v  Pamphleteering blogs: a brief essay by an individual(s) expressing a strong view point/opinion.

v  Digest blogs: blogs that collects mass materials to readers but offers little commentary.

v  Advocacy blogs: interest groups that push a particular point of view about an issue.

v  Popular mechanics blogs: how-to-do stuffs

v  Exhibition blogs: creative artists and writers that brings their work to a wider audience

v  Gatewatcher blogs: small group of blogs that watches the media

v  Diary blogs: their personal lives

Figure 1: blogs about their personal life

(Image source: http://iluvempire.com/2011/04/5-kinds-of-bloggers-you-meet-in-the-blogosphere-bonus/ , 2011)

v  Advertisement blogs: commercial companies that advocates products or services.

Figure 2: Advertisement blogs

(Image source: http://iluvempire.com/2011/04/5-kinds-of-bloggers-you-meet-in-the-blogosphere-bonus/ , 2011)

  

V  News blog: get information broadcast by journalist

However, Branum’s opinion on the taxonomy of blogs differs widely and offers more simplicity compared to Margaret Simons. He categorizes the blogs into two classifications which are Filter-style and Free-style (2001).

Filter-style blogs focuses on generating links to websites and other blogs to create a network of various outlooks and also help viewers to find resources that are worth their time. Free-style blogs conversely focuses more on the intrinsic world of the blog author rather than the happenings of the outside world (Ozawa, 2001).

In my opinion; although Margaret Simons’ classification of blogs stretches out in detailed in 9 respective parts and sort of tedious, these nine has portrayed the entire blogosphere phenomenon of weblog that is currently a trend in the internet world. In comparison to Branum’s simple descriptions of two main taxonomies, those are apprehended for being too simplified and general as there is no proper structure to it

REFERENCE LIST:

2011, “5 Kinds of Bloggers You Meet in the Blogosphere”, iluvempire.com, Viewed at 25^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://iluvempire.com/2011/04/5-kinds-of-bloggers-you-meet-in-the-blogosphere-bonus/

Branum, J. M., 2001, “The Blogging Phenomenon: An Overview and Theoretical Consideration”, Southwest Texas State University, Viewed at 24^th March 2012    [Available Online]:

http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm

Funnell, A., 2008, “A Taxonomy of Blogs”, Radio National, Viewed at 25^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/mediareport-1999/a-taxonomy-of-blogs/3186686

Ozawa, R. K., 2001, “Journal vs. Weblog”, Diarist.net, Viewed at 25^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

 http://www.diarist.net/guide/blogjournal.shtml

 

The Blogging Phenomenon

In comparison to traditional media used widely such as print ads, newspaper and television to get latest happenings or news to the public, the occurrence of the blogging phenomenon has shifted the pedagogical approach to sharing of information. In other words; the birth of blogs not only provides up-to-date news and tidings but also gathers a community of involvement and linkage to other members, as Branum explicates that blogs began to take new shapes as the medium began to gain mass (2001).

From the data provided in Technorati’s State of Blogosphere 2011, the current size of the blogosphere is constantly growing and the U.S deemed to predominantly spread to 50% of total bloggers worldwide while Africa came with the least number of bloggers (2011). 

Figure 1: The current size of bloggers worldwide (Technorati:State of Blogosphere 2011)

 

                                              (Image Source: http://technorati.com, 2011)

Figure 2: Bloggers worldwide segmented via Demographics, education (Technorati: State of Blogosphere 2011)

                                                (Image Source: http://technorati.com, 2011)

In addition, the overall preference for a popular blog category constitutes to mainly three types such as personal (includes personal topics), business (linkage of professionals using WordPress to share expertise) and politics (Wordpress.com, 2012).

One of the benefits of these types of blogs is that it creates a Back Link where it is possible to find future business partners as a result of similar thoughts shared. Another benefit is it forms Real time discussion where information received is usually before time of press releases and newspapers (A1 technology, 2010).

 

The first new media theory is the Multi-step flow theory where it was originated from Paul Larzfeld elucidating that messages from the mass media will first reach the opinion leaders who gradually filter the information they gather to peers with whom they are influential (Griswold).

 

Figure 3: Multi -step flow model

(Image source: http://nnlm.gov/evaluation/pub/bowes/, 1997)

 

Another theory that is relevant to the blogging phenomenon is the Spiral of Silence theory. This theory exemplify that when facing a controversial issue, the minorities will be “silent” from the fear of separation and isolation if not agreeing to the majority’s perception (Neumann, 2011). 

Figure 4: Neumann's Spiral of Silence Model

                                                          (Image source: http://communicationtheory.org , 2011)

However, in my opinion this theory does not hold up as societies today are changing their view front and are more particular about what they think and the importance of freedom of speech. In comparison to the U.S, for sure Malaysia’s socio-political scene haven’t changed that much but there are still few (bloggers) that are eager to share their opinions despite the limited freedom given.

 

REFERENCE LIST:

A1 Technology, 2010, “True Benefits of Blogging”, a1technology.com, Viewed at 24^th March 2012 [Available Online]: 
http://www.a1technology.com/book/benefits_blogging.htm

Bowes, J. E., 1997, “Multi-Step Flow Model (image)”, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Viewed at 24^th March 2012 

[Available Online]: 

http://nnlm.gov/evaluation/pub/bowes/

  

Branum, J. M., 2001, “The Blogging Phenomenon: An Overview and Theoretical Consideration”, Southwest Texas State University, Viewed at 24^th March 2012    [Available Online]:

http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm

Griswold, S., “The Two-Step Flow of Communication Theory”, Apache Server, Viewed at 24^th March 2012 

[Available Online]: 

http://www.ojla.eu/pubfiles/  

Neumann, E.N., 2011, “The Spiral of Silence Theory”, Communicationtheory.org, Viewed at 24^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://communicationtheory.org/the-spiral-of-silence-theory/

 Technorati, 2011, “State of the Blogosphere 2011: Part 1”, Viewed at 24^th March 2012  

[Available Online]: 

http://technorati.com/social-media/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-2011-part1/

Wordpress, 2012, “Types of Blogs”, Wordpress.com, Viewed 25^th March 2012     [Available Online]: http://en.wordpress.com/types-of-blogs/