A weblog,
also called blog , is a website with chronologically ordered and
regularly updated entries (similar to a diary), which can be commented
by readers in most cases. Behind each weblog stands (at least) one
specific author (blogger) who writes the entries and presents his
personal view and selection of information. Subsequently, a weblog is
usually strongly associated with a person.
What is also important is that a weblog is never isolated but strongly
connected to other weblogs via links. A precondition for this is the
usage of so-called RSS feeds which enable users to easily trace changes
in a selected weblog and display content independently from used
software.
Weblogs are ideally suited for publishing research results and
providing others with access to them in a regular information flow. In
reality, weblogs are used as personal diaries, for presenting a
specific topic, as a means of communicating in projects, as a public
relations tool and as an information medium within organizations.
Weblogs owe their attractivity to their comparatively high attraction
and binding character which is, on the one hand, created through a
strong social component (identification with the author) and, on the
other hand, through a strong connection with other weblogs in a big
network.
