Blogging Communities

‘Online Community’ indicated a world without boundaries, where people can share and interact with each other. (White, N. 2006) In this case, the term ‘blogging Community’ is defined as the sphere where bloggers gather and involve in activities within or beyond their blogs, (Denise, 2009) where blogging itself is a communication of experiences and cultures. (Taricani, E. 2007)
To start a blogging community, first is to always read and explore different blogs to get inspirations and know new bloggers. (eHow.com 2008) Always comment on other blogs and leave your blog URL, these will help in people to find your blog easily, not to forget reply comments to interact with the visitors. (eHow.com 2008) Hence putting in comment boxes is important to get connected with others. (Webitect 2009)

screenshot of comment box
source: www.webitect.net

The usage of permalinks is to link posts to other browsers, as well as other bloggers to link their blogs to yours, thus this is a way to create good relationship with other blogs. (WordPress.org 2010)

screenshot of permalink
source: www.artofblog.com

It is important to have tags in every blog posts to ease readers to navigate clearly and categorize similar post contents. (WordPress.org 2010) This is an example of tag column of a music blog. It shows the different genre of music so that visitors know where to go for their music choices.

screenshot of tag column
source: www.favourite-tune.blogspot.com

The three main types of blog communities are One Blog Centric, where the blog is managed by one blogger, thou there might be several bloggers posting in it; Topic Centric, demonstrated by group where the blog is passed down from one to another, lots of subcommunites are built in between; Boundaried Communities, where a series of blogs and readers gathered under a similar stand. (White, N. 2006) Looking at Global Voices as an example, the blog consists of features like social sites features and other technology tools. Bloggers contributing to Global Voices are within the blog itself, with limited links to the outside world, thus Global Voices is said to be a Boundaried Community.

screenshot of Global Voices
source: www.globalvoicesonline.org

Reference List:

1. White, N. 2006, 'Blogs and Community - launching a new paradigm for online community?' viewed 27 September 2010 < http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community >

2. Denise. 2009, 'How do you build community?' 9 March, viewed 27 September 2010 < http://www.blogher.com/how-do-you-build-community >

3. Taricani, E. 2007, 'Communities of Blogging: Extensions of Our Identities,' American Communication Journal, viewed 25 September 2010 < http://www.acjournal.org/holdings/vol9/fall/articles/blogging.html >

4. eHow.com 2008, 'How to Build a Blogging Community,' viewed 27 September 2010, < http://www.ehow.com/how_2152382_build-blogging-community.html >

5. Webitect 2009, 'Create a Community Blog with 10 Wordpress Plugins,' viewed 27 September 2010 < http://webitect.net/blogging/create-a-community-blog-with-10-wordpress-plugins/ >

6. WordPress.org 2010, 'Codex - Using Permalinks,' viewed 27 September 2010 < http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Permalinks >