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o you blog?

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Here's a rundown of the blogging phenomenon and some tips for safe, secure blogging.

What is a blog?
A blog is a Web-based journal that may include news, commentary, photos, and multimedia. Most blogs include clips from, and links to, outside content and other blogs, and they encourage readers to post comments. This leads to a free-form, participatory atmosphere in the "blogosphere." A blog may be:

• Operated by an individual, a community of like-minded individuals, an organization, or a company.
  
• Focused on a specific topic or pertain to general subjects, such as politics. It may also be a personal diary or a communications channel between an organization and its customers or audience.
  
• Part of another Web site or stand on its own.

How do I start a blog?
A number of Web sites give you the tools you need to create your own blog. You can go online in just minutes, at no cost. These sites can host your blog, or you can use software tools to create a blog for another site. You can even earn income, by placing ads or retail links on your site and getting paid for sales or hits that result.

• Blog providers, such as http://www.blogger.com/" target=_blank>Blogger.com, http://www.wordpress.com/" target=_blank>WordPress, and http://www.typepad.com/" target=_blank>TypePad
  
• Social networking sites, such as http://www.myspace.com/" target=_blank>MySpace and http://www.home.services.spaces.live.com/" target=_blank>Windows® Live Spaces
  
• "Diarists," which are included in blogs to allow readers to create their own sub-blogs on the site

How do I find good blogs?
Blog entries are frequently displayed in search engines such as Google or Yahoo!. Or you can use dedicated blog search engines, such as http://www.technorati.com/" target=_blank>Technorati.com and http://www.blogsearch.google.com/" target=_blank>Blogsearch.google.com.

Many bloggers include links to other blogs-"blog rolls"-on their sites. Find a blog that interests you, and then explore.

• The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/ref/technology/blogs_101.html" target=_blank>nytimes.com/ref/technology/blogs_101.html)
  
• Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/section.jhtml?id=12" target=_blank>forbes.com/bow/b2c/section.jhtml?id=12)
  
• Wired (http://www.wired.com/support/blogs.html" target=_blank>wired.com/support/blogs.html)
  
• SportsBlog Nation (http://www.sbnation.com/" target=_blank>sbnation.com)
  
• Political blogs: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/" target=_blank>HuffingtonPost.com (liberal) and http://www.drudgereport.com/" target=_blank>DrudgeReport.com (conservative)

Protecting privacy and security

• Anything you post on a blog is accessible to everyone in the world, forever, so think before you post.
  
• Don't assume that anyone's online identity is genuine.

Does Symantec have a blog?

Yes. The Norton Protection Blog (http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/blog/index.jsp">http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/blog/index.jsp) gives our team a forum to share news and opinions on PC security for home and home office users. A separate blog focuses on corporate security issues.

Conclusion
Blogging is a great way to learn more about in subjects in which you're interested, or to converse online with people who share your interests. Use common sense when posting, and be cautious about anyone you-or your children-meet online.