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Express yourself, go blog

Blogging is fast gaining popularity among Internet users in the State

A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN Bloggers create their own private spaces

`Blogging' is a relatively new concept that is rapidly gaining popularity among the web surfing population. According to an estimate of the Blog Herald there are an estimated 1 million Internet users in India.

Joshua Newtonn, a regular blogger for the last 4 years says, "Not more than fifty regular bloggers have surfaced here." And as for those few bloggers around, what's blogging doing to them? Is it for sheer pleasure or is there anything more? Are they averse to the idea of blogging in native language? How does their family response to the concept of blogging?

Unlike in diaries, where you can jot down every minute detail and your inner most secrets, a blog is a platform to discuss, share your views and opinions on a wide range of topics. Blogging space helps you to be in touch with what's happening around the world, the latest news, which doesn't come in the media, meet new people or just for personal growth.

"It helps me to sustain creativity, thinking and a passion for expressing my views, however odd they may seem to be," says G. Sreejith Kumar working in a software company at Thiruvananthapuram. Those who are shy to mingle in real life, can blog for extensive networking.

For Vidya Gopalakrishnan, a first year fashion technology student, her blogs give her an insight what people think of her lifestyle.

"Blogging enhances my skills in advocacy, logical thinking, research and persuasive writing," says Ranjith Xavier Attokaran, an advocate practicing at High Court of Kerala. Professionals from all fields use this medium as a platform to share their knowledge and catch the attention of a potential employer. Or a businessman can use blogs to create business contacts.

After all, blogs are easy to create, all you need is a computer and an Internet connection. Pen down what you want others to read, log on to your account and simply upload for others to read. In a few seconds, web surfers can read the published content, and give you their feedback.

Blogging in Malayalam

Malayalam blogs are gradually making their presence felt. It is mostly by Majority of the bSajeev Edathadan, working as an Operations Manager in Dubai says, "After I started blogging in Malayalam, I got so close to Malayalam and even started reading works by known Malayalam authors."

Sreejith , however, has something different to say, "I want a wider population to read and understand what I try to express through my blogs."

Malayalam bloggers have a disadvantage - those who read their blogs have to be able to read Malayalam, which means fewer hits than English blogs. This is the major reason why Keralites shy away from blogging in Malayalam.

Most bloggers have at some point had the habit of maintaining a personal diary.

Diaries remain in one corner of your room while a blog takes you to each and every corner of the world. Says Sreejith , "A blog is a medium open to all. It adds more weight to the content and thereby the spread of the ideas."

Once into blogging, these once-upon-a-time diary writers's habit of maintaining diaries takes a back seat. They move onto a faster medium of typing as well as rapid technology of publishing. More than encouragement from one's family, it is the response from their readers, which keeps the bloggers passionate about blogging and maintaining the blog. Ranjith says, "Since blogs do not bring in money, families are not too keen to approve of it."

A thumb rule that most bloggers follow is to keep the family out of the blog, a particularly good idea for young women.

RESMI JAIMON

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