What is Scotblog? Scotblog is the weblog of BBC Scotland Interactive, providing links to internet-based items and resources, featuring short executive summary and unique perspective on the web. What is a weblog? A weblog is a frequently-updated, chronologically-ordered collection of hypertext links, comprising short, text-based 'posts' or entries, almost like a journal. Scotblog is presently written by a select group of BBC production staff, who are individually identified by their first name beneath each entry. The views expressed are those of the contributors, not the BBC. Each Scotblog writer usually posts about a variety of topics; below is their on-screen ID along with an outline of their favourite topics: Martin - news, reviews, rants, weblogs, sport and features. Angela - gossip, entertainment, politics and community stories. Mike - Island Blogging. Keir - sport, politics and popular culture. Carole - Scotland, news, community and culture. Jim - the odd blog. Can you tell me more about weblogs? Weblogs are a unique form, native to the internet, combining hyperlinks with other source material and often including observations or comments about the subjects/links they point to. The best weblogs link to a variety of items or articles such as news stories or interesting web sites. These items usually include some contextualised perspective, but are often more about the individual links contained within the text. The content and purpose of a weblog can vary from simple weblinks and commentary about other web sites, to news, diaries, photography, poetry, mini-essays, project updates, or even fiction. Weblogs also help groups of like-minded people communicate by offering a resource that is often easier and more enjoyable to follow and share than email, news reports, newsgroups or discussion forums. The posting of related links, stories, quotes, or commentary is the fundamental characteristic of a weblog, promoting cohesiveness and group culture, and providing an informal, trusted guide to the internet. Put simply: a weblog is literally a 'log of the web', or a diary of web pages recommended to others. How often is Scotblog updated? Scotblog is updated at least once per day Monday to Friday, sometimes more frequently, pointing users to interesting net-based news items, sport stories, entertainment articles and other cultural web trends, such as games, downloads, animations or humorous and irreverent features. Can I contribute to Scotblog? Of course. Scotblog welcomes and encourages recommendations or comments from users; simply click the 'comment on this' link next to each entry. However, because of the BBC's standards on taste and decency, we cannot allow members of the public to publish their comments directly onto one of our sites, but all comments are immediately sent to a repository, where we proof them before publication. We check for comments regularly throughout the working day, and often at weekends too. How can I create my own weblog? You can find out how to create your own weblog by visiting any one of the following sites. You can create a weblog on your own domain or personal webspace - but if you don't have either of these, many companies will host your weblog for free: BBC Webwise Get Blogging Guide Wired's Guide to Blogging Blogger Blog City Movable Type Scripting News Live Journal Grey Matter Diary Land Microcontent News Disclaimer: All the sites listed are checked regularly. However, the constantly-changing nature of the Internet means some sites may alter after we have visited them. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Web sites.