This is a continuation of the posting I did on May 31: Is Blogging Inside the Firewall an Oxymoron?
I think there is “web log as technology” and “web log as style” and we can confuse the two. I am reading Dave Winer's excellent summary of What Makes a Web Log a Web Log in which he argues the main distinguishing characteristic of a web log is not technical features but rather that the personal voice of the writer(s) come through. If we are talking about web log as style then I agree. He then goes on to give a very useful summary of web log as technology.
On one hand, I think the simplicity and power of web log as technology opens up a lot of uses which may have their own style, apart from personal journalism. On the other hand, the personal journalism style of web logs may have a positive influence on the nature of new uses of web log technology inside the firewall, bringing more openness and thoughtfulness to this business communication.
I am excited about the personal voice aspects and opportunities of web logs as style and I am enjoying my blog on portals and KM. The opportunity for a personal voice on these issues is very motivating and I certainly appreciate those who made this technology available. I also started another one on family history but have not had a chance to extend it. Time permitting, I would love to do others on fiction, poetry, travel, and other personal interests I have. At some point I am sure I will.
As we start to look for new uses of web logs and RSS, I think we need to be clear as to whether we mean web log style or technology and remain open to the many opportunities of web logs as technology. Then, we need to look objectively for the distinctive style for each use of the technology that retains integrity to its purpose. And we need to import, as much as possible, the open journalistic style of web logs to other uses.
Greg Reinacker, of Newsgator, sent me an excellent example of the use of RSS both inside and outside the firewall. Web logs were substituted for e-mail communication in such areas as product development teams. This change required a cultural change that should produce more open and thoughtful communication even though it is inside the firewall. In this case, perhaps, the style of open journalism that comes with web logs may have a positive impact of the use of web logs as a technology and a positive impact on business communication.
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