Abstract:
The main objective of this qualitative research is to compare the values of blogs against the values of websites and online diaries with particular focus on their presentations and functions. This research will analyze into details the differences between blogs and websites, and the differences between blogs and online diaries in terms of their design, layout and content. The methodology of this research includes Textual Analysis, Documentary Analysis, and Interview. The research found that blogs seem to be the ultimate means of communication developed from online diaries. It is the online platform where everybody can create their own content to record and share the information among the people in their blogging community. Bloggers design the content, insert pictures, sounds and other functions to attract people to view their blogs and interact in forms of opinions. The significant advantage of blogging lies in its simplicity. This is because blogs have been designed for people from all walks of life. It does not require any technical computer knowledge in order to become a blogger. Various additional functions can also be added into blogs easily and freely to reflect ones individuality. The various functions of blogs can also be the solution for everybody covering almost every need of bloggers. In terms of content, the setting of blogs offer spaces for news, facts, knowledge, and opinions in many areas including niche and some specific issues that bloggers are interested in. This is considered the unique feature of blogs. When comparing blogs to websites and online diaries, it is found that, in terms of simplicity, blogs and online diaries are obviously easier to use than website. However, in terms of functionality, websites offer the most flexible tools that can serve all kinds of purposes. Online diaries offer the least flexible online communication tools. This may due to the fact that online diaries are very limited in their purposes and share only some parts of the blog characteristics. In terms of content, websites also offer the most varied and reliable content compared to blogs and online diaries. However, websites can only offer users general information and official facts, while blogs can offer insights into some specific issues that websites and online diaries can never do. The findings of this research point out that blogs are the new communication tool that has developed from the internet technology. Blogs can serve an individuals wants and needs to create their own space and community. Blogs reflect the personality, and identity of the bloggers. Blogs act as a medium for bloggers to communicate, publicize, and present issues of their interest on their own platform. Bloggers have the ability to create, control, and amend the design, layout, and content quite freely and easily.