Friday, October 31, 2008
bliki, bloki, wog
It turns out I’ve been bloki-ing without knowing it.
With so many terms to choose from (according to Wikipedia: bliki, wikiLog, wog, wikiWeblog, wikiblog, or bloki), how do you pick just one? If the percentage of the word originating from blog or wiki should represent the percent of the content that follows that format, bloki is closest for my Braddock section because it is more blog than wiki. In actuality though, I am writing a blogi ... but that’s not an accepted term yet. (This section, on the other hand, is pure blog.)
When I started writing Braddock Journey, my intention was always to piece the posts by topics rather than blogging about experiences in a purely chronological manner. In that vein, I’ve been updating the posts when new information can be added, especially to the list of contractors. The only thing I’m missing is the archive of changes, which isn’t an available tool since I use blog software. I’ve heard that wordpress is releasing bliki software soon, but for now I don’t see anything that integrates here.
It’s interesting that we need new words for every new use or twist to what is done online. Terminology of online services, features, and functions seems to be a stumbling stone for many researchers. So many focus on the brand names instead of the general format, which to me seems limited in the application while also promotional for the companies. But then maybe it’s because those brand names are solid concepts in a more traditional sense rather than malleable compilations that haven’t taken root yet. Bliki, for instance, was coined in 2003—and though I’ve been bloki-ing for nearly six months I just learned the terms last night.
