Introduction

This book is designed to help you explore the world of blogs with ease and speed. We've designed this book to help you find the blogs that interest you the most, not necessarily the blogs that are the best written, most influential, or most widely read. That doesn't matter because the strength of blogs is information delivery, not topicality, popularity, or even writing style.

We've organized this book to help you explore one of the fastest growing segments on the Internet. The book is separated into three parts. Part I, "Blogs," covers the history of blogs, defining what they are; what impact they have had in the real, offline, world; and why they are important. We also provide easy tools for finding information within the world of blogs and on the Internet, in general. Next we share some examples of the type of blogs available. We designed this book to give you a taste of what's out there. We have organized Part II, "The Best of the Best Blogs of..., as if it were a travel guide, providing descriptions, commentary, tips, and instructions for finding whatever turns you on. We cover the worlds of entertainment, hobbies, sports, parenting, current events, politics, environment, and travel. We also show you some blogs that are so strange and unique that they defy categorization. Part III, "Building Your Own Blog," gives you information on how to create your own blog. We teach you the tricks and tips to get your own blog up and running in the most economical and simplest ways possible.

We've structured this book to be as flexible as possible. Feel free to jump around and explore the different parts according to your own needs and schedule. Are you easily bored or only have a quick moment to read? Jump into Part II and explore the blogs according to the topic or category that interests you. We've organized each topic in a lively and entertaining way and filled it with interesting tidbits, and opinionated commentary designed to make you smirk along with us.

Are you already comfortable with the world of blogs?

Zoom to Part III for quick and painless instructions on how to build your own blog and share your own opinions with thousands, maybe even millions, of like-minded individuals interested in what you have to say. You can find Chapters 13, "Advanced Blogging Techniques," and 14, "Blogging and the Future," in PDF format at the Blogosphere Best of Blogs website (http://www.blogsbestof.com).

Perhaps this book caught your eye because you're vaguely aware of the word, having heard it mentioned on your favorite news program or in a magazine. Part I goes over blog basics, explaining what the blogging phenomenon is all about and why you should know more about blogs.