Web logging, blogging, journaling, call it what you want - it seems like everyone is doing it in abundance. But everyone isn't doing it, because you don't do it. But you want to do it, because you have something to say. Well, here is a thirty-second guide to giving it a go with what you need to know to get started.

Web logging has a long history. But what is a web log? This simple explanation is provided by Blogger, a well established web log system. Another is Moveable Type (example). They both depend on you having your own webspace, which your internet service provider (NTL, Freeserve etc.) might give you. Moveable Type needs extra things to make it work, whereas Blogger just needs to know some basic information about your webspace. These sorts of services all tend to be free.

If you don't have webspace or don't want that fuss and want to keep it simple, then pick a hosted web logger. Some of these charge a small fee for using their bandwidth and space on their server. A popular one is Blog*Spot (example) which is free, and a sophisticated one is Type Pad which has a monthly fee. Blog*Spot is very easy to use, as is Diaryland (example). Another popular hosted system is LiveJournal (example).