Social networking isn’t all about MySpace and Facebook

Whenever I bring up the topic of blogging in a Noobie class, anyone familiar with the term immediately conjures up visions of MySpace and Facebook. I find this ironic because most of the time I'm talking to people who don't fit the demographic for either of these web sites.

This of course almost always leads to participants asking me where they should go to start a blog. Usually I direct them to safer blogging platforms such as WordPress or Blogger although occasionally I'll send them to Xanga if I feel they are looking more for social networking rather than just a straight blogging platform.

What goes in a blog?

The next logical question I get asked is what someone should write about in their blog. I answer by telling them to write about whatever they want. Some people write about what they did that day. Others write about a good book they are reading or a movie they just watched. Still others will tell you what they had for breakfast or why they are still mad at their boyfriend.

This is right around the time I look out into the audience and see dozens of blank faces. The blank faces are from people trying to figure out just why anyone would want to maintain a blog. I usually address the blank looks with some sort of "don't knock it 'til you try it" explanation but this never seems to satisfy everyone.

A better reason to blog

Today, however, I am going to offer a rock-solid reason why someone should blog. Ironically this reason came from one of my participants in today's class that "gets" blogging.

There is a site on the Internet called CaringBridge that specifically exists to keep family members and friends up to date on a loved one's serious illness. Any family member or friend can create a CaringBridge site which is effectively a blog. The author of the site can then post updates on the loved one's condition as well as post pictures to add a little more warmth to the blog. The author can also decide whether to make the blog private or public.

Once the CaringBridge site (blog) is up and running, friends and family can visit the site, sign the guestbook and even subscribe to updates to the site so they don't have to check the site every day. I can't think of a better way to keep a large group of people informed on a loved one's progress.

The best part about CaringBridge is that it is completely free. CaringBridge relies on donations and even states on its web site that nearly 90% of all funding comes from individuals and families who use CaringBridge.

So the next time you hear someone talking about blogging or social networking, remember it's not all about MySpace and Facebook.