2008 Woodie Awards
Debate Over Blogs Continues
Jessica Kush
Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: Tempo
Have you updated your blog today? The Internet has brought about many new ways in which people can express themselves to others: through email, chat programs such as AOL Instant Messenger, and websites such as Xanga.com and Myspace.com. Through the creation of these sites, one has seen the diminishment of paper journals.
Recently, people have taken precaution in what they are posting on these public Internet sites. Studies have shown that bloggers who post even the most mundane detail can either help or hinder their future.
One website that has been gaining lots of criticism is MySpace.com. The website houses personal profiles and blogs for people who want to try and interact in a social environment. The site was recently found as a piece of evidence in the Taylor Behl's case. The site, which was available for viewing after Behl's absence, led police to a possible suspect for the case. Through messages sent and received from Behl to a man named Ben Fawely, police were able to find the man who may be the murderer.
The site is still receiving much criticism on two points: the webpages linking the meetings of Behl and her killer, as well as the MySpace account of Taylor Behl still being available for viewing on the Internet.
The site helps to bring happy memories and pain to those who were close to Behl. Many friends and family are looking to the site as a way of speaking out and saying their piece to the deceased Taylor.
One the other hand, blogs have shown their wrath in the workplace. The downside to posting private information is that it can cost you your job. Such sites as Xanga.com and LiveJournal.com have gained popularity that may not be so welcomed by employers. In early March, an employee from Delta Airlines was fired due to her inappropriate behavior on her Internet blog for fellow employees, as well as her boss to see. Better known as Queen of the Sky on her blog, the site included many pictures of the woman posing in her Delta Airlines uniform and using inappropriate language, as well as foul comments towards fellow travelers and employees.
Other companies such as the Microsoft Corporation, Google, and Friendster have fired employees for similar reasons. The trend seems to be growing as blogs become more popular to the surfing public. Therefore, it may be helpful to take a few tips when posting on the Internet:
1. Don't post anything you wouldn't want your mother or boss to see, whether it be pictures or personal info
2. Don't give out definitive personal details about yourself
3. Be careful in what you say about others.
Blogs are finding success all over the internet from almost every site with a dot com. But the debate continues. Is a blog a good idea?
Although participation in these blogs is tempting and can be fun, you should be careful with what you say. If you feel it shouldn't be said, maybe it's best to pick up that old notebook, write it down, and put it away for only you to see.
Recently, people have taken precaution in what they are posting on these public Internet sites. Studies have shown that bloggers who post even the most mundane detail can either help or hinder their future.
One website that has been gaining lots of criticism is MySpace.com. The website houses personal profiles and blogs for people who want to try and interact in a social environment. The site was recently found as a piece of evidence in the Taylor Behl's case. The site, which was available for viewing after Behl's absence, led police to a possible suspect for the case. Through messages sent and received from Behl to a man named Ben Fawely, police were able to find the man who may be the murderer.
The site is still receiving much criticism on two points: the webpages linking the meetings of Behl and her killer, as well as the MySpace account of Taylor Behl still being available for viewing on the Internet.
The site helps to bring happy memories and pain to those who were close to Behl. Many friends and family are looking to the site as a way of speaking out and saying their piece to the deceased Taylor.
One the other hand, blogs have shown their wrath in the workplace. The downside to posting private information is that it can cost you your job. Such sites as Xanga.com and LiveJournal.com have gained popularity that may not be so welcomed by employers. In early March, an employee from Delta Airlines was fired due to her inappropriate behavior on her Internet blog for fellow employees, as well as her boss to see. Better known as Queen of the Sky on her blog, the site included many pictures of the woman posing in her Delta Airlines uniform and using inappropriate language, as well as foul comments towards fellow travelers and employees.
Other companies such as the Microsoft Corporation, Google, and Friendster have fired employees for similar reasons. The trend seems to be growing as blogs become more popular to the surfing public. Therefore, it may be helpful to take a few tips when posting on the Internet:
1. Don't post anything you wouldn't want your mother or boss to see, whether it be pictures or personal info
2. Don't give out definitive personal details about yourself
3. Be careful in what you say about others.
Blogs are finding success all over the internet from almost every site with a dot com. But the debate continues. Is a blog a good idea?
Although participation in these blogs is tempting and can be fun, you should be careful with what you say. If you feel it shouldn't be said, maybe it's best to pick up that old notebook, write it down, and put it away for only you to see.
