Blogs were one of the most important softwares that started the idea of “Web 2.0″, the new era of communication and sharing of information. Some people started using blogs to share their thoughts and ideas, others use it for sharing information with the world, hence why they are also referred to as “citizen journalists.” Nowadays, people are using blogs to raise awareness of the issues that effect us all. It’s a powerful tool for global awareness.

Since then, blogging started to get more and more popular and developers started to make more developments to make a blog more of a multi-media sharing utility, that’s when vlogs were introduced.

Vlog stands for Video Blog, which is one of the more effective type of blogging, why? Well… think of it this way, what do you prefer, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio or watching the TV? Honestly, I prefer watching TV, because it brings you everything in motion with voice! You can see and heard everything that’s happening; emotions, views, people…etc.

Anyway, that’s a long introduction as it is, let’s get to the point: What do I need to get my own vlog? The answer is, almost nothing exept for a computer and a camera, you can use a webcam if you want a personal vlog, in your own room, or to record outdoors. You can use your cell phone if it has a built-in camera, but it’s better to have a digital camera for video quality.

All you have to do is get your camera, start recording what you want to put on your vlog, and if it’s not good enough or you want to add some effects and cut some of the parts out, you could use a video editor, such as “Windows Movie Maker” that comes with Windows XP and newer versions. Or you can search for some video editing software on the internet, you’ll find some good and free editors out there, here’s a list of some on Download.com

Well now after you got your video all you have to do is find a place to host it. You can host your videos on one of the Video-sharing sites such as Youtube, Google Videos, Metacafe, Lulu TV, the new Arabic website called Ikbis.com, or any of the many other choices available. The upside to this way is that you host your videos on a community website where people that don’t know you or your website can watch your videos, and you get your own “Channel” or Album, where people can watch all your videos.

After that, if you want, you can have a normal blog, either hosted free on one of the blog-hosting services, such as Blogger, or Wordpress, or you can get a hosting plan where you install a blogging software, so you could add comments, or make the video part of an article you are writing.

Blogging, Podcasting and Vlogging have changed the way that people get information, and it’s a new way where everyone can say whatever they want.

Firstly, many might be asking themselves “what is a podcast?” This is a question that I get quite often when I ask others whether or not they’re willing to be “podcasted” (a term used when someone or something is featured in a certain podcast.) But what is it?! Yes, good question. Put simply, a podcast functions like a very brief radio show, kind of like an audio version of a blog entry except it’s more interactive.

PC Mag defines podcasting as the following:

(iPOD broadCAST) An audio broadcast that has been converted to an MP3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer. The “pod” in podcast was coined from “iPod,” the predominant portable, digital music player, and although podcasts are mostly verbal, they may contain music.

Here is a much better and broader definition:

What are podcasts:

a) A new type of media that puts you in control of what you listen to, when you listen to it and how you listen to it (usually on a computer or portable audio player)

b) An easy way to share your own audio content on the internet with a focused audience

c) A media that can be created with equipment you probably already own, for little cost and in as little as a day

d) A way to become a recognized expert or celebrity in your niche

e) A powerful way to connect with your customers and promote your business to them on regular basis

Podcasts are time-consuming to make, and thus most blogs feature podcasts weekly or monthly. Ideally, they would not be over one hour. Inexperienced users should always aim for 10-20 minutes until they increase their audience.

Why should you podcast? Different people do it for different reasons. I personally do it for interviews. It is much easier, faster, more accurate and interesting to feature audio interviews rather than text-based interviews. Firstly, it allows listerners to relate to the person and you won’t feel as if you are misrepresenting the people you interview. Secondly, people are more available for you if you take your device and ask them for a brief interview, rather than ask for their e-mail address and then try to conduct the interview online. This way is faster and usually more efficient, and as stated above, it’s also more interesting to listen to. It also gives other people access to people they would otherwise have no access to (in terms of their opinions or backgrounds.)

How would the final product sound like? Most podcasters online feature a personalized theme song to start and end their podcasts with. They also feature more than one person, so that it’s not just one person ranting about a certain subject but rather it records a discussion two or more people are having, which is what makes podcasts interesting to listen to. However it’s very possible to make a podcast by yourself and by only featuring your voice, which is what a lot of successful podcasters do. But that makes it harder for you since you need to think of ways to maintain the average listerner’s attention.

Don’t know where to start? Video tutorials are the best when it comes to introducing yourself to the broad world of podcasting. This is a good one to start with -

How to setup your audio for podcasting -

Note: You can download Audacity for free here.At the very bottom of this post, you will find an example of a podcast conducted with two Moroccan students after the Casablanca terror attacks last month. I used an iRiver MP3 Player to create it, GarageBand to edit it, and PodPress to publish it.

Listen to podcast.

[In our next lesson, we'll offer a step-by-step guide in English and Arabic about how to start and publish a podcast.]