Pick of the blogs: Boing Boing

By Darren Waters
BBC News entertainment reporter

Blogs and blogging have become buzzwords in the last 18 months, with millions of people setting up their own web logs to record their lives, comment on world events or share news.

There are almost as many different types of blogs as there are bloggers. Some are highly professional while others are simple online diaries. We pick out six of the best.

Please note that some blogs can contain strongly-worded language and highly-personal views.

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Boing Boing The self-styled directory of wonderful things - from technology to popular culture Underground An insightful take on daily use of London's Tube system written by a harassed commuter Tokyo Times A quirky viewpoint on life in Japan's capital city from a UK perspective

360 degrees Tales from the African bush in the middle of rural Zambia written by a British charity worker Dooce Uncensored views on motherhood, marriage and life in Utah from a blog celebrity Zucchini Not all blogs are personal diaries - this one is devoted to food and cooking

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BOING BOING

WHO WRITES IT?

There are five regular contributors but the majority of posts are by science fiction writer and campaigner Cory Doctorow. He described his participation in the blog as a "public notebook".

He said: "Each editor has a different purpose for blogging. It's a really good way for me to keep track of the notes for all the other projects I'm working on.

"It has the singular advantage of growing because people who see it and have similar interests let me know about it and suggest things to me.

"They help me find out more about the subjects I'm interested in."

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Boing Boing is a self-styled directory of wonderful things - a compendium of news, features and titbits from elsewhere on the world wide web.

Like many blogs it is a cuckoo's nest centred on a number of themes, with three key topics in technology, consumer rights in the digital age and popular culture.

HOW OFTEN IS IT UPDATED?

The blog often has up to 40 different posts a day. Since its launch in January 2000, there have been more than 17,000 posts. More than 500,000 people read the blog every day.

IN WHAT STYLE IS IT WRITTEN?

There is a large amount of assumed knowledge about technology and digital issues. Generally the style is terse and to the point. Many of the posts are links to other blogs or websites. The site also features pictures and photos of many of the subjects that are being written about.

SHOW ME AN EXAMPLE POSTING

David Robinson, 14, of Middleton, New Hampshire, was playing Grand Theft Auto 3 during a thunderstorm when he was zapped by lightning that struck outside his bedroom and travelled through his PlayStation controller. Fortunately, the shock only left Robinson exhausted and with a black spot on his left hand.

Read the posting in full