Okay, the last time I took a computer class it was in a near-frozen lab in the basement of the science building. The computer was the size of four refrigerators and kept inside a wire cage NO underclassman could enter and we typed on green metal typewriters using an orangy-yellow paper that spooled off huge rolls and turned a brittle brown in sunlight. Learned BASIC and how to key-punch cards and was allowed to watch the huge reels of magnetic tape be switched out. You may be surprised to learn that there have been a few changes in the technology in the last thirty-five years. I know I was.

I have only just launched into the world of blogging and online journals. I mean, it looks like this twenty-first century thing might be catching on, so I might as well join in. Actually, several fellow writer-type friends -- most enthusiastically Karen Traviss, who's around here somewhere -- have been advising that every writer should have one. Most have bells and whistles that let them track who's been visiting when and links them to Amazon to buy books, etc. Many writers regard them as essential for keeping in touch with their readers. (At the moment my fanbase is manageable, but who knows....)

My thought is: If you are able to compartmentalize -- not confuse writing your blog with writing writing, for example -- a blog or journal or site can be very useful indeed. Or if you write very quickly. The aforementioned Ms Traviss writes at about three times my speed. Keith DeCandido types faster than I think. Both have lively and entertaining online journals -- much like this one -- that touch on a variety of topics. (Mine has two entries - one about trying to figure out the blog feature and the other about... I forget.)

So... Unless you need a time sink, why change up what looks from the outside to be working quite nicely?