Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Blogs, plogs, mlogs and vlogs
Blogs are, however, not only about journal-style texts and text-based conver-
sations with a few images to spice up the mix. What are generally referred
to as blogs are actually a collection of interactive and discussion platforms
that come in varying formats in addition to text. This includes videos, images
and music formats and they are generally termed as blogs, plogs, mlogs and
vlogs.
Plogs are web journals that are based mainly on pictures (hence the
“p”) and minimal text. The principle of plogs is the use of strong and often
emotionally charged images to pass a message and generate conversa-
tions. Several plogs have come into existence in the cyberspace but plogs
were popularized by the website The Sartorialist (www.thesartorialist.
blogspot.com), which is based on demonstrating street fashion through
published images of real people snapped on the streets of cities world-
wide. The emphasis here is, of course, on style, fashion, accessories and
luxury but the influence of these images is so high that they generate pas-
sionate conversations that go beyond the styles of those in the images to
include debates on the brands, designs, colors, expressions and all man-
ners of related issues linked to the photographs. This plog has gone on
to become one of the influencers of luxury clients in addition to being
named one of
Time Magazine
's Top 100 Design Influencers. An image
post can generate as many as 500 comments and debates in wide-ranging
inter-connected areas. And the website is based only on images!
Mlogs are interactive web journals that are based on music rather than
text and pictures. The evolution towards creating websites dedicated to music
was particularly initiated by the likes of Deezer (www.deezer.com) (Figure
3.3), which has built an active community of over seven million members
brought together by their love for music. Luxury brands that have a heritage
connected to music have a definite audience on this mlog.
Vlogs are simply blogs that are based on videos and animations rather
than text, pictures and music. Videos and movement generally have a high
visual impact and, in the case of vlogs like 8h22 and C'est Quoi Ton Reve,
which often feature videos that are linked to a specific theme, the impact
level is even higher as there is an emotional link. Although vlogs themed
around luxury are yet to become commonplace online, several communi-
ties connected to luxury, fashion and lifestyle may be found on YouTube
and Daily Candy, the foremost video broadcasting websites. Some videos
on these vlogs, such as a parody of the Clinton-Obama primaries campaign,
which attracted more than 8 million views within a few months, make strong
social and political statements.
In addition to these blog types, several other forms of blogs exist with a
focus on luxury including product-themed blogs, brand-themed blogs, service
blogs, category blogs and lifestyle blogs. Blogs that are centered on specific
