BEING a tech writer for over 11 years, I have been interested in all the latest developments happening in the information and communications technology (ICT) world.

There are huge areas in the lives and experiences of old and young people in which ICT makes a unique contribution to them. It is an exciting time for Web now, as new applications and features are being incorporated to enrich users’ experience.

The Internet, which started with a simple browsing and e-mail experience, has now evolved into a mechanism to creatively disseminate information. Now we have virtual life, videoblogging, Webloging, podcasting, file sharing, posting photos and videos on social networking channels, in a whole new Internet, the Web 2.0.

When the dotcom economy was crumbling in 2000 and 2001, I remember thinking at that time most of the online outfits were out of business. However, it was a blessing in disguise, which in the long term, was a good thing. In that struggle, new and better innovations came from Web lovers, portals like Movable Type (which helps anyone to create a Web site), All Consuming (offering an interesting slice of the book life that exists on the Web and in the world), Wikipedia (and thousands of other wikis to empower community Web sites), Flickr (sharing photos to the world), and more to come in the future.

Let’s not forget the buzz that bloggers are making these days. It looks like every one is pouring their feelings online. Basically, anyone can start a blog by creating one. An easiest way to get started on the Web is by going to Blogger.com from Google, which is one of the most popular software for creating Weblogs. Use it daily and you might just have this urge to read all the jottings.

I read in one of the Web sites which says that it is OK and respectable to not have a blog at all. Not everyone likes to write things that can be read by anyone. The last thing you want to do is contribute more dreck to the universe.

In fact, if you are looking for a validation of the information, rest assured that you will get neither from blogging. On another thought, my advice would be you may never know if you enjoy blogging unless you try it.

For those who do not enjoy blogs, you may consider writing on wiki instead. Unlike most blogs, wikis like Wikipedia and wikiHow are read by millions of people each month.

Several wikiHow authors receive “fan mail” messages every day from appreciative readers. In addition, many authors discovered that they enjoy the wiki collaborative writing process more than writing in isolation. This is a great way to obtain the attention and validation.

Try the private journals such as the LiveJournal which can be another good way for users to log into a secret diary, as your information will be private as it needs a username to view the entries.

I am sure there will be more new portals to give exciting digital experiences to many people.

The Internet has become something that many people cannot live without.