Blogging is creating your own 'web log'. A web log or 'blog' is a website where you write short entries, and anyone can view your writing and add comments.

Blogging has become a huge phenomenon in the last couple of years. At the beginning of 1999 only 23 blogs were listed, now there are over 12 million regularly updated weblogs with thousands more being started up every day*.

How do I take part?

You can set start your own blog with us if you live on any island in Scotland.

If you live on a Scottish island, first read the House Rules. Then just click here to go to the Contribute page, where you'll be required to create a bbc.co.uk membership.

After you've done this you can go ahead and set up your own blog.

You can choose from one of six design templates how your blog will be laid out.

That's it. It's free and very straightforward. All you need to think about now is what you are going to write about.

What makes a good blog?

There are no hard and fast rules on this, you'll find your own way. Short regular updates seem to work better than long-winded and infrequent ones.

Be yourself. Write about what interests you and that will come over in your writing.
Take care. Like any sort of writing, if your blog is riddled with typos and spelling errors it will turn people away. It doesn't need to be a work of art but a little care and attention goes a long way.

Some people treat their blogs as a diary, some have specific themes, some have loads of links to other sites, while others have none.

Are there any rules?

Yes. There's a set of House Rules you're asked to obey. Basically you're asked to keep your contributions civil and tasteful. You're not allowed to swear, link to another website that might be considered offensive, and you've got to be based on one of the listed islands.

Also - you can only have one blog (sorry).

Money-making isn't allowed. We don't want people to use Island Blogging for advertising, commercial activities or fund-raising. Once you've signed up you've agreed to abide by these rules and it's assumed you've read them.

Other than that, it's pretty much up to you.

If you've any questions about any of this, email us at: islandblogging@bbc.co.uk and we'll help.

*source http://www.technorati.com/ (May 2005)