Online Diaries...anyone else use them?

I joined Open Diary back in July, after being prompted by a friend who has been a member for several years. I have to say, I was very skeptical and nervous about the diary entries being "out there" for anyone to read. (Although, there are options where you can change those features.) For the most part, I'm a very private person. However, I can honestly say, it's become a challenging, cathartic place where I can release some stress that I might otherwise keep bottled inside my head. Writing has always been very therapeutic for me, and I've adjusted to the idea that people are actually reading my entries. I've made some wonderful friends there as well, which is something I totally didn't expect.

Does anyone else do an online blog or diary? Just curious about everyone's opinions.

I do! (See the link below my sig) I am just careful not to give any personal information out. Sometimes it's kind of nice to have a place out there to post what's going on and what you're thinking. I keep a private journal though too!

I am a blogger! All my friends are that is how we keep in touch. I have to admit I might not be as in touch with my HS friends had it not been for blogs. And all my friends are linked off of all of our blogs. this way you can go from blog to blog to blog without bookmarks.

The idea is you don't post things that are so personal you will regret later. There are things that some people take more personal than others too. As you can see in my latest post I've told the world about my goofy dreams. But in real life I would tell you anyway as my commenter mentioned.

Also my breeder web site (linked by image in my sig) is also a blog. It won't be updated very much but it lets people know very easily whats going on with the cattery.

Not online, but have been journaling since I was 8 years old in notebooks. I would not want my private thoughts so "public"

I use livejournal where you can put your entries as private, only your friends can see them or fully public so then there is no need to worry about the entries being for anyone to see.

Originally Posted by xDx

I use livejournal where you can put your entries as private, only your friends can see them or fully public so then there is no need to worry about the entries being for anyone to see.

Click to expand...

Same options OD has.

I have a livejournal that I used tobe really into, but now, I'm sort of outgrowing it. I think I'll wait until my subscription is up and then shut the whole thing down. I don't really write in it anymore, anyway.

For security reasons, you may want to have a different user name than you do on publiic forums.

I was on Open Diary until I discovered that my ex had found out about it and was secretly reading my entries and even writing comments on them (this was whilst we were still going out).

Just like anywhere else, you use common security measures. Passwords, user names, etc. You can also block certain users, have a "Favorites Only" list, things like that.

I started a blog on yahoo for this peice of artwork I'm doing, a kind of step by step thing with picture on my progress. It's kind of cool because it adds like a little incentive to make progress on it so that I can post my latest pictures! Something to do every once in awhile. I don't have alot of people that understand my creative outlet, so it is a way to communicate, even if it's only to myself.

I use Livejournal and I love it I wouldn't be without it

I like the fact I can make my journal a friendlys only and then on each entry i write i can choose who i want to see it, like the general public, friends only, private and custom which is where i can choose out of my friends only who can actually read it.

I have found my journal a huge help but its also good because my friends can read it and see how I am feeling. Like for example I am not well enough to write lots of emails to friend about how I am doing...but they can go and check on my journal and see.

I would never be without my journal now...its my life!

Im a LJ (live journal) user myself.
Don't write in it as much but atleast I can keep track of what's
going on in my friends lives.

Yes I do, I have a blog on Xanga which I use to receive support for a certain condition I suffer from

Originally Posted by WillowBrook

Yes I do, I have a blog on Xanga which I use to receive support for a certain condition I suffer from

Click to expand...

I use mine as a support from a condition I suffer from too!

I have a livejournal, mostly because I just wanted to try it out 2 or so years ago.

I dont really write as much as I used to, now it's mostly to keep track of my friends' lives. Also gives me a reason to play in adobe photoshop (user pictures!). I also have a myspace; I dont really use it for anything other than to be connected to friends. And of course: facebook, msnspace, neopets, website. If you click on the banner image, you'll go to my domain, where pretty much everything is linked. I'm not too worried about someone finding me, because, well I'm quite boring and plain and just like everyone else.

If you have a cat-related blog you are welcome to list it on our sister site www.meowhoo.com

I have one but I rarely write in it.

I have one and find that it's really a great outlet in many ways. I like that I can get feedback from other people or can just write something private so only I can view it.

Originally Posted by sunnicat

Just like anywhere else, you use common security measures. Passwords, user names, etc. You can also block certain users, have a "Favorites Only" list, things like that.

Click to expand...

How does that work exactly? I was thinking of starting a blog so that my friends can read up on what I'm doing, but I wouldn't want my parents to find it and read it (long story!). Would that be possible?

I went to the Blogging website and they didn't give much details about that kind of things...