Hi,
Here are my answers.
--------------------------
>1. What does blogging mean to you?

Blogging is a natural extension of the World-wide-Web that allowed for inexpensive
media creation, publication and access.

>2. Is there any future for blogging apart from being a frivolous hobby?

To answer your question, there must be definition of what blogging is. :-(

IMO, blogging as it is today (you know, irrelevant permalinks, unauthenticated commenting,
ego infestation, and  blatant copyright violations), or is referred today as blogging
will continue to maintain its role (frivolous, or natural, depending on one's perspective),
just like Amateur HAM radio. It would have a role, but not main-stream.

However I think, with reform, discipline, and innovation, it can become a  very powerful  new
medium.

>3. Were there any events that you consider to be turning points in the short
history of blogging? (Indian and international scenario)

I'd say two things that happened:
1. The Dot-com boom, where the value of "people's medium" was discovered
2. Release of Blogger.com toolset, where you'd really create a webiste via a push button!

What has not happened:
I was of the opinion in 1999 that by year 2002 the technology would have found a way to tie the
TV to the Internet. With this, I was hoping that millions of cable connections in homes in India
(and elsewhere)
could access (read-write) web content.
When this happens, that would be a true turning point.


>4. What is most appreciable or lacking in Indian blogs?

I don't believe Indian blogs have a lot of readership. This is a serious problem.
Also there's too much "follow-the-leader" attitude aming the Indian bloggers.

The positive sign is that many are seeing the opportunity. Rediff is offering something (although
whose value
I hear has been usurped by the Blogger+Google deal). Prior to this, I'd spoken to MSN-India and
IndiaInfo
in offering them.  I myself have released a tool that will allow schools and institutions in India
to create
blogs on thier intranets.

Of course, you know about the IndiBlogs and HumBlog initiatives that still have hope. I haven't seen
that kind
of enthusiasm in any other national communities. Many people contact me asking to build
IndiBlogs-like
tools for their own counties....



-----Original Message-----
From: Mahesh Shantaram [mailto:msram@techrose.org]
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 12:25 AM
To: Vikas Kamat
Subject: Feature on blogging


Dear Vikas,

I'm writing a feature on blogging for the next issue of Man's World
magazine. I would appreciate it if you could contribute to my story with
your inputs.

1. What does blogging mean to you?
2. Is there any future for blogging apart from being a frivolous hobby?
3. Were there any events that you consider to be turning points in the short
history of blogging? (Indian and international scenario)
4. What is most appreciable or lacking in Indian blogs?

Feel free to mention anything else (such as your technical contributions)
that would add to the story.

Thanks for your time!

---
Mahesh Shantaram
www.techrose.org