First I will say that Blog World had the easiest on-site registration of any conference I’ve been to, ever! There were a half dozen laptops set up where you typed in your name, it searched for it in the pre registration database then they printed out your badge on the spot. It tool less than a minute.

The keynote seminars started with Richard who offered an introduction to the “state of the blogosphere” report that Technorati will be publishing next week.  The biggest take away that I had from his talk was that even the experts can’t define what a “blog” is anymore. The lines between what a website, blog and social network are are getting blurred.  I think this particularly important for people who would like to promote their cause online.  Even tech-phobes can now publish their content online.  Don’t let the term blog scare you!  (though if you are a blogger, feel free to embrace the term like I do.)

I’ve been using Wordpress for years, but occasionally consider trying Typepad/Movable Type.  The team of Chris Alden and Anil Dash from Six Apart (the company that owns TP/MT) gave me additional reasons to consider their blog platform during their keynote.  Actually I doubt that I’d move my long time site Step by Step Fundraising from the Wordpress platform but I’m not the kind of loyalist that says you have to use that platform.  Blog software is just the tool… getting too caught up in the tools or your website’s design for that matter can cause you to lose site of the purpose, or the real goal you are trying to achieve.

The memorable take-away from the Six Apart presentation is the psychology behind blogging… people want to connect with one another.  With blogging people want control of their own design, brand, advertising, and ultimately freedom of expression.

By the way, I’m “live blogging” this during the afternoon session about new media for blogs (radio, video, etc.)…. I need to sign off for now so I can listen!