Blogspace

Location:

The internet

Use:

Recording, exchanging and commenting upon information on the web, as well as creating new content.

What rooms or parts of the space can I move freely in?

I can move freely in the parts of my weblog that are edited and stored on my computer (then uploaded automatically to a central public site.  I can move freely to other people's public sites.  I am also given access by some people to other data, like their personal outliners and subscription lists.

Are certain kinds of behavior expected of me in different spaces within this larger space?

I guess part of the appeal is that I don't interact too directly with other people's spaces.  Sometimes I can comment in that space, but usually I link to their space on my page and comment in my own space.  I'm expected to not hack into other people's files.  I'm expected to give other people credit for their work and link to them.  The expectations are lower than in, say, and email list, because it is easy for people to ignore me if they don't like what I'm doing.

Does my behavior change as I enter or leave this particular place?

I assume the role of an author and commentator.  A particular voice.  Informal.

Does my gender, race, language, etc change how I use or am permitted to use, or how I am expected to use this space?

Very little.  Price of entry is $30.  There are multilingual blogs and blogs in many languages.  Nonetheless, I'm sure it is annoying not using the dominant language.

Give examples of how you think history impacts how I am expected/permitted/decided to use this space?

The structure of this space is informed by the original design of the web and the designer's intentions for two way communication between peers.  The web has increasingly become a one way medium, for technical and commercial reasons.  The ideology of academic discourse is key to this space.

Where do I get my "cues" about how to use the space?

By reading established blogs like Jon's Radio and Scripting News.

What could I teach someone using this place?

Writing and support just about any subject.