What's a Blinq?

Okay, so you’re boning up on all this new Web terminology. You get what a blog is, and you have the feeling that a weblog might be similar, but what is a blinq? Well, I learned something new thanks to reporter Daniel Rubin of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It turns out that a blinq – an abbreviated combination of blog and Inquirer – is in fact a blog.

Rubin, a prolific blogger, devotes his blog to the business of entertainment. You name it, he blogs about it - everything from breaking news to poetry. Actually, Rubin’s news dispatches are quite good, and at times provides unconventional and much needed perspective on a subject. His posts about the business of entertainment are – for lack of a better word – entertaining. Rubin’s offbeat sense of humor results in some pretty comedic slices of life, including a post about professional hockey players who lose their teeth. He relies heavily on text and sometimes includes a photo or illustration in his posts.

Reporter Peter Mucha writes a blog titled “Early Word” that provides breaking news on weekday mornings, as well as views on a variety of subjects. His posts on sports and the business of sports reveal an astute knowledge and passion. Mucha uses very little graphic eye candy and depends on links to round out his stories.



It’s difficult to get an accurate read on the blogging efforts by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mucha and Rubin seem to be the primary bloggers, posting a wide range of stories, views and opinions. Philly.com, linked to both The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News, currently has an interactive blog about a 41-year-old mother who is battling cancer. It’s a beautifully done story with photographs and an audio link.