Interactive Web logs, or blogs, now play a role in education, business and national politics. In addition, growing numbers of people use blogs to share personal information with friends and like-minded readers online.

A two-hour workshop with John Zuern at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa is an introduction to the world of blogs. Participants will examine different types of blogs and then set up their own blog.

Zuern is an associate professor in the UH Department of English, where he teaches classes on writing for electronic media and develops Web-based teaching resources.

Podcasting is causing a similar stir in digital media. In less than a year, this method of transmitting audio programs so they can be downloaded onto MP3 players has blossomed. A workshop with Bob Lew, a technology consultant, will show how to create and publish a podcast program.