Microblogging enables users to send short, text message-like updates (usually 140 characters or fewer), and have them be visible to either the entire network, or a group of users that they have selected.
These messages can be submitted by email, web interface, instant message, or text message.
Microblogs differ from traditional blogs in the fact that their content is usually more topical, and they are relevant to what's happening at the moment.
However, they are the same in that they are used for both personal and commercial reasons.
People use it to relate to each other on a one-to-one level, while companies use it to spread the word about upcoming events, and new products.
The most widely known microblogging site is Twitter, although in May of 2007 over 100 similar sites were up and running.
Twitter was started in July of 2006, and continues to be very popular today.
It's not without its competitors, though.
Its closest rivals are social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, which provide a microblogging feature via their "status updates".
There are other sites, such as Plurk (users can share pictures and video), and even a site called Ping.
fm that allows its users to send microblogs to multiple social networks.
Lifestreaming takes the microblogging concept one step further, and users are able to condense all their information, like pictures, video, music, and microblogging updates, and send them out all at the same time.
If you were to add a video on Youtube, or a photo album on Flickr, your stream would be updated also, making it much easier for your contacts to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your life.
While lifestreaming and microblogging have their differences, they also have quite a bit in common.
There are a few upstart microblogging sites, but none are as easy to use or as popular as Twitter.
Most came into the game too late to really make an impact.
Microblogging gives the users the functionality of a blog, without the hassles that come with creating a regular blog post.
Setting up and maintaining a regular blog would take hours, but with microblogging, a user can put out a succinct, short message and it will post almost instantly.
Teenagers can use it to see what their friends are up to, find out where the next party is, or to stay connected at school, shopping and studies.
Teachers can use it to keep students up to date on class events and assignments.
Microblogging gives us a great opportunity to see what's going on online from a variety of perspectives that are almost as numerous as the users.
There's absolutely no doubt that microblogging is growing in ease and popularity.
The convenience factor alone is partly driving its rise to the top.
With sites like Twitter, and Facebook and MySpace's status updates, people will be microblogging well into the future.
Maybe in five or ten years, the microblog will be as common as an iPod or a cell phone is today.