There are two different definitions for phlog. This term may refer to a photo blog. It may also refer to an online daybook that runs on a Gopher protocol server. The latter definition of phlog may also be referred to as an rlog.
The term phlog could be used to describe a photo log. This is a blog that is used to display pictures. A blog is an online journal that is relatively easy to use since it rarely requires knowledge of computer programming and code. While most blogs are often available for the general public to view, some blogs are considered private and may only be accessed by invited guests. A phlog is kept by a blogger and may display photographs and illustrations that are designed by the blogger or which appeal to the taste of the blogger.
The term "phlog" may also refer to a daybook that is similar to a blog. Whereas blogs tend to be offered by sites on the World Wide Web that share a particular server, phlogs run only off a Gopher protocol server. A Gopher protocol server is an alternative to the World Wide Web. Since the Gopher server is separate from the Web, a Gopher proxy must be used in order to search for phlogs on the Web. This proxy allows a web browser to use Veronica-2, a Gopher search engine, to search for and view a phlog.
Most phlogs tend to be hosted on home servers. These servers will often use a UNIX™ operating system. UNIX™ is an operating system with multitasking and multi-user capabilities. It was developed in the early 1970s by a group of employees of AT&T™. While the term UNIX™ is now used to describe any operating system that resembles the original, the term is trademarked by the Open Group.
Like blogs, phlogs are often organized as directories. Each phlog entry is marked by a title and the date on which the content of the entry was composed. Phlogs also contain archives that are displayed on the side of the screen. The archives give viewers access to past entries.
Because of the phonetic similarity, phlogs may often be confused with flogs. A flog refers to a fake blog. These are blogs that have been set up by corporations, businesses, manufacturers, and retailers. Flogs are designed to look like personal daybooks or diary entries. In reality, they are the results of a marketing strategy designed to draw attention to certain products and services.