With a mascot called Frank (a goat who likes to eat pants) what more can you say about LiveJournal? Well, over 12 million communities and 200,000 plus posts a day really do speak for themselves - this free open source system works and is very, very popular!
Rather than just a blog software site, LiveJournal is actually a massive community (similar in style to MySpace and the like) where users post on a regular basis, and everyone seems to help each other. If you are looking for individual communities on any subject, there is sure to be one online.
Unlike many content sites which just go with the flow, LiveJournal is very clear on values and goals including values of self expression, diversity, creativity, community and privacy. Some of the main goals include reliability, honouring every account, no spam, and access to a quality open source package with support on tap.
The main index page is awash with examples of live communities, giving an example of the enormous scope to customise your very own community site. While the initial package is free, there are a number of paid upgrades offering valuable features for those looking for that something extra.
The original site was created by Brad Fitzpatrick in 1999, although there have been many, many updates and improvements along the way. The service is very popular in the US but rather surprisingly it has become the blogging system of choice in Russia!
Why not check out Frank’s biography for some light hearted relief?
