A cute note from the Washington Post ombudsman today about how we shouldn't forget that new technology is, well, new to many people:

"Parties to Allow Bloggers to Cover Conventions for First Time" was the headline spread across the top of Page A4 in The Post on Tuesday. The story, by reporter Brian Faler, said Democrats and Republicans plan to give credentials to a select group of bloggers who want to cover the event, though the parties have not yet announced which bloggers will get the passes. The story went on, but it never really answered the question "what's a blogger?" which a number of readers asked.

Blog is short for Web log, and a blogger is someone who creates a personal Web site, or log, for disseminating almost anything -- personal views, news or links to other sites. There are probably millions of bloggers, but there are also many more millions on the other side of the digital divide who are not connected to the bloggers' world and who don't get their information on a screen. Don't take them for granted.

In answering the question, he raises a good point. A key facet of online organizing is ensuring offling action--ultimately online communities must connect with all of those who aren't online to be truly successful. Howard Dean's rally in Austin just a little over a year ago--the largest yet at the time--was not a success just because of the online advertising and email invitations. It was successful because the Austin Deaniacs made a point to go out and flyer most of the city's Latino neighborhoods and recruit supporters who wouldn't have stumbled onto the rally on Blog for America.
The web is only a starting point.