Group blogs now open to all members

Good news--we've made it easier for you to join in our new group blogs. Instead of having to ask me for permission to join in, all members will automatically be able to post an entry to them.

Right now, we've got group blogs going in three targeted areas: Vista Upgrade Blog, Sentry Posts (security management) and the freshly launched On the Road (mobile working). Think of them as places where you can gather and exchange chat--like getting together with friends in your usual spot down the local. Here's Matt Loney's take on them:

"A group blog is a very simple idea: it is a place where you can blog on a specific subject alongside your peers. It's a place where you know your posts will attract the eyes of your peers, and where you can be part of what we hope will be a vibrant blog without worrying that you must post every day to maintain a steam of content."

All you have to do to post into a group blog is to create an entry, then tick the appropriate box when it pops up under the preview screen. If you don't already have an account, it's the work of minutes to create one--just go here.

For those who need an incentive, this week we're giving away tickets to the npower cricket test between England and the West Indies for the best entries in the Vista Upgrade Blog. Check out the details.