In an attempt to capitalize on the popularity and stickiness of the weblog phenomenon, Salon is now offering a package deal that includes blog hosting and software at the annual price of $39.95. The included templates have a distinctly Salon-like look (unless you change them) and it seems that the default blog template also carries a large Salon navigation banner on top as well as several Salon-related links in the navigation area.

On the plus side, and Salon bloggers are included on several exclusive online lists. We all know how great that is for traffic. If you blog and no one reads it, you might as well be writing in a coffee-stained legal pad at home.

If you're new to blogging and haven't the foggiest idea how to set up a weblog, then Salon blogs may be just the thing for you. But for experienced webloggers, the paltry offer that Salon is making isn't nearly enough to make anyone want to jump ship from their current setup.

That said, I'm a little jealous, because my blog is quite relevant to the Salon audience (I often write commentaries on Salon pieces); however, I don't want to fork over the price of admission just to get on those exclusive lists, since I won't be using the hosting or the blogging tools. Ah well, back to relative obscurity...