Bloggers typically meet up only in cyberspace. But this weekend, more than 700 have assembled on Navy Pier for Blogher—a conference for women who post online journals. Chicago Public Radio’s Gabriel Spitzer reports.

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The conference features video-blogging kiosks, dozens of live blogs, and even a parallel conference in the virtual world of Second Life. Plus free child care. The attendees write about a variety of topics.

VOX: Practical information about what to do after a child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum … I’m a drummer for a band. I write about being a drummer … My kids, my job … Mine’s about depression. Mental health issues. … I own a sex toy company, so it’s good material.

Co-Founder Lisa Stone says early on, male bloggers linked mainly to each other. 

STONE: We are now as likely to create or read blogs as men. And so we thought, well, instead of complaining about it, why don’t we just have the world’s biggest meet-up?

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, will give the keynote address.

I’m Gabriel Spitzer, Chicago Public Radio.