Which is better, a website or a blog? Or there's really not much difference between the two?

* Technically, a blog is a type of website. But it depends on your needs and the type and amount of content you want to put online.The blog is just easier to use because it of the Content Management System.

What are the other areas in blogging/internet that are potential sources of income?

* The most popular revenue model in this free content space is advertising. And, I believe it will remain that way. However, I think there will still be a few who can survive with the paid content model or the subscription model as well as affiliate marketing. Data mining is another one and I'm seeing a few very large local sites doing this. Of course, selling goods and services online will be here to stay. These goods can also be virtual items -- from selling RPG characters in WoW, creating specialized avatars, to royalties on photos/illustrations, etc.

Are there still prospects for newcomers, particularly those who have no programming background? If possible, could you say in what field?

* There will always be new opportunities. Newcomers can harness their own skills and talents to market online -- SEO/SEM, podcasting, videocasting, photography, and designing. They could range from simple online jobs like data encoding, podcast transcribing, personal email management, search arbitrage, social media optimizer, to selling e-books, original and independently produced compositions and doing web auctions.

How substantial or, on the other hand, insignificant is the income generated from blogging?

* I would say that 99% of bloggers who monetize their blogs will not earn anything significant. The 1% that will succeed, though few and far in between, is still significant IMO considering the size of the total blogosphere. It takes some novel idea or an undiscovered niche for a new blog to get some good traction in monetization. I've seen a couple bloggers making good progress between their 6th to 12th month.

You recently sold Pinoy Top Bogs. Would you say that creating a valuable online property is a lucrative business venture?

* There's huge market for buying/selling web properties. It's the virtual real estate. Most valuation is pegged at 12 - 18 times the monthly revenue. It's lucrative in a sense that building these properties and maintaining them may not be that hard or costly.

What are the common problems you encountered or those which are most likely to be encountered by others?

* Not all web properties can be monetized effectively and sometimes the revenue model must be reconsidered.

What is your advice to those who would want to earn money through blogging or the internet?

* Play on your skills and talents. Be passionate with what you do and be patient. Most of all -- network, network, network.

Admittedly, there are bigger businesses that are ahead in this particular business. What would you say to those who plan to venture into a business that already has a market leader?

* Find a carve a narrower niche -- specialize. That's the online trend right now -- focus on a specific vertical, then expand horizontally once you get critical mass.

Considering the rapid changes in technology and the influx of new players in the blogging scene, and the internet in general, how would one stay ahead of the pack?

* Always be informed. Network, collaborate and innovate.

(There you have it, straight from the netrepreneur himself. Hopefully, Pinoy Entrepreneurs could pick up a tip or two from the discussion. Again, we'd like to thank Abe for taking time off from his hectic schedule for this discussion. The Discussion series is about our discussions with Pinoy Entrepreneurs, whether established or just starting out. If you have anything you want to discuss, please let us know.)