By Janet Pak
The Associated Press

CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP
Sean Canady has kept a journal since he was in middle school, but the Kansas database assistant switched to an online version two years ago. He said writing online allowed him to overcome personal insecurities.

NEW YORK — Sean Canady used to record his frustrations, desires and other deep, personal thoughts in a black, spiral-bound notebook. Two years ago, he gave that up for something far less intimate — the Internet.

Canady is one of a growing number of people who are using online journals to share their triumphs and pains in hopes that other people will read them and respond. The largest such site, LiveJournal.com, has more than 1 million members.

While the sites are somewhat similar to online bulletin boards or chat rooms, Web journals aren't limited to a specific topic or discussions.

And unlike blogs, which are dated musings on certain subjects and often carry links to similar blogs, online journals are designed to be more like a coffeehouse, where a community regularly gathers, building friendships and connections as they share personal details.