Stoopid question time. Is Dreamwidth another blog site like Live Journal? Or is it different?

It is modeled on LJ, and they try to fix some of the things that bug one about Live Journal. For instance, you can choose to "read" or "friend" someone without automatically granting them permission to read your restricted entries, thus allowing you to make distinctions between closer friends and acquaintances. Calling it something other than friend also removes it from this high-school-like emotionally-laden act and places it more properly in a simple context of "who do I want to read?"

I like their diversity statement too.

They are just getting started so we'll see how they develop but it's hopeful. It also will back up your LJ if you'd like (if you have a paid account).