Blogging Basics Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Computers In Libraries Washington, DC March 14, 2004
Overview What are blogs? Blog features Hosted blogs Blog software
What is it? Blog/ Weblog is a web page containing brief entries arranged chronologically Can be a a journal or diary, ‘What’s New’ page or links to other web sites “To me, the blog concept is about three things: Frequency, Brevity, and Personality.” Evan Williams (creator of Blogger)
Terminology Blogger – person who maintains a blog Blogging – the act of creating a blog Blogrolling – moving form blog to blog Blogrolodex – a listing of other blogs Blawgs, Klogs, Trackback, Ping, Permalink, … See discussion of terminology on MetaFilter
Why blogs? Tools that made it easy to publish No need to know HTML No need to know FTP Anywhere, anytime Blogs are currently the province of the young, with 92.4% of blogs created by people under the age of 30.
Blogging demo 1. Login in to an account on 2. Create a new entry. 3. “Post and publish”
1. Login
2. Add a new entry
3. Post and publish
View your web site
Standard features Let’s take a look beSpacific.com Accurate, focused law and technology news
Blog post or entry
Features Headline Time stamp Permanent link Categories Search RSS feeds
Other features Long entries (newsletter) Comments Draft mode Off line editing Spellchecking Timed release Multiple blogs Track back
Choosing a blogging solution Lots of options Dive in and try a few for free: Blogger, Onclave,Web Crimson
Hosted locally or remotely Hosted Antville Blogger LiveJournal TypePad Local Server PMachine Movable Type Bloxsom Community/Portal Geekblog Onclave
Market Share Blog CensusBlog Census, May 2003
Client solutions Clients FogCreek’s CityDesk, Windows Eastgate’s Tinderbox, Macintosh
Just a few of the factors Types of blog Features and functions Server platform Unix or Windows or MAC IT help Scripting languages Security and privacy Blogging Software for Intranet Applications. ONLINE, January 2003
Finding out more Weblogs Compendium Library Weblogs Articles: Blogging Your Life Away. ONLINE, May, 2001 Blogging Software for Intranet Applications. ONLINE, January 2003 Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library's Services, Marketing Library Services, Nov/Dec 2003 Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library's Services
Thank you! Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Library