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01-05-2007, 08:27 PM
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#1 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6  | Blogging 101
Okay, who's gotta blog?! I've been thinking about starting one and found this really neat article about them. Let me know what you think!  Blogging 101
Sandi Hardmeier
Not long ago there was a television advertisement airing here in Australia that featured an elderly couple watching television. Suddenly, in another room, their personal computer downloaded an e-mail from one of their adult children. The elderly couple turned around and was surprised to see dozens of identical grandchildren crawling towards them. I think that the point of the advertisement was to highlight how easy it is, in the brave new world of personal computers and broadband connections, to send family and friends lots of photographs of family members, events, celebrations, and such.
The Internet has completely changed the way that many of us keep in touch with each other. Instead of writing letters, we send e-mails and instead of using the telephone, we will fire up an Instant Messaging program. Instead of printing and distributing photographs in the traditional way, we upload them to a Web site. It used to be the case that virtually all ISPs would offer to host a personal Web site for their customers as a standard part of their access packages; however, over time, some very large ISPs stopped providing such space, forcing their users to "free" Web hosts that would often burden hosted sites with compulsory embedded or pop-up advertisements. We all know how popular pop-ups are.
I believe that a key component of the widespread success and popularity of any form of communication on the Web is simplicity. Much of the technology now in use on the Web has actually been around for a very long time, but did not come into its own until it was presented to the masses in such a way that they realized "Hey, I can do this". Personal Web sites never became super popular, at least not on a scale comparable to something like Instant Messaging, probably because Web sites can be difficult to build and maintain without an understanding of HTML or the assistance of specialized program such as Microsoft FrontPage.
Over the past few years, "blogs" have taken over where personal Web sites left off. Once the domain of journalists, commentators, politicians, and savvy University students, blogs are now used by people from all walks of life and of all ages. It has been said that there are now millions of blogs on the Web. Bloggings rise in popularity has been nothing short of phenomenal. Blogs are used as online diaries, soapboxes, political commentaries, to report breaking news, to share the latest family events with those we love, or just to talk to the world at large.
What is a blog? And why are they so popular?
A blog is a special type of Web page—an online journal—with unique characteristics that set it apart from regular Web pages. Blogs are made up of multiple journal entries listed in reverse chronological order that invariably include a title, a date, and time stamp. Each blog entry also will have its own Permalink (a unique Web address) and sometimes a Trackback (an automatic entry that appears in your blog to tell you that somebody has written about your entry, and linked to it), a Category, and Comments.
Comments are one of the things that make blogs unique and special. Anybody who reads a blog may, if the blog owner allows it, publish comments under a blog entry to agree, to disagree, to sympathize, or to share their own thoughts. This interaction is different than more traditional feedback utilities such as Guestbooks. Guestbooks are generic—entries are not tied to one particular page, or commentary. Blog comments, on the other hand, are tied directly to a particular entry.
Who uses blogs?
Nowadays, anybody can use a blog. Traditionally, blogs have been used by journalists, political commentators, and the like. Blogs have been used as the instrument of choice for some amazing exposés over the years, some of which are mentioned in Wikipedia's article about blogs. In recent times, blogs have been adopted by mainstream Internet users, thanks in part to Blogger.com and LiveJournal, and MSN when they introduced MSN Spaces—a very easy to use, free blogging service that is available to all users of MSN Messenger.
What's this Trackback thing again?
Trackbacks, like Comments, make a blog more interactive and 'alive' than a traditional Web page has even been able to achieve.
A Trackback is a link that appears in a blog's Comments section to tell you that somebody has not only read your entry, but has then gone on to create his or her own Blog entry talking about you and your entry. For example, we may read a Blog entry and think that it is absolutely marvelous, so we post into our own Blog to say "have a look at [Trackback link]. It's fantastic." The wonder of blogs is that your blog entry will automatically appear in the Comments section of the blog entry you have linked to. How cool is that?
How do I start a blog?
Simply choose a blog provider, create an account, and start writing. A list of the most popular free blog services can be found in the Related Links list to the right of screen.
After you have chosen a blog provider, creating a blog entry is very easy. It is not like designing a Web page where you have to find software to create your site, design a layout, create the pages and then upload them. The most popular blogging sites do not even need special software—all you need is a Web browser.
Blogs entries are created using a submission form. Decide on a title, select a category, type in your content, decide whether to allow Comments and Trackbacks, and then publish your work with the click of a button.
What about pictures?
Most blog sites allow you to upload pictures to galleries, or embed pictures into a Blog post by using HTML. How pictures or images are added depends on the site that is being used. Blogger.com, for example, has a photo upload tool, MSN Spaces offers online photo albums complete with a slideshow, and LiveJournal has a photo hosting service called ScrapBook.
How will people find my blog?
Your blog's content, how it is written, and where the content is placed will have a direct effect on the world's ability to find your blog.
Blogs are most often discovered through standard search engines or dedicated blog search facilities. The important thing to remember is that search engines read content from the top of your page's source code downwards, therefore, the title of your blog can be very important. Search engines also depend heavily on key words; therefore, it is important that the title of your blog entry, and its early content, mention key words that are relevant to the content of your page—key words that will capture the interest of people conducting Web searches.
Many blog sites provide an RSS (syndication) facility. Make sure you turn this on. RSS is by far the largest consumers of Blog sites. More information about RSS can be found at my previously published article "RSS: An Information Revolution".
Are there any free blog sites?
The original and best blogger services are still free. One of the original blog communities is www.blogger.com. Two of the more popular blog sites would be MSN Spaces and LiveJournal.
A final word
Many have called blogs the epitome of free speech. They show us the best and worst in human nature and some would claim that blogs have affected the course of modern history. I say, don't take it too seriously and enjoy being able to quickly and easily keep family and friends informed of life events. Most importantly, enjoy the dialogue that will take place between you and those who read your blog.
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02-21-2007, 11:41 PM
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#2 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Rep Power: 0 | Ah, I had been thinking of writing a write-up on blogging myself, but anyway, this is a good one.
I presently run two blogs. Splat and KalaaLog. (Check them in the signature).
Both are running on Wordpress. And I pretty much like the way it is turning out.
And Lyte, have you started on your blog yet? If so, pass the URL please.
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02-22-2007, 12:02 AM
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#3 | | Senior
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern Arizona
Posts: 657
Rep Power: 3 | Hey Lyte,
Can you "incorporate" your "blog" with PC101 ?? Just an ideal...buddy !!
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May Your Wishes Come True !!
DR911
Goverment Grant & Loan Infomation
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02-22-2007, 07:57 AM
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#4 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | No, I've not started a blog yet. I'm still trying to decide just how to proceed and just how much info people would really be interested in reading! 
And besides... Doc has become our resident historian! He'll keep us up to date one what's going on! 
Lyte
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02-22-2007, 02:23 PM
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#5 | | Senior
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern Arizona
Posts: 657
Rep Power: 3 | Quote:
Originally Posted by Lyte  No, I've not started a blog yet. I'm still trying to decide just how to proceed and just how much info people would really be interested in reading!
And besides... Doc has become our resident historian! He'll keep us up to date one what's going on!
Lyte | From..."Senior Member" to "resident historian", I'm so honored !!! 
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DR911
Goverment Grant & Loan Infomation
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02-23-2007, 03:50 PM
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#6 | | Senior
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 510
Rep Power: 3 | Blogs can be alot of fun, or alot of work.. mainly they should be for YOU tho, and not the reader IMO. The readers who are interested in what you have to say about what interests you will find you.. if you're not blogging about something that interests you, chances are you'll lose interest quickly!
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02-23-2007, 04:20 PM
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#7 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | Agreed Dave!
And I do so much typing as it is.... I'm thinking I'd end up not keeping up with the blog and just dropping it. I don't like starting stuff I'm not 100% sure I'm going to finish.
Lyte
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02-24-2007, 09:56 AM
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#8 | | Junior
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 176
Rep Power: 3 | Hey , can any one give me some useful tricks and hacks for wordpress.com blogs [where you can't use any <script></script> tag :S ] ?
thanx in advance
regards
eeeboy | |
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02-24-2007, 04:37 PM
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#9 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | I'm not sure 'bout the "[where you can't use any <script></script> tag :S ]" part but check these out... Tips/Tricks for Templates and Tips/Tricks for Style Sheets
Of course, WordPress has their own Tips/Tricks page.
Lemme know if these work!
Lyte
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03-07-2007, 08:04 AM
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#10 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Rep Power: 0 | Hey Lyte, why do you not make it a multi-author blog? I run one myself (thought it is not much of a multi-author :P). That way, you do not need to be worried too much about it and can work on the forum too.
Looking around the forum, I can see quite a few who have good knowledge and can write for the forum's blog. It would be also a good bridge between the Web 1.0 (or should I say 1.5?) to Web 2.0. :P
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03-07-2007, 08:14 AM
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#11 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | That sounds like a great idea! I'm not sure how to go about adding it though. Hmm....
This whole Web 1.0 / Web 2.0 was something I kept meaning to look up. Here's an interesting article on the subject. I'm still reading it and I'm curious to hear other people thoughts!
Lyte
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03-08-2007, 07:25 AM
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#12 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Rep Power: 0 | Nothing much to add there Lyte, but I just felt like saying: Thanks for that link!
It was worth the half an hour I spent on reading that article and skimming through the pages it pointed to.
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03-08-2007, 10:06 AM
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#13 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | Vyoma,
Yeeaaaa! You're welcome!
Ya know... there are so many sites out there to choose from (for info) that it's great to find one that actually has value!
Lyte
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03-12-2007, 08:58 AM
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#14 | | Senior
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 509
Rep Power: 3 | Sure, I have a blog. http://www.markbolyard.com. I just redesigned it, and haven't gotten around to posting much origional content yet, but it's coming. As you mentioned, it is a time consuming task. I started it specifically to share photos of my children with family that doesn't live nearby, then I thought to make it a little more technical, and start writing some content about various things I know about. Anyway, have a look and let me know what you think so far!
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03-12-2007, 04:17 PM
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#15 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | It's kewl! I like the colors... orange and black.
There's a lil weirdness with some of the photo pages... http://markbolyard.com/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=34
You have scroll down to get to the photo. And you have to start label them so we know who's who! 
Very kewl site... good information there too!
Lyte
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03-16-2007, 05:54 PM
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#16 | | Freshman
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 11
Rep Power: 0 | I think blogs are great on several levels..
I myself own about 15 of them..lol
and I get updated content on all of those once a week, and some every day.. but that's a little secret..lol
Anyways, if pc101 was my site, I would put a blog on the main page and the forums in a sub forum, or sub domain
I myself, like tech blogs that have the latest news and whats out and I think others would as well.
-Bs | |
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03-19-2007, 04:19 PM
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#17 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | How the heck do you keep up with 15 blogs?! 
Lyte
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03-19-2007, 11:08 PM
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#18 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 130
Rep Power: 2 | 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgridley mainly they should be for YOU tho, and not the reader IMO. | Ummm.... I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more. If someone just wants to write whatever interests themselves then they'd be better off just going to Walmart, buying a .79 cent notebook, and writing it in there. The whole reason for a website to add a blog has nothing to do with writing, and everything to do with reinforcing said website. We regularly develop blogs for large websites and the four main reasons why they usually want this done is as follows: - To increase the sites traffic.
- To increase the websites page rank.
- To increase the sites advertising potential.
- To increase the monetization potential of the website.
The first thing that you want to do when you set up a blog is to make it search engine friendly. It is MUCH easier to do this for a blog, than it is for a sites forum software ( Invision, vB, etc). You also want to set up a sitemap.xml file, which will serve as a beacon to attract search engine bots and help incorporate better page rank. It goes in your blogs root and it will help you greatly with google. You can then set how often they crawl not only your blog but your entire site ( daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) Just make the xml file and ping the google bots so they know it's there. Like a shark that smells blood in water they will then take over and you won't have to do anything else except watch your sites ranking climb Point being that if someone thinks that all a blog is used for is to simply 'talk' on it, then they are missing the true potential for adding a blog to a site. Blogs are no longer just web diaries, they are one of the best SEO/marketing/advertising/traffic building web tools that you will ever use, and if they are incorporated in the site correctly, they will be like a shot of adrenaline for your site | |
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03-19-2007, 11:18 PM
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#19 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | Excellent post AngelArs! Thanks for adding your insight to this thread!
Lyte
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03-19-2007, 11:43 PM
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#20 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 130
Rep Power: 2 |
It was my pleasure to help Lyte When used correctly blogging is like putting a site on steroids | |
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03-21-2007, 12:40 AM
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#21 | | Sophomore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 130
Rep Power: 2 |
BTW- as soon as I find out what is going to happen with RegisterFly I am going to be starting a new site for people who want to learn about the correct way to set up a blog. The site will take you from A to Z. It will be laid out in a very straight forward and easy to read ( learn) manner. You're great-great-grandmother could visit the site and be able to learn everything there is to know about blogging 
It will have two sections: one for beginners getting up to speed, and one for seasoned professionals  | |
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03-21-2007, 04:17 PM
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#22 | | Head Mistress
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Good ol' U.S. of A
Posts: 3,448
Rep Power: 6 | Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelArs You're great-great-grandmother could visit the site and be able to learn everything there is to know about blogging.... | Ohh... I like tutorials like that!
Lyte
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