BlogsBlogsJournals of the 21st Century

What is a blog?What is a blog?Web + Log = BLOGSelf-publishingYOUR focus

Blogs can do many thingsoPortfoliooNewsletteroProfessional developmentoCommunity builder

Use online (Blogger, TypePad, WordPress)

RSS feeds

RSS FeedsRSS FeedsRSS=Really Simple

SyndicationSubscribers told when

new content availableBloglines or

Newsgator: Web based bookmarks◦Bookmarks accessible

from anywhereRSS feed readers

built into Outlook

Blogs create communityBlogs create communityEngage usersStart a discussion with

COMMENTSComments oSet to be approved by administratoroSet to email administratoroSet to prevent spam comments

Blogs can be private: By Invitation ONLY

Blogs become BOOKSBlogs become BOOKS

Bloggers (blog authors) oExisting fan base oWriting abilityoTraditional print—

and money—follow.Mason Dixon Knitti

ngAngry ChickenJulie and JuliaCrazy Aunt Purl

Blogs update communitiesBlogs update communitiesUpdates about company/organization

◦Sun Microsystem’s CEO Blogs: Jonathan Blogs

◦The Loopy Ewe: Sheri at the Loopy EweLibrary Blogs

◦Oberlin College Library: Reading Girl Speaks

◦Virginia Tech: VT Library News◦Duke: Library Hacks◦John Hopkins Sheridan Libraries

Other usesOther usesOpinion and newsBreaking news—before

mainstream media can cover itProfessional Development

◦Librarian.net◦The Apple Blog◦Linux and Open Source Blog

Real life usesReal life uses

Personal portfolio: The Rainey SistersFamily/Health Blog:

Richard Beach’s BlogTravel: Falang, My Friend, Very Good

Adventures in the Peace Corps EntertainmentStuff on My CatStuff on My MuttCute Overload

Privacy IssuesPrivacy IssuesBlog is public: do not say anything

that you do not want EVERYONE to know

Last names/Children’s names/Workplace

Cyberstalking?Medical issues—HIPPA lawsPrivate blog: can keep private and

send invitations

Disclaimer: Blogs are Disclaimer: Blogs are personalpersonal You must not use the Commonwealth’s Internet access

or electronic communication in cases where it:  ◦  interferes with the user’s productivity or work

performance, or with any other employee’s productivity or work performance;

◦ adversely affects the efficient operation of the computer system;

◦ results in any personal gain or profit to the user ◦ violates any provision of this policy, any supplemental

policy adopted by the agency supplying the Internet or electronic communication systems, or any other policy, regulation, law or guideline as set forth by local, State or Federal law. (See Code of Virginia §2.1-804-805; §2.2-2827 as of October1, 2001.)

Note: Any user of VCCS IT resources employing the Commonwealth’s Internet or electronic communication systems for personal use must present their communications in such a way as to be clear that the communication is personal and is not a communication of the agency or the Commonwealth.

Goal or Mission StatementGoal or Mission Statement

WHAT is this for? What do I want to achieve?oPersonal/friendsoPortfoliooGet word out/self publishingoGenerate a buzzoMarketing for self/organizationoReach family, friends, similar

interests

Parts of a BlogParts of a BlogBannerButtonsLinks or BlogrollSub with

Bloglines/RSS feedEmail me!SearchTags/categoriesSite counterComments

Leaving CommentsLeaving CommentsThank you note for

visit to the blogBegin a

conversation or discussion

Give another side of the story

Personal experience

Comments public so be NICE!

Getting Comments on own Getting Comments on own blogblogDifferent settingsOpen to allBot-blockedEmail authorModerator approvalMake friends--start the discussionComment on commenter’s blogEmail commenter

Blogger: Push-Button Blogger: Push-Button PublishingPublishingHosted on external serverWeb-based

(like web mail services Hotmail, Yahoomail)

• Free• Must have private gmail (Google

Mail) account to register• Free templates—just fill in own

information• Blogger.com

Blog SetupBlog SetupPersonal email account to loginCreate Google AccountName BlogChoose TemplateWrite first postPublishWait for commentsLOOK who’s blogging now!