Showing posts with label resource. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resource. Show all posts

May 26, 2008

Updated: Creating blogs with Blogger.com

DISCLAIMER: I created this post as an aid for the blog courses I conduct. They are not endorsed by Google or Blogger.com.

Click on the images to view additional notes.

Login/ Create Blog
Blogger: Create your Blog Now -- FREE
Go to Blogger.com to sign up for an account.

STEP 1: Create a Google account
Blogger: Create Blogger Account
You need a Google user account in order to create a blog with Blogger.com ('cos Blogger.com is owned by Google).

You don't need to create an account if you already have Google-related accounts like Gmail and Google Groups (read the instructions below the header "Create a Google Account".

Blogger.com requires you to enter an email address (you can always create an additional email account Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail).

TIP: Write down all the addresses/ IDs/ passwords that you create along the way. And keep this safe (destroy it once you've committed it to memory). Some participants get confused after signing up for a few things along the way, that they can't log in to their accounts when they try to do after the session)

The Word Verification is a feature for blogger to ensure it's a human being that's creating an account, rather than an automatic program (spambot).


IMPORTANT: Keep your password secret. Google will never, ever ask you for your passwords. If you ever receive any emails asking you for your account ID and passwords, read it very very carefully and you probably should ignore it. Because they are likely to be scam mails.


STEP 2: Name your blog
Blogger: Name your blog
Here, you're required to enter a Title for your blog and the blog URL (the blog title can easily be changed later, from your Settings Tab. For the URL, it can also be changed provided it's not taken up by someone else. So at this stage, it's best to choose wisely at this stage).

TIP: Use the Check Availability link to confirm that your desired URL is available. Then write the URL for easy reference.


STEP 3: Choose a template
Blogger: Choose a template
Choose a blog template. You can always change the design later. So don't spend too much time at this stage. There aren't much designs to choose from and you can spend more time customising your blog later.

Confirmation of new blog
Blogger: You are done
Congratulations! You now have a blog.

Create/ Publish Post
Blogger: My demo blog - Create Post
This is where you create a new post. It's almost like composing and sending an email.

Dashboard
Blogger: Dashboard
When you next login to Blogger.com, you'll see your Dashboard. This is where you can create a new blog, and also access your existing blog(s).

Settings tab
Blogger: My demo blog - Basic Settings
Go to the Settings Tab to:
  • Change the blog name or description
  • Delete your blog
  • Change your blog URL
  • Blog formatting (date/ time settings)
  • Comment Moderation/ Image Verification/ Email notification
  • Permissions to view/ post to your blog

Layout tab
Blogger :: Edit Layout
The Layout Tab is where you can:
  • Add "Page Elements" (these are things like a blogroll, counters, HTML codes for stats etc.)
  • Change your fonts and colours
  • Edit your blog HTML template directly
  • Pick a new Blogger.com template

For more tips on using Blogger.com, read this post.

[This is an updated post, from an earlier one, dated Nov 2006]

Creative Commons License

This work by Ivan Chew is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. For permissions beyond the scope of this license , please contact via RamblingLibrarian@gmail.com.

May 23, 2008

Tips on using BLOGGER.COM

Some links from Blogger.com's Help pages that I feel all new Blogger.com users ought to know. These tend to the the Frequently Asked Questions from those new to blogger.


More tips, for blogging newbies:

#1 - Write down your User ID, Password, and Blog URL somewhere (keep it safe, until you've committed it to memory).
I've seen many people get all caught up in the excitement of creating a new blog for the first time that they forget their User name, password or the blog URL. They'd lament that they can't find their blog or login etc.

#2- When creating your new blog, just choose a blog design quickly. And move on!
I've personally experienced this myself -- you spend ages choosing and mulling over the blog design template, colours, layout etc. My advice is to just quickly choose a design to get through the process. It's more important to familiarise yourself with how the Dashboard (the admin stuff) works. You can always change the design later.

#3 - Choose a consistent blog name with your URL
For instance, if I want my blog to be called "Rambling Librarian", then my preferred URL is also "RamblingLibrarian.blogspot.com". This is for consistency.

#4 - Blogger.com Vs Blogspot.com
I get this alot: Newbie creates a blogger.com blog. Then says "my blog can't be found". I'd tell them to check the URL. The blog URL should be "blogSPOT.com" and not "blogger.com". Example:
  • MyFirstBlog.blogger.com is incorrect
  • MyFirstBlog.blogspot.com is the correct URL
So far, only Blogger.com has this sort of arrangement. If you signup for a Wordpress.com blog, your blog url would be MyFirstBlog.wordpress.com. See what I mean about consistency? :)

[See also: Creating blogs with Blogger.com, 26 May 2008]


Creative Commons License

This work by Ivan Chew is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. For permissions beyond the scope of this license , please contact via RamblingLibrarian@gmail.com.

March 15, 2008

Example of Flickr Notes: "Making Mooncakes"


01 Setting Up
Originally uploaded by ramblinglibrarian
I posted this as an example of using the notes feature in Flickr, to make an instructional post more informative.

The photo is also embedded as part of a longer blog post.

Example of Flickr Notes: "Success!"


Success!
Originally uploaded by fiznatty
Click on the image. When you're at the Flickr page, move your mouse over the image. Check out the notes in this particular image. There's a mix of the informative and funny.

February 26, 2008

Podcast websites

These podcasts-related sites were recommended in the July 2005 issue of Mac Addict, p.11:


  1. The Maccast - www.maccast.com

  2. Machelp from Hawaii - radio.weblogs.com/0142820

  3. My Mac Guys - mymacguys.blogspot.com

  4. One Minute Tip - radio.weblogs.com/0141930

  5. Your Mac Life - www.yourmaclifeshow.com

July 26, 2007

One good use of a helmet cam

Well the Helmet-cam didn't prevent the accident from happening. But it helped in reviewing the event.


Via Kevin.

February 13, 2007

Web 2.0. - Digital Ethography

This video explains in 5 minutes, among other things, the context by which "social media" and related technologies (like blogs) exist. Brilliant.


By Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Michael Wesch, from Kansas State University.

November 12, 2006

Blog learning resource: 10 tips for a great blog

Here's a very nice and concise presentation (PDF) on how to blog well:
10 Ways to a Killer Blog - Getting noticed in the new word-of-mouth network
by Robert and Maryam Scoble, PodTech.net

I also recommend that you read this book for more detailed explanation of the concepts covered in the above presentation:
cover
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 047174719X

July 12, 2006

Intro to Blogs workshop, by Kevin Lim (Feb 06)

Kevin (theory.isthereason.com) posts his workshop content, including links to his presentation slides and PDF handouts. Summary of the outline posted in his blog:
- INTRODUCTION
- EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARLY BLOGS
- THE SOFT-SIDE OF BLOGGING
- THE HARD-SIDE OF BLOGGING
- WHAT IS RSS AND HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO THEM?
- SIGNING UP WITH BLOGGER.COM
- GETTING STARTED WITH BLOGGING
- RELATED REFERENCES


Read his full post here.

Technorati Tags: Blog Workshop, Blog Course

February 10, 2006

What is RSS? (illustrated)

I thought this illustrates the point rather well. From Kevin:
Web 2.0 Workshop Sneak Preview: What is RSS?
[Click image to see larger picture]

September 01, 2005

Books on blogging

Here's a link to a list of blogging-related books available from the NLB. If anyone wishes to recommend additional books or resources, feel free to post a comment here.