Blog basics

From ActiveIDsWiki

Aim & workflow

This tutorial will give you an introduction to the concept of blogging, its web 2.0 features and the different services available. Blogger and WordPress are viewed in more detail. Setting up your own blog is explained for both services. After this tutorial you are ready to manage your own blog and can start adding all kinds of page elements like multimedia to your blog.

Concept of blogging

Weblogging, logging on the web, and in short blogging is the activity of posting text and other media on a weblog (or blog in short), a website structured to show posts typically in reverse-chronological order. Blogs are great as they are simple to use, allow you to share information and thoughts quickly and allow others to comment on and link to your posts. Blogs come in all shapes and sizes: personal, educational, corporate, by theme or interest and much more.

Blog options

Weblogs are typical web 2.0 applications with characteristic features such as:

Sharing: web 2.0 is also called the participatory web, meaning it's about the input and collaboration of the users.
Posting: sharing starts with writing down what you have to say and is the core of blogging.
Commenting: react on others and start a dialogue.
Tagging: label your information with meta data, making it easier to find.
Ranking: give a value to information, letting others know what you appreciate and what in general is regarded to be useful information.
Categorizing: structuring information in a non linear way allowing various data structures.
RSS Feeds: automatically syndicate content allowing followers to stay up to date.
Customizing: personalization is key in web 2.0 as its all about the user.
and more...

The web 2.0 approach also causes web applications such as weblogs to stay in Beta phase indefinitely as constant user feedback and participation causes continues development. The result of this is very user friendly web applications. You will find blogs are very easy to use with plenty of documentation, examples, discussion groups and easy WYSIWYG editors and wizards.

Blog services

Throughout the tutorials in this wiki different aspects of blogging will be handled in general and in specific for two popular weblog services: Google's Blogger and the open source WordPress system. Many other weblog services are available all offering similar functionality (options). Regardless of which one you use, you will be able to apply the steps explained in this wiki in the same or a very similar way. To make your decision easier check out the resources at the end of this page containing multiple comparisons between Blogger, WordPress and other blog services. A few differences:

Blogger

Directly connected w/ other Google services: Picasa Web, Google Video, YouTube, Google Documents, Google Spreadsheets, Google Presentations and more.
Allows only image and video upload. Other files can be embedded via external services.
Allows external scripts (for external gadgets).
Allows third party advertisement

WordPress

Open source, usable by web developers (beginners and advanced).
Allows different file type uploads
Many add-ons / extensions, but does not allow external scripts.
Does not allow third party advertisement

Blogger

Create your blog

To start using Blogger go to blogger.com and sign in with your Google account if you have one, or click 'create your blog now' to start and create an account along the way. When you've signed in directly you can click 'create a blog' at the top of your dashboard next to 'Manage blogs'. Next follow the instructions to setup a blog: give it a name, get a domain, select a template.

Create a post

Once your blog is created you can start posting by clicking 'new post' or change the appearance of your blog and add extras (gadgets) by clicking 'customize' in the toolbar at the top:

When compiling a post you can style your content using the toolbar at the top of the post window. Don't forget to add tags and a title.

Blogger basics video

If you quickly want to see how to create a blog and create a post view the video tutorial:

You do not have the Flash plugin installed, which means you are missing out on great interactive content. Download Flash.

source: BloggerHelp channel

WordPress

Create your blog

To start using Wordpress go to wordpress.com/signup. Register your account and select 'Gimme a blog!'. Your blogname has to be unique and will end in '.wordpress.com'. That's it! You can customize your blog like its appearance etcetera by going to 'My Dashboards' in the options bar on the top of your window.

Create a post

Once your blog is created you can start posting by clicking 'new post' in the toolbar at the top:

When compiling a post you can style your content using the toolbar at the top of the post window. Don't forget to add tags and a title.

Videos are always a quick way to start learning how to use a new application. The video tutorials below should help getting started with your WordPress blog.