Blogs | SPLAT 101

Common Craft: Blogs in Plain English

What in the world is a blog? Wikipedia has this to say: "A blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. 'Blog' can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog."

Blogs can take many forms: individuals can use them to keep online journals or diaries; groups can use them to communicate with each other; institutions (like libraries) can use them to inform their audience and to provide a forum for discussion. Because blogs usually show the newest posts first, they can be excellent tools for presenting updates or new information. Many blogs also allow comments on posts, permitting two-way conversations to occur.

Explore these webpages for more information about blogs:

Class Resources

Explore one or more of the following sample blogs:

  • Ada Community Library's website is built on open source blogging software. Only staff can post to the website, but anyone can comment on any of the posts.
  • The Special Projects Library Action Team is a group of forward-thinking library employees throughout Idaho that all contribute to a collective blog to share information, experiences and resources.
  • The @thelibrary blog by the Albertsons Library at Boise State University is a shining example of a Blogger hosted blog.

Explore one or more of the following free blog hosting websites:

  • Owned by Google, Blogger is very easy to use and a great choice for first-time bloggers.
  • Another easy-to-use blogging platform, Vox emphasizes optional privacy settings on posts and a huge selection of predefined designs.
  • For more advanced bloggers, WordPress offers even more customization and advanced tools.

Class Assignment

Now it's your turn! Create a blog using any free blog hosting website of your choice.

If you don't have a preference or if you want to know where to begin, create a Blogger blog by following these three easy steps:

  1. Create a Google account. (view screenshot)
  2. Name your blog. (view screenshot)
  3. Select a template. (view screenshot)

If you create a Blogger blog, here are two things to remember:

  • To create new posts: The maintenance interface that you will use to add posts, edit or change the setup of your blog is accessed online at http://www.blogger.com. Be sure to write down your login and password.
  • To view your blog: Your blog address is http://(xxxx).blogspot.com, (xxxx)=the unique identifier you entered in Step 2. Be sure to also write down your blog address.

Once you've got your brand new blog, try creating a few posts. Then discuss your experience and, if you want, share your blog address with everyone. If you do, others can leave comments on your posts and create a discussion on your blog!

Extra Credit

If you really want to dive in, why not try blogging on the Idaho Commission for Libraries' new website? Anne Abrams has provided some instructions about being a part of the New ICFL Web Site Launch!

Last updated: March 12, 2009 - 11:08am by dylan

Blogging
Comment by: Rubie (not verified); March 16, 2009 - 9:49am
Splat 101 is such a great way to learn new things, I always thought blogging was out of my area of competance, but I did it!! I started my own blog that is meaningful and personal.

Blogging
Comment by: Rubie (not verified); March 16, 2009 - 3:42pm
Whoo hooo!! I'm a blogger with my own page its was fun and easy to do! I can't wait to see if anyone finds it and writes on it!

My Blog -- Moving On!
Comment by: Shirley Biladeau (not verified); March 16, 2009 - 4:04pm
So I have created my first blog! Now I have to maintain it -- it's like Michael Samuelson says -- "It is 'free' like a kitten -- requires some care, feeding, and attention." Here is the URL: http://movingon-ce.blogspot.com/ Not much there yet -- I will try to add something soon!

blogging
Comment by: Sharon Kimber (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 6:07pm
What a world we live in now! Everything we need (almost) is right in front of us. No need to handwrite a letter, address an envelope, stamp it and take it to the post office any more. I will also admit to finding it easy to join Blogger.

My Blog
Comment by: Teri (not verified); March 17, 2009 - 10:57am
I started a blog about a year ago using blogspot. It really is easy. I added a counter so I could see if anyone was actually visiting my blog. I have had a few comments - but not many. My blog is linked to our library's webpage so our students can visit it easily. I am teaching a Copyright class so I have added a short (copyright free) YouTube video for my class to access.

My blog is up and can be
Comment by: Julie Prescott (not verified); March 17, 2009 - 11:13am
My blog is up and can be seen at http://jedilibrarian.wordpress.com

I got my blog created.
Comment by: Pam Kindelberger (not verified); March 17, 2009 - 2:18pm
I thought this was a fun exercise. I think that using blogs will be helpful in many aspects of my work and personal life. Thank you for having SPLAT 101. Here is my blog address: http;//pam-smiles.blogspot.com. Not much on there yet but will have fun adding to it.

When I started as a new
Comment by: Betty Hoffman (not verified); March 18, 2009 - 9:24am
When I started as a new employee at the Idaho Commission for Libraries about two months ago, I was encouraged to set up a blog site and learn about blogging. I reluctantly set up my blog site, thinking my position wouldn't require that skill set. Well, here I am learning more about blogs and trying to get extra credit on my first assignment by posting on the ICFL website. After just a short time reading the information that my instructor Dylan provided, I already have a greater understanding of the value of blogs.

It was fun to set up a blog.
Comment by: Holly (not verified); March 18, 2009 - 3:26pm
It was fun to set up a blog. So now I'm an official blogger. I hope I can keep up with the blogging and its not "boring" Holly, Post Falls Library.

Page started up
Comment by: Gwen Pittam (not verified); March 18, 2009 - 9:50pm
Terrific! I was surprised how quickly you can put a blog together. Mine is at http://gwen-photos.blogspot.com/ now will have to just think of something to say :)

page change
Comment by: Gwen Pittam (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 3:50pm
ooops location is: http://gwens-photos.blogspot.com/ left an "s" off..... - Gwen

Blogs
Comment by: Javotte Pickering (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 8:28am
Yikes! That was easy. I wish I had tried this years ago. Just one question for all of you at public schools. I have to do my assignmnents at home because our filter blocks all blogs. How does your school handle blogs? Do you have any policies regarding blogs? Thanks.

SPLAT 101 1st Assignment
Comment by: Beth (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 8:39am
Love blogging. Needed to set up a site for work. You will find mine at - http://surulia.wordpress.com/.

I'm in!
Comment by: Gena Marker (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 9:26am
Great - I now have a blog! You can follow my blog at http://genamarker.blogspot.com

My New Blog
Comment by: Susan D. Long (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 11:03am
I think I've done it!!! Yeah!!!

Blogosphere
Comment by: Amy E. (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 11:50am
I've been blogging for years. I started with livejournal and greatestjournal years ago - back when you had to handcode html w/in posts. Now I just maintain a few with Wordpress both .com and .org and imho Wordpress is the way to go. It's easy to use, fairly robust and seems to have an application for everything. In fact, it is this very thing coupled with the readings which make me wonder - what exactly is the difference between a blog and a webpage these days? Is it the web 2.0 / interactive element? Is that the only thing that sets a blog apart? Thoughts? Anyone?

OK- I finished the first
Comment by: cindy (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 5:22pm
OK- I finished the first lesson and it was fun. Thanks Dillon!

blogging
Comment by: Sharon Kimber (not verified); March 19, 2009 - 6:15pm
I have joined the ranks of those who blog. Who would have thought it? It actually was easy.

Blogging
Comment by: Anonymous (not verified); March 20, 2009 - 1:37pm
I've tried blogging. Not sure if I will actually use this tool. I'm already information overloaded. I'll have to be selective about what tools I do use. Thanks for offering this anyway.

Blogging
Comment by: Amy C. (not verified); March 21, 2009 - 1:11pm
We maintain a blog for our library staff to use and it's a great tool. It makes it easy to keep staff informed. A bonus is that the posts are archived so if a question or issue comes up more than once, we can search the blog and see how we handled it previously.

blogging
Comment by: Kath Ann Hendricks (not verified); March 21, 2009 - 2:14pm
I set up my blog 2 years ago and linked it to our library's home page: http://www.marshallpl.org To find it you have to click on "YA BLOG" in the menu to the left of the screen. I agree with the person who mentioned having to 'feed the kitten' now and again.... sometimes I'm more on top of it than others. Good thing it isn't a real kitten!! I use Blogspot, and it is a little limiting, but I don't have a lot of time to play with it, so it serves my purposes. I don't get many comments on my blog- but I am told that people read it. I may have to put a counter on it like Teri mentioned on March 17. And then I'm going to coerce someone into taking a more up to date pic of me to put on it. One thing I was recently informed of by our IT dept.- to define what my blog was about. I made the assumption that everyone would know what "YA BLOG" meant. Thus the definition at the top of my page.

html??????
Comment by: Kath Ann Hendricks (not verified); March 21, 2009 - 2:17pm
I just tried to insert some of this... so I could show the link to our library's website and for the life of me, could not figure it out. seems to link everything that follows it..... Also I left extra lines for the spaces between paragraphs and when I previewed my post, it was all run together. HMMMMMM?

Blog
Comment by: Kelly (not verified); March 21, 2009 - 9:21pm
I participate in a blog at work and I think it's a great way for different departments to communicate and also for people who work at different times of the day! My blog may not be something I would use in my personal life but I do subscribe to a couple of other peoples' blogs to keep in touch with them. I enjoyed this week's "class" and I'm looking forward to the rest!

Blogging
Comment by: Sandy (not verified); March 23, 2009 - 8:33pm
I created a blog. It was quite easy. Thanks for the lesson. Sandy

Blogging
Comment by: Amy M (not verified); March 25, 2009 - 10:58am
I've had my own blog for about a year now. I don't blog everyday, but I do try to keep up to let family and friends know what I'm doing. Amy in Twin Falls

Thanks for the lesson.
Comment by: Maggie (not verified); March 26, 2009 - 8:51am
Thanks for the lesson.

Blogging
Comment by: Tammy (not verified); March 26, 2009 - 9:20pm
Lesson was way fun and now I have an official blog spot called mug of moxie that I plan to use to review YA books. Thanks!

I could get carried away
Comment by: Anonymous (not verified); March 27, 2009 - 1:43am
I could get carried away with too many blogs for different occasions/groups...but I will keep it to one for now. Had fun. Thanks, Cindy

Blogging
Comment by: Maria (not verified); April 11, 2009 - 5:53pm
I have finally figured it out. Our school email service also provides a feature for blogging. This is easy from my end so I don't have to be moving from "page" to "page". This is so cool!

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.