Thing 7 - Create Your Own Blog and Add Your First Posts

Now, you have a better idea of what web 2.0 means. You're ready to get started using web 2.0 tools. You’ve done some exploring around this website and understand how this program works; it’s time to setup your very own personal blog. You will use this blog to record your thoughts, discoveries and exercises.


For this program, I recommend that you use Blogger*, a popular free online blog hosting service that is extremely easy to use. You may choose to use another blogging software tool. Before creating your blog, please read the IMPORTANT NOTE at the bottom of this post.

To create a blog using Blogger, it takes just three steps:

1. Create an account (view screenshot)


2. Name your blog (view screenshot)
   
3. Select your template. (view screenshot)

Once you’ve created your blog here are two important things to know:

To add posts:


The maintenance interface that you will use to add posts, edit or change the step-up 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. If you run into problems or would like more information about blogs and using Blogger here are some discovery resources you can use:
Freevlog’s Quicktime Tutorial: Setup a Free Blogger Blog Note: Ignore the opening comments about downloading Firefox if your PC doesn’t have it. This will work in Explorer just fine.
Blogger’s Quick Tutorial OK -- Now, it’s your turn...



Discovery Exercise

1. Setup a blog for yourself through Blogger.


2. Add a post about the habits among the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits that is easiest and hardest for you & why. You can cut and paste what you wrote for Thing 2.


3. Add a post about either Web 2.0 or Library 2.0. You can cut and paste what you wrote for Thing 5.


4. OPTIONAL - Visit RA Gourmet, the Reader's Advisory Action Team's blog at http://www.wpglib.blogspot.com/. Either add a comment to the blog or post a comment on your blog about the blog.

Have fun! Get set for Thing 8!


IMPORTANT NOTE: How you choose to identify yourself on your blog is your choice. You can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or as yourself. However, in order to qualify for the staff incentives and staff day prize drawings, you will need to register your blog with Learning 2.0 @ the Beach.

*Use of Blogger is only a recommendation. If there is another blog hosting site that you are more comfortable with, please feel free to use it.