550 likes | 660 Views
Blogging in Academic Libraries. Susan Herzog Eastern Connecticut State University June 29, 2006. What is a Blog?. Blog is short for “weblog,” a term coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 and popularized by Cameron Barrett in 1999.
E N D
Blogging in Academic Libraries Susan Herzog Eastern Connecticut State University June 29, 2006
What is a Blog? • Blog is short for “weblog,” a term coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 and popularized by Cameron Barrett in 1999. • Peter Merholz decided to pronounce the term “wee-blog,” which was eventually shortened to just “blog.”
Blogging Terms • Blogging: when somebody uploads information to the Blog • the person doing this is known as the Blogger • Blogosphere: the blogging world • Blogroll: a list of recommended blogs or blogs read by the Blogger
What Makes it a Blog? • All blogs • are a type of web page • can be easily & instantly updated (feature of blog software)
What Makes it a Blog? • Most blogs • have frequently updated posts • have relatively short entries • are organized chronologically by date • have newest entries at the top • link to other web content
What Makes it a Blog? • Most blogs • include Comments (feature of blog software) • include Archives (feature of blog software) • include a unique URL for each individual post (Permalink) (feature of blog software)
What Makes it a Blog? • Most blogs are primarily textual • Experimentation with sound, images & videos, has resulted in related genres: • photoblogs • videoblogs • audioblogs
Anatomy of a Typical Blog Post Anton Zuiker http://www.unc.edu/%7Ezuiker/blogging101/parts.html
Blogs have been described as • “a kind of continual tour, with a human guide, whom you get to know” (Winer, 2002). • a live, online journal • one of the most popular modes of communication on the Internet • “a place on the Net where you write and publish at the near-same moment to a few million of your closest friends, except only about 20 people actually read what you write” (Suitt, 2002).
Blogs have been described as • an easy, quick way to create a web site • a place to share thoughts & ideas • a way to connect with others • a way to keep up with family • a way to collaborate • social networking
Blogs have been described as • new media • citizens’ media • participatory media • grassroots publishing
The Blog Question “Is blogging merely a form of exhibitionism or a compelling new form of journalism? There is evidence to conclude that it is probably both.” (Conhaim, 2002).
Advantages of Blogs • instant publishing to the Internet • cost little or nothing • provide a comment feature that allows interaction from others • dynamic & empowering • allow interchange of thoughts & ideas • exciting: instant feedback
Blog Diffusion • Bloggers read & link to other blogs • Bloggers read “old media”, AKA Mainstream media (MSM), and include information & links in their blogs • “Old Media” reporters read blogs, then include information in their own stories
Blog History • Tim Berners-Lee's ‘What's New?’ page • Blogger • 9/11 Blogs
Blog History • Following 9/11 • blogs were identified & collected in lists • patterns emerged • the number of blogs increased significantly
Blog History • 2002: Trent Lott’s Strom Thurmond remarks • 2004: Howard Dean & Meetup.com • 2004: Democratic & Republican conventions
Blog History • 2004: RatherGate • 2004: Tsunami Blogs • 2004: Year of the Blog
Why Read Blogs? • Personal & professional • Keep current • No spam! (hopefully)
Let’s start blogging…. Go to blogger.com http://www.blogger.com/start
Select Create Your Blog Now • Fill in your information • Read terms of service • Password should be • simple • easy to remember • no spaces • Click on continue
Name Your Blog • Name should be identifiable • Information Literacy Blog • Write down your Blog address (URL) • Continue
Choose a Template • Select a template (just pick one…you can change templates later) • Continue
Create Posts • Formatting • Compose • Edit HTML • Preview • Block comments on posts • Notice of successful posting
Posting Options • Edit posts • delete • View the blog • can open in new window
Publishing Formatting Comments Show/hide Archiving Frequency Site Feed Email Save settings Delete this blog Settings Choices
On Blogger or your own site Blog address Save settings Settings Choices: Publishing
Show Number Days/Posts Convert Line Breaks Show Title Field Show Link Field Post Template Save settings Settings Choices: Formatting
Show/Hide Permission to comment Email notification Save settings Settings Choices: Comments
Daily Weekly Monthly Post Pages each post has its own unique web page, in addition to appearing on your blog's front page Save settings Settings Choices:Archiving
Settings Choices:Site Feed • RSS • Allows others to be notified when you update your blog • Save settings • Feed URL: http://sherzog.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Template • Edit template • Pick new one • Save changes