How to Blog
Want to blog and wonder where to start? Well, it isn't as difficult as you think. In fact, it's incredibly simple - and typically free!
First, identify some blogs out there that you like and what it is you like about them. Figure out what software "powers" those sites. For instance, scroll down to the bottom of University of Florida new media prof Mindy McAdams' blog and you'll find it's powered by WordPress. Feministing is done using Moveable Type. Healing Combat Trauma uses TypePad. High Desert Reports uses Blogger. Travel Writing: Honduras uses Vox.
If you can't tell what powers a site you like, check the icon before the URL in the address line of your browser. You can sometimes match up the icons with the software listed below. Or send the blogger an e-mail and ask or go to View>Page Source, which will open a text document and scroll through the upper part to see if you can figure it out.
Here are the sites for these blogging software and some brief descriptions. Disclosure: i've used each of the first two listings, but none of the others. So if you have anything to add, e-mail me at fishnette (at) gmail.com:
- Blogger http://www.blogger.com is part of the Google empire. It's free, easy to set up and really easy to upload photos and videos to.
- WordPress http://wordpress.org/ is also free and considered more versitle by many. Lots of potential themes (layouts) and, if you plan to host this on your own site, that's where you'll like the versatility to make changes to the themes and add pages. If you tend to write long posts, you can continue them on a separate page with WordPress so your front page will still have variety with more posts visible. Plenty of plug-ins, too.
- Moveable Type http://www.movabletype.org/ is an open source operation with plenty of plug-ins. One drawback: you'll need your own Web hosting to use this, unlike Blogger or WordPress.
- TypePad http://www.typepad.com/ costs money. But it may be more supportive of multimedia features.
- Vox at http://www.vox.com/ is free and versatile and great for collaboration.
Once you've chosen your software, simply follow the installation directions either on their hosting or your own. Choose a "theme" or template or layout for your blog. Installation is typically fairly easy and you're ready to start blogging!
Want to create a group blog? The software has settings to do this. In Blogger, it's under manage>settings>permissions. In WordPress, it's under "users."
So get blogging! And if you have questions, feel free to e-mail me at fishnette (at) gmail.com!
Are you a current JAWS member who would like your blog posted on the JAWS Blogroll? Please send an e-mail with a link to your blog, plus a one-sentence description, to president@jaws.org. The JAWS Blogroll is open to JAWS members in good standing (i.e., you've paid your dues!).