Blogging 101

There have been several questions about using the new blog. I decided to answer them all here so that we can all see all the questions and answers. I will add new Q&A as things come up that seem pertinent to several of us.

1. What is a blog and why are we using one? Blog is a weird word abbreviated from "web log." Usually one person with a particular interest posts notes or articles on a topic and others can respond. Using a blog will 1) allow you to access ALL the info, conversations, photos, etc we post in one place without ever worrying about saving e-mails 2) allow you to access this info from any computer with internet access (IE, work, the library, a cabin on the lake); 3) allow any new member to immediately catch up on as much history as they would like; 4) allow us all to communicate with the entire group without adding or updating each others' e-mail addresses to our address books.
2. Subscribing looks complicated... how do I decide how to subscribe?!? I recommend that, being new to blogs, you just subscribe via e-mail. If you start on the main page and click on the link to a post (which gets you to the "detail" page for the post), then scroll down and look near the comments box, there is a button to click to subscribe via e-mail. There is a "Subscribe" button at the top of the pages, but you can only choose to subscribe via feeds there.
3. What is a feed? A feed is a service or conduit that sends notices of updates/posts to blogs you like to a place of your choosing, like a Google or Yahoo homepage... if you don't have a place like these that you already go to every day or so, then it just makes sense to use a place that you already go to regularly: your e-mail box! You know how you used to be able to get a special box next to your mailbox for your newspaper? A feed is like that box, only you choose what type of news goes into it and where the box sits. That box is NOT your e-mail box... if you want e-mail notifications, please subscribe via e-mail (see 2). Here is the answer from a pro.
   
4. What does it mean to "follow" a blog? Following the blog means that you have added it to a list of the blogs you read on your Blogger "dashboard" or home page. If you choose to follow publicly, your name and icon will show up on the main page of each blog you follow. This is not the same as subscribing to the blog via e-mail or feed. Click here for more detail.
   
5. How do I add a comment? First, you have to be on the Detail page for the post you want to reply to. If you are on the main page, which has all the posts from the last 14 days on it, then click on the name of the post you want to reply to. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the Post a Comment box. Type your reply in the box. Then next to Comment As, you have to choose an identity. If you do not already have one set up and you don't want to, choose Anonymous and make sure your name is in the comment box so we know who made your comment.
6. How do I start a new post or thread? Right now you cannot do this directly. If you have a topic to post, send me your message and I will post it for you. If you think you will need to post frequently, like Kathie with meeting notes and reminders, let me know... I can set up a small number of people with rights.

updated 1/5/2009 by Michelle (magpye)