Creating and Maintaining a Blog

Introduction

Definition: A blog (short for weblog) is a web-based log where people record events, share information, and express thoughts.
History:
- The term 'weblog' was coined by John Barger in 1997.
- The term 'blog' was popularized by Peter Merholz in 1999.
- Evan Williams' Pyra Labs popularized blogging through Blogger, acquired by Google in 2003.

Textual Nature: Primary form is textual.
Media Integration: Can include photos (photo blogs), art (art blogs), videos (vlogs), music (mp3 blogs or podcasts).
Educational Blogs (Edublogs): Used as teaching and learning resources.
Microblogging: Using platforms like Twitter for concise posts.

Creativity: Platform for showcasing innovation and creative ideas.
Personal Information Sharing: Sharing personal experiences and thoughts within a limited circle.
Business Communication: Tools for businesses to attract and communicate with customers through attractive posts.
Educational Purposes:
- Sharing updated information and readings.
- Interacting with students who might feel shy in class.
- Serving as a Learning Management System (LMS).
Classroom Management: Using blogs to distribute materials and link resources.
Learning Portfolios: Blogs serve as evidence of student growth and learning.
Discussion: Facilitate discussions among readers and authors.

Personal Blogs: Online diaries sharing personal experiences, hobbies, travel, etc.
Collaborative/Group Blogs: Multi-author blogs where like-minded people write together, popular in media and education fields.
Microblogs: Short and quick updates, typically on platforms like Twitter.
Vlogs (Video Blogs): Blogs in video format, often hosted on YouTube.
Link Blogs: Predominantly link out to other resources.
Photo Blogs: Focus on photography.
Edublogs: Dedicated to educational content.
Business Blogs: Created by businesses to attract and inform customers.
Professional Blogs: Blogs maintained as a source of income through ads and sponsors.
Niche Blogs: Focused on specific areas like healthy eating, calligraphy, etc.

Communication Skills: Good written communication is crucial.
Content Writing:
- Should be updated and provide the latest information.
- Include evergreen content that remains relevant over time.
- Controversial content can generate discussion.
Catchy Headlines: Should grab the reader's attention.
Types of Posts:
- How-to guides
- Lists (e.g., top 10, top 25)
- Question-based titles
- Controversial topics
Structure and Style:
- Central idea or holistic picture
- Well-researched with all facts in hand
- Structured with headings, subheadings, and bullet points
- Simple, concise, and lucid writing style
- Well edited without grammatical errors

Steps to create a blog on Blogger.com:

Access Blogger.com: Use Gmail account to log in.
Create New Blog: Select the New Blog button and choose name and URL.
Choose Theme: Select a simple or preferred theme.
Create Post: Use text editor to write content, add images, and preview before publishing.
Add Pages: Create static pages for evergreen content and add them to the blog layout.
Layout Customization: Add gadgets like search bars, archives, and other widgets.
Theme Management: Customize themes for web and mobile views.
Blog Settings: Adjust blog settings, privacy options, and multi-author privileges.
Interaction and Community: Read, comment, and link to other blogs to build a blog community.

Summary: Understand the purpose and types of blogs, how to write and manage them effectively, and steps to create a personal blog using Blogger.com.
Encouragement: Explore popular blogs, create your own, and begin sharing your insights and experiences with the world.