Re: AUGD: Need Blogging software
Re: AUGD: Need Blogging software
- Subject: Re: AUGD: Need Blogging software
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Sat, 5 May 2007 14:34:17 EDT
In a message dated 5/5/07 8:26:55 AM, email@hidden writes:
My group is doing a presentation on Blogging next month.
I usually make up a monthly CD as a hand out to all that attend our meetings. I would like to include some Blogging software to help my members get into it, if they want.
Can anyone recommend some? 'Freeware' beats 'shareware' or 'commercial,' but 'better' beats them all. Remembering, of course, that those new to it are not as sophisticated as you wiz-kids.
Also, if you've done a product review for this software (or an article on Blogging) and would like it reprinted in our newsletter, send me a link and I will pass it on to our Editor.
I blog on a regular basis for my Scout group and my Genealogy club (it grew out of our Genealogy SIG). I used a piece of shareware early on, but found it a bit confusing to set up and maintain. I went on to use Blogger.com. Most of the software available is not to make bloggs, but to make blogging go. The commercial sites like Blogger.com have two types of interfaces. One, you go to and use their word processor which has menus to insert HTML tags like mail to, URL links, text format, color and the works. They even spell check and let you insert graphics/photos. They are all designed for Windows units. For Mac on the same service, you get the word processor and you don't get anything else. You then go to some of the shareware sites to purchase a program that creates the interface you need to do other simple tasks. There are even widgets that help you blog on some of the services. I haven't used any. I know that there are people who do complicated web pages using simple text. I don't. It is so much easier using an interface that helps you visualize before you plunk the send button.
Other than the interface, I have been very happy with Blogger.com. There are several other services available. Of course you can get iLife and use iWeb and blog to your .mac account. Of course $175 dollars later you might realize that blogging just wasn't all that you thought it would be.
I use the blogs to save time. It is easier to make a blog entry to tell my Cub Scouts that the Council Pinewood Derby has been moved to the parking lot of the NASCAR Cafe, rather than open GoLive or Dreamweaver, make a note, and ftp it to my server. My people know that the blog has the latest information and that is where they should go to get it. Blogs are great to do tips and tricks, crafting ideas and the like. Best of all, you don't have to know any CSS, HTML, or any of that stuff. You can add some bells and whistles by cutting and pasting things like counters, links, calendars, _javascript_ and other things available on the WWW into your blog template.
To get an idea, go to <http://chicora-blog2.blogspot.com/> or <http://gsgc-blog.blogspot.com/>. I don't allow commenting on my bloggs, but I have a mail to so people can send me their comments for review and inclusion. I don't blog everyday either, I blog when I find something iinteresting or when something comes up that I need to tell all. With blogging, you can archive all of your messages. I know people who blogged their car trip across country. "We are in Wyoming and I saw my first Buffalo." "We are in Buffalo and ate my first wings." "Went to my first Red Wings game and saw my first blood on the ice." "It wasn't nice, I through up." Remember to put a link back to your website in the link area of your blog. Counters can be helpful to build up our confidence.
Gary, here is a tip. You can blog your monthly CD. When you find a great web site or a really neat piece of software, blog a link to it with a simple description.
"Yesterday, I found this really great widget. It...Here is a link to it...It is shareware and it costs $12." It is not a review, not and endorsement, it is just an opportunity. If someone finds that there is a widget that does it better, then you blog that information as well. "I thought this widget is the bee's knees, but Jim sent me this link to one that is even greater <www.betterthanbeesknees.com>.
Rick Curran
Coastal Mac User Group
Myrtle Beach, SC
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