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Welcome to Blogs! At the end of this lesson you, yes you, will be able to create and update your own blog.
But first, a little blogger humor (very little, as a matter of fact):
Introduction
You’ve probably heard about blogs but were too busy to even look at one. Perhaps you aren’t a techie and aren’t sure what blogs are or how they work. Remember when the Internet intimidated you?
In this lesson you will learn how to create your own blog… yes, you can do it. You’ll see. Your blog will also be a way to record your progress and will allow the training team to verify completion of each task so you can qualify for the Completion Award. So, think creatively because you’ll soon find that this technology tool will assist you in showing your creative side. Ready to become a blogger?
First, check out “Blogs In Plain English
OPTIONAL:
If you'd like to see how blogs are used:
Library website using blog in an interesting and fun way:
Here’s an example of how a library uses a blog to highlight books
More “academic” but useful information:
Read about “Why Blogs for Libraries”
2. Click on “Sign Up Now” and enter your information on the form. Remember to write down your blog address and don’t forget your password. Click on “Signup”. Note that if you previously signed up for an account at wordpress, you cannot sign up again with the same e-mail address. Log in with your old account information and then use the link that says "Register another blog" to create your own blog.
3. Now you can change the look of your blog. First, click on “Change Your Template." To customize the look of your blog, you can scroll through the possible choices on first screen or on the many subsequent screens as well. You will notice that you are in the “Presentation” mode (see bar at the top of the page which starts with “Dashboard”. Click the presentation you like to set it as your theme.
4. Once you are pleased with your design you can start creating your blog. There are several buttons across the top of the page starting with “Dashboard”
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Dashboard
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Write
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Manage
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Comments
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Blogroll
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Presentation
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Users
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Options
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Upgrades
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Dashboard – General welcome page where you can change your password , invite friends to view your blog, add a bookmark, etc.
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Write – this screen is the place where you will write posts. Include a heading/title and then content.
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Manage- this is the area where you can manage your site. Each posting will be listed by title and you can look at stats, view the site, edit the posting or delete it.
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Comments- you may view any comments here and may delete etc.
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Options- some basic information can be changed here- language, date format etc. Discussion will be addressed later in these instructions. There are many choices -see buttons:
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General Reading
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Writing
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Reading
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Discussion
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Privacy
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Delete Blog
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Open ID
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Domains
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5. Now use the “Write” button.
Personal Blog Posting (Optional)
Your first blog posting may be something you just have fun with. It is up to you whether you'd like to create this first "personal" blog. If you choose not to create a personal posting just proceed to the "Training Blog" paragraph. You can express a personal opinion, copy a quote that you love, list your favorite things to do. Just type your musings/thoughts. Keep it short and simple. Remember to title your blog posting.
Now your post is ready to go.
Click on “Publish” and your first posting is saved.
Training Blog Posting (Required)
Throughout this training initiative you will write a post for each step in "All Wired Up you" completed. Each time you post, make the subject of your post: "Step #X: Name of Step".
Use the "Write" button again. For this first step, for example, create a blog titled "Step#1 Blogs". Have you thought about ways we can add blogs to our library site? Add your ideas for those possibilities to your blog. We'd love to read them! Let us know how you liked setting up your blog and problems or questions you had.
You can add "categories" to help people find things on your blog. You might want to begin separating your postings into categories. i.e. personal, Wired etc. You can do so by entering a category title in the box at the left under “Categories”. Enter the title and then click “Add”. You may then click on the appropriate category for each posting. This will separate your posting for future searches.
Now your post is ready to go.
Click on “Publish” and your posting is saved.
To view your posting you may click on “View site” at the top of the page.
Congratulations! You are now a blogger.
You can also share your blog with family and friends. Just give them the address: www.yourblogname.wordpress.com. Won't your kids/grandchildren be impressed?
6. You should now register your blog. Email prkref@prpl.org and give the name and address(URL) of your blog. Let us know if you wish to share your blog with other staff or just keep it to yourself and the "Wired" Team. (Note: Brandee will be the only staff member to receive emails with your blog information.) You will use this blog to report on each task you complete through the nine steps. To return to your blog for future postings go to www.wordpress.com and using your login and password.
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Want to Try Even More? (Optional)
You still have 8 more lessons to complete so you may want to return to blogging after you have finished the entire "Wired" training steps.
If you have enjoyed this exercise you may want to add some features to your site. Of course you can do this anytime.
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The following tasks refer to the bar at the top of the page:
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Dashboard
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Write
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Manage
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Comments
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Blogroll
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Presentation
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Users
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Options
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Upgrades
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Customization
While in “Presentation” mode you can further customize by using the tools available:
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Widgets
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Extras
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Custom Image Header
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Header Colors
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Edit CSS
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Widgets - You can drag and drop widgets onto your sidebar below. See available "widgets" listed at the bottom of the page.
Extras - These are general extras that you can enable for your entire blog.
Custom Image Header - This is your header image. You can change the text color or upload and crop a new image.
Header Colors- you can change background and font colors
Edit CSS- not applicable for our exercise
Comments
The default allows visitors to your site to be able to add their comments. You may decide that you do not want to receive comments or you would like to see the comments before they are posted. Go to “Options” then “Discussions” to make changes.
Adding An Image
You may add an image. To do so you will click on the  button and then you will need the web address for the graphic. There are several graphics which are already online which you might want to use.
If you would like to add a different graphic ask Kathy Rolsing or Brandee Crisp for assistance in getting the graphic's web address. Children’s staff may also use their photographs which are posted on the Children’s website. Sarah Hagge and Eileen Rosenberg can assist with those addresses.
Adding A Link
You may add a link to your page by clicking on the  button and then you can add the URL.
Blogroll
You may add links to other sites on your blog. Have a favorite weather site or book review site? Perhaps you want to link to a page on the library's site that you find most useful. Share those links on your blog. . When you have a list of links in your sidebar to other sites, it’s called a “blogroll.”
Users
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