Getting Started:
Blogs and Wikis
Bridget Schumacher
University at Buffalo Libraries
October 7, 2008

Tonight’s agenda:
1. Define blog
2. Locate blogs of interest
3. Define wiki
4. Edit a wiki
5. Create a blog or wiki

Part I: Blogs

Source: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000493.html

Source: Technorati State of the Blogosphere / 2008

What is a blog?
• Regularly updated web site
• Posts appear in reverse
chronological order
• Contain links, videos, images, text,
etc.
• (Can be) a tool for conversation

Why blog?
• Strengthen your identity
• Promote yourself, company, or
services
• Share information
• Network and build relationships

Source: Technorati State of the Blogosphere / 2008

Types of Bloggers
Source: Technorati State of the Blogosphere / 2008

Anatomy of a Blog

Source: University at Buffalo Libraries, Student Support blog

Some other things that you
may encounter…
• Trackbacks – see who is linking to
your blog
• Blogroll – list of blogs you read
• Comments – form conversations,
network, etc.

Uses for a Blog
• Frequently updated newsletter
• Announce news and events
• Chronicle a project
• Highlight news and resources to a
specific group
• Replace listserv postings
Source: Stephens, Michael. (2006). Web 2.0 & Libraries: Best
Practices for Social Libraries. Chicago, IL.: ALA.

Creating a Blog

Locating Blogs
• Blog search engines
• Blog directories
• Ask people with similar
interests
• Peruse blogrolls

Part II: Wikis

http://lis505.wikispaces.com/

Questions or Comments?
Bridget Schumacher
bss4@buffalo.edu