Blogs: The Basics and Beyond Skokie Public Library Richard Kong February 19, 2008

Today’s Agenda What is a blog? What do they look like? How do they work? What kinds of blogs are out there? How do RSS feeds work? How do feed readers work? Exercises: Find blogs and subscribe to RSS feeds

What is a blog?

What do they look like?

How do they work?

What kinds of blogs are out there?

How do RSS feeds work?

How do feed readers work?

Exercises: Find blogs and subscribe to RSS feeds

In the Beginning . . .

Communication today . . .

A typical website www.skokielibrary.info

What are some common characteristics of blogs? Regularly updated Newest entries on top Syndication possible (more about feeds later) Visitors can leave comments Public for anyone to read Written by a single author

Regularly updated

Newest entries on top

Syndication possible (more about feeds later)

Visitors can leave comments

Public for anyone to read

Written by a single author

Typical Blog Layout splclasses.blogspot.com

Why do people blog? Share observations from daily life Share observations and tips Share links to interesting or useful websites Share information from an organization, business, or institution Share information about products Examples 1 , 2 , 3

Share observations from daily life

Share observations and tips

Share links to interesting or useful websites

Share information from an organization, business, or institution

Share information about products

Blogosphere Explosion Source: Dave Sifry @ http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000493.html

Okay, so now what? 71 million blogs…some of them have to be good. -- Matt

71 million blogs…some of them have to be good. -- Matt

Searching for blogs

Problem: Too many blogs!

Solution: Feeds RSS = Really Simple Syndication

RSS = Really Simple Syndication

Analogy

Aggregators and Readers Stay up to date Simplify your reading experience Discover new content

Stay up to date

Simplify your reading experience

Discover new content

Google Reader

Recognizing Feeds…Yikes!

Whew! Standard RSS Feed Icon

Easy as 1, 2, 3?

RSS in Plain English Source: http://blip.tv/file/205570/

Now it’s YOUR turn Please take out your “Exercises” handout

Blogito, Ergo Sum Next week: Become a Blogger!