The document discusses blogging and provides reasons why individuals and organizations should blog. It outlines some benefits of blogging including establishing an online presence, engaging with your field, increasing reflection, and gaining personal and organizational status. It also provides tips for getting started with blogging and considers whether blogging could be recognized as an academic publication. The document raises questions about whether the Open University should establish blogging guidelines or policies.

1. ThOU shalt blog Martin Weller & Tony Hirst

3. Why blog: There is a whole world out there You need to establish a base camp <http://xkcd.com/c256.html>

4. The economics of reputation If you ain’t connected, you’re dead

5. Engagement with your subject area < http://www.flickr.com/photos/54785872@N00/306718042/ peikko06>

6. Increased reflection http://www.flickr.com/photos/pichl/420032874/ bohem2020

7. Personal status (and cash!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/storm_gal/256182095/ storm_gal

8. Organisational status http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =YbjsuEuSZb4

9. Link to teaching

10. Practise what we preach

11. It exposes the process <http://www.flickr.com/photos/jess2712/348750797/ jess2712>

12. It provides a useful tool for engaging with other technologies <http://www.eboy.com>

16. A continuum of OUness

18. 7 steps to blogoheaven 1. Set up an account 2. Post regularly 3. Register with Technorati 4. Set up a blog reader 5. Subscribe to 20 blogs 6. Comment on a blog 7. Have fun