Blogging and RSS Feeds A Basic Introduction

1
Blogging and RSS FeedsA Basic Introduction

• By
• Tony Lenn
• ASCCA Technical Officer/Office Coordinator
• 24/04/07

2
Definition of a Blog (Wikipedia)

• A blog is a user-generated website where entries
  are made in journal style and displayed in a
  reverse chronological order.
• The term "blog" is a portmanteau, or, in other
  words, a blend of the words web and log (Web
  log). "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning
  to maintain or add content to a blog.

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What can Blogs do ?

• Blogs can provide commentary or news on a
  particular subject, such as food, politics, or
  local news.
• A typical blog combines text, images, and links
  to other blogs, web pages, and other media
  related to its topic.
• The ability for readers to leave comments in an
  interactive format is an important part of most
  early blogs.
• Most blogs are primarily textual although some
  focus on photographs, sketchblog, videos, or
  audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider
  network of social media.

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How is a Blog Created ?

• Find a suitable (free) host server that supports
  blogs (eg Microsoft spaces, Google MySpace,
  Wordpress, etc.) using a search engine and
  experiment to find a server that fits in with
  your requirements.
• Follow the prompts

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Some Blog Servers

• Different blog sites have different
  characteristics and features promoted by their
  creators/sponsors.
• Myspace is more attuned to the young blogger,
  where contacts to other bloggers are easy to
  make.
• Microsoft Spaces tries to be all things to all
  people and the processing can be slow.

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Some Blog Servers contd

• Wordpress
• appears to be more suitable for those not
  interested in unsolicited pop-ups and emails.
• It is relatively simple to use and can handle a
  number of different document types.

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ASCCAs Blog Site Summary Page
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Point to a File Link
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Display the File
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Display the article
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Reader Responses
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Blogs and RSS Feeds

• At this stage a blog looks like many other
  websites
• Easy to post a blog as you dont need a webmaster
  to load up pages
• Interactive feedback from readers
• Get the message to the target audience through
  syndication
• RSS feeds make blogs more responsive

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What is an RSS Feed ?

• Automatic checking of posting at syndicated blog
  sites.
• Users are alerted to the creation of new blogs
  since they last checked.

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Download RSS Reader
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RSS Reader
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Summary

• Blogs are another medium for Clubs to get the
  message out to the members.
• They complement your web pages
• With Rss Feeds subscribers are alerted when a new
  message is posted
• No spam nor viruses
• Feedback is monitored before being posted

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Newcastle Workshop

• The Theme for the Newcastle residential workshop
  on the 7th and 8th May is Cinematography.
• However Ill be running a session on blogging and
  RSS Feeds in the parallel stream.
• Youll set up your own blog site, create RSS
  Feeds, post blogs and syndicate to sites
• Application forms are available on the ASCCA
  website seniorcomputing.org or on the ASCCA blog
  site ascca.wordpress.com