Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts

Monday

Thing 1. Set Up Your Blog

Now that you have a better idea of what 23 Things On a Stick is all about, it’s time to set up your very own blog to begin recording your progress and thoughts on the 23 Things On a Stick. There are several free online blog hosting services including Wordpress & Typepad, but we recommend Blogger, a Google product.

This is a very important Thing. You will record your progress in your blog & others will be reading your blog. Read through all of the instructions!
Set up your blog by following these steps:

1. Create an account in Blogger

  • Go to Blogger.com
  • Click on the long orange arrow that says Create Your Blog Now. Follow the 3 step instructions.
  • You will need a Google Account. Follow the directions to set up a Google Account if you do not have one. You can use any email address—it does not need to be a Gmail address. Your email becomes your Username. Your Display Name is how your posts are signed--you can use your real name, initials, or a nickname.
  • Create a password for your account. (The first of many usernames/passwords you will create for 23 Things On a Stick. Think now how you will remember them all. Or use the same one or similar ones for every Web 2.0 tool.)
  • Remember to write down your Username and Password.
2. Name your blog This is the hard part! You will create a both a blog title and a URL for your blog.
  • The blog title is the name that will appear on the banner at the top of your blog. The blog title does not need to be unique--nor will you be able to tell if it is unique. There are probably hundreds of blogs with relatively generic names--BobBlog or Musings, for example. That is OK. However, we do recommend that you not name your blog 23 Things On a Stick, 23things, or similar names just to avoid some confusion. Add an identifier--Bob's 23 Things or 23things on the Prairie. Browse the list of Round 1 blog names for ideas. Be sure that the blog name appears in the masthead of your blog. If it does not, go to the Settings tab and enter your blog name in the Title box. Click Save.
  • The URL is the unique Web address of your blog. This URL is how you will find your blog or tell others how to find it. We recommend a short, easy to remember URL. You must be sure that no one else has registered the URL you want on Blogger! Blogger will tell you if the URL you want is available--click Check Availability. (Note: This is where some Round 1 23ers caused a lot of confusion--they just picked a URL and registered it with us without first setting up their Blogger blog and checking URL availability. Some of those URLs took us to highly unusual places!)
Remember that the whole web world can see your blog title and blog address. Create a name that reflects the 23 Things On a Stick program, but is uniquely yours. Here are some names of other people’s 23 Things blogs:
  • In Blogger, the URL format is blogname.blogspot.com There is no www in the address when using Blogger.com software.
  • The URL for your blog will look like these examples
  • http://minnonastick.blogspot.com/
  • http://23thingsonastick.blogspot.com/
Please remember your URL address and/or bookmark it.

Blogger Settings
Be sure that you have enabled comments. We want to comment on your posts, as do others.
1. Under the Settings Tab, click the Comments link. We recommend the second choice under Who Can Comment? Registered Users.
2. If you want to moderate comments (review all comments before they are published) scroll down and turn moderation on.
3. If you want others (up to 10 people) to know when you receive a comment, you can enter their email addresses in the box near the bottom of that page.
Click Save Settings once you are done.
3. Select your template.
  • The fun part--Blogger has several templates so choose one that fits you. The first Choose Template screen has only a few; choose one. If you want to experiment with other Templates after your blog is set-up, go to Layout and choose Pick New Template. You will see many more choices. Try some; it is easy to see how your blog will look in the different choices.
Hints
  • If you run into problems, check out Blogger's Help file and Tutorial or here’s a MINITEX Blog Tutorial . Another tutorial is here. You can ask us, too.
  • Be sure to enable comments under Settings on Blogger.
  • Be sure your blog title appears on the masthead of your blog. Go to settings and enter it in the Title box if it does not appear.
  • Spend some time exploring the features of Blogger—spell check, how to upload photos or video, font choices, text size and color, and more.
4. Create an avatar.
  • An avatar is an online representation of yourself. Go to http://avatars.yahoo.com/ to design an avatar. There are many choices for appearance, accessories, pets, etc. (You will have to set up an account if you don't use Yahoo!) You can make an avatar that resembles the "real you" or create an entirely new you (If only it were so easy!)
  • Save your avatar and export to your blog.
Here's how to export your Yahoo! avatar to your blog.
  1. When you are on your Avatars.Yahoo.com page, go to "Home" tab and look at the right column. One of the options is: "EXPORT: Use your avatar in web pages and blogs and more." Click there.
  2. In the Center of the page, one option is your avatar's HTML code. Copy (Control C) the code, go to your blog. Sign in. On Blogger Dashboard there is an option to add a Manage posts, settings, or layout; Go to "LAYOUT." You will see various page elements.
  3. Click Add Page Element from the page. From the pop-up box that opens, choose the item marked "HTML/Java Script
  4. Paste (Control V) the HTML code into the Content box. Add a title in the title box if you wish.
  5. Click Save Changes.
  6. Back on the Layout page, you can drag and drop that PAGE ELEMENT to wherever you want your avatar to appear on your blog.
After you have completed Steps 1-4, you are ready to register for 23 Things On a Stick. Register one blog per person.

5. Register your blog.

Here's how to register:
  • Click here to register your blog. Once you have clicked the Register button, you are registered. You will not receive a confirmation email. SurveyMonkey, the tool we use for registration is very reliable; we will get the registration. Don't know your region? Click here for a map.
  • We will add you to the 23 Things on a Stick blog lists according to your region. We will not list your name; only your blog's name. Remember, it may take a week or so to get your blog on the mother blog. Don't panic (and don't re-register!)--it will get there as soon as we can get it up.
You’re ready to start posting!
Whenever you complete a Thing, write a post reflecting your experience with the Thing you accomplished. Please clearly label each entry in your blog in with Thing number and the subject. We just need to be able to see which Thing you are doing. Read and comment on other 23 Things bloggers’ posts, too. That’s part of being part of this library learning community. And everyone, likes feedback.

Each of your posts should provide insights into what you’ve discovered and learned. Share what worked for you, what didn’t, what you’ve shared with your colleagues, any surprises, frustrations, and eureka moments. We will offer some blog prompts to get you thinking, but don’t feel limited by those—splash out and share!
You are joining many, many librarians who blog. The Bloggers Among Us is a recent survey of library bloggers. And if you need inspiration for your blogging, glance through the blogs of these Top 25 Library Bloggers.
Remember, each participant must have her/his own blog to record progress.
NOTE: It may take a up to a week for your blog to appear on the Participants' Blogs lists. We must enter the info manually. If your blog does not appear a week after you register, email minn23@gmail.com with your name, blog name, and blog URL. Check the FAQs for more info.
Challenge (optional)
1. Add features from Blogger's selections on Layout and Settings pages. Add a blog roll of blogs of your fellow participants or of other interesting blogs you've found. Add photos or video. How about a poll?
2. Already have a Blogger blog? Explore other blogging software and compare and contrast features. Which ones have great features? Which one would you recommend?
3. Add third party features to your blog--visitor counts, email subscriptions and more. Feedburner and Sitemeter are two sources of additional features.
4. Be sure to blog about your experience with the other blogging software and/or third party features. Any features you think all blogs should have?
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Thing 7. Web 2.0 Communication Tools

Many Web 2.0 tools can be tagged as communication tools. Blogs, Wikis, Flickr, podcasts, & videos all are ways to communicate and share information. Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook are communications tools for much of the (younger) population, too. The communication tools in this Thing—email, IM, and text messaging, Google Groups, Web Conferencing—make person-to-person or group-to-group communication easier.
Many libraries have added these communication tools as part of their online reference suite to offer users more ways to reach them. The argument for IM, email, text messaging, social network presence via Facebook, et. al. is to reach users where they are in their preferred means of communication. We may like telephones or walk-in users, but users want to communicate with us in their preferred ways. Libraries one debated telephone reference, too—but that was before libraries and librarians were early adopters of new technology!
In this Thing, you will read, listen, and/or watch intros to these tools and how they work in libraries. There are some activities (the numbered items) to try associated with each one. Be sure to do each of the numbered items and then blog about your experiences.
Email
Email has been around longer than the Internet—early inceptions date to the late 1960s using mainframe computers. Now, almost everyone has at least one email address. With more than 1.5 billion email users sending 183 million email messages a day, it would seem email has a secure role in online communication and collaboration, in spite of many new tools. Everyone needs to understand and use email. If you don’t already, consider offering, classes on email for your patrons using these free email services:
Libraries use email for many purposes: Ask a Librarian, update patrons on their holds/overdues, and for library discussion groups to name a few.
1. Email can be a productivity enhancer or a time drain. Explore the productivity aspects of your current email program (things like folders, groups, spam filters). Here are some other productivity hints.

Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is a real time communication tool that allows users to type into a chat box and send the info to one or more other IM users. It, too, can be a productivity tool or a time user. It is a popular communication among teens, as well as business people because of the instant response possible. Here is how it works.
2a. Watch this video that shows an Instant Message chat with a librarian at the University of Buffalo (Warning: music!).




There are many IM services—popular ones include AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Yahoo! Messenger. Both require downloads to work. Google offers two. Google Talk bundles various services including file sharing if you download the software. Web-based Google Talk does not require a download. Google Chat is built into Gmail.
2b. Read about Instant Messaging and libraries in this Library Journal article.
2c. Set up an IM account with others in your building who are participating in 23 Things On a Stick. Practice IMing each other. (On your own? Contact your multitype or check your region’s participants’ blogs to find an IM partner.)

Text Messaging (SMS—Short Message Service)
Short Message Service (SMS), commonly called text messaging, lets users send short messages of up to 160 characters via cell phone or other communication device. There is a basic cost involved depending on your provider for those who send and receive text messages. With 500 billion text messages being sent per year, it seems that text messaging is permeating our culture. Are you part of the revolution?
3a. View this video demonstration of a Text a Librarian session with an academic librarian.

3b. Read this article about libraries and text messaging in Smart Libraries Newsletter.
3c. Try text messaging another 23 Things participant. See the IM note about finding a partner.

Web Conferencing
Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings or presentations over the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the Internet. This can be either a downloaded application on each of the attendees' computers or a web-based application where the attendees will simply enter a URL to enter the live meeting. These web-based applications are used either with Flash or Java technology.
A webinar is a type of web conference. A webinar can be one-way, with the speaker giving a presentatior or it can be collaborative including question and answer or discussion sessions to allow full participation between the audience and the presenter. MINITEX Webinars are an example of web conferencing.
OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) is a low-cost Web conferencing service that offers public online programs including book discussions, interviews, special events, library training, writing workshops, and virtual tours of special digital library collections, as well as many library continuing education presentations. A podcast about OPAL is here.
Everyone is welcome to participate in OPAL programs. Usually there is no need to register. Nearly all OPAL programs are offered free of charge to participants.
4a. Read this WebJunction intro to Web conferencing (pdf).
4b. Look at the OPAL Master Schedule. Find an interesting program and join in. You don’t have to watch the whole thing if you don’t have time; watch enough to get a feel for the format.
-OR-
View a MINITEX Webinar.

Blog Prompts
Communicate your thoughts on these tools in this communication tool--your blog!
  • Describe how your library uses email. Has it improved productivity?
  • Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
  • Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
  • Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think o this communication tool?
Resources
Challenge (optional)
1. Google Groups
Google Groups bundles several services including email, document sharing, wiki features and web creation into one service. People use Google Groups to communicate and share around a topic of mutual interest. Google has these groups of interest to librarians and those who want to know more about Google features and updates:
We have set up this 23 Things On a Stick Google Group so we can share our efforts with 23 Things On a Stick. You will receive an invitation to participate once you have registered your blog.
2. Meebo is an IM aggregator; it lets you view/chat with all of your IM accounts from one window. Nebraska Library Commission has posted a neat video showing one of their training sessions on Meebo for their staff. You can access it on blip.tv at: blip.tv/file/520398. It's about 18 minutes long but interesting if you are considering or want to look into Meebo a little closer for your library this gives you some good information about working with the program and how to set up a MeeboMe widget. If you use Meebo now or decide to try it, blog about the experience.
3. Twitter has had a lot of play in library literature. Described as “…a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”
  • Set up a Twitter account and “Tweet” with some of your co-workers or other 23 Thing participants. How can you use this in libraries?
These presentations from BIGWIG Social Software Showcase 2007 give explanations of Twitter and its expansion features:

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