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Blogging For Dummies Review by Eric Flescher
This book has everything you need to begin and work with blogs
Blogging for Dummies
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Authors: Brad Hill
Publisher: Wiley
Released: 2006
Pages: 368
$ 22 USA
29 Canada
15 UK
ISBN: 0-471-77084-1
Strengths: This is a text you want to get if you are just starting a blog or just thinking about one. The breadth and depth of information provided by the author will give you a solid grounding with blog,s no matter what kind of blog service you will use. The pros and cons for each service are also highlighted.
Weaknesses: Black and white screenshots. Some screenshots are a little on the small side.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 5/5
I have created websites for several years. Then the word called "blogs" appeared and I did not really know what they really were or how and what ways I could use one. Finally I introduced myself by reading some blogs and "scavenging around for information." Several blogs were created but not before I decided to change where I put my blogs. If I had read this book first, that would not have happened. But better late than sorry and that goes for anyone else who wants to operate a blog for fun, home, pleasure or business. This 368 page book is a " steal" and is just what you want if you are interested in initiating or improving your blog.
The book's author created the Google for Dummies book and is a lead blogger for Weblogs, Inc. His vast experience is amply demonstrated in the five sections of this book. The nineteen chapters provide the full breadth and depth for understanding the many facets of a blog experience, now and in the future. There is more to "web blogs" then just placing a "blog that connects to the internet." It has become more complicated.
The introduction is well done and informative. Part 1 " The what, where , why and how of weblogs," covers entries, post and archiving and understanding the blog mechanics and elements. Now you gain a sense of how blogs appear and what the "look' for your blog(s) should be and the different ways to display your blogs to help make decisions. details the different type of blogs (social networking, self installed blogs, web host blogs.
Part 2, " starting a blog today" compares, and contrasts blogs to decide which blog type is best for your uses. This section covers blog publishing tools such as Blogger, MSN, Yahoo 360, Typepad and others. Understandable and clear, reading these chapters gives you reliable ideas for selecting choices and making up your mind. What I like about this section is that the choices were all displayed and especially for first time bloggers, a user can explore and choose instead of spending all the time hunting for the "right blog." And deciding the right way first, may help you choose your style for your blog that will meet your needs now and for the future eliminating the need for transferring and starting over with a different blogger engine, when I found out and decided I needed more flexibility.
Part 3 "installing your own blog program' has information about mastering your own blog domain, installing your own and starting. Movable type, Wordpress, Hybrid blogs are explored. While I did not choose any of these methods for my blogs, there are many who do so this is another avenue to explore before you start your blogging exploits.
Part 4 `total blog immersion,' goes beyond "blogging." learn about RSS feeds, running a blog business, running podcasts, using photoblogging.
Part 5 is " the parts of ten," is a curious name but is very useful as this section highlights resources and information that can help you learn more about blogging in general. I found this section useful because in many ways, authoring a blog goes beyond many facets of blogging which is similar to advertising and finding out about websites. Learn about blog directories, blog site trackers and much more.
Finally the glossary and index help round out the information. While the book is in black and white, this does not detract from the learning process or take away from it. The screenshots, many of them small, are helpful, give a better sense of how to utilize the tutorials. Along the way, there are four icons displayed in the text (tips, remember, technical stuff, warning!).
i wished I had found this guide sooner. When I wanted to find out further information about blogs and upgrading my idea, I was desperate to find a good resource and guide. A good book was difficult to find but I finally found this text. This dummies book is well done, informative and the price is right for what you can learn. The author has really done a " solid job" and has written a book that is not only easy to read but enlightening. The additional resources and knowledge in the book provide a great understanding to the `world of blogging, ` starting your experience with blogging but extending it. I recommend this book highly for those who want to start their `blogging journey' or "improving your experiences."