Creating a Blog
A blog can be so many things, configured so many different ways, and have numerous functions. This exercise exists to familiarize you with the basic components and building blocks of a blog, so that you can recognize them when analyzing other blogs and building your own with an objective in mind.
objective
Setup a blog and perform basic customizations to appearance and functionality
requirements
Setup a blog
Customized appearance and theme
A blog post about anything you choose, written by you
Use of tags and/or categories to organize content
Embedded widgets from another site
Note: Credit is not awarded for work completed outside of this class. Please contact me for an alternate assignment if you have already completed the requirements above.
first steps
Select a blog service
Determine capabilities to meet requirements (some free services do not permit embeding widgets or 3rd party code, so make sure you pick the right service first)
Select a theme or template to customize the design
Find a site with a widget you would like to add to your blog
grading
50 points possible
Up to 10 points for each requirement
Points off for cutting corners or other evidence of a lackluster effort.
Creativity is welcome and encouraged
deliverable(s)
- Post a response to this exercise with a link to your blog
- Respond to at least one of your class colleague's submissions by replying to their comment on this assignment page
- Rate this exercise and explain your rating with comments about specific strengths/ improvement ideas. Anonymous posts are perfectly acceptable, just log out of the site first.
- UIUC Students: Tag the link “ADV400E1” on delicious.com
- SU Students: Tag the link "IST400E1" on delicious.com
resources & examples
Blogger: Create your free blog | free service to host and create a blog
WordPress.com >> Get a Free Blog Here | free service to host and create a blog
Weblog software – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | list and description on blog software and services
Google Gadgets for Your Webpage | directory of widgets that you can configure
SpringWidgets : Widget Gallery | directory of widgets that you can configure and add to your blog
How to Start a Blog: 8 steps (with video) – wikiHow | a gentle intro to starting a blog
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