Flagging Objectional Content

While looking for some blogs tonight on Blogsearch.google.com, I found some that *seemed* to be on Blogger (The address had .blogspot.com in it) but were loaded with links and porn photos. Basically, some "businessmen" (*using the term loosely*) have come to realize that there are custom URLs they can create in Blogger, and use it as a way to drive traffic to other sites. Doesn't seem right, does it? Well, you can let Blogger know about the use of their URL by simply going to that blog, and looking for the "Flag" button at the very top right (In the Blogger Toolbar). Click that, and it "flags the site", letting Blogger know about the problem, and doing your part to keep the system working nicely.

Photos in blogs

Matt and Ericka have both posted photos to their blogs... if this interests you, corner them and sweet talk them into showing you how. ;-)

Check blogs for comments

Remember to check your comments on your blogs. If you don't want to have to go look at each post and see if comments are posted, you can change your settings to email you when someone makes a comment.

To do this, log into Blogger, and click the "Settings" tab at the top. Then, select "Comments" in the menu just under the tabs. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and you'll find a text box. You can enter your email address in that box, and you'll receive an email any time someone makes a comment.

Connie Knows How

Classmate Connie has done a good job on her blog. If you take a look, you'll notice that -- in addition to posting blogs -- she's edited in some links along the side. This is a nice way to "archive" sites you like that you may want to refer to later.

Her blog is at http://techblog590.blogspot.com/. If you are really nice to her and offer to buy her a soda at the break in class, maybe she'll show you how to get those links into your blog as well.

Nice going, Connie!

Use GOOGLE Toolbar to Spell Check Online Typing

If you're not familiar with the GOOGLE Toolbar, you may want to take a look at it. It offers an excellent SPELL CHECK feature which checks your online typing. Use it to check your comments as you post to your blog, enter comments in other blogs, and to check your typing in any web form.

To download and install, go to: http://toolbar.google.com/
This version is only available for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, IE6.0+

There is good news for MAC OS X 10.2+ users and Windows XP/2000 SP3+; they've also released a version for Firefox!

To download and install the toolbar for Firefox, go to: http://toolbar.google.com/firefox/

List of News Aggregators

Several types of aggregators or readers can fetch and read your feeds. Web based aggregators, desktop aggregators, built in aggregators, and email aggregators offer various methods of gathering news headlines and blog updates.

Decide which type of reader is best for you by deciding if you'd like a web based aggregator you can access from any computer, or if you prefer a desktop reader which requires you to download, install, and access from the computer you've installed the program on.

Visit the following Wikipedia site for a listing of aggregators:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_news_aggregators

Even Fictional Characters are Blogging

ABC news ran an AP story that reflects the impact Blogging has had on our society. Now, in a promotional move, even the fictional characters are tracking their day to day thoughts online.

TV Characters Blog Their Way to Build Ratings

I read another article this past weekend that said the writing on the fictional blogs is often the task of the 2nd tier writers on the staff... what a gig!

Welcome

Hello students! This blog will be used to highlight interesting articles or websites you should review, share insightful posts you are your classmates make on your own blogs, and give insider tips to succeeding in the class. Plan to review this blog weekly.