Part Two:
Creating a Blog with Manila
- Why Manila? Well, Manila is
one of the most popular and versatile software tools for creating and
maintaining Blogs. It is the tool used to create all of the blogs here
at the Berkman Center,
and is extremely easy to learn to use. Plus, since it is the only tool
I am familiar with, it seems like a logical choice for this demo.
- Can I apply this lesson to other blogging tools? Absolutely! Although
the interface may look slightly different, the process of creating a
blog, the essential elements of a blog, and the method of creating a
posting are very similar.
- Does it cost anything to start a Blog? Blogs are kind
of like email. More
and more universities are offering them to their communities for free. There
are free services on the internet where you can get a free blog as easily
as free email, if you are willing to put up with a few ads and limited
use of graphics. And
there are relatively inexpensive services where you can have your own
space, your own URL, a variety of content, and no ads.
 |
The only requirement for starting a blog hosted at the Berkmen Center is an e-mail address ending in harvard.edu. and even this requirement is flexible. MIT is also offering free Manila blogs to students and faculty. The only one to decide what goes on your Blog is YOU. Let's get right into the process of setting up a new blog in Manila. |
Lets start at the Home of Blogs
at the Harvard Law School.
Notice the link on the right hand side labeled "New
Weblog". When you click on it you should see the following....
Fill in the requried information. The last box should
contain the name of the blog and will be it's internet address.
A few minutes after submitting this form, you will receive an email
with a link to your new Weblog!
When you click on the link in the email (copy and paste it to your favorite
browser if your email can't display active links)
you should connect
directly to your new Blog. That's all it takes!
Now let's take a look around our newborn Blog.....
Things to Remember:
You DON'T have to blog every day.
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
A Blog is an Open Forum; anyone can wander by, and probably will.
A Blogroll is a Convenience, a Courtesy and a Custom
The Rule of Linking
Just be yourself