Blogging, Part II (How to Blog)

Hey folks:

I just want to say how thrilled I am to hear from you on the blogging (in general, and while black) issue.

Thanks to Ernise, Amanita, Lester (hey!), Nona, Willie, and Moji.

Willie... great suggestions and we are working on it. Ed, by the way, has his own syndicated TV show called "Our World with Black Enterprise".

Ernise, it's great that you're blogging about your fitness training. Send us a link.

-------------------------------------------------------

Nonna, the price issue is a big one. Computers are getting cheaper all the time, but iPods and digital music players are still pretty pricey. There are community organizations that can help connect folks with technology and high-speed internet. Check out, for example, Beehive and its parent group One Economy. Full disclosure: I used to work for them.

Some cities, like San Francisco, are working to have the whole city have free wireless internet.

If you are willing to shop around AND are knowledgeable about computers or have someone in your life who is, you can get cheap used ones on sites like Craigslist or Ebay. But buyer beware!

A good compromise between new and used is buying refurbished models from major suppliers like Dell. Refurbished models are used; re-built; and have a warranty.

All of these company names are NOT endorsements but examples, and you have to look at what's right for you.

I think in the future not only will technology get cheaper, but also people will develop more collective ways of using technology. The best way to go online for free right now is at your local public library. In the future, perhaps libraries and community organizations will develop sign-out systems for MP3 players. You leave a cash or credit card deposit and get to take an iPod for a week for free. Sound crazy? Well, I remember I used to live near a tool lending library... where you could check out garden and power tools! Anything is possible.

--------------------------------------------------------

Moji: thanks for asking how to start.

First, you have to pick a way to get your blog up and running. One of the best ways is the free and fast Blogger. You can use basic design templates; and they will give you free hosting... meaning you don't have to pay for anyone to access your page. If you do choose to make a more complicated site, you will probably have to pay to buy a domain name and for internet hosting. We can talk about that some other time.

The other thing you have to do is decide what you are blogging about. This can change over time.

You also have to decide what you want in terms of safety and personal information. I would NEVER give out my address or home phone over a blog. But know that depending on how much other information you give, people may be able to find that out. It's always a risk.

With most blogging programs, there are ways to decide how many people you want to allow into your circle. You can decide that YOU have to choose who can SEE the blog.... or who can respond... or let it be a free for all.

You should also learn some basic html commands. These allow you to do things like post links to other websites. A good source for learning about these is WebMonkey.com.

If you want to go deeper, you can often find community-based classes on learning computing and on the web in general.

Anyway, this is plenty for now... thanks for the input... send more! And more soon.

Peace,

F

Farai Chideya

5:35 PM ET | 05-21-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail