Exercise #3
See update at end of this page*
Now that you’ve done some exploring around this website and understand how this program will work, it’s time to setup your very own personal blog to begin recording your thoughts, discoveries and exercises in. First, what is a blog? Here is a short video that explains the basic concepts for you.
For this program, I recommend that you use WordPress, a popular, free online blog hosting service that is easy to use. This is also the blogging software used by our branch blogs so becoming familiar with WordPress is a plus.
Creating a blog using WordPress takes just three steps:
1. Create an account 
Click on images to enlarge
2. Name your blog 
3. Select your template. This is so much fun! Let your own personality shine. By the way, you can switch back and forth between templates until you find the one you love.
More information:
To add posts: The “Dashboard” that you will use to add posts, edit or change the set-up of your blog is accessed online by logging into http://wordpress.com. Be sure to write down your login and password when you sign up.
This dashboard is in the Manage–Pages area (same as Edit). Please sure to go through each of the sections to become familiar with each one.
To view your blog: Your blog address is http://(xxxx).wordpress.com, (xxxx)=the unique identifier you entered in Step 2. (Example: http://susan1000.wordpress.com/)
Be sure to write down your blog address. If you run into problems or would like more information about blogs and using WordPress here are some discovery resources you can use:
• http://wordpress.com/features/ WordPress Features page- a good overview
• http://wordpress.com/forums/ Search by keywords for solutions to problems
• http://lorelle.wordpress.com/ Lorelle’s WordPress Blog- Tips for using WordPress
Better still, ask one of your branch bloggers (SLZ, ALB, CSV, DUB, UCY, NWK has one) or one of the children’s or adult staff that participated in this past summer reading game blog. There are lots of co-workers who can help!
OK — Now, it’s your turn…Discovery Exercise:
1. Set up a blog for yourself through WordPress. [Write down your name/password!]
2. Add a test post or two. [The Dashboard "Write" will give you a working space to add a title and entry--It looks alot like a Word document]
3.Use one of your test posts to create an entry about the habits among the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits that is easiest and hardest for you & why.
4. Have fun!!!!
IMPORTANT NOTE: How you choose to identify yourself on your blog is your choice. You can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or as yourself. However, in order to qualify for the staff incentive and drawings, you will need to register using the “Checklist” link on the right navigation bar.
#4 Register your blog and join the party …
If you’ve made it this far, you already have three items or “things” completed of the 23 that are required to earn incentives (not to mention qualify for the drawings!). But how do you qualify? Good question!
Answer: By registering your blog and recording your progress on each of the 23 things. For the sake of simplifying this process for ACL staff involved, you will use the Checklist to the right or the Learning 2.0 link that has been created on the ACL staff intranet [where on the Intranet?? Right, smack-dab in the middle of the page under News & Announcements.]
1. Check off all your complete Things.
2. Add your blog address or URL.
Information for future Checklist URLs:
Blogging software makes it easy for others to find a particular post on your blog by giving it a unique address (URL). By doing so, it is not necessary to go through post after post to find a specific entry. This URL is called a Permalink.
Starting with Thing #5, in Week #3, you also need to include the URL for the Permalink to each of your blog posts that capture your thoughts, comments or findings about your discovery process. And, depending upon the WordPress template that you selected, the permanent link for each individual posts can be found either through the post’s title or through a link in the post’s footer area the contains the date.
Example:
http://petsupplies4less.wordpress.com [this is the home page]
http://petsupplies4less.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/teach-your-cat-to-play-fetch/ [This is the permalink to this particular blog entry called "Teach your cat to play fetch".]
If you click on the permanent link for an individual post, you will be taken to its page. This is the link that you want to use when recording your progress in the Checklist. Use the copy/paste function (right click–copy and right click–paste OR hightlight the link and use Control C to copy and Control P to paste.)
To make recording easy, I would suggest that you make a habit of recording your progress weekly. So, here’s to Thing #4 – why not Click on the Sign-in/Checklist now and record your first 4 things on this discovery quest. It’s really that easy and just think, now there’s only 19 more things to go. 
As many of you are “newbies” at this blogging thing, there will be two weeks until the next Thing is available.
In two weeks–Photos and Images! Here’s a photo of one of my favorite libraries!
*UPDATE: Just today (4-4-08) WordPress has made a few changes to the blog design. It is still basically the same, but it doesn’t have a slightly different arrangement and colors. Here is a screen shot of the Dashboard now:
For those of you that have already done your blog, I think that you will like how you can get your image and put in in the text box–much more intuitive!! Take a deep breath and don’t worry. You will be okay!
I don’t see any video…
You may need an upgrade to your computer. Try a different computer. Also, send a help ticket explaining the problem.
Besides setting-up an account on wordpress and posting a blog, am I supposed to do anything else? I don’t get what I’m supposed to do for exercise #4.
Go to the Checklist and add the URL to your blog. Use the full address including the http://
You may also want to take a look at other participates’ blogs and make a comment on them.
One more question
… If I wanted to see someone’s blog from here in the Library or from those who signed-up for this tutorial, How would I find their blog’s? Would I have to ask for their url address for wordpress?
Ok, I lied … it’s a couple of questions .. hehehe!
Use the “Participants” link on the right navigation bar. You will see a list of participants that have added their blog to the Checklist.
Hi, Susan:
I have tried entering in my login and password (the same used for entering in timesheet information) to no avail when trying to access the Checklist. I have set up a WordPress website, as you can see from the website entry.
Try using your regular log-in name/password, not your timesheet one. Also, if you have to shorten your name to log-in to your computer, you would need to do the same for the Check-in List.
I’ve arrived late at the party and today tried to complete the checklist but haven’t been able to. I’ve set up my blog, entitled Journeys. My second post at http://nancy1834.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/the-easiest-and-hardest-habits-of-lifelong-learners/ addresses the habits of lifelong learners.
My first post addresses the public nature of blogging, at http://nancy1834.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/learning-first-post/
Nancy Tucker
Welcome Nancy. Give me a call when you get in and we can see what the problem is. You are already listed on the checklist. I will add your blog to the participants. Be sure to use the whole url address, starting with http:// on the Checklist.
Nancy, I think the problem you are having stems from the length of your title. If it is too long, then it gets rejected. I will see if I can lengthen it.