IMARK Lesson 9: Blogging and Microblogging

A blog is an easily created web page made up of postings of text, images or multimedia. Blogs can also be used in teamwork. Blogosphere refers collectively to all blogs.

Most blogs use a remotely hosted blogging tool: the application is hosted on a remote server which can be accessed via your web browser while you are connected to the internet. Most organizations create policies that apply to social media in areas of concern such as confidentiality of information.

A blog can be set up by:

• ·         Using a free hosted service, such as Blogger, Wordpress or Edublogs

• ·         Using a free hosted service with the possibility of having paid accounts with pro features, such as Livejournal, Xanga or VOX

• ·         Using a commercial service, such as TypePad

• ·         Using a service provided by the internet service provider

• ·         Installing a blogging application, such as movable type on the organization’s server

• Deciding which application to use involves thinking about technical skills, technical environment and content needs.

Microblogging is considered a more recent form of blogging allowing the user to post short text updates via web browser and instant message. Most common tool is twitter. It allows one to post updates of 140 characters. Twitter has its application in TweetGrid for instance.

Best practices of blogging and microblogging are important ones to follow for every blogger.