April 17, 2006

By Chuck and Sue Bingaman <chuck@chuckbingaman.com; sue@bingamans.com; 756-9268>

What’s a “web site”?

·       A collection of “stuff” in electric form kept on a “server” computer somewhere that can be accessed from another computer if you know the “www” URL

·       The stuff may be text, visual, sound, etc.

·       Examples: www.CNN.com, www.WEATHER.com, www.LLBEAN.com, www.CHUCKBINGAMAN.com.

So, what’s a “blog”?

·       Web log = “’blog” Special kind of web site something like personal diaries, scrap books or personal journals used to pass along personal opinions, information, or news of interest to the “blogger” who writes and compiles it and other like-minded people;

·       Over 35,000,000 blogs now on the Internet with estimated 25,000+ added EVERY DAY!

·       Most blogs are useless, navel-gazing nonsense put up by teenagers, techies and others.  But if only 1/10,000 of all blogs have valuable information for YOU, that leaves 350 blogs you could check every day!

·       Also, most blogs are set up to notify you each time that a new posting is put on them.  AND, many blogs invite readers to add their own comments.  So they are often fascinating TWO-WAY media.

·       You can set up your OWN blog—for free—at www.bloglines.com (and many other sites).

·       Why are blogs important? Direct access to people, information, opinions everywhere! Blogs have taken the most powerful communication medium EVER—the World Wide Web—and added a powerful new twist the offers GREAT benefits (as well as an ocean of trash!) Dig for the gold and ignore the rest!

·       Sample blogs: http://afemalesoldier2.com, 
www.cookingwithamy.blogspot.com, www.chromasia.com/iblog,  www.accidentalhedonist.com, http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2006/04/nickel-and-dime-yourself.html, http://jameswolcott.com, www.scalzi.com/whatever/, www.slate.com

What’s The Walpolean?  Answer: A blog Chuck set up a year ago to post Walpole news, information, opinions, comments, photos, etc.  See www.thewalpolean.com

·       Registering:  see site!

·       Automatic email notice of new entries

·       Commentary

·       Archiving

·       Questions/issues

o      Should you have to sign your name to post a comment?

o      When should I remove a comment?

o      What subjects should be on?  E.g. People in Walpole who are in the hospital? Personal information?