You can listen to the podcast with the links below or on iTunes (you can search the iTunes podcasts for Blogging Basics 101 and you’ll find us, just click on the BB101 graphic that comes up and you’ll see all the podcasts). If you don’t have the QuickTime Player, you may need to download it [...]
Is there a way for me to keep my blog from being indexed by search engines?
September 26, 2007 By 3 Comments
Most bloggers do everything they can to drive traffic to their site; they want their content to be indexed by search engines. However, some bloggers find it a little disconcerting to have strangers find them through seemingly unrelated (to their blog) searches. If you would like to ensure that the bots from search engines do [...]
I have always used the real names of everyone in my family. I’d like to change all the names to nicknames, but I have over 500 posts. Is there a tool that can be used for automatically replacing the names of my family members in all of my posts?
June 18, 2007 By 3 Comments
What you’re looking for is a batch search and replace function. These are common in web design software (e.g., Dreamweaver) and in applications like Notepad or MS Word. Unfortunately, they are not as common in average blog applications. All is not lost, though. I found a few things that may help you. WordPress offers a [...]
What would you do if a fellow blogger intentionally used your real, full name in a post knowing that you chose to use a partial name or pseudonym for the sake of privacy/security issues? Is this improper blog etiquette?
March 13, 2007 By Leave a Comment
This is most definitely improper blog etiquette. It is never anyone’s right but your own to be "outed" online. Many people use a pseudonym on their blogs as a means of privacy. In fact, many people not only use a pseudonym for themselves, but also for their family and friends in order to protect their [...]
I notice that many bloggers have something on their site telling people not to plagiarize, but how effective is it?
February 24, 2007 By Leave a Comment
The copyright notices like those at Copyscape (which also allows you to search and see if your blog has been plagiarized and download a button) and Creative Commons are simply good reminders to your readers that a blogger "owns" his or her writing. To lift someone’s words without permission and/or giving proper credit is plagiarism, [...]
Some bloggers use their real name and the real names of their children (me included) and others use a nickname for themselves and their children. Have I made my children unsafe by posting their pictures and using their real names?
January 11, 2007 By Leave a Comment
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It’s a very personal thing. Many people feel that sharing their own first name is fine, but the names of their children are off limits. Others feel that all names and even photos should be carefully guarded. On the other hand, some people use their [...]
Should I include my e-mail address on my blog?
July 20, 2006 By 1 Comment
Most blog readers like to have a way they can contact the blogger personally. You can set up a free e-mail account at Google, Hotmail, Yahoo, or a number of other places. It would be wise not to use your "main" e-mail address as your blog contact e-mail. First of all, you don’t want spammers [...]
How much private information should I reveal on my blog?
July 20, 2006 By Leave a Comment
This is entirely up to you, of course. But remember, once you reveal something you can’t take it back. It is wise to err on the side of revealing as little information as possible, and gradually add info until you’ve reached a level with which you’re comfortable. Many people do not use their real names. [...]
Someone left a rude comment on my blog. What should I do?
Unless you feel the rude comment is worth responding to, delete it. Both Blogger and Typepad offer easy ways to delete an undesirable response to a post. If you choose to respond to the comment, understand that you may be starting something that could escalate into a flame war (both parties simply writing rude things [...]