Thing #3: Set up your own blog

OK - now that you've settled in to this program, it's time to setup your own blog and begin contributing your own thoughts, discoveries and exercises. There are a number of free blogging services available, but for this program I recommend that you use either Blogger (which is the one we're using for this main site), or Wordpress. The choice is yours. The following instructions are for Blogger.

Creating a blog using Blogger takes just three steps:

1. Create an account (if you don't already have a Google or Blogger account - see screenshot)
   
2. Name your blog (see screenshot)
   
3. Select your template (see screenshot)

Once you have created your blog, there are two simple things to know:

• To add posts: The maintenance interface that you will use to add posts, edit or change your blog settings is accessed online at http://www.blogger.com/. Be sure to write down or remember your login and password.


• To view your blog: Your blog address is http:// (xxxx).blogspot.com/, with (xxxx) = the unique name you gave the blog in step 2 above. Be sure to also write down and remember your blog address.
  

Discovery Exercise

1. Set up your own blog (preferably through Blogger, but you are welcome to use another blogging platform if you wish)


2. Add a test post or two. Note: One of your posts should be an entry describing your thoughts from "Thing #2".


3. Come back during the week and take a look at other participant's blogs. They will all be listed in the "blogroll" on the left of this main site. Add comments on their blogs, and respond to comments left on yours!
   

Note: How you choose to identify yourself on your blog is your choice. You can blog under a pseudonym if you wish, or anonymously, or as yourself. However, in order to qualify for the staff incentive, you will need to register (privately, in "Thing #4") so that we know who you are.