Blogging 101

A blog (short for 'web log') is a website where entries are written in chronological order but displayed in reverse chronological order. Blogs can be formal or less so, written about opinions or experience. They are frequently dedicated to one particular interest - there are travel blogs, political blogs, food blogs, health blogs, and, yes, fitness blogs.
One of the key features of blogging is the interactive capacity of the site; readers can very easily write comments to the blogger and each other. Blogs can be virtual communities made up of people who never meet or they can be places where people who know each other extend their acquaintances through on line writing.
If you read something here that sparks your interest or reminds you of something you'd like to share with other readers you can leave a comment. It's very easy to comment. Here's how:

• Scroll down to the bottom of this post. You'll see a string of text that identifies who wrote the posting (Jo) and when. To the right you'll see the word "comment" with a pencil icon next to it. CLICK on the word "comment". (If you want to keep this page open as you complete these steps, RIGHT CLICK on "comment" and drag the cursor over "open in new page" from the drop down menu.)


• A page with two columns will open. On the left are all the comments that have already been posted. On the right you'll see the words "Leave Your Comment" above a white input box.


• Type your comment in the white box.


• Next you must "choose an identity" and, for the purpose of posting to the blog, you have three choices. Log in if you have a blogger account. If you don't have one or don't know what that means you may choose to remain anonymous or click on "other" to enter your name. Unless you want to remain anonymous, the best choice is to click on "other" and then fill in your name and, if you have one, your website address (this information is optional).


• Then click on "Preview" if you want to read your comment as it will appear to other blog vistors.


• Finally, click on "Publish your comment" and it will be sent to the list moderator for approval. Jo moderates this list, she is the judge and jury when it comes to what gets posted.
  
  A note from Jo about moderation: I am a liberal moderator (doesn't that seem a little ironic? a liberal moderator... ) I will approve almost anything and wouldn't dream of editing your comments before publishing them. I just need to filter spam and other inappropriate material that might be sent as comments to the blog. Its a tough job, but someone's got to do it - right? Right.
  


• Once you've left your message click on "Foothills Revolution Spin" at the top of the left hand column to go back to the blog and continue reading.

Its that simple.

Go to blogger.com to look at a seemingly endless number of blog examples and read more on Wikipedia about the history of blogging, current trends and an extensive list of on line references.