Blogging Basics

When you enter the blogosphere, you enter a world filled with its own
jargon and buzzwords. To make matters more confusing, many terms
in the blogosphere have multiple meanings or multiple names, depending
on the blogging software a person uses. In truth, the nuances in names and
meanings are less daunting than they might first appear to be (for example,
you say “blogroll,” I say “links.”) The important thing is to understand basic
blogging terminology and the language of Blogger users so that you can start
your first blog.
The main features that separate a blog from other types of Web sites are its
time-stamped entries, archived entries, and comments. Most blogs incorporate
these same basic features and more. Depending on your likes, dislikes,
or needs, you can add, delete, or modify features to display on your blog.
Chapters 5, 7, and 8 show you how to set up and manage your Blogger blog in
detail. In fact, each of the blog images in this chapter is a screen shot taken
from the sample blog I created in order to describe the elements presented
throughout this book. You hold in your hands, therefore, all the help you
need in order to see how to create a blog like the one shown in this chapter.
Picking a Template
When you visit a blog, one of the first things you probably notice is the
layout of that blog. The colors, fonts, and design elements of a blog are
preconfigured in a template (also called a theme). Blogger users can choose
from a variety of free templates offered directly by Blogger software, or they
can upload templates from a third party. A multitude of Web sites and Web
designers provide free and paid custom templates to Blogger users, to help
make their blogs look distinct and function in a specified way.
shows a sample of free templates provided by Blogger software.
Each template is laid out using one, two, or three columns as well as a header
and footer. The header typically includes the title of the blog and a top navigation
bar for visitors to access different pages or links. The footer usually
displays the template designer’s name and any copyright information. The
columns are used to hold blog posts, links, ads, and more. Depending on
which template you use, you can customize your blog’s appearance to meet
your needs and goals.