Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to watch at Chassy Cat’s YouTube.

TechnoGeek Robin asked:

HELP!!!!
I just bought my first domain name “therobinsnestcakes.com” from GoDaddy. Where the heck do I start? I just want to put my logo on and a little somethin somethin about myself with my own design. I use Mac. What program, or where o where do I start? Help me Chassy, Help me!

Well, Robin… OKAY!!!

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to watch at Chassy Cat’s YouTube.

TechnoGeek John asked:

Dear Chassy Cat,
I want to make my web site iPhone friendly so it loads quicker. I’ve seen other sites that have done it, but I don’t know how to do it. Do I need to change my whole template? What do I do? Thanks!

It happens that I have just RECENTLY made my TechnoGeekery and blog sites iPhone (and iTouch) friendly! WOW. What a crazy random happenstance! My tool of choice was a wordpress plugin–WPtouch– which automatically transforms your WordPress blog into what the creators at BrandNewCode.com describe as “an iPhone application-like experience when viewed from an iPhone or iPod touch.” There are effects! And Ajax! And a cool menu feature that includes access to search, categories, tags, blogrolls, archives, feeds, photos, and more. But I need to save SOME information for the video, or why would you watch the episode?! For my sparkling wit and awesome personality? My spectacular singing? My vast knowledge? My humility? I’m only saying.

To illustrate:

(Please note: This plugin is for self-hosted WordPress users. Sorry WordPress.com peeps. But if you ask super nicely, I may be persuaded to share how to set up your very own self-hosted WordPress blog, if you are willing to spend the time, and the money for server space.)

So there you are, John. The WPTouch plugin. No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to watch at Chassy Cat’s YouTube.

TechnoGeek Jason asked:

Chassy Cat,
What is the best advice you can give someone new to writing a blog? If this question is too simple, feel free to ratchet up the difficulty by putting your answer into the form of a song in your vidcast.

Well, I did address this topic in my very first episode: TG #1: Blog Basics and Beginnings. But, since Jason asked so NICELY, I do have some blog DON’Ts to share…

So blame Jason, everyone. This is all his fault.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to watch at Chassy Cat’s YouTube.

There are even more ways to right-click a Mac laptop than Chassy Cat originally thought.
Hey! Chassy Cat can’t know everything! GOSH.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to watch at Chassy Cat’s YouTube.

Chassy Cat makes up for lost time by answering several Burning Questions in one episode! And then there’s the “singing.” And yes, as a matter of fact I am using my sarcastic quotes.

Also, my apologies to Instant Star. YOU know why.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Send YOUR cell phone self-portraits to cat @ technogeekery [dot] com!

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

If you haven’t watched the SONG portion of my Horrible Evil Sidekick video at YouTube– just for kicks, you know– feel free to click on over! And rate me with 5 stars! And leave a comment. But… no pressure. I don’t even care.

Okay, TechnoGeeks, I confess… I have identified what could potentially be a Fatal Flaw in the Apple iPhone: Taking a self-portrait is HARD, yo?

I mean, no mirror for framing purposes?! What the…?! And that is not even to mention the fact that it is super hard to figure out where to press to actually SNAP the shot when your iPhone is turned AWAY from you.

But not to worry! Chassy Cat is on the case!

Now, there’s nothing I can do about the self-portrait mirror thing (Apple, are you listening?!) except to suggest you try pointing the camera lens in your general direction and telling everyone that you MEANT for the picture to be all slanty like that, thank you very much (“Hello? It’s avant-garde! DUH!”), but I DO have a solution that will make snapping the pix a breeze!

Watch and learn, Grasshopper(s). Watch and learn.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab and First Date by Danko Jones.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Well CHECK IT OUT! I’m FAMOUS! SIX people have VOTED for me! SIX! As of RIGHT now! And only ONE of those was ME! FOOYAH!

Dude, I’m saying. Wonderflonium.com ROCKS, yo? Solid.

So, yeah… feel free to click over and vote for Super Evil Chassy’s quite compelling argument for a spot in the Evil League of Evil as Dr. Horrible’s Sidekick. Joss Whedon, I mean Dr. Horrible, MUST pick me! MEEEE!

The Horrible Evil Sidekick gig will be mine. Oh, yes. It WILL be mine.

Now excuse me. I need to go call everyone I know.

SIX. Woo!
_______________________________________
I’ve loaded the .MP3 version of Super Evil Chassy’s “Horrible Evil Sidekick” song to iTunes for you. Because TechnoGeeks REQUESTED it, okay?! I’m just saying!

Also, if you are interested in downloading the song as an iPhone ringtone, CLICK HERE.

Finally, also at many TechnoGeeks’ request, I reposted at YouTube ONLY the song portion (”Horrible Evil Sidekick”) of my last TechnoGeekery episode. Please click over and leave lots o’ love. Because that would be awesome of you.

Chassy Cat, out.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

Ha! You thought I forgot, didn’t you?! Admit it! You were all, “Chassy Cat totally left us hanging with the Domain Buying, yo?!” But I didn’t! See?!

So get out those brand-spankin’ new domain names, dust ‘em off, and sit back and watch the magic.

Wow. That sounded vain. Just so we’re clear, there is no actual magic involved. Just some fancy domain pointing and stuff.

I thought I should mention that, you know, in the interest of full disclosure…

And a special thanks goes out to Jen of MommyofMany.com for the video! You rock, sister-friend, and I am SO glad you found a way to use one of my tips to stay connected with your hubby while he is deployed overseas. Yay, technology!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab and Easy by Alexz Johnson.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Cat, OUT.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

IMPORTANT: Chassy Cat needs your videos! I’ve written a song for this occasion.

To prove I have friends, I need your videos now…
Send whatever you want, except porn ain’t allowed!

In order to assist you in the giving of your silly/informative/awesome/musical/modern dancey/whateverexceptnotporn videos, watch today’s show to learn a little info about “one-click hosting” services, and how that will make sending videos and other large files (pictures, documents, music) SO MUCH EASIER.

Best of all? Totally FREE! (Well, in most cases. But there’s no reason to pay for the service when there are so many free ones out there! Just sayin’!)

Thanks to Daria from Boutique Cafe, and Paige from Mommycast, for the awesome videos! Seriously, TechnoGeeks, send whatever… just send it!

Chassy Cat’s two favorite FREE one-click hosting sites:

YouSendIt (Lite Account is FREE)

MegaUpload

Other Services:

RapidShare: It’s not pretty, but it’s been around for a long time; some internet service providers (ISP’s) may block it (100 MB limit for free folders).

Box.net : Popular for simplicity; offers 1GB of free space.

Drop.io: No email signup and no accounts; best suited for smaller files (100 MB limit).

Window Live SkyDrive: Password-protected online file storage; requires a Windows Live account.

MediaFire: No email signup; like Drop.io, best suited for smaller files (100 MB limit for free accounts).

(Another VERY cool application I’m looking into is DropBox, which is a beta syncing application. More on that at a later date! If anyone has tried it, leave a comment, or email me with your review, yo?)

Wikipedia rates some of the top services HERE.

REMEMBER: Don’t be a PIRATE! (arrrg!) Send files responsibly.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Prove People Watch by Chassy Cat.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

What the widget?! Did YOU know a person with Safari and Leopard could DO this?! SWEET.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Strange Day in Mexico by The Clintons.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Cat, OUT.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

In today’s episode (featuring a reunion of Cat and Paige from the wildly popular television recap podcast, Veronica Mars REWIND), Chassy Cat and buddy Paige (from Mommycast) share a Leopard AND Windows XP secret tip that is sure to help alleviate even the worst mouse clicking fatigue. And, hey! Who knew Leopard and Windows XP had so much in common? BOOYAH!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and December 8 by Betablokka.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

Today Chassy Cat reveals all: learn how to make a hyperlink–a link to another web page, picture, document– in comment sections of blogs and websites using HTML, and become a brand new member of the Secret HTML Club! Which, of course, makes you super cool.

Woo!

Remember, Hugh Hreffner is the KEY…

<a href=“URL”>Hyperlink Text</a>

That’s all she wrote, my TechnoGeek peeps.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Can’t You See by Ag Silver. A special thank you to goes out to podsafe artist Matthew Ebel for the Mommycast and Friends bumper at the beginning of the show! You can check out Matthew and his music at www.matthewebel.com.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Cat, OUT.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

TechnoGeekery is brought to you by Aveeno. To learn more about Aveeno’s awesome products, visit Aveeno today!

Okay. So this TechnoGeekery episode is actually show #26 (taking into account Quickies and Special Announcements). Just so we’re clear.

That said, have you ever dreamed of being an author? Like, what does J.K. Rowling have that you don’t, right?! Except, you know, like a gazillion dollars and a castle in Scotland, but whatever! All I’m saying is that if you have a blog, that dream of being an honest-to-goodness published author ain’t too far from a reality, yo?

Or have you ever worried that backing up your blog on a regular basis isn’t enough? Like, what would happen if your server crashed and you lost ALL THAT STUFF you’ve posted at your blog? HUH?! What THEN?! Because some of it is pretty darn good?! That’s where Blurb.com comes in…

Oh, let Chassy Pimp explain it. She does it so much better. Plus, she wrote a song and e’rything.

Take it away, Chassy Pimp!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

Two words: Don’t. Do It.

I meant three words. Obviously.

(Seriously. People– and by “people” I mean ME– will click right on out of your site if anything automatically blinks, talks, or sings with absolutely no warning whatsoever. NOT. KIDDING. Don’t risk it, that’s all I’m saying.)

As usual, music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

Thanks for all the fantabulous questions! I am working on a few of them, so stay tuned, yo?

Feel free to add to my lists in the comment section.

Some of Chassy Cat’s Favorite Podsafe Artists (in alphabetical order, and linked to the iTunes Store):

Adrienne Pierce (Lost and Found used on Veronica Mars)
Adrina Thorpe
Black Lab
Brother Love
The Clintons
Danko Jones (Check out First Date!)
Fauxliage (Let It Go used on Moonlight)
Geoff Smith and the Tonewheels
Jack in the Pulpit
Kevin Reeves
Kill the Alarm
Korben
Lee Coulter (Yes, this is guy responsible for the infamous Booty Voodoo)
Lovespirals (Band’s website)
Matthew Ebel
[munk] (link to band’s MySpace page)
Rocky Votolato
Uncle Seth
Waltham
… to name a few!

Podsafe Music Podcasts:

Accident Hash
Bandtrax Podcast
The Chillcast with Anji Bee
High Orbit Podcast (this is Matthew Ebel’s music podcast)
Mommycast Music Podcast
PodShow Music Rewind
The Rock and Roll Geek Indie Show
Tartancast (best podsafe music… from Scotland!)
U-Turn Cafe
… to name a few!

As usual, music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and The Jeep Song by Lee Coulter.

For more information about creating playlists in iTunes, head on over to the Apple website iTunes tutorials.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Let it Go by Fauxliage.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Dokken.

Yes, I said DOKKEN.

As usual, music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

Leave a comment telling me which topic you are interested in, or ask a question if I didn’t cover it in the suggestions above. Go on. Do it. Otherwise, I’m just gonna do whatever the heck I WANT to do. Don’t think I’m joking. Because I am NOT.

GOSH.

Please visit the USPS customized postage website for more details about creating your own customized stamps.

During the holiday season, even TechnoGeeks such as myself temporarily abandon the convenience of new media and the world wide web, in order to send holiday cheer to family and friends. You know, we get all traditional and whatnot… with the cards and packages and other assorted goodies that mere email (although it’s super convenient the other eleven months of the year!) can’t– and SHOULDN’T, by golly!– duplicate.

“But… we’re TechnoGeeks!” you cry. “We watch your show and e’rything!” Never fear. There IS a way to stay true to your TechnoGeeky self, while still adhering to traditional holiday mailing etiquette. Oh, yes.

Customized Postage Stamps.

Think of the possibilities! Stocking stuffers, office party favors, that gift for the person who has EVERYTHING. (Like my mother. Woman has everything. Impossible to buy for. But not this year! BOOYAH!)

I know, right? Watch and be amazed.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, Give Me a Second Chance For Christmas by Candy Butchers, and Free Love by Derek James.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

CLICK HERE to download iPhone version.

NOTE: Chassy Cat is a Mac Girl all the way, and uses Pages, which is part of Apple’s new iWork ’08. Video tutorials about how to use Pages ’08 (a fab beginner program) for digi-scrapping are in the works, so stay tuned!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Lonely Boy and Remember by Black Lab, and Save the World and Strange Day in Mexico by The Clintons.

List of Top Digital Scrapbooking Software Programs
These include (for beginners): Pixel Magic and Microsoft Digital Suite; (for intermediate): Ulead Photoimpact, Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Adobe Photoshop Elements; and (for expert-types) Adobe Photoshop.

Other digi-scrap program options:

For the PC: Picasa2 (FREE from Google! No cost to you! Yours for nothing! No money changes hands! Freebie!)
For the Mac: Pages ’08

Brilliant Beginner Digi-Scrap Resources and Stuff:

Digital Scrapbook Place: Digital Scrapbooking 101.
Designer Digitals: Getting Started in Digital Scrapbooking
Scrap Girls: 15 Things You NEED to Know to Become a GREAT Digital Scrapbooker (FREE Starter eBook)
Two Peas in a Bucket: How To Get Started in Digital Scrapbooking (NOTE: need User Account for this one, but it’s FREE to sign up!)

Creative ways to SHARE your digi-scrap pages:

(NOTE: You can visit Shutterfly.com OR Costco Photo Center for prices and more information. Feel free to comment if you know of other good places!)

Prints & Posters
Photo Books
Cards
Calendars
Keepsakes
Apparel & Accessories
DVD

Digital FREEBIES and Stuff:
(Kits, Sketches, Clip Art, Fonts, Word Art, Wallpaper, the WORKS! For FREE! Hence the name “FREEBIE.” See?)

Designer Digitals
Digital Paper Tearing
Digital Scrapbook Place
My Scrap Blog
Scrap Artist
Scrap Girls
Scrap Wow
Scrapbook.com
Scrapbook.com Forums
Shabby Princess
Sketch Lover (sketch links)
Two Peas in a Bucket

Wait. There IS an easy way!

Honestly. What are the chances?

Click, watch, learn.

You can also watch at the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab and Outside by Lee Coulter.

Do you enjoy listening to digital music in your car, but are absolutely fed up with the quality of sound you get via your wireless iPod–or other portable music player–car stereo adapter? Are you still in sticker-shock after pricing the newest wireless car stereo adapters at $80 and higher? Are you all about finding a cheaper option? Oooh! And… are you still in love with the 80′s?

Yes?

Cool. Then this episode of TechnoGeekery is just for you.

Also, you can watch at the Family Channel at Podango.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab and Lost and Found by Adrienne Pierce.

TechnoGeekery.com has partnered with Mommycast.com, one of the premier and most popular internet radio shows. At the Podcast and New Media Expo held Friday, September 28, 2007 – Sunday, September 30, 2007, Mommycast announced its launch of the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.com. And just guess which vidcast tops their line-up of family-friendly podcasts and vidcasts! C’mon, guess! Okay, I’ll just tell you. TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat, that’s which video podcast! Hoo!

(Of course, I’m currently the only vidcast available at the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.com, but why split hairs?)

That’s right, TechnoGeeks. Chassy Cat’s TechnoGeekery vidcast has become an inaugural member of the MommyCast and Friends Family Channel, a new media network at Podango.com offering podcast and vidcast content to entertain, educate, and uplift.

Come on by and check us out.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

In order to use the information contained in this Subscribe in iTunes tutorial, you need to have iTunes downloaded and installed on your computer. If you aren’t using iTunes… why aren’t you?! It’s safe and it’s free. Yes, FREE. So what are you waiting for? Download iTunes today.

Go on. I’ll wait.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, Summertime by Brother Love, and The Jeep Song by Lee Coulter.

So you found a video podcast (or vidcast, if you will) you like, through word of mouth, searching iTunes, or other podcast/vidcast directories. Well, now that you’ve found a vidcast, you need to subscribe to it. Otherwise, how are we podcasters supposed to know if we are popular or not? Huh?

On today’s podcast, I will be walking you through how to subscribe to your favorite podcasts and vidcasts using iTunes. I’ll throw in a few other tips for good measure. Because I’m super cool like that?

Remember, feedback is love. Unless you are going to be mean, in which case SHUT IT. Visit my page at iTunes and say nice things about me! Go on! CLICK. Do it! Do it! Doitdoitdoit! Do it.

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Save the World by The Clintons.

If you’ve ever wondered how to insert an embedded link into your blog posts– and let’s face it, who hasn’t?– then come on doooooooooown! Today is your lucky day. LUCKY!

While this quick tutorial is specific to WordPress, the information contained herein is, in most cases, the universal Embedding a Link in a Blog Post standard. Just so you know.

Sky rockets in flight… afternoon delight…

Hmm… what?

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

WordPress.com:
Blog Themes
Sidebar Widgets
Post Tags and Categories
Privacy Options
Other Features

Blogger.com:
Getting Started
The Basics
Working With Blogger

Interesting Read:
How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog

This week’s episode is in response to my very first official Burning Question from Kelli at mycircuslife.blogspot.com.

Maybe you can help me (if not, no problemo) — My MIL is looking for a solution for a 50th reunion site. Something that would allow for password protection, but also let everyone contribute pictures and stories. I haven’t checked into any online sources about this yet. Would you know of any?

Oh, do I ever! Watch!… and learn.

Step 1: Sign up for a Facebook account.

…wait for confirmation email from Facebook…

…click on the link in the confirmation email…

…which takes you back to your new Facebook account!

Notice the list of “Applications” listed in the upper left-hand corner of the page (under the word “Facebook”)? That is where you go will find “Groups.” Which brings you to step 2.

Step 2: Create a Group.

Click on “Groups,” then click on “Create a New Group.”

Now, give your group a name. I think “The Cobras!” would be a super good group name. Oooh! Or, “Death By Chocolate.” But that’s just me. Do whatever you want. I don’t even care. *sigh* I guess we’ll just go with “Circus Kelli’s MIL’s 50th Reunion Site.

This is where you can select your privacy options, too, if you want to be all secretive and exclusive and whatnot.

Once you’ve created your group, you can upload a picture that will be representative of your group. I think the school mascot would be a super idea. Because it’s a REUNION. With school SPIRIT.

(If you are not sure how to upload a picture, Technogeekery Show #3 touches on that briefly. The easiest way to do this is to put the picture file you want to upload on your desktop. Then, when you click browse, you will know exactly where to look to find the photo file, so you can select it and upload it to your knew Facebook site. Easy peasy!)

Step 3: Invite members to your Facebook page. All you need are email addresses!

Once you’ve sent out your invitations, sit back and wait for group members to start pouring in. Booyah! You are now a member of the totally cool Facebook scene.

Feel free to install Super Poke and throw a cow at me.

No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.

(But I do like snickerdoodles. Which are easy to make and ship. Just so you know.)

**Music in this podcast provided by Podsafe Music Network.

If you liked Booty Voodoo, visit Lee Coulter’s official website and find out how you can hear more of his awesome music!

Theme music for Technogeekery.com is Remember by Black Lab. Visit Black Lab’s official site for more music.**

In our day-to-day lives we can judge others by what they look like, what clothes they wear, how they talk, oh, all sorts of ways. But blogs and boards are so… anonymous. It’s not as if we can actually see each other, right? So how the heck are we supposed to judge each other?!

Fortunately, that’s where gravatars come in. With gravatars, we can create custom images that represent us. A personal logo, if you will. Gravatars identify us and say something about our personality. Which… ah-ha! Okay, what I meant to say was… ah-ha! Now we have something to work with!

Think about it. What can we infer about a person who creates a gravatar image featuring a fluffy white kitten perched atop a pink pillow? Um, cutesy, much? Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Conversely, what can we assume about a person whose gravatar features an image of Jude and Tommy during that scene on Instant Star when they were totally making out in the rain? Aaaw! Hopeless romantic, that’s what! Eh? Eh?

Take a gander at some random gravatars:

So if you frequently find yourself commenting on blog posts throughout the blogosphere, I strongly suggest you create a gravatar. You know… so people can judge you? Then your gravatar should appear whenever you post a comment to a gravatar-enabled blog—like Technogeekery.com, for instance. Hey, it’s easy and it’s free, that’s all I’m saying. Do what you want. I don’t even care. Much.

So… do you have a gravatar now? Well, what are you waiting for? Show off the darn thing by commenting on this vidcast, for heaven’s Pete sake. Do it, do it, do it!

Do it.

**Gravatars will work on any site that is gravatar-enabled, but it may take a few days for the gravatar to show up anywhere. However, if you’ve commented, the question mark (or default gravatar) will be replaced with your brand-spankin’-new gravatar. It will! Check back! You’ll see!

It has something to do with approval of your gravatar rating. I guess ol’ Tom doesn’t trust you people not to be gross, which… RUDE.**

Click HERE to leave Chassy Cat a RAVE REVIEW at iTunes for her Podcast O’ TechnoGeekery.

Should I, or shouldn’t I start a blog?

Undecided? Check out Top 9 Reasons to Start a Blog at About.com.

If blogging is a go, then keep on reading! If not, off you go then…

1. Pick a HOST.
Find a decent blogging provider which appeals to you.

Chassy Cat’s Favorite FREE Blog Hosts:
Blogger.com *can be used with Google account
WordPress.com *not to be confused with WordPress.org, which offers the blog platform for free but requires the purchase of a host service and a registered domain name.
These sites offer pre-made blog templates and push-button publishing and don’t require much Technogeekery at ALL.

(For a more in-depth look at blogging platforms, visit Choosing a Blog Platform)

2. Make Your Blog PRETTY.
When you sign up at Blogger or WordPress, pick a ready-made blog template from the gallery and get started personalizing it: add photographs, list the books you are reading, music you enjoy, your like/dislikes, whatev. It’s all about you, baby. However… be smart! Don’t give out too much personal information. No one wants a blog stalker. No, seriously.

3. To Be, Or Not to Be… PUBLIC.
Decide whether or not you want your blog to be private or personal. Do you want freaky-deaky Joe Public reading your blog and viewing your pictures, or do you only want your friends and family to be able to read it? Both Blogger and WordPress offer privacy options, so you are good to go either way. Unless, of course, you are planning on lambasting said friends and family in your blog, in which case you are screwed.

4. TESTING, TESTING… 1,2,3….
After you’ve set up your blog, write a few posts to test it out. Remember, spell check is your friend. Then, refresh your blog every two minutes to see if anyone has commented on your post. Not that I do that.

5. Don’t LURK, Be SOCIABLE.
Visit other blogs! Comment! Leave your blog address! It’s your virtual calling card… which, how very 18th century aristocratic of you, right?!

DARE TO BE YOU.
If you are feeling super daring, you may want register your own domain name and point it at your blog (more on “pointing” in a later podcast! hey! that’s what we in the biz call a TEASER! note it!). Register a catchy yet philosophically deep name for your new blog—such as “dontputyourlipsonit.com” or “ironekillz.com” or “ilovebooks.com” or “grandmasdiary.com” or “tomkatfanatic.com”—and ring up everyone you know to tell them the URL. Remind your less Technogeekery savvy friends and family that “diaryofaslacker” in your blog’s address is spelled “all one word.”

OR, you could jump into the 21st century and EMAIL your blog link to everyone. Yep. That’s always an option.