TechnoGeekery Show #16 (actual #26): Blog Books and Blurb Raps

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

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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.

Technogeekery Show #5: Pimp My Blog, Pt. I

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

Technogeekery Show #3: Gravatars. It’s All About Image.

**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.**

Technogeekery Show #1: Blog Basics and Beginnings

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.