Blogging for dummies

by Brad Hill

If you want to give yourself a Web presence without spending a lot of time or money, a blog is your answer and this is your guide. Blogs (Web logs) are short, diary-like entries on a Web site that has a chronological, journal format. Fun or informative, but not formal, blogs are easy to set up, maintain, and update. You can share your personal, stream-of-consciousness musings or your expertise on any subject ranging from your family vacation to world peace. This guide helps beginners (even technophobes) get started fast, with the essential info on: The elements of blogs, such as entries, sidebars, categories, comments, and index pages The different types of hosting services, from free to fee and from "turn key" services that are easy-to-use to DIY programs Details on two popular, free "social community" hosted Web services that are ideal for casual bloggers--MSN Spaces and Yahoo! 360 The scoop on Blogger, a popular free hosted service that has some community tools like the social netwo