blog+directions+here

=Setting Up a Blog =

Here are the directions for creating a blog if you don't already have one. If you already have a blog you will be using for this exploration you can skip this step.
Now that you’ve done some exploring around this website and understand how this program will work, it’s time to set up your very own personal blog to begin recording your thoughts, discoveries, and exercises. For this program, you may use any one of several free online blog hosting services including [|Blogger], [|Wordpress], or [|Typepad]. (Although we are recommending Blogger, you may find that your school district may block websites with the name "blog" in them or your district may have a preferred blog service.) [] Google asks you for an email address - this becomes your username. Note: -You do not need a Gmail account. -Remember to write down your Username and Password.
 * Create your own blog and avatar**
 * Grab yourself a blog in 3 steps:**
 * 1. Create an account** [[image:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W1WDLV9e818/Rd0nAf-cW0I/AAAAAAAAAFo/aBDxVdvfgUY/s200/Googlescreen1.jpg link="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W1WDLV9e818/Rd0nAf-cW0I/AAAAAAAAAFo/aBDxVdvfgUY/s1600-h/Googlescreen1.jpg"]]

Remember that the whole web world can see your blog title and blog address. You probably don’t want to use your real name. Consider creating a blog name that’s anonymous, yet uniquely you. The URL for your blog will look like these examples - [] or [] or [] (these are real blogs so of course you need to give your own blog its own unique name.) The format is name.blogspot.com when you use blogger.com software. Note: There are no www in the address when using Blogger.com software. Please remember your URL address and/or bookmark it. Blogger has several templates - have fun choosing one for you! If you run into problems, check out Blogger's Help file and Tutorial. 1. Set up a blog for yourself through [|Blogger.] You may use any blog hosting site but I will be focusing on Blogger. 2. Play around and add a test post or two. 3. You will create a discovery post for each of the Tasks in the process. **Please clearly label each entry in your blog in the following way: Module 1, Task #1, subject.** Each of your posts should provide insights into what you’ve discovered and learned. Feel free to share what worked for you … and what didn’t … what surprised you … what frustrated you … what amazed you. **TIP:** //This is a good time to "bookmark" your blog for easy access throughout the course.// 4. **Create an avatar** -- a representation of yourself. Go to [], design an Avatar. (You will have to set up an account if you don't use Yahoo!) Save your avatar and [|export] to your blog. Once you have a Second Life avatar and are more familiar with SL you can change your blog avatar to be a picture of your Second Life Avi.
 * 2. Name your blog**
 * 3. Select your template.**
 * Discovery Exercise:**

[HINT: Here's how to export your avatar to your blog. When you on your Avatars.Yahoo.com page, go to "home" tab and look to the right column. One of the options is: "EXPORT: Use your avatar in web pages and blogs and more." Click there. Then, in the Center of the page, 0ne option is your avatar's HTML code. Copy the code, go to your blog (Sign in. When you first sign in, there is an option to add a post OR manage posts, settings, or layout; Go to "LAYOUT." You will see various page elements.) Paste (Control V) the HTML code in the PAGE ELEMENT marked "HTML/Java Script." Then move that PAGE ELEMENT to wherever you want your avatar to appear on your blog.]


 * So here is one more hint. Log-on names and Passwords. Throughout your web life you will probably collect a lot of these. There are several options for how to keep them so you can find them. I like to use a spreadsheet that has all my user names and passwords - I label it something innocuous (not Passwords etc). Others like to use online services that will keep your user names and passwords for you. In addition, FireFox will keep any of the online user names and for you and under preferences and security you can set a master password that will prevent the casual user from accessing the passwords that FireFox has saved. You will be prompted for your master password every time you open FireFox. **