Weblogs and the business case for them

1. Weblogs; what, why,Weblogs; what, why,
where & whenwhere & when
Phil BradleyPhil Bradley
http://www.philb.comhttp://www.philb.com
(Last updated 23(Last updated 23rdrd
Feb 2007)Feb 2007)

2. What we’ll coverWhat we’ll cover
 How you can use weblogs to obtainHow you can use weblogs to obtain
informationinformation
 How you can create your own weblogs,How you can create your own weblogs,
and why you should!and why you should!
 Using weblogs to give you extra leverageUsing weblogs to give you extra leverage
for your own site and how to beat thefor your own site and how to beat the
competitioncompetition

3. What is a weblog?What is a weblog?
A page on a website that:A page on a website that:
 Is organised chronologicallyIs organised chronologically
 Archives older contentArchives older content
 Updated regularlyUpdated regularly
 Links to other resourcesLinks to other resources
 Articles are (generally) very shortArticles are (generally) very short
 Contains personal comment or opinionContains personal comment or opinion
 Is (usually) created by weblog softwareIs (usually) created by weblog software

4. What is a weblog (cont)What is a weblog (cont)
 (Often) allows readers to comment(Often) allows readers to comment
 Is updated on a regular basis; oftenIs updated on a regular basis; often
several times during a day, certainly atseveral times during a day, certainly at
least once a weekleast once a week
 Provides an RSS feed for newsProvides an RSS feed for news
aggregationaggregation

5. A few more definitionsA few more definitions
 RSSRSS

Rich Site SummaryRich Site Summary

Really Simple SyndicationReally Simple Syndication

Allows people to read a weblog withoutAllows people to read a weblog without
coming to the site by using acoming to the site by using a
 News aggregatorNews aggregator

Software on the web/on your computerSoftware on the web/on your computer

Scans for new information regularlyScans for new information regularly

Is like your own personal newspaperIs like your own personal newspaper

6. Let’s look at a weblogLet’s look at a weblog

7. Weblogs live on the netWeblogs live on the net
 You can view my current weblog at:You can view my current weblog at:

http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/

http://philbradley.typepad.com/i_want_to/http://philbradley.typepad.com/i_want_to/
 Gary Price’s Resource Shelf at:Gary Price’s Resource Shelf at:

http://www.resourceshelf.com/http://www.resourceshelf.com/
 EngLib for science at:EngLib for science at:

http://www.englib.info/http://www.englib.info/
 ResearchBuzz atResearchBuzz at

http://www.researchbuzz.com/http://www.researchbuzz.com/

8. Some more weblogsSome more weblogs
 Tom Roper’s weblog atTom Roper’s weblog at

http://tomroper.typepad.com/http://tomroper.typepad.com/
 Karen Blakeman’s blog atKaren Blakeman’s blog at

http://www.rba.co.uk/rss/blog.htmhttp://www.rba.co.uk/rss/blog.htm
 Ian Snowley’s weblog atIan Snowley’s weblog at

http://snowley.typepad.com/ian_snowleys_webloghttp://snowley.typepad.com/ian_snowleys_weblog
 School Library Association atSchool Library Association at

http://www.sla.org.uk/blog/slablog.htmlhttp://www.sla.org.uk/blog/slablog.html

9. Even more weblogsEven more weblogs
 The Loopy Librarian atThe Loopy Librarian at

http://loopylibrarian.blogspot.com/http://loopylibrarian.blogspot.com/
 The Information Overlord atThe Information Overlord at

http://www.informationoverlord.co.uk/http://www.informationoverlord.co.uk/
 Freedom of Information weblog atFreedom of Information weblog at

http://foia.blogspot.com/http://foia.blogspot.com/

10. Some business blogsSome business blogs
 Fortune 500Fortune 500
http://www.eu.socialtext.net/bizblogs/index.cgihttp://www.eu.socialtext.net/bizblogs/index.cgi
 TalisTalis

http://blogs.talis.com/panlibus/http://blogs.talis.com/panlibus/
 Gartner GroupGartner Group

http://weblog.gartner.com/weblog/weblogindex.phphttp://weblog.gartner.com/weblog/weblogindex.php
 Jupiter ResearchJupiter Research

http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/toplevel/http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/toplevel/

11. A little more on RSSA little more on RSS
 Really SimpleReally Simple
SyndicationSyndication

12. The RSS feed looks like this:The RSS feed looks like this:
 Phil Bradley's weblogPhil Bradley's weblog
 http://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/http://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/
 Internet searching, web design, search engine developments and anything that will interest librarians!Internet searching, web design, search engine developments and anything that will interest librarians!
 en-GBen-GB
 2007-02-23T10:57:53+00:00 Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'2007-02-23T10:57:53+00:00 Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'
 http://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/2007/02/egypt_blogger_j.htmlhttp://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/2007/02/egypt_blogger_j.html
 Egyptian blogger jailed for 'insult'. Abdel Kareem Soliman has been jailed for four years for criticising and insulting Islam and the president. He'd used his weblog to take aEgyptian blogger jailed for 'insult'. Abdel Kareem Soliman has been jailed for four years for criticising and insulting Islam and the president. He'd used his weblog to take a
swipe at the country's top Islamic institution. The link goes to...swipe at the country's top Islamic institution. The link goes to...
 <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6385849.stm" title="BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'">Egyptian blogger jailed<p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6385849.stm" title="BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'">Egyptian blogger jailed
for 'insult'</a>. Abdel Kareem Soliman has been jailed for four years for criticising and insulting Islam and the president. He'd used his weblog to take a swipe at thefor 'insult'</a>. Abdel Kareem Soliman has been jailed for four years for criticising and insulting Islam and the president. He'd used his weblog to take a swipe at the
country's top Islamic institution. The link goes to the BBC story.</p>country's top Islamic institution. The link goes to the BBC story.</p>
 Current AffairsCurrent Affairs
 philipbradleyphilipbradley
 2007-02-23T10:57:53+00:002007-02-23T10:57:53+00:00
 Google charges for web programsGoogle charges for web programs
 http://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/2007/02/google_charges_.htmlhttp://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/2007/02/google_charges_.html
 Google charges for web programs. Well, this is all over the blogs and news at the moment - my link goes to the BBC version of the story. No great surprise here really;Google charges for web programs. Well, this is all over the blogs and news at the moment - my link goes to the BBC version of the story. No great surprise here really;
Google is going to start selling a...Google is going to start selling a...
 <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6385487.stm" title="BBC NEWS | Technology | Google charges for web programs">Google charges for web<p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6385487.stm" title="BBC NEWS | Technology | Google charges for web programs">Google charges for web
programs</a>. Well, this is all over the blogs and news at the moment - my link goes to the BBC version of the story. No great surprise here really; Google is going to startprograms</a>. Well, this is all over the blogs and news at the moment - my link goes to the BBC version of the story. No great surprise here really; Google is going to start
selling a premium version of their email, calendar, word processing and messaging package. It'll cost £27 or 40€ or $50 which includes more storage, phone help andselling a premium version of their email, calendar, word processing and messaging package. It'll cost £27 or 40€ or $50 which includes more storage, phone help and
99.9% uptime (which is actually downtime of about 9 hours per year if you don't want to work it out yourself) and it'll be advertisement free.</p>99.9% uptime (which is actually downtime of about 9 hours per year if you don't want to work it out yourself) and it'll be advertisement free.</p>
 <p>Google is of course saying that it's not an attack on Microsoft.</p><p>Google is of course saying that it's not an attack on Microsoft.</p>
 Google specificGoogle specific
 philipbradleyphilipbradley
 2007-02-22T15:30:52+00:002007-02-22T15:30:52+00:00

13. The news aggregatorThe news aggregator
 Gathers together, collates and displaysGathers together, collates and displays
the results of RSS feeds in a way a humanthe results of RSS feeds in a way a human
being can read them properlybeing can read them properly
 You can view as much or as little of aYou can view as much or as little of a
weblog as you wantweblog as you want
 You can update as often as you wantYou can update as often as you want
 You can quickly add feeds to a newsYou can quickly add feeds to a news
aggregatoraggregator

14. Without an aggregatorWithout an aggregator
 You go from site to site everyday to keepYou go from site to site everyday to keep
up to dateup to date
 Or more likely, you don’tOr more likely, you don’t
 You have to put up with spam, adverts,You have to put up with spam, adverts,
popupspopups
 It takes a lot of timeIt takes a lot of time
 You have to deal with lots of differentYou have to deal with lots of different
webpageswebpages

15. With an aggregatorWith an aggregator
 It’s a one click jobIt’s a one click job
 You save timeYou save time
 Date is provided in a consistent formatDate is provided in a consistent format
 You’re always up to dateYou’re always up to date
 Easy to add/drop feedsEasy to add/drop feeds
 An increasing number of sites are usingAn increasing number of sites are using
RSS to present content, therefore yourRSS to present content, therefore your
options are largeroptions are larger

16. BloglinesBloglines

17. News aggregatorsNews aggregators
 The previous slide showed my collectionThe previous slide showed my collection
of weblog feeds held at Bloglines at:of weblog feeds held at Bloglines at:
http://www.bloglines.com/http://www.bloglines.com/
 AmphetaDesk at:AmphetaDesk at:
http://http://www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/

18. AmphetaDeskAmphetaDesk

19. Using RSSUsing RSS
 First, find yourself a news aggregatorFirst, find yourself a news aggregator
 Then start adding feeds to it. Look out for theThen start adding feeds to it. Look out for the
symbolsymbol

20. What feeds can I add?What feeds can I add?
 Feeds from weblogs (all 4,000,000 +)Feeds from weblogs (all 4,000,000 +)
 News websites such as:News websites such as:

BBCBBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/default.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/default.stm

Guardian newsGuardian news
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/

New York Times technologyNew York Times technology
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/technology/index.hhttp://www.nytimes.com/pages/technology/index.h

21. Finding feedsFinding feeds
 Icerocket atIcerocket at

http://www.icerocket.com/http://www.icerocket.com/
 Google Blogsearch atGoogle Blogsearch at

http://blogsearch.google.com/http://blogsearch.google.com/
 Technorati atTechnorati at

http://www.technorati.com/http://www.technorati.com/
 Library weblogs atLibrary weblogs at

http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.htmlhttp://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html

22. More feedsMore feeds
 Liszen atLiszen at

http://www.liszen.com/http://www.liszen.com/
 Libworm atLibworm at

http://www.libworm.com/http://www.libworm.com/
 My Pageflakes collection atMy Pageflakes collection at

http://www.pageflakes.com/philipbradley.ashxhttp://www.pageflakes.com/philipbradley.ashx
?page=4541261?page=4541261

23. How else can I find them?How else can I find them?
 Use a weblog search engine, either to findUse a weblog search engine, either to find
feeds or see what people are talking aboutfeeds or see what people are talking about
 Look at the ‘blogroll’ on a site you’veLook at the ‘blogroll’ on a site you’ve
already found, and view the weblogs thealready found, and view the weblogs the
author links toauthor links to
 Traditional web search for topic andTraditional web search for topic and
weblogweblog

24. Even more on RSSEven more on RSS
 News syndicationNews syndication

Both Google and MSN generate RSS feedsBoth Google and MSN generate RSS feeds
based on searchesbased on searches

http://www.topix.net/http://www.topix.net/ &&
http://www.icerocket.com/?tab=newshttp://www.icerocket.com/?tab=news also doalso do
this.this.
 Search for information via RSSSearch for information via RSS

http://www.feedfindings.com/http://www.feedfindings.com/

25. RSSRSS
 Display news on your websiteDisplay news on your website

http://www.feeddigest.com/http://www.feeddigest.com/ allows you to mixallows you to mix
feeds and put them on your sitefeeds and put them on your site
 Display news on your mobile phoneDisplay news on your mobile phone

http://phonefeeds.com/http://phonefeeds.com/
 Collect all your mail via RSSCollect all your mail via RSS

http://www.bloglines.comhttp://www.bloglines.com

Gmail allows this as wellGmail allows this as well

26. RSSRSS
 Track FedEx packagesTrack FedEx packages
 Information on discount airfaresInformation on discount airfares

http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/rss/flights.htmlhttp://www.justtheflight.co.uk/rss/flights.html
 eBay bargainseBay bargains

http://www.rssauction.com/http://www.rssauction.com/
 Get stock updatesGet stock updates

http://www.xanadb.com/archive/perl/20030617http://www.xanadb.com/archive/perl/20030617

27. RSSRSS
 Get weather reportsGet weather reports

http://www.rssweather.com/dir/Europe/UK/http://www.rssweather.com/dir/Europe/UK/
 What people say about you, yourWhat people say about you, your
company, your productscompany, your products

http://technorati.com/http://technorati.com/
 Music, radio shows, TV clipsMusic, radio shows, TV clips

http://www.podcastalley.com/http://www.podcastalley.com/

28. RSSRSS
 Stay updated on someone’s scheduleStay updated on someone’s schedule

http://www.rsscalendar.com/rss/http://www.rsscalendar.com/rss/
 Cinema schedule updatesCinema schedule updates

http://citycinema.reinvented.net/http://citycinema.reinvented.net/
 Read your favourite comicsRead your favourite comics

http://www.comicalert.com/http://www.comicalert.com/
 See what other people are browsingSee what other people are browsing

http://www.furl.nethttp://www.furl.net

29. RSSRSS
 Get software updatesGet software updates

http://www.download.com/http://www.download.com/
 Shopping deals at AmazonShopping deals at Amazon

http://www.onfocus.com/bookwatch/AmazonRSS.ahttp://www.onfocus.com/bookwatch/AmazonRSS.a
 Solve Xmas present problems with RSSSolve Xmas present problems with RSS
wishlistswishlists

http://www.thethingsiwant.com/http://www.thethingsiwant.com/

30. RSSRSS
 Virus and security alertsVirus and security alerts

http://sophos.com/http://sophos.com/
 Events happening in your cityEvents happening in your city

http://eventful.com/http://eventful.com/
 Search for a new jobSearch for a new job

http://rssjobs.com/http://rssjobs.com/
 Keep track of your notesKeep track of your notes

http://www.aypwip.org/webnote/http://www.aypwip.org/webnote/

31. RSSRSS
 Find recent photographs taken near youFind recent photographs taken near you

http://geobloggers.com/http://geobloggers.com/
 Create RSS feeds for sites without themCreate RSS feeds for sites without them

http://www.wotzwot.com/rssxl.phphttp://www.wotzwot.com/rssxl.php
 Get revisions of group documentsGet revisions of group documents

http://www.writely.com/http://www.writely.com/

32. In summary:In summary:
 Weblogs allow you to keep up to date inWeblogs allow you to keep up to date in
areas that interest youareas that interest you
 They provide informed comment on issuesThey provide informed comment on issues
of the day, new information and the latestof the day, new information and the latest
developmentsdevelopments
 They help you identify experts in particularThey help you identify experts in particular
areasareas
 You don’t need to ‘browse the net’ toYou don’t need to ‘browse the net’ to
obtain data!obtain data!

33. How you can create a weblogHow you can create a weblog
 It’s so easy, it’s almost criminal!It’s so easy, it’s almost criminal!
 Find some weblogging softwareFind some weblogging software
 Some is free, some is commercialSome is free, some is commercial
 Some resides on your system, others areSome resides on your system, others are
web basedweb based
 They’re all easy to use – you don’t needThey’re all easy to use – you don’t need
HTML skills, programming skills orHTML skills, programming skills or
anything else!anything else!

34. Weblog utilitiesWeblog utilities
 BloggerBlogger

http://http://www.blogger.comwww.blogger.com//
 LivejournalLivejournal

http://http://www.livejournal.comwww.livejournal.com//
 XangaXanga

http://www.xanga.com/http://www.xanga.com/
 Radio UserlandRadio Userland

http://radio.userland.com/http://radio.userland.com/

35. Weblog utilities (cont)Weblog utilities (cont)
 Create your accountCreate your account

Do you want to host the weblog on your ownDo you want to host the weblog on your own
system, or use space they provide?system, or use space they provide?

What are you going to call your weblog?What are you going to call your weblog?

What description are you going to give it?What description are you going to give it?

How do you want to add entries?How do you want to add entries?

Do you want to create an RSS feed?Do you want to create an RSS feed?

36. The next stepsThe next steps
 Once you have created your account, startOnce you have created your account, start
adding entries!adding entries!
 The Blogger icon on the Google toolbarThe Blogger icon on the Google toolbar

37. Adding a weblog entryAdding a weblog entry

38. Adding an entry with TypepadAdding an entry with Typepad

39. What’s the use?What’s the use?
 Weblogs can be used to alert readers toWeblogs can be used to alert readers to
new developments in a subject areanew developments in a subject area
 They are a useful way to remind yourselfThey are a useful way to remind yourself
about good webpagesabout good webpages
 They provide quick and easy links toThey provide quick and easy links to
resourcesresources

40. In summaryIn summary
 Weblogs are easy to createWeblogs are easy to create
 They don’t cost anything except timeThey don’t cost anything except time
 They do have disadvantagesThey do have disadvantages

Must be kept up to dateMust be kept up to date

They can take up a lot of your time if you getThey can take up a lot of your time if you get
addictedaddicted

41. The business case for weblogsThe business case for weblogs
 It brings you directly to the notice of yourIt brings you directly to the notice of your
customers every single daycustomers every single day
 It shows them that you know what you’reIt shows them that you know what you’re
doingdoing
 It shows that you are an expert in the fieldIt shows that you are an expert in the field
 You’re doing a job for them, and they’llYou’re doing a job for them, and they’ll
love you for itlove you for it
More specific ideas…More specific ideas…

42. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Create an ‘Announcement and specialCreate an ‘Announcement and special
offers’ feed.offers’ feed.

If you produce anything that changes overIf you produce anything that changes over
time you can use a weblog to keep people uptime you can use a weblog to keep people up
to date – new products, new courses, updatesto date – new products, new courses, updates
to existing courses.to existing courses.

Keeps your clients up to speedKeeps your clients up to speed

Reduces the need for mail outs and printedReduces the need for mail outs and printed
itemsitems

Special offers only available via the weblogSpecial offers only available via the weblog

43. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Client of the week/monthClient of the week/month

Recognition of your clientsRecognition of your clients

Provides them with greater exposureProvides them with greater exposure

Creates good willCreates good will

It takes next to no time to do it, but can have aIt takes next to no time to do it, but can have a
lasting impactlasting impact

44. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Create staff feedsCreate staff feeds

Great to keep staff up to date on what isGreat to keep staff up to date on what is
happening in your organisationhappening in your organisation

All the data is centralised in one placeAll the data is centralised in one place

No need for emails/printed data that could getNo need for emails/printed data that could get
lostlost

Good for training, special offers etcGood for training, special offers etc

Memos, presentations, files, new policiesMemos, presentations, files, new policies

45. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Add a ‘Frequently asked questions’Add a ‘Frequently asked questions’
element to your weblogelement to your weblog
 Daily/weekly contests related to the siteDaily/weekly contests related to the site
 What’s new informationWhat’s new information
 What’s coming soonWhat’s coming soon
 A photo blogA photo blog
 Developer notesDeveloper notes
 News on your chosen topicsNews on your chosen topics

46. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 For specific groups:For specific groups:

Sales team weblogSales team weblog

Vertical blogs for everyone in the companyVertical blogs for everyone in the company
interested in a specific subjectinterested in a specific subject

Internal job adverts and other HR relatedInternal job adverts and other HR related
topicstopics

Information centre pushing data out toInformation centre pushing data out to
everyone elseeveryone else

47. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Reduces information overloadReduces information overload
 Gets the message out there quicklyGets the message out there quickly
 Groups can participate in a weblog – notGroups can participate in a weblog – not
just one personjust one person
 Can be shared with whoever you want –Can be shared with whoever you want –
staff, customers, the world!staff, customers, the world!

48. Using weblogs in businessUsing weblogs in business
 Don’t forget – ALL of this information canDon’t forget – ALL of this information can
be made widely available to the worldbe made widely available to the world
 Add the RSS feed icon to your pageAdd the RSS feed icon to your page
 Keep a note of your statisticsKeep a note of your statistics
 Register your weblog with the weblogRegister your weblog with the weblog
search enginessearch engines
 Link other weblogs to yours, and they’ll doLink other weblogs to yours, and they’ll do
the same for youthe same for you

49. What else can you do with them?What else can you do with them?
 You can add pictures to a weblogYou can add pictures to a weblog

Great for promoting new productsGreat for promoting new products

Introduce new members of staffIntroduce new members of staff
 MobloggingMoblogging

Weblog on the move. Report on a conferenceWeblog on the move. Report on a conference
that you’re attending.that you’re attending.
 PhotobloggingPhotoblogging

Add in pictures of the conference as well!Add in pictures of the conference as well!

50. What else can you do with them?What else can you do with them?
 Email bloggingEmail blogging

Some software allows you to email a weblogSome software allows you to email a weblog
onto your pageonto your page
 Add a chat room to your weblogAdd a chat room to your weblog

Set up chats/discussions, promoted by yourSet up chats/discussions, promoted by your
weblogweblog
 Add the headlines of your weblog ontoAdd the headlines of your weblog onto
your home page to keep it currentyour home page to keep it current
 Allow people to comment on entriesAllow people to comment on entries

51. In summaryIn summary
 Weblogs allow you to promote yourWeblogs allow you to promote your
organisation in an entirely new wayorganisation in an entirely new way
 They provide flexible approaches to dataThey provide flexible approaches to data
deliverydelivery
 They streamline the provision ofThey streamline the provision of
information internally and externallyinformation internally and externally
 You become seen as an expert in the areaYou become seen as an expert in the area

52. Using a news aggregatorUsing a news aggregator
 Bloglines atBloglines at http://www.bloglines.comhttp://www.bloglines.com
 You must have an email account you canYou must have an email account you can
access to validate your Bloglines accountaccess to validate your Bloglines account

53. BloglinesBloglines

58. Contact detailsContact details
 Phil Bradley’s site at:Phil Bradley’s site at: http://www.philb.comhttp://www.philb.com
 Weblog at:Weblog at:

http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/
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http://philbradley.typepad.com/i_want_to/http://philbradley.typepad.com/i_want_to/
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http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/frivolity/http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/frivolity/
 Article on weblogging at:Article on weblogging at:
http://www.philb.com/weblogs.htmhttp://www.philb.com/weblogs.htm