Blogging

[Linda]

My museum is thinking of starting a blog. We've got a lot going on this year, and we want to have a faster way to keep members updated on our activities. We're not sure whether to attempt this on our own Web site, or whether we should use typepad or blogspot or some other free service. Does anyone else have an institutional blog? What sort of technology do you use?

[Linda Clark Benedict]

I use Wordpress.com. But I'm not sure about patrons finding a blog. Are they RSS savy? How often do they come to the website. You might want to send an e-mail alert when you post a new message.

[Linda]

Ours are probably not. We do have an e-mail list for our members, so we could send them a notification that it exists, though I'm hoping whatever we use will allow those who are interested to subscribe to have new posts (or notice that they are there) sent to them. I think blogspot does that. I know how to edit our site using dreamweaver, but I don't know how to set something like that up. Do you like wordpress? Would you mind posting the URL? Thanks.

[Jordon]

I second Wordpress. Moveabletype is another one (which we use), but I don't like it as much.

Host your own blog if your IT will let you. First, this will allow for tons more customization. Second, do you want Google or Typepad maintaining your data? There's a sense of pride in owning your own blog, I think. (Institutionally speaking, of course--I have an outside organization host my own personal blog.)

Wordpress.org. It is famously easy to set up.

Terrific idea, Linda! Good luck!

[Linda]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been researching wordpress and they have something called install4free- they will set it up for us. They said they won't do it for businesses, but I inquired about non-profit, and they said yes. IT department- that's funny. We have four employees. But I think we'll give wordpress a try, it looks simple enough. I'll report back on how it goes.

[Jessica Steytler]

Hello! Our library has a blog: http://congregational-library.typepad.com/
Typepad isn't too bad. I think we ended up getting a paid account so we could have a bit more flexibility. I'm afraid I don't add to it much.
I use google reader and it's the sort of feed that strips out images, unlike some feeds. I've yet to figure out why some are better than others.
That's my 2 cents.

[Carolyn Ravenscroft]

At the NEA Conference I attended the forum on Web 2.0 and was fascinated with UMASS Amherst's use of a "catablog." I am eager to set up one for the Drew Archives. UMASS uses WordPress and it looks great. My question is whether or not Google's Blogger is a good alternative. It is free and the Historical Society I am associated with already uses it for their House Museum blogs. Any opinions/suggestions?

[Jessica Steytler]

I was really taken with UMass's project, too. It was my favorite part of NEA's program this spring.

My suggestion for Blogger is go for it. If you hate it, you can always migrate it to another system.