TimesToCome

It has come to my attention that some near and dear friends are not familiar with blogging and blogging software. So here is some basic information.

Blogging software usually consists of PHP scripts that interface with a MySQL database. If you are paying for web hosting somewhere PHP and MySQL are probably already set up for you. If you have web hosting already you just need to download and install Wordpress software. If you want to install more than one blog on a domain just make a different directory for each blog and copy the wordpress software to each directory. Instructions come with Wordpress and as long as MySQL and PHP are set up correctly it’ll take you longer to upload the files than it will to set up your blog.

You can also host a blog on Wordpress for free. You have to pay if you want your own domain or more storage. Prices are very low. They have a very nice set up.

You can also host a blog on Blogger which is Google’s blog service. This is free. You can register a domain at any online registrar and point it to your blogger blog. Blogger is totally painless to set up.

There is much to recommend both services. Blogger is accessible from your cell phone. You can post, view, edit and send pictures to your blog from your cell phone. Wordpress is more robust and has more features. I recommend spending a few dollars for your own domain. It’ll make it easier for people to find you and the search engines will like you better.

You can totally trivially add Google advertising to your blog. Just sign up for a Google Adsense account. Blogger is set up to add in advertising with a couple of clicks, Wordpress easily takes advertising, just cut and past it the scripts from Adsense into your template. ( see Herself’s Webtools for more detailed information. )

If you are hosting on Blogger or Wordpress you’ll also want to set up a Flickr account for storing photos and just sharing photos. You’all have at least gotten that far right? Be sure to send me the links to your flickr pages because I haven’t seen many yet.

Can you get rich blogging? Some people are; I’m not, but I’m hoping it’ll be a comfortable living in time.

And if you are not getting rich well it’s a great way to let friends, relatives and strangers know who you are and what you are doing. Do you have a hobby? Or something you are passionate about? Put it on a blog and share with other people. After you have things set up visit Herself’s Webtools for tips and how tos. As I learn things I’m posting what I learn and how to do it there.

There are many free templates for Wordpress and Blogger. Be sure to hack your template though. Technorati says there are over 60 million blogs you want people to remember yours.