Placeblogging 201

Selecting a Platform

The first consideration you will need to make is which platform to use?

And for me the answer came to cost, and know-how. I wanted to have my site, but it was designed to be a service and I knew it was going to take my time, I didn't want it to cost me much money, too.

There are two main options, downloaded software (you download, get server space to host and install) and hosted platforms (you create an account and begin).

A stand alone provides more customization and options, but also requires technical know-how. Wordpress.org and Moveable Type, are two popular products, but there are many others. Today, Content Management Systems (CMS) are barely indistinguishable from these products, and vice-versa. Drupal and Joomla are the most popular CMS products, but there are many others. One I recently began using is Concrete5, but that is another lens for another day.

Due to cost and ease of use, I went with a hosted, free site. The primary choices for me were Blogger, WordPress.com, and Typepad. I chose Blogger for the simple fact it was a Google product and I believed that would mean simple integration with other Google products and hopefully decent search engine results, not to mention a company that I didn't think would turn around and start charging a fee for the service.

Before making your choice, think about how you want your site to look and what you want it to do. This will impact the platform choice. Browse placeblogger.com and look at the approach people have taken in other place and take note of the features you like and the platform being used.

Then decide what features you must have, and which ones you'd like to have.

I had no idea there were other hyper-local community web sites out there when I began to plan. And while I took the simplest path, Blogger.com, I overcomplicated it at first. I wanted a permanent landing page. A traditional web site page, with links to typical brochure site pages such as About, Contact Us, Contribute, etc. that included graphics and links to three blogs - community news, community information, and sports and activities.

I used a personal web page provided by my email host and re-wrote a web site html page to fit my needs. Eventually, I got rid of the page and merged the three blogs into one. What I had learned was people bookmarked the blog site and they wanted local information, not to click through hoops.

So don't over-complicate, steal the wheel design from others, and finally, be honest with your technical ability, time, and budget.

Domain Name

I'll address the choice of the name in Placeblogging 301, as that is much more a marketing concern, so outside that, be sure to select a name that won't result in receiving a letter from a lawyer. Again more on this later.

You'll need to purchase a domain if you are downloading software, but even if you aren't, buy one. I do think it is critical to purchase a name and redirect to your blog when using a hosted service. Today they cost $10.00 per name per year so it won't break the bank. I actually bought a second one when I realized people were regularly searching the same, wrong, domain.

Getting Started

I'm going to use Blogger here as it is what I've used, but the fundamentals will apply across all platforms and hosts.

If you visit my site, you'll immediately notice a three column format and probably see that it isn't perfect. I initially used a standard Blogger template, and later when I decided to freshen up the site, I went with a custom three column design.

I'll walk you around the site, then we'll go behind the scenes. The header sums up the purpose and scope of the site. Both sidebars simply use Google Gadgets to allow me to add pictures, weather, links, feeds, and my own copy. The body is the essence of the site, reverse chronological posts with comments.

When you log-in, Blogger shows four main tabs: Posting, Settings, Layout, Monetize.

When starting out, go to Settings first. Beginning with Basic on the far left, go through each item, read it, and complete each one. Then move on to each successive tab.

Items of note include:

'Publishing' tab now features a way to point a domain to your blog. I had to redirect and did so using zoneedit, a great free tool. The other critical item on this tab is the name of your blog address.

'Comments' tab - decisions, decisions, decisions. At first I allowed anyone to comment, without any registration. I switched to requiring registration because it provided the individual to sign-up before commenting. Now there is an OpenID option, and I've updated to this level. I learned that anonymous comments work if you are open to anything, but if you are trying to establish a positive environment that is "G" rated, you probably need some level of registration.

Maybe I'm a purist, but Google offers the option of not having comments on posts. To me, the whole point of a blog, and a placeblog in particular, is to have comments.

Comment Moderation. There are legal issues related to moderating comments. I'll address this in detail later, but you should visit the EFF's Blogger's Rights section and specifically in this case its Section 230 information. In short, Section 230 protects hosts from authors. So if I'm on Blogger and write something that defames another, Blogger's parent Google can't be sued for my words. Similarly, if I have a blog, and someone comments on it, I can't be responsible UNLESS I've approved their content. Therefore, by requiring moderation, you are approving the comment and the content of the content and making yourself liable for it.

Email new comments. This is a great feature. I have all comments emailed to me for two big reasons. First, I normally see the comment as it is made, and second, I have a record of it in my email in the event I need to delete it.

Word verification - maybe a pain for the user, but a good way of keeping spam off your site.

'Permissions' tab allows you to add additional authors (which you do want to do, if you can find them) and more importantly has a setting for who can see your site. If you are a community site, you want everyone to see it!

Next Step - Layout
Once you've set up the conditions on your site, it is time to pick a new template. This is part personal, part practical. Again, if you've looked at other sites, consider what worked and didn't for you. I selected two side bars to provide lots of information. This is somewhat contrary to the fact that I think the best designed web page period, is Google.com. It is simple and straight forward.

In the layout tab, select "Pick new template". Browse through the different formats. You can later change color, etc. You want to select based on the body and sidebar.

With your new template, go to Fonts and Colors. You want your site to be as easy on the eyes and readable as possible. Select fonts and colors accordingly. Also, consider any branding you will employ. If you created a logo, take colors and fonts from it or that work well with it.

Once you have your template, fonts, and colors, select Page Elements. This is where you can add gadgets to your sidebar. Place the most important ones at the top, as these will be seen whenever your site is visited.

If you feel you need to edit your html, or if you have your own custom html to enter, you can use the Edit HTML tab. You can also download your template once you are finished. This I did do and saved on my computer so I had it in the event I ever did something and wanted to return to my original version.

From a technical standpoint, you are now ready to start placeblogging!

I can't provide legal advice, but I can tell you the approach I've taken, and share with you a site that can provide good advice - The Electronic Freedom Foundation.

My Approach
I decided that my blog would be branded and marketed separate from me as "NewsOverCoffee", which the readers quickly renamed "NOC", however, the profile is of me. I don't post anonymously.

When writing, I not only try to be fair and objective, but I include comments if I have an interest or history and it is relevant. I also write what I would be comfortable saying to any one of my readers.

I've not gone to meetings and presented myself as media. I sit in the audience. If I have a question, I ask as a citizen/resident. If I need to better understand something, I'll ask after the meeting.

Finally, I don't do "Gotcha!" I don't try to trap or ensnare people. I don't use sarcasm or humor. I try to be fair and straight-forward. It may make for a less entertaining site, but I'm not online to be entertaining, I'm online to be informative.

Electronic Freedom Foundation

The Electronic Freedom Foundation has excellent information on its site related to blogging. It equally applies to placeblogging. Below is an overview of what information they have available for you.

Bloggers' Rights
The Bloggers' Rights section is available here.

This section outlines basic information you need to know and how the law applies (complete with case citations). The page can be read in a few minutes, and should be by anyone blogging.

Legal Guide for Bloggers
The Legal Guide for Bloggers is updated regularly and covers topics in much greater detail.

Legal Liability Issues section provides a general overview then digs deep into intellectual property, online defamation, Section 230 protections, and privacy.

Bloggers as Journalists
This section provides information related to Journalists such as Reporters Privilege, Media Access, and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).

Other Legal Issues
Here, EFF links to pages providing information on Student Blogging, Election Law, Labor Law, and Adult Material.

Index of Questions (with answers!)
Got a legal question? You probably aren't the first to ask it. EFF lists all the questions they've received and provides answers/information on each one.

Resources
As if that wasn't enough information, EFF has a long list of resources for you to learn more. These include legal, but also trade related such Journalists Ethics, associations, etc.