What is a Blog?
A blog is an online journal that has public and private entries written about any subject that the blogger is interested in. The entries are time and date stamped; unlike a discussion post, only the blog author’s entry appears on the page. However, blog visitors can post can post their comments which are linked to the entry and appear on a separate page.
Why should I use the blog service at the UMass Boston? Why not Blogger or LiveJournal?
Using UMass Boston’s blog service allows fellow UMB students, faculty, and staff to view each other’s blogs by simply typing in their username after the link http://blogs.umb.edu/. You can also import your entries from Blogger, LiveJournal, or any blog you already manage to UMB’s blog.
I already have a blog. Can I import my blog entries to UMass Boston’s blog?
Yes, WordPress supports the following blog services to import from:
- Blogger
- Blogware
- Bunny’s Technorati Tags
- Categories to Tags Converter
- DotClear
- GreyMatter
- Jerome’s Keywords
- LiveJournal
- Movable Type and TypePad
- RSS
- Simple Tagging
- Textpattern
- Ultimate Tag Warrior
- WordPress
To import your blog, follow these steps:
1. Select the "Manage" tab.
2. Click on the "Import" link.
3. Choose the blog you wish to import from.
You can also export your UMB blog entries to your personal blog if you wish.
What is my blog’s URL?
Your blog’s URL is http://blogs.umb.edu/<UMB email ID>/ For example: http://blogs.umb.edu/john.smith004. Please note that currently we cannot change the URL for your individual default blog.
How can I change the name of my blog?
You can change the name of your blog by logging onto: blogs.umb.edu and selecting the settings tab in the upper right corner. You’ll see the Blog title name in the first field which you can simply delete and retype it.
What browsers do you recommend viewing UMassBlogs with?
- Internet Explorer 7
- Firefox 3.0.4
- Apple Safari 3.1 Mac + pc
- Google Chrome 0.3.154.9
Please note : Firefox 2.0 does not display the Blog properly and would be fixed soon.
How do I enable the Flickr/Wordpress API so that images in my Flickr albums appear in my blog posts?
Follow these steps to enable the Flickr/Wordpress API.
1. Inside Flickr you will have to setup the Blog Service.
http://www.flickr.com/blogs_add.gne
2. Select Wordpress Blog from the drop down menu. Press ‘Next’.
3. Enter the following information in the next Page :
Endpoint API : http://blogs.umb.edu/xmlrpc.php
Username : [firstname.lastname]
Password : .
Press Next
4. In the following page ‘Choose a weblog’ , you will have to select the Blog where you want to insert from Flickr.If you have only one Blog, press next.
5. Confirm your details in the next page, and it should work fine.
How do I add a youtube video to my blog?
1.You’ll need to edit the HTML of your blog entry or page—this should be relatively straightforward. In Blogger, for example, just click the "Edit HTML" tab.
2.Next, go to the video that you want, and look for the ‘Embed’ box in the "About This Video" section. Copying the HTML code that’s there into your website will create an embedded player; the video will play within your site when the user clicks on the ‘Play’ button.
3.You can resize the player by editing the object width="425" and height="350" fields at both the beginning and end of the embedded player code. Make sure that the sizes you choose have the same ratio as the default numbers, so that the video doesn’t get stretched—just multiply the width by 0.8235 to get the height.
How much does it cost?
This service is free and available to all active UMass Boston students, and to current and retired faculty and staff.
What is a group or shared blog?
A group blog is a blog shared by several authors who already share a club, department, or organizational e-mail account. Because the UMass Boston Blog network is authenticated against our e-mail server, members use the same username and password as their shared e-mail account to access their blog. Please note that when a group member group leaves, it is the responsibility of the remaining members to change the e-mail password for their account.
How do I request a group or shared blog?
Group blogs are available to clubs, departments and organizations who have a shared e-mail account. If your group doesn’t already have a shared e-mail account then you must request one by filling out this form: http://www.umb.edu/it/docs/pdf/MS_exchange_email_form_002.pdf. Within a day or two of the creation of your shared e-mail account you will be able to access your group blog by logging on with the username and password for the shared account.
How can I change my blog password?
Your blog password is the same as your UMB e-mail password; when you change your e-mail password your blog password is changed too.
Students and student groups can change e-mail passwords by visiting http://webmail.umb.edu and selecting the change password links.
Faculty, staff and department e-mail passwords can be changed by logging onto http://email.umb.edu and then selecting "Options".
I can’t remember the password for my individual blog. Can I reset it?
Your BlogNetwork password is the same as your UMass Boston e-mail password. If you can’t remember what it is the IT Service desk can help! Located on the 3rd floor in the Healey Library, walk-in hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm EST. You can also phone them at 617-287-5220 or send an email to ITservicedesk@umb.edu. Phone and email coverage is 8:00am to 6:00pm EST
I can’t log onto the UMass blog network. Where can I get help?
The UMass Boston IT Service desk can help you. Contact info is posted above.
What file types can I upload and attach to a blog post?
You can upload and attach a variety of file types including: .avi, .pdf, .doc, .gif., .csv, .mid, .midi, .mov .mp3,.ppt, .pps, .jpg, .jpeg, .wmv and .xls. (Note: MS Office 2007 file types i.e. .docx, .xlsx, etc., cannot be uploaded.)
What limits are set for files and my blog?
Files up to 1 MB can be attached to a blog. Currently a 20 MB limit is allocated for each blog account.
How can I change the topic that my blog is associated with?
The first time you log in to your blog you are required to associate it with a topic. When blog visitors select blog topics from the home page they will find your blog listed underneath your selection. You can change the associated topic afterwards by selecting "Settings" and then changing the topic to another listed topic in the Blog Topic Section.
I don’t see a topic listed that I would like my blog to be associated with. Can I suggest one?
New topics can added to the list there is no suitable topic that can be associated with your blog. In the pilot phase you can suggest a topic be added to the list by filling out the Blog topic Request form available from the Blog Network Home page. Please to not make this request unless it is absolutely necessary.
How long after graduation will I have access to my blog?
Students will be able to access their blogs up to 6 months after graduation. Go to http://www.umb.edu/it/policy/email_policy_students.html for more information.
How can I tell if anyone is reading my blog?
Look at some free hit counters like Extreme Tracking or Site Meter or ServuStats.com. These free counters are relatively easy to set up. Just follow the instructions.
I would like to have a private blog, where access is blocked by a username and password. Is this possible?
Yes, you can opt to keep each post in your blog private and password protected. You will see this option under the" Write" tab.
Are there any rules I should be aware of?
Blog authors are solely responsible for the content of the blogs listed in the directory. Neither the content of these blogs, nor the links to other web sites, are screened, approved, reviewed or endorsed by UMass Boston or any UMass Boston-affiliated entity (“Stanford”). The text and other material on these blogs are the opinion of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of UMass Boston.
What is a ‘Permalink’?
Permalink is short for ‘Permanent Link’. It the of URL you can use if you want to cite a Blog post for an Article or paper.
What is the citation format for UMass Boston blogs?
There are a number of different formats for citing a blog post, the APA format which is widely used at UMass Boston is includes the blog author, date of post, subject link (if available), title of Site, url and date of access for example:
Motley, K. (Dec. 4, 2008) Commencement 2009 Speaker, UMass Boston Blog Network retrieved on Dec. 5, 2008 from http://www.blogs.umb.edu/KeithMotley
What are tags?
Tags are one-word descriptors that you can assign to your bookmarks on Delicious to help you organize and remember them. Tags are a little bit like keywords, but you choose them yourself and they do not form a hierarchy.
What is a tag cloud?
A tag cloud is simply a way to view a group of tags in a denser way than a list would ordinarily allow. Since tag clouds arrange tags both horizontally and vertically, you can see more tags with less scrolling. They can be sorted both alphabetically and by size, and we employ some visual cues such as text sizing and bolding to represent more often used tags.
What is open ID and how does it work?
Instead of creating multiple usernames across different websites, OpenID is your URL ID that you can log in with instead of creating a new username. This allows people not affiliated with UMass Boston to leave comments on UMB blogs. Sign up for one at http://www.myopenid.com/signup.
How can I suggest a question for the FAQ?
You may send them (along with any comments/suggestions you have, problems you encountered, or questions you have) by completing the form under Blognetwork Requests in Blog Support or by e-mailing them to: blogadmin@umb.edu