Intro to WordPress Blogs

What is a Blog?

A blog is a website that maintains a frequently updated register of information. Blogs, a shortened word from weblog, often focus on particular topics or genres and contain diary-like entries, called posts. Blogs can also provide links to articles on other websites or blogs. Today, blogs are frequently used to communicate information to large masses in a quick and easy way.

 

Who Can Use Blogging Services?

Blogs are intended for use by University units. Members of these colleges, departments, and organizations are able to share recent or updated information with everyone in their department at the click of a button. Individual classes and students wishing to access a group discussion system should refer to Community Server or Blackboard.

 

What’s Included on Your Blog Site

·         Missouri State Theme

·         Customizable Header Images

·         AddThis Social Bookmarking

·         Sidebar Widgets

·         Plugins

 

What’s Included on Your Blog Dashboard

·         Ability to write and edit blog posts and info pages

·         Link management

·         Mange your header images

·         Media Library for storing images and other media file types

·         Control your blog layout theme and widgets

·         Edit your blog settings

 

To Log In:

   1. Navigate to http://blogs.missouristate.edu on your web browser.

   2. Click on the Login link in the center of the page.

   3. In the User ID box, type in your private user ID.

   4. In the Password box, type in your password.

   5. Click Log in.

Similarly, you can login from your actual blog, by selecting the Login link on the right-hand side of the page under the Meta heading.

 

Administrators, Editors, and Authors

Each blog user will be assigned a role in the system, which will control the user’s access to features and tasks. The main user in charge of the blog should be given 'administrator' permissions. This user will be able to change themes, add or remove widgets and plugins, add or remove users, and many more options, as well as normal blogging functions.

Members of a department who are assigned the role of ‘editor’ will be able to read posts, write posts, and manage others’ posts as well as their own. Editors also have access to some features—such as creating new pages and adding links— that authors will not find on their pages. Members of a department and student workers who are assigned the role of ‘author’ will be able to read posts, publish posts, and manage only their own posts.

 

Allowing or Restricting Comments

When you apply for a blog, you will be asked whether you wish to allow comments to be posted after all posts. However, comments can be allowed or restricted on posts on an individual basis as well. Comments simply allow the author to receive feedback from readers about the information provided in a post.

The Missouri State blog system is protected by a spam blocker, which quarantines unwanted or potentially dangerous comments and allows you to control and protect your blog and computer.

 

To Request a Blog

You can request a WordPress blog at http://www.missouristate.edu/web/59949.htm