At the risk of sounding ignorant, I thought a blog site was a fairly simple and straightforward setup -- boy was I wrong! As I was surveying the various blog sites out there I came to realize that there were many different ways to setup, customize, and edit your own blog site. There were so many settings and ways to navigate through certain domains that it was making my head spin. I decided to go with Blogspot since it was the most convenient to use with a gmail account and there were not too many settings to get lost in.
As I get more comfortable with this I plan on experimenting with the different features and add-ons this site has to offer. When the semester comes to a close, I would like to end up being knowledgeable and savvy in picking what works for me in a blog so that I can start one for my own personal interests and passions.
Regarding our first 830 class, it was really interesting in seeing the different ideas and concepts of what Web 2.0 is. When the concept of it being a collaborative tool came up, it led me to think about something that has always bothered me about being online: validity. When someone posts a comment or reply on a blog how do you know or be sure that what is stated is from someone with the appropiate credentials or experience? It is the same thing with Wikis. How can you be sure that what you are reading is from a realiable and authentic source?
With big company sites such as Yahoo or the New York Times I can trust those are valid sources of information because they are held liable by law. With blog and wiki posts, just about anyone can post something without much accountability. It is often very difficult to verify what you are reading is the truth.
I am fairly certain that the specific and serious blogs and wikis are created and discussed with people with the appropriate credentials however the lingering possibility of not being so still disturbs me a bit.
