Page 214 - DCAP609_CLOUD_COMPUTING

Unit 14: Collaborating via Blogs and Wikis

14.2 Evaluating Blogs for Collaboration Notes

Blog is short for weblog. A blog is an online place for public expression and comment. At its
most basic, a blog is a kind of public journal, where the blog user (“blogger”) publicly records
their thoughts or experiences. Today, blogs are used to record everything from political
commentary to software development. Collaborative “group blogs” which have more than one
blogger are also common.

14.2.1 Points for Assessment

A blog can be set up by anyone and is often used as a means to offer commentary and opinion.
After blogging for a while you need to assess whether or not your blog is on the right track or
if adjustments need to be made. The results of your evaluation may be branding changes,
setting new goals, a change in theme, or even a complete blog make-over.

“First impressions are lasting impressions”, so they say. The word “effectiveness” is the key
word when the following points are assessed:

1. Page loading time is a ranking factor. How quickly does the site load?
How many widgets and gadgets are there in the sidebar?

How many scripts are running?
Is there autoplay music?
How much decorative “tat” (clutter) is in sidebars and/or footers?
2. Is the theme in keeping with the content? For example, does the theme in use appropriately
reflect and showcase the true nature of the blog content? Or are you looking at a professional
content business blog being presented in theme that would better be suited for use on a
parenting or personal blog?
3. How is the color scheme for readers? Is it in keeping with the blog post content? Colors
evoke emotions and can provoke readers to either move on or to linger and read.
Do the colors chosen evoke a calming mood that encourages to readers to relax and
read content? Or do the colors evoke stimulation of emotions that may provoke
readers to click out?

Does what’s been placed in the sidebar tend to detract from the blog design and
distract readers away from reading content?
4. Does the theme quickly communicate branding and the purpose of the blog to new visitors?

If the theme is not unique, then has it been customized and personalized (e.g.,
custom header image, logo, unique graphics) to reflect individual branding?

How does the quality of design and the customization aimed at personalizing it
compare with other blogs in the same niche?
5. Is the blog search engine optimized?

Notes If you are using a WordPress.com theme good SEO is a given. However, going
beyond the theme what the blogger has done within that structure is worth evaluating.

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