Thing 2 Blogger.com and Registering

So the Challenge team can share your progress and read your comments on the ongoing challenge, you need to have a blog.  For this year's challenge, you must have a blog created at Blogger.com. (a Google service)

Set up your own blog on Blogger.com  and write your first post.


To add posts, edit or change the set-up of your blog go to http://www.blogger.com/


Please be sure to write down your login and password so you will be able to get back in.


To view your blog:
Your blog address is http://(xxxx).blogspot.com/
 (xxxx)=the unique identifier you entered in Step 2.

Be sure to also write down your blog address. For example, this blog is http://oclwebthings09.blogspot.com/.


If you run into problems or would like more information about blogs and using Blogger here are some discovery resources you can use:



http://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g
Bloggers Quick tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/BloggerHelp


IMPORTANT NOTE: How you choose to identify yourself on your blog is your choice. You can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or as yourself. However, in order to qualify for the staff prize drawings, you will need to register by emailing us at oclwebthings@gmail.com


To register your blog, you must send an email to oclwebthings@gmail.com with your blog’s URL. We will then add your blog to our blogroll that you see on the sidebar of this blog so everyone can see what progress you are making. This is an easy step and absolutely essential if you'd like to win a prize. (Because we're little rascals, we're keeping the prize under wraps, for now!)

Once you have sent an email to oclwebthings@gmail.com telling the Challenge team your Gmail address and your blog address you have officially completed the first two things in the OCL Web Challenge 2009!

Thing 1 Gmail Account

The first thing of the Challenge is easy.  You need to get a Gmail email account.  No other email account can be used in the Challenge. That includes your regular work email account.  You'll need a Gmail account later in the Challenge when you are introduced to other Google products and features.

Go to Gmail.com It's a popular, free email service with a lot of storage capabilities provided by Google.  Click on create an account. Follow the instructions and you'll have a new email account in no time.


Be sure to check out the tips provided by Gmail.  The address is www.gmail.com/tips

Welcome

Welcome to the  2009 Ocean County Library Web Challege. This educational journey will teach new technological tools. Last year, over 140 people finished our inaugral web challenge. The finishers each one a Sansa MP3 player. One overall winner won a Nintendo Wii.  Again, this year, there will be prizes for you to win.

Want to take the OCL webchallenge and learn to use new Web tools?   Are you interested in keeping up with technology trends?   Here is a chance to explore and expand your knowlege of the Internet and Web 2.0. You can learn on your own.

FAQ's or Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?
Any OCL library staff member, who either didn't start the web challenge or who didn't finish.

If I started last the challenge, but didn't finish, am I still eligible to play?
Yes, we'd love for you to take and finish the challenge. However, if you already won a MP3 Player, don't fret..... we have planned a web challenge for you for later in the year.

What if I've already done some of these things?
That's great--- You are part way there! We are sure that you will find new things to learn and enjoy.

How do I get started?
Thing 1---The first thing you'll need to do is get a Gmail Account.  Here's how. First  visit :http://oclwebthings09.bogspot.com.

What's in it for me?
In addtition to acquiring a healthy dose of professional development, everyone who completes the 23 things will win a prize.

What does the time line look like?
The web challenge will begin the week of September 28, 2009 and will conclude December 31st, 2009.

What's next?

Thing 2