Podcasts vs. text blogging

So... I've never really been into podcasts. I subscribe to a couple through iTunes, but I always forget to check the podcast section for updates, so I end up with dozens of unheard episodes, and I just delete them all. The way my iPod connects to my car stereo doesn't allow me to play podcasts from the directory on the iPod; I have to put them into a playlist, which is annoying and I forget about. So, podcasts aren't my modus operandi for blog consuming. For blog producing, podcasts are a nice way to add a personal touch, but I'm self-concious of how my recorded voice sounds (on the phone, I've been mistaken for a teenager; I'm 27). Recording is certainly easier than writing, but there's no "delete" button if I make a mistake; I have to either finagle with the cut function in Audacity or re-record the whole thing. Not a big deal for my 2-3 minute podcasts, but could be an issue if I was using podcasts to teach a class, a la Steve.

I really prefer text blogging, as a producer and consumer. With text blogging as a consumer, I can easily skim a post to find information that I'm interested in, and can easily skip the stuff I don't want to read. As a producer, I find that I have a good level of control over a text-based blog. I can save a half-finished draft to finish and post later, I can easily integrate links and pictures, and in general, have more editorial control.

Google Analytics

I must confess, I set up Google Analytics a few weeks ago (or whenever it was required), and I forgot about it. It took me a few minutes to find it through Gmail, but reading it was interesting.

So far, the bulk of visitors have been using Firefox, with 31 visits (70%). Next up is IE, with 12 visits (27%). Finally, we have one lone visit via Safari (2%). Glad to know I'm not the only one in the class with a Mac :)

Not surprisingly, 30 visits have been via a cable internet connection. 7 have been on DSL, 3 have been using T1, and 2 on dialup (really?). There were 2 visits from an "unknown" connection. GA didn't give any further information on the unknown connection.

I also learned about the network locations from whence these visitors came. The bulk were on Comcast, which is what I use at home - I think I'm unintentionally driving up my own stats.

Some of the information seemed a little random, like the screen resolution of my visitors (68% had 1024x768), all of my visitors have been from NJ (good to know, no out-of-state stalkers), and 6 visits have been via Bloglines. I can see how that information would be valuable to a more serious blogger, but it really doesn't serve me a purpose.

WordPress vs. Blogger

WordPress is...

• more customizable, especially if you know HTML
• has an informative and powerful dashboard
  
• for "serious bloggers" or businesses
  

but...

• it has a less user-friendly layout, especially if you don't know HTML
• certain upgrades cost money
• has little social networking; their "blog surfer" feature is beta
• not all layouts support widgets; user has to switch to one that does, or manually fix the code
  

Meanwhile, Blogger is...

• great for the casual blogger or those unfamiliar with blogging
• owned by Google, which explains the simple, friendly interface
• big on the social networking/entertainment aspect of blogs, especially with widgets and add-ons
  
• free
  

but...

• it's not as customizable as WordPress
• it has limited storage for multimedia
• it's easier if you have a Google/Gmail account (for picture sharing, email, chat)
  
• feels like an "entry-level" blog, while WordPress feels more grown-up and "corporate"

Who wins?
For the casual (or class-required) blogger - Blogger. It's free and easy.
For the discriminating (or smarty-pants) blogger - WordPress. It's customizable and has a more grown-up feel.

Admirable library blog

I found the Marin County Free Library's blog to be a notable library blog. It has a lot of great features, but a few minor annoyances. Marin County is located in California, north of San Francisco.

The good:

• Comprehensive information about a variety of programs and activities. Over the course of a few weeks, there are postings about a "henna party" for teens, a puppet show for children, and a poetry reading for adults. A few posts are in-house plugs for library cards, and an FAQ site, but most of the posts are about events happening in the various county libraries. Many of the summer posts were about teen activities. Assuming that many of the library's teenage patrons use the internet and are familiar with the blog, this is a great way to advertise. There is a teen page, part of the library's website, but it isn't as up-to-date as the blog.
  
• User-friendliness. The blog is easy to read, with muted colors and a basic font. A column on the right displays links to other parts of the library's website, along with direct links to recent posts and archives. It isn't intended for one specific age group; rather, it appeals to all ages.
• Frequency of posts. New posts appear several times a week, and the blog is archived monthly to October 2003. The posts are all substantial and feature pictures and comprehensible information about various activities.
  

The not so good:

• Chat? There is a link to "Ask a Librarian," which eventually leads to a site called Ask Now. Essentially, the user's question may be answered by any librarian, anywhere in the U.S. Great for providing 24-hour service, but not so great if a user has a question that is specific to the Marin County Library. Additionally, the chat interface requires that you give your name and town (and requests your email, local library branch and zip code), and looks more like a web-based email form than an actual chat window. Once you get in the chat, it looks more like a regular chat screen, but it's full screen and can't be minimized.
• Internal navigation. Most blogs have links at the bottom which take you to older or newer posts - this one doesn't. Instead, you must navigate to older posts using the Archives links. The heading picture is static, unlike many websites which use the logo or header as a link back to the main page. To internally navigate from an archive page to the main page, you have to use the browser's back button. Also, posts aren't tagged, and there is no search feature on the blog, making it difficult to search for a specific post.

What can other libraries learn from this blog? Be inclusive. Post about activites for all ages. Use a simple, clear format and intuitive navigation. Offer several methods of contact, including email and chat. Post about goings-on in the library and the town, and connect to the schools.