About Blogs and Blogging   What's a blog? "Blog" is short for "Weblog," which is a type of website, often an online journal or diary. Many people choose to keep blogs instead of maintaining traditional websites because blogs are much easier to update. Blogs are text based and no HTML is required to set them up or to edit them -- just fill out a form! How is a blog different from building a web site? A blog is made of the same raw material as a web site - html, text, images - and is meant to be viewed in a browser. It's generally easier to use, since the user is guided by a template for entries, and content is automatically organized by date and time. Blogs generally live within a web site (though they don't have to), and can have a web address (domain name) attached to them. What are the features of Blog Builder?  Post new entries and edit existing ones  Add boldface, italics, underlining, or links  Add comments to entries, which can be moderated  Automatic organization of entries by time/date  Select a look or layout (18 are provided with the tool)  Add or change links to other sites.    A Chance To Count   What's so powerful about the web is the opportunity to share our thoughts and to exchange ideas. Blogging adds a new, personal dimension.  Perhaps some will liken a blog to a bulletin board with the blogger being the moderator.  A case could be made.   But blogging allows other functions as well. READ BELOW  E-MAIL    Let me tell you how to get hooked up.     BLOGGING It's Up To You! What is so powerful about the Web is the opportunity to share one's thoughts and to exchange one's ideas.   It is difficult to track all controversy. But, it is easy to champion your favorite cause/s. If you aready have a blog or wish to create a blog and have it linked with "We the People Rule's Blog Portal Blog" contact me BY EMAIL with your info. TYPE "WTPR" AS THE FIRST WORD IN THE SUBJECT LINE.    It Will Happen!   So, whether we make contact or not, Good Fortune To You!     FREE BLOGGING WEBSITES & SERVICES FREE BLOG SITES 2025 - CORE REQUIREMENTS NO CODING/TECH REQUIRED: YOU do not want to deal with coding or anything technical to set-up a blog/website. BUILT-IN HOSTING: YOU want the blog software and hosting service to be all-in-one. It is the other MUST HAVE of the above point. RAPID IMPLEMENTATION: The time between starting a blog and writing your first post should be minutes as opposed to hours! This s the result affirmative answers to #1 & #2 above. PLATFORM LONGEVITY: YOU want a stable company & technology to host on a platform that WILL NOT DISAPPEAR. VALUE: YOU want FREE and only need FREE features in starting a blog experience. SITE SPEED: YOU want fast response-time for a good experience. YOU do not want a blog being hosted on an bloated platform that takes seconds -- sometimes longer -- to load. Note to remember: One gets what one pays for with all "free" things on the Internet! MEDIA SUPPORT: YOU may want support for images, video, and audio. NICE-TO-HAVES: Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Keywords to be found by Google etc. Customization Options: The ability to easily change themes / designs. Exportable: this is more of a nice-to-have, but being able to change platforms in the future is definitely a plus Image Optimization: this comes back to the speed issue; but it is always nice to have. Newsletter Functionality: a nice feature to have available Monetization Options: at some point, you may want to add this to your site Analytics: To see what is working and what is not. *********************************************************** FREE BLOGGING PLATFORMS *********************************************************** BLOGGER: (by Google ) One of the oldest blogging platforms around, Blogger still does it all. And it does it all for free! The site leaves a lot to be desired in terms of design and overall customization, but you can update your blog to look ok pretty easily. Integrates with Google AdSense for monetization. No required coding: Yes Easy to host: Yes Platform longevity: Yes -- Google support since 1999 Value: FREE Site Speed: Ok -- good enough Media Support: Yes Nice-to-Haves: SEO: Yes Custom Pages: Yes Customization: Limited, but there are optional preset themes. Image Optimization: Yes Newsletter Functionality: No Monetization Options: Yes Analytics: Yes Exportable: Yes *********************************************************** WORDRESS.COM (by Wordpress ) WordPress.com: Allows for a free blog with best-in-class hosting. Custom domains require a paid plan, and there are various monetization options available. WordPress**.com** (Note: this is not WordPress**.org**, it is a slimmed down version) No required coding: Yes Easy to host: Yes Platform longevity: Yes Value: Check Site Speed: OK -- BUT it can be slow weekends/vacation users etc. Media Support: Yes Nice-to-Haves: SEO: No Custom Pages: Yes Customization: Yes Image Optimization: Yes Newsletter Functionality: No Monetization Options: No Analytics: No Exportable: Yes *********************************************************** WIX (by Wix) Offers a free plan with a complete suite of blogging features, including a blog title generator, SEO tools, design capabilities, managing and collaboration tools, and analytics. There are multiple ways to make money from blogging with Wix, including paid subscriptions, Google AdSense, and selling merchandise. Wix is a common option for creating free blogs. Wix has most of the features that YOU would want; if, you're willing to INVEST the time to learn. Therefore, Wix is the third favorite blogsite for a beginner. No required coding: Yes Easy to host: Yes Platform longevity: Yes Value: Yes (Free) Site Speed: Slow, especially on mobile Media Support: Yes Nice-to-Haves: SEO: Yes Custom Pages: Yes Customization: Yes Image Optimization: Yes Newsletter Functionality: Yes Monetization Options: Limited Analytics: No Exportable: Yes *********************************************************** EDUBLOGS: Designed for individual teachers, with features tailored for classroom management, student privacy, and collaborative learning. It is free to use with no advertisements or hidden fees.