Start blogging. Writing is an exquisite exploration of the world and self, at once. If you think you have nothing to say, think again. If you think no one will care, you’re in for a surprise, but don’t despair if it seems no one is reading – they just don’t think they have anything to say. Setting up a blog takes a few minutes.
Consider using Windows Live Writer as a tool for blogging (after you set up your account with some service). WLW is a great wordprocessing-like tool.
Join Facebook. Whereas blogging may connect you to anyone in the world, Facebook connects you to people you already know. Hermits blog; Facebook draws you out of your cave. But don’t ‘friend’ everybody or ‘like’ everything – you’ll be overwhelmed. Learn about Friend Lists as a way to organize Facebook.
Read the Web. Find sites you like. Explore randomly, as well. www.dukecityfix.com has an extensive list of Albuquerque blogs. Use RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to keep up with sites without visiting them directly – look for an orange icon on the site or near the address bar. Consider using Google Reader to organize your RSS feed subscriptions.
Share links. On your blog or in Facebook, link to the items you like or learn from. Look for a Share button or link. Learn how to add Share to your browser for any site. If you use WLW and Firefox, add a Blog This button to Firefox, as well.
Note the difference in these links:
www.edgewiseblog.com/mjh/ (links to this blog – newest content always at top)
www.edgewiseblog.com/mjh/you-too-can-be-a-citizen-journalist-whatever-that-is/ (links to this specific entry: permalink)
Comment. React. Discuss. (Be nice.)
What about Twitter? Meh, but some people love it. (Hint: RSS works with Twitter, too.)
Write me (mark@mjhinton.com). My stuff (each has RSS feeds):
- www.edgewiseblog.com/mjh/ – politics, poetry, miscellany
- www.photosbymjh.com – photo blog
- www.mjhinton.com/wild/ – wilderness, southwest, rockies, Chaco Canyon
- www.mjhinton.com/help/ – computer topics, especially Windows and Web
- www.flickr.com/photos/mjhinton/ – individual photo
- picasaweb.google.com/photosbymjh/ – photo galleries
- www.youtube.com/user/ooo0j0ooo – videos I like and a few of my own
- Amazon.com: Mark Justice Hinton – shameless plug
For the 2011 Open Government Academy, presented by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, New Mexico Press Association, and New Mexico Broadcasters Association.
Information is power. Get yours!
Are you passionate about a political, social or economic issue? Are you a neighborhood organizer, non-profit volunteer, or maybe just a taxpayer who’s ‘mad as hell’?
Whatever your cause, this one-day workshop will deliver the tools YOU need to become an informed and active participant in state and local policy-making.