Blogger was very easy to use - it's extremely user friendly.
I made lots of changes to my blog - picked the first template and after viewing it for awhile decided I didn't like it so went back and got a different one that I'm much happier with. Experimented with different fonts and colors. Discovered I could put an image behind the blog title so had to find an image and tweak it to fit in the box. I'm happy with the title image as it adds some color, texture and interest to the largely text only format.
Experimented with gadgets - added and subtracted until I came to the final configuration of things I think will be helpful to readers. Including a gadget that allows readers to easily subscribe to my blog using their email address. Also Googled to find a third-party provider and added a counter at the bottom of my page for my own amusement as I get warm feelings of intense satisfaction watching my hit count go up.
Checked all the privacy settings and decided to leave them open, again, to make my blog as friendly to readers as possible. If I start getting weird comments I may change my settings so I can view comments before they are posted.
Enjoyed visiting the blogs that were listed in the lesson. Signed up for Newsvine and enjoyed the sense of humor of the author of Be Hear Be Now, sort of an edgy Zen music blog. I'm going to go back and explore the InfoPeople's 23 Things blog in a lot more depth, there was a lot of information on interesting gadgets and blog accessories.
Bonus answer: I follow quite a few blogs on an almost daily basis. I'm very interested in art, writing, painting and photography so follow some of my favorite artists, writers and photographers. Found a group called the Daily Painters about two years ago and I get an update on their blog with new work/paintings everyday. I also follow individual painters like Carol Marine and Frank Gardner.
Following these blogs, especially Carol's and Frank's has been a wonderful experience. Because of Carol's blog I've not only taken a week long painting workshop which was lots of fun but have also increased her personal bank account from the paintings I've purchased. I've watched her become "known" in the art world and it all started through her blog.
Frank Gardner is an American artist who lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with his wife and children. He's very talented as well as a very nice person and we've forged a "virtual" friendship through our blogs. The ability to network and make friends with people from afar is a special advantage to blogging.
Blog warning: don't stay up too late and write when you're tired. I re-read what I wrote last night and have had to do major edits today. :o)
Also, does anyone know the secret to getting only one line of blank space between paragraphs? I seem to only be able to get too much space or not enough. Help.
Thanks Jay, this lesson was fun and I look forward to the next one.
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