Comments have been reactivated on the Blogs at Penn State, but you must configure each blog in order for them to be used properly.

Please see information at http://blogger.psu.edu/commentsopen for complete details and instructions.

We are pleased to announce that the upgrade to Blogs at Penn State is complete. Documentation for the new system is at http://blogger.psu.edu/gethelp. Some items to note about the new system:

1) There are now two login options. Anyone can now create a new blog by clicking on "Login to New Blog System". You may be asked to activate your Penn State Personal Web Space. The other option is only for users who created a blog before Jan 12, 2008.

2) Comments are not enabled on any blog yet due to an unforseen techincal difficulty. We anticipate the comments feature will be available sometime in the the first week of class. It is our highest priority.

3) Users who created blogs before Jan 12, 2008 can access their older blogs by clicking "Access Old Blogs from before December 2007" This system will be maintained throughout the Spring 2008 semester, but is scheduled to be phased out in Summer 2008.

You will be able to quickly transfer your data between blog platforms (see "Migration Guide" on http://blogger.psu.edu/gethelp). However you will have to reconfigure your sidebar and select a new style.

If encounter any problems or have any questions, please contact blogs@psu.edu

A blog is a simple to use tool that empowers you to publish online quickly and easily. Simply stated, it is a website that you can easily update and contribute to from anywhere you have an Internet connection. A blog is a place for personal reflection, a place to take notes, share pictures, publish your movies, and anything else that you can dream. It belongs to you and you have the power to make it whatever you choose.

Remember, for the time being, this is a pilot. To get started, simply log in and get publishing. If you need help getting started or want to learn more about the project take a look at the Community Hub.

Getting started is actually really easy. A few minutes after logging in you'll be ready to publish your blog. The Penn State Blog platform takes advantage of your Penn State Personal Webspace so all your files are stored where you can get to them.

After you log in, you'll see your personal Blog Dashboard where you'll be able to create and manage as many blogs as you choose. Want a blog for a course? One for sharing pictures? One for random thoughts? No problem. The Penn State Blog platform lets you decide what you want to share.

Getting started is easy. When you are ready, just take a look at some of the getting started materials and you'll be creating your blog in no time at all.

Your blog gives you a chance to say what you want quickly and easily. With only a few clicks it is possible to be ready to create content without the need to know HTML or anything about web publishing. Your blog is your ticket to create all sorts of content that is easily shared on the web.

Once your blog is setup you can use it to create content of all types. From thoughts, course notes, managing class discussions, to sharing the pictures, movies, or podcasts you create -- your blog makes it easy. And since it works with your established Penn State Personal Webspace, everything you create belongs to you. Think of your blog as your personal content management system that you will be able to sort, search, and retrieve anything you decide to create with it.

Whatever it is that you want to create, the Penn State Blog platform will enable you to publish it.

One of the greatest things about your blog is the way you can actively engage visitors. Blogs allow you to accept comments on your posts to create conversations with your readers. If someone reads your words and feels compelled to talk to you about it, all they have to do is click "comment" and share their thoughts. If you want your readers to be able to subscribe to your blog via RSS, no problem. The Blogs at Penn State toolset creates your feed for you.

With the Penn State Blog platform you are in control of how you engage the community. You can decide to accept comments, have them moderated, or just make certain posts read only. It is your blog and we hope you take advantage of the opportunity to engage your community.