What, why and how we're blogging

We've talked in the Web Office about starting a blog several times over the last couple of years. We've finally done it, so I thought a quick overview of why and how we've done it may be of interest.

Why we want to blog

The Web Office works with lots of web authors around the University and the work we do has an impact on everyone who uses the website. We sometimes struggle to keep in touch or maintain a dialogue with all these stakeholders and wanted a way to improve this. We hope a blog is one way we can keep people better informed, be more open about what we're doing and offer more opportunities for dialogue.

In addition to just letting you know what we're up to in the office, we also hope to share some tips and tricks that may help you make more productive use of your computer and the web tools that you use day to day.

If there are things you'd like to hear more about, drop us a line by email (web-office@york.ac.uk) or leave a comment right here on the blog.

Why we're on Blogger

Those of you who know a little about blogging may have noticed we're using Blogger. This is an external service, run by Google, and operates completely outside of the University.

We're using Blogger because the University doesn't (yet) have a centrally-supported blogging service. There is a project ongoing looking at selection and deployment of collaborative tools for the University, of which blogging is likely to be one component, but nothing is in place just yet. We could have installed our own blog software on a University service, but it would have been a lot more effort to set up and a lot more effort to maintain. Blogger is quick, simple, offers all the functionality we need and fitted the bill just nicely for our particular needs at this time.

Until the University has a supported blogging platform, our use of Blogger unfortunately doesn't mean we can support other departments who want a blog. We'll be happy to advise, but our involvement can only be very light-touch until the University settles on a supported solution. It's important to note that while Blogger suited our needs, it may not suit yours so please don't just assume that following our lead is a good idea. Talk to us first and we'll advise as best we can.