KARIZMA…

She’s an easy lover
She’ll get a hold on you believe it
Like no other
Before you know it you’ll be on your knees
She’s an easy lover
She’ll take your heart but you won’t feel it
She’s like no other
And I’m just trying to make you see

Phil Collins – Easy Lover

FAQ for Bloggers

Frequently Asked Questions for Bloggers

Q. I want to start a blog. What Should I do?
A. Number One rule before you start blogging is that first of all you understand what blogging is all about. You can get an idea by reading a few blogs. If the idea amuses you, then the blogosphere is waiting for you. Give it a try, but be patient in getting feedback. Remember one thing: What you write is meant for other people to read, in which case, it is probable that quite a few times your readers may not find your stuff ‘cool’. So always publish a disclaimer on your blog. Point number 2 is that the blogger space that you get is free; so don’t waste it in doing crap things like displaying porno. Always remember to mention credits to the following:

• Your blog space provider.
• The person who has designed your blog skin.
• Any phrase/quote/lyric etc that you use in your blog. This is called courtesy.

Q. Where should I go in order to get Blog Space?
A. There are many Blog Space providers, which give free blogspaces so that you can publish your blogs. These include Blogger, Xanga, WordPress, rediff etc. As of now, even msn and Yahoo! have started providing free blogspaces on your existing account. I use a Blogger account, but don’t ask me which is what and what is better. Let it be at your own discretion. I can help you with the differences in them.

• Blogger is a google product and it is good for all.
• WordPress provides different categories so that you can sort your blogs according to their content.
• Xanga is slightly different. While Blogger and wordpress give you a subdomain from their potentially larger domains, xanga gives you just a directory from its domain. If you are tyro, ignore this (All the three are the same type.)
• Yahoo! And msn actually give you a webpage, which contains blogs along with other shit like photo album, playlists, etc. (Doesn’t amuse me.)

Q. Ok. So I got a blog. Now what should I put into it?
A. It’s your blog. Don’t ask me to feed cerelac and farex. I can give a suggestion though: If you feel like writing on more than one topic, choose wordpress. I have enlisted its advantage over others (above). For example, if you want to post articles on cars and computers; then create these categories in wordpress and use it. This way, they’ll be in right place and non-redundant. If you just want to write shit which makes no sense… stick to something simple.

Q. There are very limited templates from which I can choose. What should I do?
A. If your blog host provides you the facility to manipulate templates (e.g. Blogger), go ahead! You have a wondertool called Search Engine (Yahoo! Google, Altavista). Search for “Free Blog Templates.” Download it and simply paste it in place of your original template code. There you go. You can get some good blogskins at http://www.blogskins.com/ (they’re not my cousins).

Q. What should I do to enhance my blog’s appearance?
A. Learn HTML. It’s simpler than taking Chinese food out from the fridge and putting it in the microwave. Once you’re done with it, learn css, javascript etc and make your own template. Put in pictures, music, videos chat box, language translator, visitor counter etc in your blog template and make it look the way you want. If you’re just lazy to do all this stuff, refer to the answer above. One important thing that you must follow is the proper indentation of your blog. To do this, simple refer to the toolbar provided and select ‘justify’ in the type of indent. Use proper fonts, and B I U functions wherever they need to be used.

Q. What should I do to increase the number of visitors on my blog. And how do I know the same?
A. You have a limited resource of friends and family who’ll comment on your blog. In order to increase the number of visitors on your blog, you must let other people know about it, not just by the word of mouth, rather by employing some good e-commerce techniques. The following points may be beneficial:

• Visit other people’s blog and let them know about your blog. You can do so either by making a simple request (Hi! I thought your blog was cool. Here, take a look at mine!), or by just commenting on their posts and leaving your url.
• The probability of the number of new visitors coming to your blog is directly proportional to the popularity of your blog affiliate (the point above).
• Submit your blog into various search engines and forums and let people know about it. For e.g. you can give the url of your blog on your public profile.
• Make a footer/signature, which goes with your email and publicizes your blog (Check out my blog. Regards, Slim Shady).
• Make your blog look catchy. You can make it look anything from whacky stuff to some I’m-in-love thing, but just make it appealing. You must reply to the comments that visitors leave on your blog.
• Read your entry at least twice before publishing it. Try to remove all the grammatical and spelling mistakes from it. One easy way to do it is to download ‘Blogger for word’ (For Blog*spot users). This way, you can use all the functions of MS-Word as well as post to the web directly without having to login specifically on Blogger. I’m not aware of any other such kind of software.

Q. I’ve been blogging for quite some time now, and I feel there’s not much happening around me lately about which I should blog. What should I do?
A. Lets put it this way: You’re out of ideas. Quit blogging then, or pause it. Whichever sounds less loserish. But remember, when you start next time, you’ll have to start all over again. As in, get all the visitors to your blog again. One smart option is that you can reduce the frequency of postings and use the extra time in thinking something innovative.

Q.  How can I use my blog to enhance my business?
A. Ask me, and I’ll say this is unethical. You’re getting free space and you’re trying to make money out of it? But if the ‘Terms and Conditions’ of your blog host allow you to make money out of it, you can of course dig some chick for that. Here’s the deal: whatever you get on blog space is just for publishing stuff. So the most you can do using blogging is provide your customers with the latest news in your company (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/ – ask them, they do this best). Besides, you can modify and manipulate your template and place advertisements of your products on your blog.

If there’s anything else related that you think you need to know, just ask by commenting, or comment otherwise

Happy Meal

Reasons why I’ve been happy lately:

1. Exams are over. Finally.
2. I can expect to pass in all subjects. First in five semesters.
3. 23 days vacations. Damn cool.
4. I have the best friends in this world.
5. I met with another accident. Dhoom ki bike ki watt lag gayi.
6. I came out unhurt again… well, almost.
7. Google is coming to our college. And if they have 2 vacancies, I’m going.
8. I saw ‘A walk to remember‘. And now I tag you to see it.
9. I’m ready to fall in love.
10. I’ve been hearing and reading lots and lots of testimonials (about me) from buds.
11. An old friend comes and hugs with me.
12. Treasure Island is opening soon.
13. And Finally, McDonald’s is in Indore. Happy Meal!

Bring ‘em On… I’m ready!

Yes… Its coming to us!