Spring Break
OSU launches WordPress hosted blog site
Blog uses WordPress to allow students to blog from their university wesite
Emery Garcia
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: News
Oregon State launched into the blogosphere this year with its first university-maintained blog. Open to everyone with an ONID account, the blog is set up to serve as a central location for students and faculty to educate and express themselves.
Using software from the hugely popular program, WordPress, the blog allows users to post a variety of content online quickly and easily. Embedded media can be anything from a picture to an audio or video file.
Bloggers can create their own blogs, comment on others or simply browse through a variety of topics on the OSU server. Spearheaded by the Central Web Services department, the blog is divided into personal, student group, faculty, staff and departmental blogs.
"Our goal is to provide a simple platform for people to come and get what they need out of a blog without having to go out and find the tools to create and maintain their site," said Herb Vloedman, associate director of Central Web Services.
Beyond existing as a simple tool for rambling, the blog is also a great place for those involved with distance education or study abroad programs to keep in touch.
This spring break, a group of students from the Geosciences Club took advantage of the blog while traveling through Israel and Palestine.
"It was nice being able to let my family know I was safe during the trip, especially in an unstable area of the world," said Paris Edwards, graduate student in water resource policy and management.
The blog has only been online since the end of January, but its popularity has been building in the recent months.
"It was the first time I'd ever blogged, but I think it's really cool to be able to live vicariously through other peoples' blogs, to see their pictures and travel routes," Edwards said.
With a staff devoted to keeping the blog functional and up-to-date, the university hopes to draw a large audience participation.
"It's a case where we are trying to provide a tool that will service a large population, and the more participation we have with this blog, the more valuable it will be not only as a place of expression but also as a teaching tool," Vloedman said.
For anyone interested in creating an Oregon State webspace, check out http://www.blog.oregonstate.edu.
Emery Garcia, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Using software from the hugely popular program, WordPress, the blog allows users to post a variety of content online quickly and easily. Embedded media can be anything from a picture to an audio or video file.
Bloggers can create their own blogs, comment on others or simply browse through a variety of topics on the OSU server. Spearheaded by the Central Web Services department, the blog is divided into personal, student group, faculty, staff and departmental blogs.
"Our goal is to provide a simple platform for people to come and get what they need out of a blog without having to go out and find the tools to create and maintain their site," said Herb Vloedman, associate director of Central Web Services.
Beyond existing as a simple tool for rambling, the blog is also a great place for those involved with distance education or study abroad programs to keep in touch.
This spring break, a group of students from the Geosciences Club took advantage of the blog while traveling through Israel and Palestine.
"It was nice being able to let my family know I was safe during the trip, especially in an unstable area of the world," said Paris Edwards, graduate student in water resource policy and management.
The blog has only been online since the end of January, but its popularity has been building in the recent months.
"It was the first time I'd ever blogged, but I think it's really cool to be able to live vicariously through other peoples' blogs, to see their pictures and travel routes," Edwards said.
With a staff devoted to keeping the blog functional and up-to-date, the university hopes to draw a large audience participation.
"It's a case where we are trying to provide a tool that will service a large population, and the more participation we have with this blog, the more valuable it will be not only as a place of expression but also as a teaching tool," Vloedman said.
For anyone interested in creating an Oregon State webspace, check out http://www.blog.oregonstate.edu.
Emery Garcia, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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