Blogging For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
by Brad Hill
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Book Summary Information
Author: Brad HillEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-01-31
ISBN: 0471770841
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: For Dummies
Book Reviews of Blogging For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Book Review: Too Heavy On Humour - Too Light On Facts
Summary: 3 Stars
Whilst I applaud the author of "Blogging For Dummies" for not attempting to teach his readers how to write well (I'm of the opinion that you either can or you can't (and if you try too hard it becomes contrived)), I do feel that he could have taken a more formal, academic approach to giving advice on the world of blogs in general.
Yes, I know that this is a "For Dummies" guide and it was hardly likely to be the Encyclopaedia Brittanica. On the other hand, blogging can be a daunting prospect for many people who are just starting out and I find Brad Hill's attitude to be a little flippant at times.
Of course, at least he had the decency to warn us. Within the first few pages, he tells us that we must have a tolerance for "quips and asides." Whilst this would be fine in small doses - once every few paragraphs perhaps - Hill has a bad habit of inserting a little "aside" at the end of almost every sentence. In fact, he does it so often that he sometimes has to clarify that he was actually joking and that you shouldn't try the last piece of advice that he mentioned. Overall, it makes for very tiresome reading. He ends up falling victim to his own advice: "know your audience - you don't want to be jovial about a serious news issue." What may work perfectly in a blog does not necessarily translate to the page. I feel that Hill's editor could have reigned him in a little in order to create a better balance between fun and education.
To be fair though, Hill does (eventually) get the information across. There are chapters on signing up for a blog, customising a blog, gaining readers (and keeping them), adding yourself to directories and even earning money from advertising. However, this information is available freely (and more concisely) from other sources and is also a little more up to date.
Of course, it's not Hill's fault that the book is now behind the times. But if you're looking for advice regarding today's blogging scene, you'd best stay away from "Blogging For Dummies" (at least until a revised (and preferably edited) version is released). The sites used for case studies have changed dramatically since 2004. MSN Spaces is now Windows Live Spaces, Blogspot has had a major overhaul and the rise of MySpace has re-invented blogging with the (admittedly very flawed) kudos system. Having said that, it's not exactly brain surgery to sign up to these sites so I'm sure you'll manage just fine without Hill's help.
Ultimately, this book comes across like one big advert for Hill's own blog (and there are plenty of screenshots within these pages just in case you forget his web address). It's very self-indulgent and smug at times which can irritate greatly. Yes, the information is there but you have to dig deep beneath a surface of jokes and sarcasm before you find it. Half the time I just went online and found the information I required elsewhere, the other half was spent double-checking that the book had not in fact been written by Chandler Bing from Friends.
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