What Is a Blog?

I am often asked to explain what a blog is--and even though you are currently reading one, you may not be familiar with them. So, here's my explanation: the word "blog" is a blend of the words "web log" and functions like an online diary or journal. The author (or authors as in the case of this one) can post their thoughts and ideas to the blog easily using software that lets them type it in, edit it, and format it easily. Then the softare automatically "posts" the blog to the Internet.

Blogs are nice because they do not require you to know HTML (web authoring software) or have any programming skills. You just sign up, pick an attractive design, and start posting. You can have your blog be public, like this one, or private (I have one I only share with my friends, for example, about family stuff and my deep philosophical thoughts, LOL). You can include photos, like the one here showing Technology Room volunteers and staff in their spiffy shirts at the 2003 LLLI Conference (wow I have a lot more hair now). That is actually Jane Tuttle, me, Beverly Vaugh, Sandra Thorne and Barbara Heaney.

Blogs are used in widely different ways, from bragging about new babies to advertising. They are currently very important in media reporting--bloggers all over the world are posting instant information about current events. Of course, since there are no "editors" or "fact checkers" on these blogs, one has to read them using those critical reading skills LLL people are supposed to use all the time!

So, enjoy this blog, and look forward to the Technology Room blogs going up very soon--we'll have a list of our conference bloggers on our Technology Room page (http://www.lalecheleague.org/05conf/05conf.html) and they will start their own "blogadventure" soon!

Sue Ann Kendall

Old hand at blogging, new to the Tech Room...

I'm kind of the blogging queen on the Tech Room staff -- my personal blog, Partial to the Bean is almost 4 years old -- so I'm the one who set this little space up and I will probably be tweaking the settings and fiddling with the knobs right up until the time I leave for the International Conference in July.

Speaking of which, this is my first International Conference! I'm very excited!! I've been a LLLLeader in Chester County, PA, for close to 6 years so I'm really looking forward to finally getting a taste of the Conference Experience™. Working on Tech Room planning without ever having been to a LLLI Conference Tech Room is a challenge for me because I'm kind of working blind!

I'm here!

Ok, so bear with me- I'm a blog virgin. I've never done this before, lol. Here's a question- it won't let me use my name, so I created LLLTallis. Now, though, I see contributers, one of whom is *me*, sans the LLL. Any ideas?

So, onto my day's events. I created a new CN discussion for those that are interested in the ICF chats, and am hoping at some point (maybe tonight even) to get the schedule uploaded. My primary frustration at this point is that since Wednesday, I've not been able to access anything at the LLLI site due to broken communication somewhere in Chicago. So, while I go through withdrawls, I hope speedy fixing of broken stuff. I had a dream last night that all the chats happened without me, because I couldn't get there. Wah!

I think blogging is fun so far.

Tallis :)

Welcome to the Technology Room Blog

We are well on our way with Technology Room planning. Our official web page can be found at http://www.lalecheleague.org/05conf/techroom.html -- we'll be publishing our schedules there very soon. Thanks to the Technology Room, conference attendees can learn about all sorts of current and upcoming La Leche League online activities, and those who cannot attend in person can choose from many activities for their own "virtual conference" experience. This year we have LOTS of new choices!

Technology Room Features for Attendees

• A pre-conference session on making the most out of computers and the Internet in your LLL activities (sign up when you register for the LLLI Conference)
• Demonstrations of the LLL Community Network for Leaders
• A special photography station where Leaders without access to a digital camera can get their Community Network profile pictures made
• Demonstrations of the new LatchOn website for helping breastfeeding mothers worldwide
• A special survey on Leader and member Internet hopes and dreams
• A chance to watch chats with conference speakers as they happen and see chat Leaders in action
• Handouts and other materials of interest to Leaders who use the Internet
• The opportunity to meet the LLLI Online Communications staff and volunteers--ask questions, give feedback, say hello!
• Informal gatherings of email list members

Technology Room Features for Others

• NEW podcasts -- webcasts that can be played on your iPod, MP3 player, personal computer, or anything that can play MP3 files! These will feature interviews with conference speakers, information on LLLI projects, reports from conference attendees and more!
• Conference blogs -- This year our online journalists will post to a blog like this one, and you will be able to track their experience from their preparations at home to their wind-down when they return from Washington DC. We''ll feature an experienced LLL Leader, a first-time attendee, an "LLL Dad" and others, for a wide variety of perspectives.
• Conference chats -- a long-time favorite, we will once again feature online chats with conference speakers, where participants can ask questions and interact with a variety of interesting people who have many different areas of expertise.
• Photos -- as always, we will feature candid conference photos. Look for your friends or family here!
• Q&A Wiki -- LLL Leaders will have the opportunity to post questions of Technology Room staff and attendees via a Wiki (interactive web page) on the LLL Community Network.