Some technical tips for the non technical bloggers

Speaking of Gravatar, have you created one yet? It's really simple and very easy to create one. Just pick a picture (CROP IT to you prefered parts) Then resize it to 80x80 (I hear Gravatar is planning to launch a 128x128 picture). 80x80 means 80 pixels by 80 pixels (the unit used to measure points in a picture)

I encourage everyone to sign up. It's really easy, painless and the results are awesome

Favicons!
While we're on the same topic, if you have your own blog. You might want to consider adding a Favicon to it. (Favicon is that little icon you see next to the address) It's cute, tiny and really easy to make. You can even take your favorite design and use one of the online services like this one or this one. They're really easy and cute.

Once your favicon is created, add it to your blog. You will need to add couple of lines of code to help you out. Here's a wikipedia article that explains the rest of the questions if you have any. [In blogspot, you can add this under Template| Edit HTML, then you can add the two code lines in the section].

Blog Music
Do not, under any circumstances force your choice of music on your readers. Many might be reading in a packed meeting room. Trying to catch up with your -latest- only to be embarrassed with the elevator-music. Keep forced music where it belongs. (Elevators and hotel lavatories)

Craplets on your blog!
This is a hairy subject. I recommend reading Bakkouz's post on this matter. Many of those craplets do more harm than good. For starters they can inject code on your blog that would really harm your visitors. Long story short, make sure you know WHY someone is providing a service and how does it affect your privacy, and your reader's privacy.

Don't be Tempted!
Really, don't be tempted to add a ton of craplets all over. They make your page slow. They make it look cluttered and worse, they add no value what so ever!

but do...
Add an RSS feed to your favorite aggregator. I have it pointing to Qwaider planet. Same goes for bakkouz, Who-sane, and others. Why? To re-publish your articles elsewhere. This link might be very valuable to you and to the community you're a member of. A reader might jump from your blog to other blogs in the same group. And vice versa, people find your blog through others in the community. It's a Win-Win situation, helps everyone.

Finally, Do spend some time reading this guide. It will help you get up to speed and know what other bloggers are talking about.

Happy blogging