mBlog FAQ: Service & Policy


What is a blog?

A blog is like an interactive website that is usually updated daily. Blogs can have one common theme or can cover a range of topics. It is up to the blog author to decide. Donna Wentworth, the web publications editor at Harvard University's Berman Center for Internet and Society states that a blog is "a website updated frequently with links, commentary and anything else you like. New items go on top and older items flow down the page. Blogs can be political journals, news digests, and/or personal diaries; they can focus on one narrow subject or range across a universe of topics. The weblog form is unique to the Web, highly addictive, and may be changing how we communicate with one another." ( http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/about).

What is mBlog?

mBlog is a new blogging service brought to you by the University Library in partnership with ITCS and the Bentley Historical Library. This service allows students, faculty and staff to create blogs for themselves or groups.

Who can use the mBlog service?

The mBlog service is available to current University of Michigan faculty, staff and students.

How do I get a blog?

Go to http://mblog.lib.umich.edu. A blog with your uniquename will be automatically created for you.

How are blogs different than my current web site?

Blogs are different from traditional web sites in that instead of many static pages connected via links, the content (a.k.a. posts or articles) for the blog is stored in a database. A simple form is used to add a post to the blog which does not require the owner/author to know any HTML. This form also allows the owner to categorize the content. Templates are used to take care of adding the post to the home page, creating the new full post page, and adding the post to the appropriate date or category-based archive. Blogs also make it easy to search through the site content.

Blogs provide a platform for discussion through their built in comment features, which make it easy for users to comment on the posts by the author and for the author to respond to those comments. Blogs can also generate syndicated 'feeds' of new posts that interested users can subscribe to via an RSS reader.

Most blog platforms allow the owner/author of the blog to invite and add other authors who can contribute posts as well. This is true for the mBlog service. However, you should also note that you may not want the comments from all authors. To monitor your comments, set the preference in the Weblog Confirmation setting.

Why would I want to use mBlog?

It's fun and easy. A blog is a perfect way for individuals to create websites, or for clubs and groups to easily disseminate information about events and activities. A blog is also a great way to create an online discussion group.

Can I create a blog for the course I teach?

While mBlog allows for group discussions, it is not designed specifically for courses. You cannot restrict the blog to course members only for viewing. We recommend the Discussion tool in CTools be used for course discussions.

Does the University Library offer any support for setting up a blog?

Yes. Starting Febrary 1, 2006, workshops and consultations on setting up a blog will be available in the Faculty Exploratory and the Knowledge Navigation Center in the Hatcher Graduate Library.

Who can view my blog?

You have a choice. By default, blogs created using the mBlog service are public and viewable by anyone, anywhere. Blogs that are publicly viewable may also be indexed by search engines like Google. If you would like to keep your blog private and not viewable by anyone, select DRAFT when creating and posting blog entries

Is there anything I can do if my blog receives unwanted or disturbing comments?

Yes. There are two things you can do. The first is that you can delete any comments posted to your blog. The blog author controls the postings to his or her blog. mBlog is a service for providing the technical architecture for blogging. The mBlog service is not responsible for monitoring user activity.

The second way that you can manage postings to your blog is that you can change the settings for your blog. By choosing to "moderate" comments, all comments are first sent to the blog owner for review via e-mail. You will have a choice whether you want the comment added to your blog. Comment configuation settings can be found under "Configuation > Preferences > Comment configuration".

If you receive comments that you feel are disturbing or contain an aspect of harassment, contact the Information Technology User Advocate.
Send e-mail to abuse@umich.edu
Call: 734-647-6396
Fax: 734-615-8557
Website: http://www.umich.edu/~itua/

Is there any content that should not be posted to a blog?

Yes. Copyrighted and illegal content should not be posted to your blog.

All state and federal laws apply to the mBlog service in addition to applicable university policy. For questions on university policy see University's Proper Use Policy and Guidelines for Proper Use. For questions on copyrights see:

http://www.copyright.umich.edu/.

To report a copyright infringement, contact the User Advocate at:
Send e-mail to abuse@umich.edu
Call: 734-647-6396
Fax: 734-615-8557
Website: http://www.umich.edu/~itua/

Is a blog protected from the Freedom of Information Act?

It depends on the content and purpose of the blog. As a public institution in the state of Michigan, the University of Michigan is subject to provisions of the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the FOIA, "all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees...." Consequently, any individual other than a federal, state or county prisoner has the right to inspect and/or receive copies of public records maintained by the University.

Can some records be withheld from a FOIA request?

Yes. The law recognizes that in some instances the public interest may be better served by not disclosing information. FOIA provides a number of exemptions ranging from matters of privacy to confidential research-related information. However, all of these exemptions are optional, with one exception. The exemption protecting student records, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), is mandatory.

At the University, the FOIA Officer, if necessary, makes the decision whether material should be withheld after consultation with other appropriate offices including the General Counsel's Office. The FOIA Officer has the authority, delegated by the President, to deny a FOIA request. (text from the FOIA website) http://www.umich.edu/~urel/foia.html (12/16/2005) D. Lee Doyle is the chief Freedom of Information officer at the University of Michigan. Patricia Sellinger is Freedom of Information Act Coordinator in the FOIA Office. They may be reached by phone at (734) 763-5082. Web: http://www.umich.edu/~urel/foia.html

What happens to my blog after I leave UM?

It gets deleted unless you have selected the option to archive your materials at the Bentley Historical Library. The option to archive your blog or blogs is available on the initial mblog policy screen.

What happens if I choose to archive my blog or blogs at the Bentley Historical Library?

Once your blog is no longer active, an archivist at the Bentley Historical Library will appraise the blog for it's archival value. Note that only a selection of blogs will ultimately be selected for transfer to the University Archives at the Bentley Historical Library. For further information see the University Archives collection policy for blogs.

Is archiving my blog at the Bentley Historical Library the same thing as the "archiving" setting found in the configuration settings?

No. The "archiving" function in mBblog is a way for you to organize past postings and comments within your blog. Preferences for the way you want the entries organized can be selected in the Settings section during setup.

Another type of "archiving" is offering your blog or blogs to the University Archives for possible long-term use and preservation. This type of "archiving" is a process that would happen once your blog is no longer being used. If this is an option that you are interested in, choose the option when you sign up for the blog and then contact the University Archives (764-3482) when you are no longer using a blog. The University Archives staff will then review the content for it's archival value.

Where do I send questions and comments about the mBlog service?

Please send questions and comments to mblog-help@umich.edu .