ImPRESS Books

BLOGS: Information, Hosts, Add-Ons, Web Design, and More

Information on blogs, blogging, rss (real simple syndication), blog add-ons, and much more. At the bottom of the sidebar are some worthwhile bloggy reads. For general information on blogs, here's an article that covers the basics. Also information and sites for blog and web news syndication aka rss. Ideas for blogging and promoting your blog can be found on Blogs & Blogging: Tips and Tricks. And be sure to check EFF:Legal Guide for Bloggers. While I've tried many of the services listed, and can recommend them, the listing of any service here is not an endorsement, nor does it mean everyone will have the same experience with them. You can find clipart, backgrounds, and more for your blogs on the Graphic Downloads Links page. And if you want to know your IP address, you can check Whatismyip. Page Updated: December 8, 2007 .

Blog Hosts | Directories | Counters & Stats | Add-Ons | Avatars | Photo Hosts | Web Design | Templates | RSS | Web Services | Some Blogs |

HTML and JavaScript sites can be found in both the Add-Ons and Web Design sections.

Blog Hosts

Please note that Shelly has not personally tried all of the sites listed below, more for lack of time than desire. While we haven't listed services that didn't impress Shelly, that doesn't mean we endorse any of these services that are listed. For Shelly's opinions of the free blogging services she's tried, read these admittedly subjective reviews. The services starred (*) below have been reviewed.

AOL. For AOL members and AIM users, have ads. One of the simplest journals to set up and use, but restrictive.
BlogCharm. For members of BlogExplosion. In beta, will let bloggers blog for money when launches officially in March 2006.
*Blog-City.
Blog.com.
*Blogdrive.
BlogEstates.
*Blogger. Has a Status Site to keep up-to-date with outages.
BlogHarbor. Free 30-day trial, fee-based after, but lots of options.
*Blogigo. Many features, online tour of service, some image hosting.
BlogHi.
Bloglines. You can get a free blog on this aggregator site.
Blogpage. Free and fee-based services, lots of features.
TheBlogs.net.
Blogsome. Uses Wordpress themes.
BlogSpirit.
Blogster.
BlogStream. From what I can see, this is a no-frills blogging site.
*Bravenet: Free webhosting, counters, stats, etc. Many of the services have popups.
*DiaryLand.
*Easy Journal.
eBloggy.
Electricdiary. Host and community.
Gather.com. Started by people in the publishing industry, but is being used for more than writing/reading/litblogging.
*GreatestJournal. Looks a lot like LiveJournal.
*Journalscape.
Journalspace.
*LiveJournal. Host and community.
LiveLogCity. Host and community.
Mindsay. Host and community.
Mo'time.
Multiply. Host and community.
OIOBlogger.
*Open Diary.
Orble.
Rotten Tomatoes. Includes community, part of a media/entertainment site.
Scrapblog. Sign up to make online scrapbooks.
ShutterChance. Photoblogs.
*SquareSpace.
*Upsaid. Fee-based.
*VOX. From Six Apart.
*Windows Live Spaces.
*WordPress.com: Like a regular WordPress blog, with free hosting and not as many features.
*Xanga.

Top Menu

Directories, Traffic Generators, Rings, Information, etc.

See also Aggregators below. Some of the services in this category include rss features. And because it's hard to tell when the services that start with "Blog" are one word or two, I treated them all alphabetically as one word.

The Ageless Project: A blog directory.
AlexKing.org: Full service blogging site with forums, hacks and templates for Word Press, and more.
BlogMap: Aka FeedMap, a blog mapping service, in beta.
Best of the Blogs Awards/Bob: For smaller, lesser known blogs.
: A blog directory, by subject.
: A directory.
BlogCrowd: A Blog traffic exchange service.

: For female bloggers.
Blogdigger: A blog/rss search engine.
: A blog traffic generator. Has counters, image hosting, and forums for members.
BlogFlux: Director, geographic tracking of visitors, button maker, and more.
BlogHub: Directory and community.
BlogLinker: "Link Swap and Traffic Generator."
: A blog traffic generator, in alpha stage asof 10/05.
BlogPhiles: A blog ring.
BlogPulse: A blog portal.
BlogSearch: From Blogger.
: Blog stock market game.
: "Blog Profiles, RSS Ecosystem, Blog Tops, Search and Directory."
: A directory by subject.
BUMPzee: A social network for bloggers.
Diarist. A directory and more.
Feedster: A blog/rss search engine. Down as of 12/07, we'll track it until our next update.
Globe of Blogs: A directory.
IceRocket: Blog searches, link tracking for your blogs, and more.
Kinja: A blog guide.
Manhattan Blogs: A directory.
MyBlogLog: A blogging community, with stats and referral links.
: A directory.
Plug Board: Link exchange.
QuackTrack: A directory.
: A blog service that, among other things, checks who's linking to your blog.
The Truth Laid Bear: The Blog Ecosystem.
Weblogs Compendium: All about blogs and listings.
WomenBloggers.

Top Menu

Blog/Web Add-Ons: Counters & Stats

Amazing Counters.
BlogExplosion: Counters and stats for members.
Bravenet: Free webhosting, counters, stats, etc. Many of the services have popups.
BuddySpace: For blogs and sites. Find out where your visitors come from.
ClustrMaps: Formerly HitMaps. Track visitors geographically.
dPolls. For blogs and sites.
Easy Hit Counters.
Easy Web Stats: Track people onsite at any given time, plus counters.
eXTReMe Tracking: Statistics.
Feedjit: Nice widgets for blog sidebars to show visitors by location in real time, as well as recommended sites.
Frappr! An online map service. Have people pin your Friends map, and create a group map with forums.
Free Stats Counter.
FreeLogs: Counters.
gVisit.com: Map your blog visitors, uses Google Maps.
. Track which links on your site visitors click. Can have more than one site per account. Now a full community/social website.
Nedstat: Stats, of course.
123Counters.
Pro-Counter.
Referer.org: Shows referring sites to your blog.
RetroStats: Stats, counters, etc. Fun graphic buttons to choose from.
Site Meter: Unobtrusive stats and counters. Now has mapping of visitors.
Sparklit: Counters.
StatCounter. Can have more than one blog listed.
Who's.amung.us: See who's on your site. More widgets in the gallery.

Top Menu

Blog Add-Ons: Quizzes, Buttons, Tagboards, Guest Books, Weather, and More

Avatars: Some appear below. See Graphic Downloads for more.
Babel Fish Translation: Translation for your page. From Altavista.
Blog Polling: Polls for your blog or site.
Blogsticker: Like a button; make them here.
Blogthings: Get quizzes, horoscopes, and more for your blog.
BlogTricks. Fun items.
Bravenet: Free polls, tagboards, guest books, webhosting, counters, stats, etc. Popup prone.
Brilliant Button Maker: Add your own text.
Bunnyhero Labs: Virtual, animated pets.
Candybar Dollmaker: One of the nicer build-it-yourself cyber dolls.
Chicklet.net: Make buttons for your blog.
Doll Wizard: Girl and boy dolls. Says it's in beta.
eLouai Dollmakers: Plenty to choose from.
ClockLink.com: Clocks for your sites.
Creative Commons: To share and protect your copyright.
DaisyPath: Tickers.
DynamicDrive: Javascripts to add calendars, games, animations, and more.
Easy Poll: Free, fast, easy, and simple.
The Fanlistings.org: Let people know what you love.
: Make banners and headings for your blog or site.
Free Blog Buttons: Limited supply, but very nice.
Free Blog Content: Calendars for your blog.
Free Tagboard Service.
Glassy Buttons. Make them online.
Gravatars. For use on blogs when commenting. Being redesigned, supposed to return 2/07.
GRSites.com: Make buttons for blogs and websites. Make logos, too.
: G.T. McKnight's ready made buttons in a wide variety of subjects.
HaloScan Comments and Tracking.
Hot Scripts: Javascripts to add audio, images, forms, special effects, and more.
Iconaholic: Basic icons for blogs and websites for a fee, free to use on your own computer.
ImageChef: Customizable graphics.
iMood: Blog moods and community.
Ink & Paint Plush: Adoptables for your blog, but read the rules first.
Just Say Hi: Eclectic variety of add-ons.
Kalsey Tools. Tracking, buttons, and more.
Kao-Ani.com. Add-ons, tutorials, and more. On the cute side.
Life Status: An icon that lets people know if you're still alive, the time of your last login, etc.
Lijit: Search boxes for your blog.
Lilypie: Tickers.
Mood Smilies.
Moon Phases: Track the phase of the moon on your site.
My Cool Button: A button-maker.
MyFavatar: Favicons that can also be used for comments.
Pollhost: Add polls to your blog.
Quick Banner: Quick and easy banners for your blog.
README Blog Disclaimer: An all-purpose disclaimer for your blog.
Reasonably Clever: Icon maker and other fun stuff.
Quizilla: Fun quizzes to do on your blog.
QwikCast: Weather.
Snipperoo: Widget directory.
: Quizzes, useless blobs, and more.
StorTroopers: A classic icon/avatar site is back.
300 Images: Tiny images/icons for your blog.
TickerFactory: Add countdown tickers to your blog.
TimeTemperature.com: For the US.
Weather Pixie: Choose the one that suits you.
Weather for You: For the US.
Widgetbox: Widgets for your blog.
World Time Zones: Flash city clocks.
Your Minis: Widgets for your site.

See Fun Links and Graphic Downloads for more things you can add to spice up your blog.

Top Menu

Photo Hosts

BubbleShare: A photo sharing community.
Buzznet. Photo sharing community.
Flickr.Free photo storage and sharing service, searchable. Registration required. Against TOS to store website design elements. Social networking site.
Fotki: Photo host, 2007 CNET Webware winner.
Fotolog: You get a free photoblog here, and presumably the storage space for the photos.
Photobucket. Free image hosting and album sharing. Registration required.
Photojerk. Free image hosting. Registration required.
TinyPic.com. Free image host, no offensive or nude pics.
Zooomr. Free unlimited hosting.

Top Menu

Web & Blog Design Info

AboutURL: Analyze your blog or website here; plenty of stats to choose from.
Accessible Design: Geared for library pages, but useful info.
Accessible.org: Seeking to make the web accessible for all, including Bobby Approved.
Accessify.com: A code translator for when you need to use code in a web document.
Bare Bones Guide to HTML.
Blog Tutorial: On Jennifer Apple's PhotoShop Tutorials site.
BlogWidow: Blogging resources and information.
Bobby WorldWide: The standard for accessible websites. This is a page where you can do a one-page check of your site for free.
Brainjar: "Experiments in web programming." Scripts, css, and tutorials.
BrowserShots: Test your website in a variety of browsers with this service. Takes a while to run.
Buttons. See Blog Add-Ons above.
Color Codes: RGB and hexadecimal.
Color Palette Generator. Find matching colors for a photo or other graphic.
Color Scheme Generator 2.
Color Shades. Grouped by color.
Colors on the Web.
Colour Lovers. With pre-picked palettes.
Colr.org. Very nice colors for web site, working off of photos for improved color coordination.
Complete HTML True Color Chart .
Cool Text: Logo Generator and Web Design Tool.
CSS Cheat Sheet. The basics.
CSS MaxDesign. Articles and presentations on web design, including codes and tutorials on making lists.
Cut Copy Paste: A blog to help people work with html.
Favicons: Small graphics for browser URL bars, Firefox's tabs, etc. See Graphic Downloads.
Firdamatic: "A design tool for the uninspired webloggers."
FontLeech: A blog about fonts.
4096 Color Wheel. Html colors.
Free Menu Designs. Simple css menu designs to download.
Free Online Web Page Editor. And more free online services.
Fresh Blog: Blogger hacks.
Funky Chickens Html Help.
Glossary: From WebMonkey.
Holy CSS Zeldman. A comprehensive guide to css tutorials and info.
HTML Cheatsheet: From Webmonkey.
HTML Colors.
HTML for the Conceptually Challenged: Basic info.
HTML Goodies. With tutorials.
HTML Playground. Learn by example.
HTML: Webmonkey Reference: Color Codes.
Hybrid Genesis: Graphics and tutorials.
JavaScript Kit: Scripts and tutorials.
JavaScript Source: Scripts and tutorials.
Kao-Ani.com. Tutorials, add-ons. On the cute side.
. Layouts, code for scrollbar colors, graphics, more.
A List Apart. Articles.
Mandarin Design. Web and Blog Design and Development. Tips, tricks, links, and codes.
MetroStation. Links and downloads.
NuthnButNet.net. How-tos for html, css, graphics, and more.
Online Text Color X-Fader. To create special effects.
Online Image Resizer.
Open Source Web Design. Resources, templates.
PageStrength: From SEOmoz. Evaluate your site's visibility and more.
Palimg Texture Test. Make textures.
People's Toolbox. Something for every web designer.
Publishing a Blog with Blogger: A book by Elizabeth Castro. The site includes excerpts from the book.
Silktide: Rate your blog for accessibility and other features. A British site, it follows British laws about accessible websites. Free version is currently unavailable.
SimpleCode: Quick way to convert html to publishable code.
Site Report Card. Analyses your site for broken links, etc.
Sites for Learning CSS and HTML. On Trials and Tribulations blog.
Smashing Magazine: Helpful articles on a variety of web topics.
Spiffy Corners: Make corners for your website graphics using css.
Visibone.
W3 Schools. Tutorials for HTML, CSS, RSS, Java, and more.
W3C Markup Validation Service. Check the code on your site.
Web Design from Scratch. Tutorials.
Web Design Library. A compendium of links.
: The Web Developer's Resource. A little of everything, including tutorials.
: Tutorials.
WetPaint: Free websites.
Zen Garden. The place for CSS. Experienced web artists play with css. There's a Resource Guide.

Top Menu

Blog Templates

Please note that templates designed for Blogger were designed for Old Blogger and might not have been updated to work with New Blogger. I have removed the Classic Blogger template sites that don't seem to update or offer instructions on how to revert to a classic template in New Blogger. (4/15/07)

Beccary. Blogger templates, WordPress themes, emoticons, and skins.
Blog Cafe. Reasonably priced, as-is templates for Wordpress and Blogger.
Blogger Hacks. A directory.
: For Blogger (might not work with New Blogger), Movable Type, Blogsky.
:For Blogger, of course. With tips, hacks, and tools.
Blogger Templates. At isnaini.com. These are for Classic Blogger and you'll need to follow directions to revert to a classic template in New Blogger.
Blogger Templates by Caz. Linkware, for Classic Blogger.
Blogs Gone Wild: Free skins for Blogger.
Blogskins: For Blogger, Movable Type, or other. You need to sign up for an account, which I don't have, so I don't know which version of Blogger they support.
Bluebird Blogs: Reasonably priced templates.
Chase the Stars: Blog designer, site includes free templates.
Chic and Sassy Designs: For classic and new Blogger, reasonably priced.
Christine's Blog Templates. For New Blogger.
Draac.com: Page layouts.
Designs by Darren.
Eye For Beauty: Linkware templates for license fees.
Firdamatic: A template generator.
Free Templates: For Blogger.
Greymatter: Free, opensource blogging software.
Groovy Lizard Web Design: Templates.
Isnaini.com: Blogger templates.
Moxie Design Studios: Template design firm.
NOIPO: For Blogger. May be used for other blogging platforms.
Open Source Web Design: Templates.
PageKits: Free web templates.
Pink Designs: Free templates.
Pyzam: Free Blogger templates.
: Template designer.
Splat Designs: Custom designs for a fee, with contests.
Template World: Free XHTML/CSS linkware templates, under Creative Commons licensing.
WestDesigns: Reasonably priced website/blog designs.

Top Menu

Aggregators and rss

Add This! Quick feed add button for your blog.
Automatic RSS Feed Button Maker: To make buttons for your blog to designate rss feeds available.
BlogBridge. Free, open source.
BlogBurst. Blog syndication service. Seems high-end; you need to be accepted into the network.
: "Free, Web-Based News Aggregator."
Bloglines for Librarians in Three (and a half) Easy Steps: How to subscribe to blogs without knowing a thing about rss.
Blogrolling.com: An aggregator.
FeedBlendr: Combine feeds.
FeedBlitz: Email notices of blog updates.
: An online rss feed management service.
FeedDemon: Software for rss reading.
FeedLounge: Online feed reader.
FeedYes: Create feeds for your blog.
KickRSS.
Lektora.
Lockergnome's RSS & Atom Tips.
News Is Free: News aggregator.
NewsGator: Has online reader.
Newshutch: Online feed reader.
Ping-o-Matic: Another blog update notification service.
Pluck: A news aggregator you can download that also has a web version.
Rojo.com: Web-based aggregator.
RSS Buttons.
RSS Calendar: Make calendars with rss feeds.
RSS: Directory: What you need to know about Real Simple Syndication.
Things You Can Do with RSS.
Using Bloglines: Good overview on the Better Days blog.
Web Feed Reader: Web-based service.

Top Menu

Web Services

Ajax13: Online wordprocessor.
Alphabetizer: Alphabetize lists online.
Backpack: Organize your life by making lists, take notes, and keep a calendar online.
Best Stuff in the World: Social network of people's favorites.
BlinkBits: A social sharing site of webstuff.
Blinklist: A social bookmark sharing site.
Blogger Backup. Back up your Blogger blog.
Bubblr: Create word balloons for photos on flickr.
Clipmarks: Clip sections of the web in your free clipmarks account.
Copyscape: Discover if anyone's copied your blog or site content.
Del.icio.us: A site for sharing bookmarks/favorite sites.
Fauxto: Online photo editor.
FileDen. Free file host.
FlauntR. Online photo editor.
Fleck: Annotate the web, then share if you want.
FotoFlexer: Online photo editor.
Gather.com: Part blogging service, part message board, and a community all in one.
HTTrack Website Copier: Save websites to read offline. Searchable.
Jiglu: Automatic tagging for your site.
Letterpop: Online newsletter maker.
Lib.rario.us: Catalog your media collection online.
LinkaGoGo: Put your links online.
Listphile: Make and share lists.
Live.Box: Free web storage.
Monkey on Your Back: Online service that sends reminders to people you want to do things for you.
NetVibes: Personalized webpage that can include most recent gmail items, rss updates, a search box, the weather, a flickr slideshow, and more.
Ning: Social Web App(lication)s.
Picnik. Online photo editor.
Protopage: A webpage you personalize with rss feeds, sticky notes, a search box, and more.
Quick Escape: Converts html to postable type.
Quick Thumbnail: Resize images online.
Phozi: Do fun things with your photos.
PikiPimp: Add to and edit your photos, ie put beards on faces. A pleasant way to spend some time.
PXN8: Online photo editor.
Rsizr: Resize photos online.
Rollyo: Make your own search engine.
Similicio.us: Search for similar sites.
SiteShuffle: A web application that lets you move forward and back in a rotating navbar of websites.
Snap: Add previews of links to your site.
Splashup: Online photo editor.
SpotBack: A personalized web experience.
Squidoo: "Everyone's an expert on something!" Use this site to make your own mini site to show off your expertise.
Stickis: Annotate the web, share, and find blogs.
Thumbly: Fun and useful modules for your personalized Google page.
ThinkFree: Online office with storage space, in beta.
Twitter: Like an IM service on steroids. Update people about your life, or find other uses for this, 140 characters per entry. Use TwitterFeed to create feeds for your Twitter.
Widgipedia: Get widgets for your computer.
WikiSpaces: Now everyone can easily create a wiki, a collaborative website.
Wink: People search, with widgets for your site/blog to let people know where you are online.
Zoho Writer: Online wordprocessor.
Zwinky Download: A search toolbar that includes an avatar and smileys.

And AOL and Yahoo! both now have ways for you to personalize your interface with them when you're logged into your AOL or Yahoo! accounts. Google offers many free online services such as an online wordprocessor (Google Documents and Spreadsheets), personalized Google Search page, and webpages.

Top Menu

Home | Ordering | ImPRESSions Newsletter | Contact Us
This site was created with Dreamweaver MX 2004. Our host is Computer & Communications Sciences.
© March 2004 by R. Stein. All rights reserved.