Tumblr is a micro blogging website. Blogs created on Tumblr are referred to as Tumblogs. Although Tumblogs are based on the same premise as blogs created on WordPress and Blogger, their nature and intent are different. While customary blogs are usually lengthy and somewhat editorial , Tumblogs are short and concise posts that are often a combination of text, photos, quotes, links, chats, audio, video, and brief extracts from other blogs . Simply stated, a Tumblog is a short-form blog that “tumbles” and moves forward from ongoing changes coming for all directions.
Tumblr is similar to other social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter as they have a “like” button and can have followers. They can be public or private and can be configured to allow readers or followers to add content. It is also capable of integrating with Facebook or Twitter and can be configured to automatically post from Digg and Youtube. Tumblr also works well with several third party applications and is available for use on the iPhone, web, desktops, mobiles, widgets and browsers. In essence, Tumblr unifies or bridges the gap between Twitter, Blogger, WordPress and other traditional blogging platforms. Tumblr’s popularity is on the steady incline and they credit this to their ease of use.
For those interested in learning more about Tumblr and how to create Tumblogs, Sams Teach Yourself Tumblr in 10 minutes is the perfect source. As a part of the Sams Teach Youself in 10 minute series, the goal of this book is to provide a hands-on, step-by-step approach to learning the product. It is comprised of 18, topic specific lessons, all of which are easy to follow and can be completed in approximately 10 minutes. Topics include but are not limited to: (1) Introduction to Tumbler, (2) Changing the appearance of your Tumblog, (3) Creating text, audio, video and links and (4) Integrating Tumblr with Facebook, RSS and third party applications. In addition to the normal figures and captions you see in most how-to books, Sams uses Tip (shortcuts) , Notes (supplemental information that facilities understanding) and Cautions (warnings and important information about executing tasks) boxes. Your level of knowledge and understanding are not a factor, this book sets out to help the beginning user, well established professional and all those that fall somewhere in between. Read the book from start to finish, skip around, or go directly to the topic that interests you because this book will give you more than enough detail and information on every major feature. Power up the browser on the desktop, laptop or most major smart phones and you are ready to use Tumblr.
I have used several other Sams products and have liked and learned a great deal from them all. This one is no different. It is well written and easy to follow. The only negative (and it’s a small one) is that you have to use the same browser that the book is based on. Failure to do so may render a slight difference from what you see on your screen and what actually appears in the book. Awesome book and I highly recommend it to those interested in learning about and using Tumblr.
Sources:
Safari Books Online – Sams Teach Yourself Tumbler in 10 Minutes, Bud E. Smith, July 27, 2010
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/development/tumblr-introduction-guide-microblogging/