CNET's guide to blogging misses the mark

CNET News has published a guide to blogging in the workplace in frequently-asked questions (FAQ) style.

Unfortunately, this is not one of CNET's better efforts to address a topical issue (see this guide to RSS for an example of a really good CNET guide).

The FAQ include some comments that are just plain wrong.

For instance, the question "Can my employer fire me if I blog from home on my own time?" includes in the answer "The odds of your company perusing your blog is slim." The opposite is far more likely to be true - if you blog, anyone will find it. That means someone in your company as well.

And the question "Does that mean blogging could boost my career?" includes "The chances that someone will find your blog are low." Again, that's simply not the case. Just Google someone's name - you may be surprised at what turns up, including a blog if they have one.

Overall, I found it rather superficial, even with trying to project myself into the mind of someone reading it who may not know much about blogging and the workplace. And its wholly US focus, with specific references to labour and employment situations in the US, has little real relevance elsewhere.

If you're looking for some insight into blogging and workplace-related issues, a good place to start is the listing of articles and other material at The New PR Wiki. This section is entitled 'Legal Problems.' Don't let that put you off - while the resources list includes info on some high-profile employee blogger firings over the past four months or so, there's a great deal of thoughtful positive knowledge here.

Including a link to the CNET FAQ ;)

Comments

[Constantin Basturea]

Neville, let's do better than CNET :) I started a "FAQ on blogging in the workplace" page on the NewPR Wiki, where we can collaborate on finding the best answers to this issue. (And we can add new questions, as well.)

Here's the URL: http://www.thenewpr.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Resources/BloggingOnTheJobFAQ

[Neville Hobson]

Great initiative, Constantin. (Another one!). I'll definitely participate in this, so looking forward to helping develop it into a useful resource.

Thanks!