I want to learn how to make a blog and skin it to fit into my website design theme. Any suggestions on how to get started?

Question

I have never made a blog before. I am proficient with html and css. I know there are many blog services like "blogger" and "word press" etc where you can make a blog and even pick from skins.

Can anyone suggestions on where I can find information for a total beginner on how to use one of these services as the back end for updating my blog and have the posts show up in my own website at my own website domain? ie have the url be www.mywebsite.com/blog as part of my website?

I really have no clue where to start. To sum it up i need to learn how to do 2 things:

1) Skin my own blog using my knowledge of css and html and design skills - and know what service is best and why

2) How can i make this blog part of my website domain like the example url above. Also what is this even called? I'm not sure what the term would be to even search for it on my own.

Finally: If anyone has any links to refer me to as a "how to guide" that will answer these specifically.. that would be great too. thanks!

Answer 1

Follow the directions described at the link below. It covers most of the basics of getting WordPress up and running. From there you should be able to do whatever you want.

http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress

Answer 2

My advice, since you know html and css is to use silverstripe as your CMS. With Silverstripe you have command over all of the html and css, rather than trying to learn the structure of someone else's markup (which is usually obscurely named).

They have a really excellent set of tutorials there are only six, and once followed you will be completely proficient. They also have modules, and a blog module is one.