Copperhill Media is the leading publisher of technical literature with focus on Controller Area Network (CAN) based technologies and Higher Layer Protocols. All literature is available in paperback form through Amazon.com or as eBooks (PDF) through the Copperhill Media web site.

A Comprehensible Guide to Controller Area Network by Wilfried Voss represents the most thoroughly researched and most complete work on CAN available in the marketplace. Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial network technology that was originally designed for the automotive industry, especially for European cars, but has also become a popular bus in industrial automation as well as other applications. The CAN bus is primarily used in embedded systems, and as its name implies, is a network technology that provides fast communication among microcontrollers up to real-time requirements, eliminating the need for the much more expensive and complex technology of a Dual-Ported RAM. This book provides complete information on all CAN features and aspects combined with a high level of readability. The author, Wilfred Voss, is the President of esd electronics, Inc., a company that specializes in CAN technology.

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen was written by Olaf Pfeiffer, Andrew Ayre, and Christian Keydel, all founders and owners of the Embedded System Academy. Providing a detailed look at both CAN and CANopen, this book examines those technologies in the context of embedded networks. There is an overview of general embedded networking and an introduction to the primary functionality provided by CANopen. Everything one needs to know to configure and operate a CANopen network using off-the-shelf components is described, along with details for those designers who want to build their own CANopen nodes. The wide variety of applications for CAN and CANopen is discussed, and instructions in developing embedded networks based on the protocol are included. In addition, references and examples using MicroCANopen, PCANopen Magic, and Vector’s high-end development tools are provided.

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

A Comprehensible Guide to J1939 by Wilfried Voss is the first work on J1939 besides the SAE J1939 standards collection. It provides profound information on the J1939 message format and network management combined with a high level of readability. SAE J1939 has become the accepted industry standard and the vehicle network technology of choice for off-highway machines in applications such as construction, material handling, and forestry machines. J1939 is a higher-layer protocol based on Controller Area Network (CAN). It provides serial data communications between microprocessor systems (also called Electronic Control Units – ECU) in any kind of heavy duty vehicles. The messages exchanged between these units can be data such as vehicle road speed, torque control message from the transmission to the engine, oil temperature, and many more.

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

The Importance of servo motor sizing should not be underestimated. Proper motor sizing will not only result in significant cost savings by saving energy, reducing purchasing and operating costs, reducing downtime, etc.; it also helps the engineer to design better motion control systems. However, the knowledge of mechanical systems and their influence on motor speed, inertia and torque requirements seems to decline in a world where modern technology aspects, such as tuning and programming, seem to be the main focus. The motor sizing process involves a number of mathematical equations, which are most certainly documented, but not necessarily with the motor sizing process in mind. A Comprehensible Guide to Servo Motor Sizing by Wilfried Voss  focuses primarily on servo motor sizing and it documents in detail the inertia and torque calculations of standard mechanical components and the motor selection process.

‘A Comprehensible Guide to Servo Motor Sizing’ describes all equations and algorithms necessary for the sizing process, including inertia and torque calculations for mechanisms such as lead screws, rotary tables, actuators, gears, and more. Also included is the calculation of duty cycles including a detailed description of S-Curve (Jerk Limitation) calculation.

The information in the book is accompanied by a free download of VisualSizer, the most popular servo motor sizing software in the motion control business. To download VisualSizer: http://www.visualsizer.com.

Ordering Information

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

Articles on Servo Motor Sizing

Why is Servo Motor Sizing so important?
The importance of servo motor sizing should not be underestimated. Proper motor sizing will not only result in significant cost savings by saving energy, reducing purchasing and operating costs, reducing downtime, etc.; it also helps the engineer to design better motion control systems. Click here to read more…

Motion Mechanisms’ Inertia & Torque Calculations
This page provides all equations necessary to calculate the inertia and torque of mechanisms like gears, reducers, timing belts, rack & pinions, conveyors, and leadscrews. Click here to read more…

Calculation of Motion Parameters
This page provides all equations necessary to determine the parameters of a triangular or trapezoidal motion profile. The equation address velocity, acceleration, distance and time based on what parameters are known and which need to be determined. Click here to read more…

Holding Brake and Motor Torque Requirements
The effect of a holding brake on motor torque requirements is usually minimal in a regular rotary or linear horizontal motion application and is therefore not necessarily recommended. However, the torque and power reduction can be quite dramatic in case of vertical linear applications. Click here to read more…

Servo Motor Selection Criteria
The motor data needed to select a motor are rated speed, rated torque, intermittent torque, and rotor inertia. However, the best servo motor selection criteria is to use the motor’s performance curve (torque over speed) and to verify it with the application requirements. Not all motor data sheets do provide such detailed information, since some manufacturers prefer to define the rated/intermittent torque and the rated speed of their motors in a more conservatively manner. Under certain conditions it is, however, possible to operate motors beyond their rated data. Click here to read more…

Optimizing motion-control-system design
Choosing the right PC-based motion-control system requires evaluating motion controllers, software, amplifiers, motors, and positioning hardware.
Vision Systems Design – July 2005 - Click here to read more…

When to Choose a Linear Motor
For rotary or linear motors, motion is produced the same way and the same basic physics and electromagnetic forces apply. The theory that produces “torque” in a rotary motor produces “force” in a linear motor. But a closer look reveals that linear motors provide unique advantages for motion applications. Click here to find out how linear motors work and what the advantages are for motion applications.

The MilCAN physical layer conforms to the CAN standard ISO 11898. The CAN protocol is ideally suited for the tough environmental conditions experienced by military vehicles. CAN was originally designed for use in passenger automobiles, but, due to its extreme reliability, is also utilized in a great number of industrial applications. Many companies in the field of medical engineering chose CAN since they have to meet particularly strict safety requirements. Similar problems have been faced by manufacturers of other equipment with very high safety or reliability requirements, including robots, lifts and transportation systems.

The MilCAN A Standard uses a 29-Bit message identifier and it is based on the SAE J1939 Standard. J1939 defines serial data communications between microprocessor systems (also called Electronic Control Units – ECU) in any kind of heavy duty vehicles.

The MilCAN B standard uses an 11-Bit message identifier to provide compatibility with existing CANopen devices. CANopen is a higher layer protocol (HLP) on top of CAN, and it provides network management functions not supported by the original CAN standard.

With standards A and B, MilCAN utilizes the possibility to connect 11-Bit CANopen devices and 29-Bit SAE J1939 devices on the same network, thus gaining access to a great number of devices from Europe (primarily CANopen), and the United States (primarily SAE J1939).

A Comprehensible Guide to Controller Area Network by Wilfried Voss represents the most thoroughly researched and most complete work on CAN available in the marketplace. This book provides complete information on all CAN features and aspects combined with a high level of readability. Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial network technology that was originally designed for the automotive industry, especially for European cars, but has also become a popular bus in industrial automation as well as other applications. The CAN bus is primarily used in embedded systems, and as its name implies, is a network technology that provides fast communication among microcontrollers up to real-time requirements, eliminating the need for the much more expensive and complex technology of a Dual-Ported RAM.

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

A Comprehensible Guide to J1939 by Wilfried Voss is the first work on J1939 besides the SAE J1939 standards collection. It provides profound information on the J1939 message format and network management combined with a high level of readability. SAE J1939 has become the accepted industry standard and the vehicle network technology of choice for off-highway machines in applications such as construction, material handling, and forestry machines. J1939 is a higher-layer protocol based on Controller Area Network (CAN). It provides serial data communications between microprocessor systems (also called Electronic Control Units – ECU) in any kind of heavy duty vehicles. The messages exchanged between these units can be data such as vehicle road speed, torque control message from the transmission to the engine, oil temperature, and many more.

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen by Olaf Pfeiffer, Andrew Ayre, and Christian Keydel provides a detailed look at both CAN and CANopen, this book examines those technologies in the context of embedded networks. There is an overview of general embedded networking and an introduction to the primary functionality provided by CANopen. CANopen, a higher layer protocol based on CAN, provides the means to apply the ingenious CAN features to a variety of industrial-strength applications. Many users, for example in the field of medical engineering, opted for CANopen because they have to meet particularly stringent safety requirements. Similar requirements had to be considered by manufacturers of other equipment with very high safety or reliability requirements (e.g. robots, lifts and transportation systems).

Available through:

• Copperhill Media – Paperback and eBook (PDF)
• Amazon.com – Paperback
• Amazon.co.uk – Paperback
• Barnes & Noble – Paperback

The books are also available through Online booksellers in Europe such as Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Abebooks.com, etc.

ISBN

Ordering Information

About this book

The Importance of servo motor sizing should not be underestimated. Proper motor sizing will not only result in significant cost savings by saving energy, reducing purchasing and operating costs, reducing downtime, etc.; it also helps the engineer to design better motion control systems. However, the knowledge of mechanical systems and their influence on motor speed, inertia and torque requirements seems to decline in a world where modern technology aspects, such as tuning and programming, seem to be the main focus. The motor sizing process involves a number of mathematical equations, which are most certainly documented, but not necessarily with the motor sizing process in mind. This book focuses primarily on servo motor sizing and it documents in detail the inertia and torque calculations of standard mechanical components and the motor selection process.

About the author

Wilfried Voss is the President of Copperhill Technologies Corporation, a company specializing in motor sizing software development for various motor manufacturers all over the world. In addition, Copperhill Technologies sells user licenses of its generic motor sizing program, VisualSizer-Professional.

Mr. Voss has been involved with motion control applications since 1985 as a specialist in the paper industry. He has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wuppertal in Germany. Mr. Voss has traveled the world extensively, settling in New England in 1989. He presently lives in an old farmhouse in Greenfield, Massachusetts with his Irish-American wife and their son Patrick.

Table of Content

1. Overview

2. The Importance of Servo Motor Sizing

2.1 Why Motor Sizing?
2.2 Technical Aspects
2.3 The Objective of Motor Sizing

3. The Motor Sizing and Selection Process

3.1 Selection of mechanical components
3.2 Definition of a load cycle
3.2.1 Triangular motion profile
3.2.2 Trapezoidal motion profile
3.2.3 Motion profile processing
3.2.4 Motion profile calculation
3.2.5 Motion profile equations
3.2.6 Jerk Limitation
3.2.6.1 S-Curve Calculation
3.3 Load calculation
3.3.1 Load maximum speed
3.3.2 Load inertia and maximum torque
3.3.3 Load RMS torque
3.4 Motor Selection
3.4.1 Matching Motor Technologies to Applications
3.4.1.1 Stepper Motors
3.4.1.2 DC Brush Motors
3.4.1.3 DC Brushless Motors
3.4.1.4 AC Induction Motors
3.4.2 Selection Criteria
3.4.2.1 Inertia Matching
3.4.2.2 Interpretation of Torque/Speed Curves
3.4.2.3 Servo Motor Performance Curves
3.4.2.4 Stepper Motor Performance Curves
3.4.2.5 Servos vs. Steppers
3.5 Special Design Considerations
3.5.1 Gearing
3.5.2 Holding Brake and Motor Torque Requirements
3.5.3 Vertical Applications
3.5.4 Thrust Forces
3.5.5 Load Variations
3.5.6 Multi-Dimensional (X-Y-Z) Applications
3.5.7 Thermal Considerations
3.6 Sample application – comprised

4. Load Inertia and Torque Calculation

4.1 Basic Calculations
4.1.1 Fundamental Equations
4.1.2 Solid Cylinder
4.1.3 Hollow Cylinder
4.1.4 Rectangular Block
4.2 Calculation of Mechanical Components
4.2.1 Disk
4.2.2 Chain Drive
4.2.3 Coupling
4.2.4 Gears
4.2.5 Gearbox / Servo Reducer
4.2.6 Belt-Pulley
4.2.7 Conveyor
4.2.8 Leadscrew
4.2.9 Linear Actuator
4.2.10 Nip Roll
4.2.11 Rack Pinion
4.2.12 Rotary Table
4.2.13 Center Driven Winder
4.2.14 Surface Driven Winder

5. Motor Sizing Programs

5.1 Motor Sizing Programs for Windows
5.1.1 Axis Design
5.1.2 Velocity Profile
5.1.3 Motor Selection
5.1.4 Report Generator
5.1.5 Performance Curves

Appendix A – References
Appendix B – Web Site References
Appendix C – Symbols & Definitions
Appendix D – Material Densities
Appendix E – Mechanism Efficiencies

Articles on Servo Motor Sizing

Why is Servo Motor Sizing so important?
The importance of servo motor sizing should not be underestimated. Proper motor sizing will not only result in significant cost savings by saving energy, reducing purchasing and operating costs, reducing downtime, etc.; it also helps the engineer to design better motion control systems. Click here to read more…

Motion Mechanisms’ Inertia & Torque Calculations
This page provides all equations necessary to calculate the inertia and torque of mechanisms like gears, reducers, timing belts, rack & pinions, conveyors, and leadscrews. Click here to read more…

Calculation of Motion Parameters
This page provides all equations necessary to determine the parameters of a triangular or trapezoidal motion profile. The equation address velocity, acceleration, distance and time based on what parameters are known and which need to be determined. Click here to read more…

Holding Brake and Motor Torque Requirements
The effect of a holding brake on motor torque requirements is usually minimal in a regular rotary or linear horizontal motion application and is therefore not necessarily recommended. However, the torque and power reduction can be quite dramatic in case of vertical linear applications. Click here to read more…

Servo Motor Selection Criteria
The motor data needed to select a motor are rated speed, rated torque, intermittent torque, and rotor inertia. However, the best servo motor selection criteria is to use the motor’s performance curve (torque over speed) and to verify it with the application requirements. Not all motor data sheets do provide such detailed information, since some manufacturers prefer to define the rated/intermittent torque and the rated speed of their motors in a more conservatively manner. Under certain conditions it is, however, possible to operate motors beyond their rated data. Click here to read more…

Optimizing motion-control-system design
Choosing the right PC-based motion-control system requires evaluating motion controllers, software, amplifiers, motors, and positioning hardware.
Vision Systems Design – July 2005 - Click here to read more…

When to Choose a Linear Motor
For rotary or linear motors, motion is produced the same way and the same basic physics and electromagnetic forces apply. The theory that produces “torque” in a rotary motor produces “force” in a linear motor. But a closer look reveals that linear motors provide unique advantages for motion applications. Click here to find out how linear motors work and what the advantages are for motion applications.

ISBN

Ordering Information

About this book

SAE J1939 has become the accepted industry standard and the vehicle network technology of choice for off-highway machines in applications such as construction, material handling, and forestry machines. J1939 is a higher-layer protocol based on Controller Area Network (CAN). It provides serial data communications between microprocessor systems (also called Electronic Control Units – ECU) in any kind of heavy duty vehicles. The messages exchanged between these units can be data such as vehicle road speed, torque control message from the transmission to the engine, oil temperature, and many more.

The information in this book is based on two documents of the SAE J1939 Standards Collection:

•  J1939/21 – Data Link Layer
•  J1939/81 – Network Management

A Comprehensible Guide to J1939 is the first work on J1939 besides the SAE J1939 standards collection. It provides profound information on the J1939 message format and network management combined with a high level of readability.

Table of Content

1. Introduction to J1939
2. Overview – Controller Area Network and J1939
2.1 CAN Characteristics
2.1.1 Frames
2.1.1.1 CAN Data Frame Architecture
2.1.2 Multi-Master Bus Access
2.1.3 Message Broadcasting
2.1.4 Message Priority
2.1.5 Short Messages
2.1.6 Bus Arbitration
2.1.7 Error Detection and Fault Confinement
2.2 CAN Higher Layer Protocols
2.2.1 CANopen
2.2.2 DeviceNet
2.2.3 SAE J1939
2.3 J1939 Characteristics
2.3.1 J1939 Quick Reference
2.3.2 J1939 Message Format
2.3.3 Network Management
2.4 Other J1939 Based Protocols
2.4.1 ISO 11783 (ISOBUS)
2.4.2 MilCAN
2.4.3 NMEA 2000
3. The J1939 Standards Collection
3.1 ISO/OSI 7-Layer Reference Model
3.2 J1939 Documents
3.2.1 SAE J1939
3.2.2 SAE J1939/11 Physical Layer
3.2.3 SAE J1939/13 Off-Board Diagnostic Connector
3.2.4 SAE J1939/15 Reduced Physical Layer
3.2.5 SAE J1939/21 Data Link Layer
3.2.6 SAE J1939 Network Layer
3.2.7 SAE J1939/71 Vehicle Application Layer
3.2.8 SAE J1939/73 Application Layer – Diagnostics
3.2.9 SAE J1939/74 Application – Configurable Messaging
3.2.10 SAE J1939/75 Application Layer – Generator Sets and Industrial
3.2.11 SAE J1939/81 Network Management
4. J1939 Message Format
4.1 Extended Message Identifier
4.2 Protocol Data Unit
4.3 Communication Methods
4.4 Parameter Group Numbers
4.4.1 Parameter Groups (PG)
4.4.2 Suspect Parameter Number (SPN)
4.4.3 Parameter Group Number Architecture
4.3.5 Parameter Group Number Range
4.4.6 Parameter Group Number Compilation
4.4.7 Proprietary Parameter Group Numbers
4.4.8 Parameter Group Assignments
4.4.9 Data Field Grouping
4.4.10 Message Types
4.4.10.1 Command
4.4.10.2 Request
4.4.10.3 Broadcast/Response
4.4.10.4 Acknowledgement
4.4.10.5 Group Functions
4.5 Transport Protocol Functions
4.5.1 Message Packaging and Reassembly
4.5.2 Connection Management
4.5.2.1 Multi-Packet Broadcast
4.5.2.2 Multi-Packet Peer-to-Peer
5. J1939 Network Management
5.1 Address Claiming Procedure Overview
5.1.1 Single Address Capable ECUs
5.1.2 Arbitrary Address Capable ECUs
5.2 ECU NAME and Addresses
5.2.1 NAME
5.2.1.1 NAME Field: Arbitrary Address Capable
5.2.1.2 NAME Field: Industry Group
5.2.1.3 NAME Field: Vehicle System Instance
5.2.1.3 NAME Field: Vehicle System
5.2.1.5 NAME Field: Reserved
5.2.1.3 NAME Field: Function
5.2.1.7 NAME Field: Function Instance
5.2.1.3 NAME Field: ECU Instance
5.2.1.9 NAME Field: Manufacturer Code
5.2.1.10 NAME Field: Identity Number
5.2.1.11 NAME Field Dependencies
5.2.2 Addresses
5.2.2.1 Preferred Addresses
5.2.2.2 NULL Address
5.2.2.3 Global Address
5.3 Network Management Procedure
5.3.1 Address Claim Procedure
5.3.2 Address Management Messages
5.3.2.1 Request for Address Claimed
5.3.2.2 Address Claimed / Cannot Claim
5.3.2.3 Commanded Address
Appendix A – Web Site References
Appendix B – Literature References
Appendix C – Picture Index
Appendix D – Abbreviations
Index

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Description

A Comprehensible Guide to Controller Area Network by Wilfried Voss represents the most thoroughly researched and most complete work on CAN available in the marketplace.

Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial network technology that was originally designed for the automotive industry, especially for European cars, but has also become a popular bus in industrial automation as well as other applications. The CAN bus is primarily used in embedded systems, and as its name implies, is a network technology that provides fast communication among microcontrollers up to real-time requirements, eliminating the need for the much more expensive and complex technology of a Dual-Ported RAM.

This book provides complete information on all CAN features and aspects combined with a high level of readability.

The author, Wilfred Voss, is the President of esd electronics, Inc., a company that specializes in CAN technology.  The company is located in Greenfield, Massachusetts.  Mr. Voss has worked in the CAN industry since 1997 and before that was a specialist in the paper industry.  He has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wuppertal in Germany.

Mr. Voss has conducted numerous seminars on CAN and CANopen during variousReal Time Embedded And Computing Conferences (RTECC) and ISA (Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society) events all over the United States and Canada.

About this book

The main reason to write this book was the lack of good printed English literature on CAN basics, which is somewhat disconcerting considering that the technology was first officially introduced in 1986.

There are three official documents describing the CAN standard, the Bosch CAN Specification Version 2.0, the CiA CAN Specification and ISO 11898. The CiA (CAN-in-Automation) specification is a mere copy of the Bosch document, while ISO 11898-1 is an expanded copy with a more scientific approach. All these documents, more often than not, leave ample room for interpretation of the explained topics by omitting elaborating comments, examples or pictures.

It was surprising to find that some special topics, for instance, the CAN Overload Flag, the Bit Stuffing procedure, Bit Resynchronization, and more, are still insufficiently documented. Other documents did provide interesting details, but were somewhat vague on other topics or, in some rare cases, plain wrong.

Some additional works, originally written in German (due to the origination of the technology) are hurt by poor translation, which in turn has a damaging effect on the readability.

There is also a vast amount of web sites that contain information on CAN, but they mostly provide only bits and pieces and, after all, they all have commercial aspects in mind.

This book intends to provide profound information on Controller Area Network (CAN) paired with readability.

The first three chapters provide an overview of Controller Area Network that will enable the reader to understand the basics of CAN without being bored by overwhelming technical details:

1.      Overview

Introduces CAN, refers to the history of CAN, CAN applications.

2.      Main Characteristics

Explains in an overview the CAN message frames, bus access, message broadcasting, message priorities, data length and baud rate, bus arbitration and error handling.

3.      Benefits of using CAN

Describes the various benefits such as low cost implementation, speed, reliability, error-resistance and worldwide acceptance.

The heart of this book is represented, however, by chapters 4 through 10, which provide profound technical insights:

4.      Message Frames

Explains the detailed architecture of message frames.

5.      Message Broadcasting

Explains the message broadcasting mechanism in a CAN network.

6.      Bus Arbitration

Explains the bus arbitration principle in a CAN network.

7.      Data Transfer Synchronization

Explains the data transfer synchronization mechanisms between nodes in a CAN network.

8.      Error Detection and Fault Confinement

Explains how errors in a CAN network are detected, the determination of sporadic and permanent failures, the fault confinement and error recovery.

9.      Physical Layer

Explains the CAN bus medium, bus topology, bus level, bus connections and bus length considerations.

10.    Higher Layer Protocols

A short reference on higher layer protocols and why they are necessary.

ISBN: 978-0-9765116-8-7
Size: 8.5″ (W) x 11″ (H)
Pages: 58
Publisher: Copperhill Media Corporation
Copyright: © 2010 by Copperhill Media Corporation
Language: English
Country: United States
Edition: First Edition

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Product Description

A step-by-step guide to setting up a blog with WordPress, spam-protecting your blog, search engine optimization, and creating web traffic. This a very concise book with a “quick and dirty” approach; it will allow you to set up a professional looking blog within hours. The book has been written while creating http://www.myprofessionalblog.com. See the web site as a reference of what you can do.

About This Book

As the title of this book implies – I am referring to the “No-Nonsense” part – I am trying to deliver you a concise description on how to set up your own, professional looking blog without the usual motivational bla-bla combined with superficial information I found in many other books. My approach is “quick and dirty.”

At the time of the writing I have set up numerous blogs, and I have investigated numerous scenarios of how to get a blog useful for one’s purposes.

In my personal case I am in the business of promoting my books, but I also looked into related aspects such as selling my books through my blogs, or even create revenues through my web site with paid advertisement. In the process I found a lot of useless books on the topic, and I deemed it was time to stop the nonsense.

Please be aware that all the information in this book in freely available through the Internet, or through many, more detailed books, but reading this book and following the instructions will save you a lot of time and, after all, aggravation.

This book will give you a crash-course in setting up your blog, and, if you need more than just a basic blog, I have tried to add as many exciting features as possible. I also put an emphasis on search engine optimization (SEO).

Please understand, everything in this book is designed to give you a concise description on blog features without the hassle of reading hundreds of pages, and thus saving you a great amount of time setting up your own blog.

I will not provide you all details, just enough to get you going. The manuals you need – just in case you want to investigate the blog features in more detail – are all available through the Internet, and I will point you to the corresponding web sites. This approach did not only save me a great deal of time writing this book, but it also reflects in the price you pay for it.

Let me stress again, that you do not need to read the full manuals to set up your blog. Just follow my description, and your blog will shine within a few hours of work.

Let me also add another “no-nonsense” aspect: I will deliver you many aspects of optimizing your blog, but I do not guarantee success. Especially, I do not promise a “path to riches” if you are in business to create revenue with your blog. The success of a blog or regular web site depends on many factors not related to the blog setup and operation. Success, just like in any other business, is primarily based on hard and continuous work. Perseverance will pay eventually in one way or the other, but, again, there is no guarantee.

Throughout this book I will refer to one particular web site, myprofessionalblog.com, which is the web site (blog) I designed to write this book, meaning I set up the blog, made screen shots of what I was doing and inserted them into this document.

Everything you see on myprofessionalblog.com is available to you with little effort. In addition, I will post further information, that becomes available after writing this book, on the same blog (And no, unlike many other books with associated web site, you don’t need to register there and/or pay for access).

This About This Book section is also part of myprofessionalblog.com. My intention is to provide sufficient information on my book to make you comfortable with the decision to buy it – or not.

This being said, if you are in business to find a totally free solution for your blog, do not buy this book! My book is primarily about creating a professional blog with little expenses (roughly $120 – 200 per year), but it is not totally free.

If you want your blog totally free I recommend setting one up through various services such as Google, Yahoo, WordPress.com, and others. Please be aware that these services will give you a free, but limited blog, i.e. without all the special features you see on myprofessionalblog.com. If you don’t need the special features, i.e. you just want to write posts, you will be just fine using these services.

Another reason, not to buy this book, would be that you already use an Internet service provider (ISP), have your own web site, but your ISP does not support WordPress. WordPress, an online blog development tool, is an essential part of this book.

If you have neither an ISP nor a web site, but want your own, professional blog, I will explain how to get there quickly and easily.

Last, but not least, let me explain that, while I am very familiar with setting up blogs, I am certainly not the top-most expert on the topic. If you have comments, new insights, and/or betterment suggestions, please feel free to post them on myprofessionalblog.com, and I will make sure your input will reflect on the additions to the web site.

Table of Content

Why WordPress?……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

The Two Versions Of WordPress………………………………………………………………………. 5

Get Your Free Blog Through WordPress.Com…………………………………………………… 6

How Do I Install WordPress?……………………………………………………………………………. 6

Which Service Provider Should I Use?……………………………………………………………… 7

Logging-In to Your WordPress Blog…………………………………………………………………. 7

First Settings……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

A First Step Toward Search Engine Optimization (SEO)……………………………….. 10

A First Step Toward Protecting Your Web Site………………………………………………. 10

Let’s Add Some Standard Blog Pages……………………………………………………………… 11

One Final Setting Is Necessary……………………………………………………………………….. 14

A First Look At The New Blog…………………………………………………………………………. 14

Changing The Appearance (Theme)………………………………………………………………. 15

Changing The Side Bars (Using Widgets)……………………………………………………….. 19

Editing Pages (Home, About)…………………………………………………………………………. 21

Editing Pages (Contact Us)…………………………………………………………………………….. 22

The First Blog Entry………………………………………………………………………………………… 26

Setting Categories……………………………………………………………………………………………. 27

Managing Categories………………………………………………………………………………………. 28

Add Your Tags!……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29

Deleting Posts (Hello World)………………………………………………………………………….. 30

Let’s Fill Up This Blog!……………………………………………………………………………………. 30

Making Your Blog Spam-Free…………………………………………………………………………. 30

Search Engine Optimization…………………………………………………………………………… 33

The SEO Plug-In………………………………………………………………………………………………. 34

Creating Hyperlinks To/From Your Blog……………………………………………………….. 36

Registering Your Blog……………………………………………………………………………………… 36

Posting Online Press Releases………………………………………………………………………… 37

Participating In Social Networks…………………………………………………………………… 38

Adding Comments To Forums And Blogs……………………………………………………….. 39

Google Ads………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39

Creating Income With Your Blog……………………………………………………………………. 40

Affiliate Programs…………………………………………………………………………………………… 40

E-Commerce…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41

Further Blog Improvements…………………………………………………………………………… 42

Incorporating Affiliate Program Ads……………………………………………………………… 42

Add Video Clips From YouTube……………………………………………………………………… 43

Add Google Gadgets………………………………………………………………………………………… 45

More Cool Plug-Ins………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47

Adding A Slide Show……………………………………………………………………………………….. 47

A Cool Navigation Tool……………………………………………………………………………………. 50

Social Network Connection…………………………………………………………………………….. 52

Adding E-Commerce……………………………………………………………………………………….. 53

Help References………………………………………………………………………………………………. 55