[jshaffstall]

FYI, there's a difference between self-hosting (paying for hosting and all the rest), and just having a domain name (approximately $9 for the year).

Any blog that plans on being around for a while should have its own domain name, even if it's hosted at a free blog host like B4L. You never know what you'll want to do with a blog down the road.

Except, of course, that you do know that you have a limited time frame for the blog, ending when you earn your degree. Personally, I'd still spend the $9 for the domain name, just to keep my options open, but that's personal preference.

Jay