In terms of this site :

In order to be able to edit pages and so add information as well as see the PowerPoints, you need a Google or a Googlemail account. You need to set one up for yourself.

The difference is that a Google account does not give you Gmail but essentially they are the same. Anyway here's the step-by-step guide:

1. Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ and create an account.

2. Google will send an email to your address asking for verification. Click on it.

3. You can now visit the course site and click on signin at the bottom. This will allow you to edit any page, add content etc.

4. Next you need to set up your Reader. Click on the Reader tab at the top of the screen when you are signed into Google (it may be under 'More'). You already have a Reader account, you just need to add some feeds.

5. Back on our site (http://sites.google.com/site/birkbeckmedia/Press-in-Britain--Home/Press-in-Britain--Syllabus/Press-in-Britain--week-1) There is an attachment at the bottom (google-reader-subscriptions.xml) Right click and save that to your desktop.

6. Back in Reader, at the bottom click on Manage subscriptions. Click on Import/Export and upload that file (it is an OPML file). Some sample subscriptions will appear in the Reader

7. Finally you need to be able to see the Reader items that everyone else has chosen to share. This involves adding me and everyone else as 'contacts'. The easiest way to do this is to use Google Talk which will also be useful in terms of discussing with each other or me. Click on More at the top of the google screen and then 'even more' which takes you to all of Google's services.

8. Select Talk. You can either download the Talk software or use it on the page. It will ask you to sign in using your new Google account. It will then ask you to select a username.

9. Once that's done add me theinternationale@googlemail.com as a contact. Don’t worry about adding everyone else, you can do that later.

10. Back in Reader, you can choose to share the items you highlight with me and you will see the ones I highlight. Simply click on Friends Shared items. I should appear. If not... or there are any other problems with this 10 step programme, contact me at this address.