The New Look

Yes, I changed my blog format. Really, I did it a few days ago but this is the first opportunity I felt like talking had to talk about it.

I used the Dynamic Views template this time, just for a change, and I have to say I’m not sure I’m pleased with it. It has its pros and cons—on one hand, it’s a much cleaner, simpler design. I feel it’s easier to navigate and so much less cluttered. On the other, you have to scroll over things like the Followers widget for them to appear, which might mean that people won’t follow. Also, a lot of other gadgets aren’t available. You can’t see my tweets anymore, or my blog roll. On the third hand, I’m some sort of monster with three hands.

I’m still ambivalent, but I think some time in the next few days you’ll see yet another blog format change. Unless Blogger announces plans to make more gadgets compatible and gives a touch more control over layout in Dynamic Views, I’m going to start the arduous task of fixing a new format if I can find a background picture that isn’t sucky (much more difficult than you might think).

What do you think of my current format? Better or worse? Any thoughts on Dynamic Views?

EDIT: Yes, I changed it again. As much as I liked having the buttons and gadgets out of the way, they were just too inaccessible. I really think Dynamic Views could have given SOME sort of hint as to what the different buttons are rather than some sort of vague picture (something which seems prevalent in many sites these days). If they ever do improve these issues, I might go back to it. Fair warning.

Websites for Writers

Blogger is what I use for this blog. Obviously. For the most part, I love it. It’s easy for someone like me, who despite being of the internet generation, has trouble figuring out how to do anything computer-related. I know. I’m a travesty.

So I’m going to highlight one of the things it’s taken me half a year to figure out just in case there’s anyone out there going through the same ordeals.

First of all, comments. I can be terrible at replying to comments left on my blog, but not because I don’t care. It’s because there’s no “reply” button on Blogger (probably my only real beef with them). I found it very confusing that so many other bloggers seemed able to email me back…and then it hit me. Email notifications—duh.

Go to Settings, then Comments and scroll down to the bottom where it says Comment Notification Email. I put my email address in there and whenever one of you leaves me a comment, it gets sent to me. Replying is now a cinch because all I have to do is hit the reply button on my email! I wonder if that was the logic in Blogger not including a reply button in their service. After a few weeks of using this, I definitely like it. Email makes it a lot easier to reply to people’s comments and I know they’ll actually read it. Well, at least skim through it.

Next, I want to mention the auto-update feature, which I’ve been enjoying recently. In fact, it updated this very post! I know. Zen. Anyway, it’s easy to use. You put the post in like you normally do but instead of hitting that post button, you go just above it to “Post options.” On the right hand side you switch it from “automatic” to “scheduled at” and put in the date and time you want it to post. And there you go!

It’s always fun when I figure out how to do something, even when it’s something most people already know. When it comes to computers, that happens to me a lot.

Enjoy!