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Yes, a few things have change
First, I see many a blogger has moved on - living life and dealing with all that entails.
Second, this platform (Blogger specifically) has gone through some changes too.
A couple I noticed, and was able to deal with pretty quickly, were basic housecleaning stuff:
Reading List
I updated my Reading List (over on the right, part way down the side) making sure the blogs there still exist. Sadly, some don't.
As I was inactive for a few years I did not want to delete pretty amazing blogs that haven't posted these last few trying years. You all know what I mean, I'm sure. I'll revisit this regularly.
HTTPS Security
Then there's the issue of security - though almost every blog I visit is HTTPS secure, some aren't. I can't fix that for them, but I can suggest they look into it. It's a simple fix - in Settings scroll down to the HTTPS section and click the little button which will be blue when it's done. (Simple, right.)
Comments
Blogger is pretty straight forward with leaving comments. Overall, not much seems to have changed. More folks use the Captcha option now, to make sure I'm human. Others moderated comments before publishing.
Here I have moderation on for all comments left after 7 days of the posting. This is helpful with visitors to older post which I don't check on often.
Overall, commenting on Blogger blogs is still the easiest. It can get a little frustrating with sites that require a lot of extra information about me. Sometimes I'm good with it, other times not so much.
Link Back Tags
Here is where I've had my biggest frustration. This was a feature I liked and posted about years ago. It's a handy thing, particularly during blogging challenges when leaving comments and attaching a Link Back Tag makes visiting my blog easier.
However, the HTML coding, though still viable, is not useable through Blogger. Or, am I doing something wrong? It seems Link Backs can be used as one commenter is doing just that. How?
All my research is not yielding me any explanation as to what I am doing wrong, or if there is some setting I have on that is preventing this feature.
Your HELP on this topic is appreciated. Let me know in the comments down below if you have an answer for this mystery.
THE SOLUTION TO THE LINK BACK TAG PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN HERE.
Anything else
No, that's it, for now anyway.
Are you managing your blog or website without too much frustration?
Hey you! Good to see a dear friend back in the fold. I sent an invite to your email. Not sure why you can't follow but I hope this frees you up.
ReplyDeleteHi ib, how are you doing? Gosh, we go back a long way... glad we both are back at it.
DeleteRegarding the invite - I got it, and accepted it. I was able to view your blog before the invite, what I could not do was follow you. That required some sort of permission.
No worries though, because you've been on my Reading List (to the right) since the beginning.
I'm looking forward to catching up with you. Happy blogging, Jenny
By the way, there is a section called "Permissions" under Setting, I don't know if that would be where the problem lies. It should say "public" - but, again, not sure if that's were the problem lies.
DeleteI'm doing the deep dive too.... I want to follow you. (lol mad stalker that I am)
Firefox uses extra security for blogs and I have to uncheck that feature for every one I want to comment on.
ReplyDeleteYes, sadly many bloggers have left us and a few have passed on...
Hi Alex, so good to see you here. After a lengthy absence I am back, just in time for the A-Z Challenge.
DeleteSome things to do, as mentioned in the post, but overall I think I'm good to go.
I did notice lots of blogs are no longer up and running, it made me wonder as to the circumstances. Sad indeed if they have passed on.
I came back after a long hiatus as well. I thought about streamlining my Blog List on the sidebar and finally just deleted the feature altogether since very few of them were still active. Many of the blogs had been deleted. Instead, I just go to the Reading List on my Dashboard and see who I follow who's written a recent post and use that.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, seems like there are a few of us struck by the same idea of reconnecting to our blogging roots. I'm glad you're one of them.
DeleteI do look at the Dashboard Reading List, but got used to looking at the list on the right to see who was on top with a new post. Old habits die hard. haha
Hi Jenny - I've just toddled on happily - blogger has some quirks, other things have 'pains in the butt' - but I just get on with it.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I have to do is get an email option up on the blog - now that Reader has disappeared and the email option went the way of the world too ... but I've noted a blogger has revamped his page and has an email link listed. I must see what I can do ...
Good to see you back - cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, I've been making my way through all the different setting options to bring myself up to speed with all the changes here on Blogger. Thank goodness many of the changes weren't to difficult to figure out.
DeleteAs to the email option, I hope you figure it out. If I come across how to easily add it so it's visible I'll let you know.
Sending smiles your way, Jenny
Hey Jenny. I skip right over the capshaw thing and am able to comment on blogs. I don't even know why it's there. The big problem I found with blogger is real comments ending up in the spam folder. Including my own comment on my own blog. Blogger is weird. Anyway, happy blogging to you and boogie, boogie, baby.
ReplyDeleteHi Ivy, does the captcha show up here? I think I have it on too. I agree with you about legit comments ending up in the Spam section of the Comment area on the Dashboard. Rather annoying. I haven't had my comments end up there yet - but I definitely go there and see what has landed there, then I have to say it's "not spam" and get it back.
DeleteSending joy and happiness, Jenny
I'm not sure? Lemme hit publish and see.... brb
DeleteI only see it at the bottom that reads, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google privacy policy and terms of service apply.
DeleteI notice too when I post on certain sites that the captcha box doesn't show up for me either - I think Blogger must recognize us. Wishful thinking. haha
DeleteHey, by the way, thanks for the follow. I went to your blog and it said I was blocked from following you - boohoo. I had this problem with another blog. Yet on others I can follow easily.
Hey, girl, stop making me jump through hoops. :)
I know this post is a couple of weeks old, but I just wanted to say hi and welcome back to blogging. My own blog is being fairly neglected at the moment - I have one regular post a month, and I'm trying my best to fit another one in.
ReplyDeleteHi Annalisa, thank you for stopping by. I'm happy to be back, I have missed the camaraderie and lovely support of fellow bloggers.
DeleteI'm excited for you, and your third novel - that's such wonderful news. Congratulations.