Google Account - Creating

There is still confusion shown by some new bloggers (newbies), as to how to start a Blogger Account.

The first thing you need to do is create a Google Account. Why? Because of the protection value of a Google Account, and it gives access to all Google Products. See also, Google Account FAQ.

Do you need to start a Gmail Account? No, but it would be a good choice, as you'd be able to access ALL the same Google products with a Gmail account, that you can with a Google Account. The difference is that you'd have one more email account.




Once you've finished registering, you'll receive a verification email. Click the link in that email to complete the verification process.

Then, you can create your Blogger Account. When you have created your blog, do yourself a big favour - check out the 'Settings' screens. These contain vital options for the way your blog looks, and functions.




TOP

Left to Right Vs. Right to Left

You might think I am 'nuts', well, maybe so, and you are not the first! I have been called 'nuts' by the best!

One thing I noticed, and it's probably been noticed by many, but until I noticed it, I hadn't noticed it, is that if you want to 'highlight' some text, written in a 'Right to Left Language', such as Arabic, you can't do it 'Left to Right' with the cursor! You have to do it 'Right to Left'!




Maybe, I'm wrong, and that's just how MY computer does it, but I found that interesting. I use the Google Translator quite frequently, to translate threads on Blogger Help Group, and found that out, today.

Well, there's your piece of useless trivia for today!


TOP

AOL Transfer 2

In update to my previous post on the 'hitches' bloggers are experiencing with the Transfer of their AOL Journals, to Blogger, this 'Part 2' gives you some more information on where to find answers (I hope).

The absence of 'huge' traffic in the forum for AOL Transfers, can indicate a number of situations:

• many bloggers are not having problems,
• or, not reporting them,
• are not aware of the forum,
• succeeded with the transfer at the first attempt
  
• or, have given-up
• haven't tried
• are using another platform, other than Blogger
  

It could be a plethora of reasons. Suffice to say, there are problems for some, and there are people trying to help. These people are like me and you - not Blogger Employees, so don't bite our heads off, please!


There are a number of things which have been brought to light with the Transfer. Blogger is aware of most and is trying to fix them. This is new for them, too.

Blogger has created a Help section with many hints for 'rescue and resuscitation', but in order to benefit from it, you have to read it, and click on the links, which I believe people aren't doing.

• Getting Started

see also:

• Blogger Features
• Blogger Help Group for AOL
• Blogger Help Group
  
• Creating a Blogger Account
• Creating a Google Account
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Latest Issues - see: "Known Issues"
• Making your Blogger Blog 'Private'
• Trouble-shooting Tips

and most importantly,

• Where do I find the Import/Export feature?

TOP

Request Took Too Long?

After blogging for nigh-on three years, suddenly 'High Network Traffic' is a problem? Suddenly, Google has a pop-up notice for it? Suddenly, I'm getting these?




Suddenly, I am also seeing 'delays' in nearly everything I do, from Logging-on to Logging-off - even in sending emails! I wonder why?

I also wonder how many other bloggers are experiencing either this 'phenomenon', or other 'weird' problems? Is it our Browsers? Is it the Servers? Is it Blogger, itself, working on something? Is it Google? Are those two different?

Hmmm! I mentioned this to Nitecruzr, this morning, and he reminded me of the old 'Pink Screen' notice!


TOP

Following. To click, or not to click?

* Mirror post


Every day, without fail, there is a thread on the Blogger Help Group, asking for ways to promote a blog. Sure, there are ways which will do this, and do that, get your blog seen here, and there, but, without a doubt, the most important feature of blogging, and gaining readership, is to have interesting content - and to visit other blogs, comment, and show YOUR interest in THEIR blogs! A two-way street is a better way to communicate, and, afterall, that's basically what we're doing, isn't it? Communicating!

That's where 'Following' is a major tool. It allows you to simply 'click', or be 'clicked'! How much of a boost to your confidence would it be to see more and more people - fellow bloggers - linked to your blog through the Followers gadget - each day, or week?

I have been fortunate. I have a large range of blogs on different topics, and although I don't have 50, or 100 'followers' yet, it's starting to grow. I have some followers who have very interesting blogs, and I have some followers who don't have blogs - they're just readers - but, as important as any. Where possible, and of interest to me, I follow their blogs, in return. I also look at the blogs they follow, too. That's how it goes.

With the Following gadget on my blogs, I open my blogs up. Yes, people could go to the trouble of adding a site-feed to get updates of my articles, no worries there, but it also takes up space on their sidebar, or they have to use a reader, like Sage, or Google Reader. But, now, they have more choice! I like that!

Be warned, though, as my friend Nitecruzr says; " ...You are judged by what blogs you follow."


Do you have any choice in who Follows your blog?

• Yes, you do. It's called 'Block'. 'They' have the same choices as you do.

What if you like a blog, but don't want to be 'shown' as a Follower?

• Then, Follow 'anonymously'! Easy.

Do you have to Follow a blog which is Following you?

• No! You don't. It's your choice.

What I am saying here, folks, is that Following gives you the choice to increase your readership, increase your knowledge on blogging, increase your circle of friends and maintain a high-peak of interest. Yes, interest. After three years of blogging, I have often asked myself; "What's it all about, Alfie? Is this all worthwhile? Why haven't I got as many readers as that blog - mine is just as good?" Then, someone, or something, changes my direction, and the interest is re-generated. Such a catalyst, for me, is Following.


Click, or be clicked. It's YOUR choice! It's also your choice to use this feature intelligently, and properly!


TOP