Dec 03 2007
Revolution
There’s lots of talk in the blog world about some of the changes that Blogger has made recently. Two of the latest firestorms concern photos and comments.
Blogger makes it easy to upload photos, and they give you a decent amount of storage space so that for those of us who don’t usually post pictures, but like to now and then, we don’t have to use a third party host for our photos. I thought it was some sort of fluke at first. When I went to take a closer look at a picture that Blog Bloke posted, I was prompted to download it. Huh? On their issues page, Blogger offers a workaround for this. Nice that they show you how to get around it, but what about all those people out there who aren’t so technically inclined? That was one of the appeals of Blogger. In fact, I believe their tagline is (or was) “Push-Button Publishing.” The ease of use and everything they offered is one of the main reasons I decided to set up shop here, and having access to the code to fine-tune my template for free kept me here. Still is, actually.
But then there’s the comments. Previously, anyone could comment with any email address. Now commenters MUST have a google/blogger account and related email address (read: gmail) to be able to comment. I have one, obviously, so I’ve not had an issue leaving anyone a comment, but my comments have been way down. I know with my measly little personal blog that comments can be rare at times, but even with my reduced posting schedule I’ve still been able to pull in at least 1-2 comments per post. Now they’ve nearly disappeared. Blogger does offer some psychobabble help about OpenID and something about Blogger Draft, but again, there’s the ease of use issue. Hello!!! A bit more research revealed this site, Blogger in Draft, which has a post about the new comment feature. Considering all the venom being spewed around the blogosphere regarding the new comment features, and the comments on the Draft blog, it seems the politicos are at it again.
There’s been a lot that has been going on at Blogger and Google lately, and a lot of people seem to be pissed off at it. For a while there it seemed like the changes were for the good - Blogger allowed custom domain names, they frustrated a lot of people but ultimately came up with a decent thing with Beta. They had something for nearly everyone - access to the html for geeks who wanted to customize, but super-easy for those who wouldn’t know code if it hit them in the head. Now they seem to be abandoning the blogging for everyone mantra and going for world domination.
I am, for the time being, staying here at Blogger. I have had it at the back of my mind to switch to WordPress, something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now. I do have a blog at wordpress.com, but I also realize that it’s the Little Tykes version of the full-blown wordpress.org. I’m getting an idea, though. I really like the ability to add extra pages to my blog, which would let me add an extra level of personalization. Right now, though, I just don’t have the time. Snoskred is offering hosting and help setting up a WP blog at bargain-basement prices, which could very well be someone’s Christmas miracle.
Blog Bloke and Devilish Southern Belle have both been detailing their Blogger frustrations and what they’re doing as a result. For me, the comment thing is getting to me because I like comments. I don’t get tons, like I said, but they’ve nearly dried up at this point. I like the blogging community, but Blogger is making difficult for those out in the wild blue internets to be a part of that. The new rules are almost like a secret handshake, and it’s leaving a lot of people out of the club.
I’m giving this some serious thought, and after I make a couple of Christmas crafts that I haven’t even started yet, mail my Christmas cards, send out some CDs for another mix exchange, and make Boyfriend a stocking, besides working full time, having a busy social life, and all the other mayhem that December brings, I just might do it. I’m this close. I’ll be looking at it more in depth after the holidays.
I am terrible at commenting, but I will certainly try to comment more!
It seems that many blogging plaforms are seeing some dissent lately. Livejournal has implemented new flagging features that no one is very happy about.
I really don’t like the photo thing. So much for the “click for big” idea. I hadn’t noticed the identity thing for comments, probably because I have an account.
Amy, I am only on LJ because some of my imaginary internet friends are, so I can read their LJ blogs. It doesn’t anywhere near as much as I want to do with a blog, which is why I don’t use it more often. I’ll likely go with WP when the time is available because I can have the most control over it.
Robyn, yeah, the picture thing is really annoying. Why should I have to download a picture just to look, or edit the code for something silly like this? That particular one is a great example of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
The mass exodus has begun. It’s only a matter of time before anyone who is serious about their blogging and wants to have control over things - like the robots.txt, who can comment and how easily, and how their photos are displayed moves away from Blogger.
I think a lot of people have a fear of wordpress - they think a self hosted wordpress blog is complicated and troublesome and too much hard work. That’s why I am offering to do the “hard” work for people.
Cheers,
Snoskred
http://www.snoskred.org
Hi, To be honest untoll you wrote this blog i didn’t know i could comment. Of course i didn’t try either, but i figured i couldn’t. LoL! Anyway i do enjoy reading your blog. makes me feel like i get to know you a bit better. I don’t blog so i don’t know much about it but i do know changes are often hard to adjust to. I for one hope you keep blogging and now that i know i can i will leave comments now and again.
I too dislike what Google has done - it is harming both blogspot and non blogspot users - I made the move over to Wordpress a short while ago. It is a nuisance having to start all over again but there is satisfaction in knowing that you are literally the master of your own domain.
Blogging Sueblimely
Snoskred, all I can say is that you totally rock.
Farie, I’m glad you enjoy my blog. I have fun writing it. See you for the weekly oil change!
Sueblimey, my understanding is that it’s relatively easy to import posts to WP, so I’ll just need to check around and fix broken links and such. From what I read on your blog about OpenID, it really won’t prevent scammers and spammers too much, because they always find a workaround. I guess some programmers needed a job.
Blogger has become too proprietary and arrogant for my liking. I’m fed up with them dictating their terms down my throat. I want more flexibility in the decision making process for what I can and want to do with my blog. Wordpress it seems will give me that flexibility.
Bloke, I agree. Sometimes change is good, but in this case it totally blows. There is also more that I want to do with my blog, although I don’t have as much time for it as I used to, so WP seems to be right for me at this time. I’ll be spending more time on it after the holidays.