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April 24, 2012

Blogger's new interface...6 tips

I wasn't going to post anything about Blogger's recent interface upgrade because it reminds me too much of my instructional design job at the University. 

I've tried to keep my blogging world separate from my professional world, but I had a few private emails and saw enough complaints that I thought I might provide a few useful tips (as well as confirm some issues).

Please note that I won't be attempting to fix anyone's blog. These are just suggestions to help you with the new blogger interface.

First.
Not all web browsers are compatible with the new blogger interface.

If you've been using Internet Explorer, it's time to consider switching browsers.

It definitely isn't supported with an older version of IE (like Internet Explorer 8).

Heck, I can't even edit and update my blog on my iPad (which appears to be an issue being voiced on the support forums). I'm also hearing complaints about it not being compatible with iphones either.

That's ridiculous.  For now, all my blog composing is being done on my laptop. Although I own an iPad and will use it to read blogs, I'm a PC user and these are the recommended web browsers for composing blog entries with a PC:

https://www.google.com/chrome for chrome
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/  for mozilla firefox

If you are using an older web browser (like IE 8) you will get a message you will need to update your browser.  I stopped using IE many years ago because it wasn't consistently compatible with my course management software. 

Second.
The new interface uses a pull-down menu, requiring added time to find things.

If you are a visual learner, you might want to consider watching their video tutorials which explain how to use the new interface.  I realize tutorials aren't for everyone and not everyone has the necessary time to watch them. 
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1623800

Third.
Scheduled posts do not post.
Since the upgrade, I've had to manually post things. With the number of complaints that I've seen about this issue on the blogger forum, it looks like the engineers have come out with a fix but I'm not convinced it's working yet. I've had to manually post all my entries since the upgrade.  This is bad.  Especially for businesses who rely on blogger.  Hopefully, this is a priority fix.

Fourth.
Placement and control of images with text isn't easy since the upgrade.

I agree.  In fact it downright stinks. I definitely cannot control the placement of the photos and text like I could in the past with the old editor. I'm constantly going into the html editor to make corrections. For most of my blogging friends, I wouldn't expect you to mess with the html editor. This is ridiculous.

Fifth.
Get a test blog.
A test blog is definitely something I would recommend for everyone so you don't mess up your active blog up while trying to figure it out.  I almost hate to admit how many test blogs I have.

Sixth.
When all else fails, switch back to the old blogger editor.


I honestly don't know how long this option is going to be available. We don't typically make it a practice to run different versions of software at my University,  but you can switch back to the old blogger editor.  Please note that I have heard complaints that once you switch, the next time you log in, it reverts back to the new interface until you change it again.

I'm including a screenshot of how to switch to the old editor.  From your dashboard, click on the clog and then select "Old Blogger Interface".



I've found myself tempted to switch back to the old editor, but just like with my professional job, once we upgrade, we don't typically go backwards and I'm going to force myself to figure out the new blogger.



If you wish to complain to blogger or post a question to their support forums, please use the Google Product Forums found at:  http://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!forum/blogger

As I said earlier, I won't be attempting to fix anyone's blog. These are just  six tips/suggestions to help you with the new blogger interface.  Best wishes.

21 comments:

My Vintage Mending said...

Wait a minute....you have lost me completely! Let me start by saying thank goodness my blogger interface updated seamlessly into safari. Two, your big girl job is way too advanced for me and three I will thread your needle any day...smiles...Renee

Pam Kessler said...

See, I didn't even know you could switch back! I just don't understand why they didn't tell everyone that "on x date and x time we will be switching over to the new interface - go here to see a preview of how it will work".

I'm a dork and normally write my posts in the HTML screen anyhow, so the spacing isn't driving me nuts. But I did have to go under Post Setting/Options to change back to being able to press enter for line breaks instead of using the break tag.

They definitely need to fix the scheduled post option. It's barbaric to have to manually post in this day and age.

Carol said...

For quite some time I haven't been able to save changes to my blog list on the side bar. I have tired to find out what is wrong to no avail. Have you had this problem?

GardenOfDaisies said...

Once it changes, it's just better to go with it. Make a few mistakes, learn as you go, and get used to it. It's not going away.
Luckily I have not experienced the problems some people are having, but it always takes me a bit of time to get used to new layouts.

Jboo said...

Thank you! It's a bit weird and so nice to have your tips to refer to so my brain and re-read and try and figure it out!!

NanaDiana said...

Thank you so much. I have not switched over yet and I am dreading it. I have heard so many horror stories that I am waiting until I am forced to, I guess. I just don't understand why they can't leave well enough alone when it seems to work for the masses....and I don't know why the switch is necessary if there are not big improvements to be had...there...off my soap box now.

Thanks again-I am earmarking this post so I have it when I need it. xo Diana

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this. And, here I thought it was just me, with the scheduling (or not) of posts. That is really cramping my style, to say the least!

Janet said...

I just switched back to the old one. Hopefully it will stay that way!
Blessings,
Janet

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Kim,
Thanks for this. I post using Mozilla Fox. I added a link to this post in my new post which you just commented on.
Thanks so much for your visit!!

Hugs,
Deb

Sarah and Jack said...

Ugh. I cannot figure that new thing out at all.

How does one edit posts? How do you make paragraphs?

I wont even begin to imagine how I am going to change my sidebar stuff.

I am sure in time I will sort it out but holy moly this is frustrating.

Nellie said...

I think I've been using the new Blogger Interface for a long time, at least since the first of the year. Since I'm at such an elementary level in my experience, I'm rather satisfied.:-) Thanks so much for the tips, though.

Jodee said...

I am so glad you posted about this. I thought I was the only person having problems. I can't even fix my spacing in the html like before. Grrrr!

P.S. I am still scheduling posts just fine. So sorry it's not working for you. That totally sucks!

vivian said...

thanks and ARGH!!
lol!
I'll get it, but it sure is frustrating. for me its mostly that Im always in a hurry, always have something else I should be doing besides screwing around on the computer and really, I just dont have the time to learn something new. but you know I will... eventually.
lol!
xoxo
vivian

La Vie Quotidienne said...

thank you for all of this help...it is all going to take a while to get used to.

vintage grey said...

Thanks for all the good info!! ;) xo Heather

Perfectly Printed said...

thanks for the tips... my daughter, she's a journalism major with a focus on electronic media, set my blog up and I'm not even sure if this pertains to me. My address calls it blogspot?? These kids of ours will know how to handle this kind of issues.

chris

Corey said...

Isn't it all such a pain? I use IE for everything else, but specifically go into Google Chrome just to do my blog. Ugh!

Joanna B said...

I read this yesterday, and my interface hadn't changed yet...then last night it switched over, so I came back to really read it. :-) I am going to change my look back to the old one, and get a test blog to practice for a bit. Change is so hard! Thanks for posting this!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I think that Google is deliberately trying to weed out the "autoblogs" that scrape content from other websites, as well as discourage "teeny-bopper" bloggers and those folks who do not have the time, patience, or modern Operating System to continue with Blogger/Blog*Spot.

I've written extensively about this on my blog after seeing so many frustrated bloggers out there!
I did have a happy experience last night, loading "Raven" onto my old dial-up PC running Windows Millenium, and VOILA! If I can't effectively use the new blogger interface I can circumvent it with a very interesting and feature-rich OFFLINE (and online) blog editor!

West Michigan Quilter said...

Great post; so helpful! I upgraded a few weeks ago and am still trying to figure things out. It would be nice if you could have a weekly "blogger interface" discussion to help up dummies! I was able to get "scheduler" to fork at first, but for the past week it has not worked. Ugh!

deb said...

Thanks so much for adressing this and the tips. I thought I was doing something wrong so my posts wouldn't post when scheduled. Glad to hear it's not me...for once! I agree, who has time to learn something new? We are all going 100 mph and sneak into blogland when able. But i will figure it all out...change is sometimes hard.
Thank you again!!
*hugs*deb