You know… that Blog?

Blog Tools – for writers and readers

Written By: Jenn - Aug• 08•09

Now that I’ve been blogging for a while, I’ve discovered some pretty marvelous tools that I use on a regular basis. I find they help me out in a big way, or I just really enjoy using them. Let’s talk about them, shall we? I know you have some that I don’t use, and maybe haven’t heard of yet, and you can tell me why you like those.

First, for the readers out there. Most of the people who swing by my place are other bloggers, but then there are friends of mine who I haven’t yet converted, like ShaMoo and Doodle Cakes (although they are both working on websites, which I’ll showcase when they’re ready!). For these folks, the only thing really necessary is a good reader. I use, and really like, the “Google Reader” app you can get when you have a Google account. I love Google, although there are a good many reasons why that we will have to talk about another time, because they’re not related to blogging. Getting yourself a Google Account just makes sense. Trust me. It’s part of my daily life, and if it were to disappear tomorrow, I would not be alone in my despair.

Once you get your Google account, you can “Get Stuff” to customize your Google home page. This isn’t like a blog or website “home page”. It’s a TOOL, and you can create your one-stop do-everything page in only a few moments, by adding a calendar, your local weather, local movies, news, (whatever), and of course, your Google Reader.

Boy it took me a lot of words to get to the point, didn’t it? Sorry, sorry… I’ll try to be a little less verbose from here on. (yeah, right)

For bloggers who visit other bloggers, there is something that irks me to no end where (the service) Blogger is concerned; Having comment settings where you can only comment if you have a blogger profile (egads people, don’t just use this one), or an “Open ID” profile (again, no!). What about us poor saps who have an actual domain, and don’t want or need a Blogger or other blog-service profile? We want to leave you a comment – we know how wonderful and crack-like-addictive comments are! We want you to feel the love!

I think it’s the fear of being spammed, ya? Possibly also not fully understanding who it prevents from commenting on your posts. Blogger has some fairly dandy tools though, that will let you allow “anyone” to post, and still not get spammed into oblivion. They are in your “Settings/Comments” area. Look for “Show word verification for comments?” and set it to YES. If you’re still worried some spam might show up, set your “Comment moderation” to ALWAYS if you like. That means you have to approve/delete as comments come in, but as visitors, it’s A-OK with us if you want to be careful. Anyway, using those settings will allow you to set this very important one close to the top of that page: “Who Can Comment?” … ANYONE. Yay!

A fun tool that I use, and you can see it over there on the left panel, is “Feedjit Live”. If you click on the link that says “Watch in real time”, chances are good you’re the visitor sitting at the top of the list! See what it tells me about you? I can see where you are in the world, what Operating system you’re using, and what browser you use (yay to Firefox users!!). PLUS I can usually see where you were coming from. I usually have the live feed open in a tab behind what I’m working on, with the sound turned “on”, and gleefully check in when I hear that delightful “ding”. Reminds me a bit of Pavlov’s dogs, actually. A few minutes later, you know I’m checking to see if you left me a comment. I love your comments… it makes my day to get comments (remember what I said about “crack-like-addiction”???). So many people drop in and leave without saying a word. Don’t be that visitor.

Of course, I don’t need Feedjit, because I have my very detailed stats that come with having a professionally hosted website (yay Crosswinds!!), but I do love to see what is happening, as it happens. It’s just fun!

For the actual “blogging” part of it, even though there have been “issues” with it in the past with security (from what I see these have been fixed), I just love WordPress. It’s a smart, totally customizable blogging platform that has everything you might need for your blog. It was straightforward to install, and is easy to keep updated. There are countless themes available for it, or you can build your own if you know what you’re doing. Then there are widgets and plugins galore – it’s fun to experiment, to find the look that is truly your own.

Other tools that I sometimes use are:

  • Mr. Linky – I paid for a “Silver” membership because I wanted a customizable form, but there are some free ones you can use as well.
  • Wordle – just plain fun. Create art with your own words. Beautiful!
  • BigHugeLabs – again, fun. I use Photoshop for my Mosaics and other photography related work, but this place has some really cool applications you should check out.
  • I forgot – I use Wordle for something else:

    It helps me see what words I’m using too often. I get stuck in a rut sometimes, or glom onto a word that I love. Until recently, the word I used a LOT was “Awesome”, and wow, could you tell. I made a conscious effort, just by “doing a Wordle” now and then, to change it up, and not get too hung up on any one word. So I’d say it’s as useful as it is entertaining.

    So obviously this isn’t a huge list, (although my word count is closing on is over 1000 now – yikes! Talk much?!) and I put it out there for discussion. What do YOU like to use in your blogging life? Do you have something that you use that you can’t do without? It’s good to share!

     

6 Word Saturday

Written By: Jenn - Aug• 08•09

Life without friends doesn’t bear considering!

My friends are the BEST

Written By: Jenn - Aug• 06•09

ShaMoo and Doodle Cake and I got together with our kids today – the first time in 2 weeks – and I got the most wonderful surprise when we arrived at the park!

Without a doubt, the best belated-birthday present I’ve ever had. Aren’t I the luckiest friend ever?! Isn’t it amazing?? I should have known last night when she talked about her newest cake but said she was “too tired” to put the pictures up that something was up, but you know… sometimes I’m a bit thick. I was truly surprised when she unveiled the cake box with the lovely ribbon around it.

But… how can I eat it? Can you imagine cutting into a work of art and then devouring it?! Ohhh, but she made it with my favourite cake… Freckled Mocha… yeah, we’ll have it tomorrow. I had to wait for the Hubbie to get home so he could see it too! I’ll probably take some better pictures of it before I cut it too – those weren’t very good.

Anyway, since she knew I wouldn’t share my cake (haha) Doodle brought along some other yummy treats for us:

ShaMoo and her Little Bit enjoyed the day with us (this is not from today – ShaMoo would MURDER me if I put up the pictures I took of her today, as would Doodle Cakes, who threatened to do just that. I was definitely off my game today, where my beloved camera was concerned.)

Doodle Cakes is not just a Cake Creationist Extraordinaire, but she uses her degree in fashion design for other fabulous things!

Here is Sadie taking possession of her new rugged suede tug toy that Doodle designs and sells:

Wow, for ME?

Wow, for ME?

Oooh, the rapture (of a new toy!)

Oooh, the rapture (of a new toy!)

Wait! What was that?! Someone coming to steal my new toy?!!!!

Wait! What was that?! Someone coming to steal my new toy?!!!!

ShaMoo has been a busy bee lately too – very soon I’ll have something from her new business to showcase here. Not only can the girl sing, but she has whipped up a fabulous item that is selling like hotcakes. She’s working on my order this week, and I’ll get pictures up as soon as I can.

I have the most talented friends, let me tell you!