For Those With Blogs - A Request - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

For Those With Blogs - A Request

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, before I started using Blogspot....my daughter had a blogspot blog...I could not comment on hers until I got a yahoo e-mail address. I just set up an address and now that's the one I use with my blogspot. I think gmail will work too.

Melanie

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, you can leave a comment on mine :) spendingmytyme.blogspot.com

Gypsy Turtle 2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

For those of us that use blogger, I believe if you just check the box Name/URL you can leave a comment. Just type your name in the name box, ignore the url box and leave your comment. I've done this myself before I made my blog public because I didn't want my comments tied to my blog. I thought I wanted to keep it private but I've since decided that was silly :)

Feel free to practice on my blog if you'd like. The link is below.

Gail

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gail's right Terry. You can comment on my blog just by choosing name/URL and leaving the URL blank. Try it and let me know if you can't.

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

You should now be able to post a comment as an anonymous user.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

Cheers,
Betty

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry I did a test on mine also and you can comment under anonymous,then just type in the "word' it asks for.If you want us to know it's you just include your name with your comment.

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've come across blogspot blogs that I can't post no matter what I do there's a program error if you're using firefox especially that the blog owner has to change. Here's something that was put on one of the blogs:

Hi gang, I worked through this with a friend on whose blog I couldn't comment (we both use Blogger/Google and I was signed in.) Got tired of coming across it on certain blogs, and asked her to change some settings and let me re-try. She said she'd had other friends complain that they couldn't comment, either, but she didn't know what was wrong.

So, in one's blog SETTINGS, under the COMMENTS tab, where you have three choices for how your comments will appear (Full Page, Pop-Up Window, or Embedded Below Post), it is the third choice - Embedded Below Post - which for some reason disables the little pull-down menu where we are asked to "Choose A Profile" and which prevents us from commenting.

Somewhere therein lies the programming error.

In the meantime, every time I come across a blog where I can't comment, I'm going to ask them to change this setting to one of the other two.

I hope someone from Google/Blogger is reading this: there is the problem! Though, not being a programmer, I have NO CLUE what it is. Thanks!

Maybe that will help with anyone with the blogger setup.

Thanks

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jim, Mine has the comments imbedded below and the dropdown works so people can comment even as anonymous.Maybe it's another setting? I did the test using Firefox.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Sunday 12th of December 2010 01:50:52 PM

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

You know I have no clue if mine is hard to comment on??? I have not heard anyone say. I would be more than happy to change it if it helps..

Let me know..

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Same here on my blogs using Firefox and embedded...drop down works fine.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK. This has been interesting. Most that I've been on now have the "anonymous" button available to use. I've yet to try the name/url feature yet. In reference to one comment above, none of the "drop-down menus" failed to open. It is just that some don't allow for choosing "anonymous" as a format.

However, after Joe's (Speedhitch) comment about browsers and blog formats, I did a little checking on Joe's and Donna's (Froggi) blogs.

We have installed three different browsers on our computer. We have AOL, which I think is a version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE). But, in order to log onto many of the forums, I can't use AOL. So, for those, we use IE. In addition, we also have Firefox on the computer.

With Joe's blog, it appeared that in all three browsers, I had the option of using the "anonymous" button. HOWEVER, in two of the three browers, the word verification word was not visible. ONLY in Firefox could I see the verification words.

As for Donna's blog, I had no problems with any of the three different browsers. So, this little request for assistance in being able to comment may lead to folks finding out something about their own blogs.

I wonder why it is that in Joe's blog, only Firefox lets me see his word verification? All I get is the little red "X" as if an image was missing.

Interesting, to say the least. At times, I've ALMOST been tempted to start a blog. From what I hear, some are either free or very inexpensive. However, since we aren't on the road yet, and won't be for a while, what I would have to post might just be too boring. So, for now, any sharing that I do with folks will have to be through the use of photo sharing sites. But, if you've looked at my Photobucket account, there aren't a lot of good photos on there yet.

Thanks, all. Now I can share thoughts with most of you.

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 12th of December 2010 06:00:45 PM

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Terry! I also wondered if I had enough to say for a blog, as we are not on the road yet either. But I started one in May and (surprise, surprise!) most days I do find something to say. ;) Blogger is free, too - you just create a user name and title, and then blog away!

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

sometimes when you get the little red x try this... hold down the shift key while refreshing your browser at the same time... if this doesn't work try this... right click the "x" and select "view image"... if neither works the link to the image you are trying to view is broken...

hope this helps...

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Go ahead and start a bog. They're free and easy to start. You don't have to post on it, but you will have an account and that may make it easier for you.

We have freinds that have blogs and hardly ever post on them.

Just a thought,

Jim

Gypsy Turtle 2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I second that idea, Terry smile

You don't have to post if you don't want to but you will, then, have an identity. Then when you leave a comment on another blog it will say "Terry says" instead of "Anonymous says" biggrin

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree - although we're not FTing for about 9 years, I started a blog recently about things that matter to be now - animals. the Christmas spirit and other things. I don't write every day - just when I have something to say and I hope that people enjoy my ramblings...

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, YEAH!!!!

You all can talk, but I don't know nothin' 'bout HTML or whatever. Are the various blogs "dunce friendly"?

Terry

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, all you need is basic computer skills

Go to this site and it will take you right through the process. http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=112498

Jim

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

Absolutely! You don't need to know HTML on blogger. Sign up and try it!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, I can assure you if I can do it anybody can biggrin

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK, Jim.

Now, I have another question for you, or anyone else who has the answer.

In your message to me, you gave me a link to "Blogger" but your own blog is on "Blogspot", like George's is.

So, why use one and recommend the other? OK. Blogger and Blogspot supposedly are the same thing from what I'm finding on with a search engine. So, that question is answered. But, how about another question?

Also, what about Wordpress or any other systems?

Terry

EDIT: Found one answer only leading to another. Yeesh!

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 13th of December 2010 03:05:12 PM

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't know about Wordpress.. I have heard its not as user friendly as Blogger.

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Blogger is kind of like the parent company of Blogspot. When you start a blog in Blogger, you end up with a Blogspot blog address.

Confusing, but that's the way it is.

Jim

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

When you go to blogger.com and click the "create a blog" button, it will take you through the process of setting up your blog. At some point in the process, it will ask you to create your address - it will be in the format - www.yournamehere.blogspot.com.

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, Blogger is easy to use and once you set it up you can either use the format Blogger uses to update or another program that will interface with Blogger when updating. On my HP windows 7 computer ther is a program called "Window's Live Writer" I use it to update my blog on Blogger. I find it is easier to attach pictures and edit all my mistakes with spell check. And it was already on my computer! Go for it!

Dave

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh, GREAT, Guys!!

Now I have to come up with a name for it?????

How about something like "Ignoring the Barking Dogs"? (That is in reference to what I've posted about Louis L'Amour's descriptions of settlers going west, and how the barking dogs didn't make the wagons stop.)

Now, since it looks like Blogger is easier, I have to set up an account with Google. Therein lies the rub that I have to overcome. I've not been happy with Google's desire to know everyone's business, what with doing "Street View" and what not. There was also a story about how the vehicles that do the images for "Street View" are also equipped to seek out individual WiFi type signals and gather information on them.

Does that bother anyone other than me? Or, am I just paranoid? (I know I've been sickly lately, probably with Upper Respiratory Infection, and I'm also a bit cranky. Maybe I have to work through both.)

Terry

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

As far as the Wi-Fi goes, any teenager with a little bit of basic equipment can get a wi-fi signature if you have not taken the steps to secure it. Understand that I am your basic kow enough to be dangerous type - but I am married to a man who does IT work and internet crimes for a living so, by osmosis, I've learned more than I want to about internet security.

As far as Google collecting Wifi info - I asked my husband about it and his comment was why? There is no reason for them to do it - just takes up more time of their employees and serves no purpose, so he doesn't think that's correct. As for the street view - yes, that is correct - I've seen my own street on Google. But look at it this way - satellites probably have a picture of you getting your mail in your underwear :) My point is that everyone is watching nowadays and there is no thing as privacy anymore. Yes, Google has taken it down to the streets, but I have used it to scout out vacation locations - what kind of street does my vacation house sit on? What kind of neighborhood is this campground in? So, I guess it all depends on how you look at the uses of it. I think of it as useful to me.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to read of your adventures, so bite the bullet, work through your crankiness and sign up for your blog :) And Ignore the Barking Dogs sounds like a great title!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,near as I can tell the pictures and info Google uses is so old you would already know if they breached you.I occasionally go to look at our former stix and brix(mainly because I'm carrying a note on it)and the views are currently around 3 years old.( unless I'm doing something wrong which is entirely possible)

-- Edited by Racerguy on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 10:28:00 AM

JackieandTony · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry - if you want to use www.mytripjournal.com as an alternative it is super easy to use. See ours www.mytripjournal.com/AlbasiniRVAdventure It is easy to leave a message on these blogs too.

dalehandsome · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have decied it is about time we set up a blog. Can anyone suggest a really good bloging program?

Thanks: Dale

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have my blog set up through blogger, and I use LiveWriter to write my posts. I like LiveWriter much better than blogger for writing and inserting pictures.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

dalehandsome wrote:

We have decied it is about time we set up a blog. Can anyone suggest a really good bloging program?

Thanks: Dale

The above posts will give you a good idea of what we all use.I use Blogger and it is pretty idiot proof.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:

The above posts will give you a good idea of what we all use.I use Blogger and it is pretty idiot proof.

Now, George. You know that I've been looking as well. Is that why you used those two words??????

Just kidding, George. I haven't quite got there yet, but I'm leaning pretty heavily towards starting one. However, since we aren't full-timing yet, who knows what will be the topics?

Maybe, just maybe, I'll write about eccentric old RV'ers. (Of which I am one.)

Terry

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

I'm noot fulltiming yet either, but I find something different to rant, uh blog, about every day. Check mine out at http://spendingmytyme.blogspot.com/ and I'm sure it will give you plenty of ideas to write about!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Actually Terry it was in reference to me biggrin

.Your research is very thourough and it would be a service to others starting out to follow you and read how and why you made the decisions you made.You could start out with when you started RVing up to the point you are at now.I think once you start you will find a lot to write about.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

George,

Yeah. I knew what you meant. I just have this streak within me that has to tease folks. And, its OK. I can take it in return.

However, you then made the statement, "You could start out with when you started RVing....."

Good grief, Man. I'm 64 years old. I'm not sure my memory is THAT good.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:

George,

Good grief, Man. I'm 64 years old. I'm not sure my memory is THAT good.

Terry

Boy do I ever understand that.If it wern't for paper and pencil I would have no memory at all.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Sunday 19th of December 2010 12:26:59 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Message to all.

I have begun the process and have a very basic layout, but nothing posted yet. With that in mind, I have some more questions for all of you.

Dave and Maxine (bzffr8) mentioned using Live Writer, which is a part of Windows Live Essentials 2011, to create and edit before putting a post into the blog. That way, spell check, and who knows what else, could be done prior to actually posting.

I found that when putting in a "gadget" so that the text within would always be at the top of the post, I couldn't copy and paste from Office Word into the gadget. (The text was put in to help explain the blog title and offer words of encouragement.)

Would it be mostly a problem that I was trying to put text into a gadget that would let me "cut and paste", or is it also that way in the "posting" field?

If one could "cut and paste" from Word in to the posting field, would Live Writer still be a better choice?

Is Live Writer a stand alone program or do you have to have the full Live Essentials to get it? [OK. Jo got the answer for this one for me. She's the IT professional.]

Are there any other real benefits to having all of this?

Are there problems with the software?

HELP!!!

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 31st of December 2010 10:18:00 AM

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry

I use the HTML gadget and copy and paste the HTML code for my location map and change it each time we move. I also used the picture gadget to put the picture of our rig to the right. It will not let you cut and paste into the Text gadget fields

Once I had the layout done I use live writer for the daily posts which you can copy and past into the text field. Also I like using Live Writer because it has spell check and is easier to up load pictures and you can do it from the pictures located on your PC without having to upload them first to a host such as Picasa or Photobucket. This makes a difference for me since I am limited to 5g of band with per month. I even use irfanview where I can do a batch resizing of my pictures thus reducing the bandwith used when uploading to the blog. Plus I can save the draft and can go back to it again without using anymore bandwidth.

Just keep messing around with it and you will figure it out.

Dave

-- Edited by bzffr8 on Friday 31st of December 2010 09:51:27 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

bzffr8 wrote:

Terry

I use the HTML gadget and copy and paste the HTML code for my location map and change it each time we move. I also used the picture gadget to put the picture of our rig to the right. It will not let you cut and paste into the Text gadget fields

Just keep messing around with it and you will figure it out.

Dave

-- Edited by bzffr8 on Friday 31st of December 2010 09:51:27 AM

Uhh. Dave.

Those bolded words are like "Devil-speak" to me. Give me time to learn all of this.

Also, thanks for the help. You have no idea how grateful I am.

Terry

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry

The HTML code is the code you can copy off of google maps to paste into your HTML gadget. That way when someone views your page they can see your location or you can show a map on where you have been. You need to get set up with my maps in google to do that. You can also just google how to use google maps and you can find some good tutorials.

Or, just come on down to Arizona and I can show you! wink

I am a blog novice myself and am still learning from others on here and on other boards.