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Ok, I'm not a Blog guru... so, for months now, I spend hours (well, maybe a little exaggeration) checking the blogs I frequent to see if there are any updates. I really don't want to sign up for email notice; I already have more than I can read. So, just Tuesday while surfin' I found a new blog, Stampin' When I Can, and Allison had written about her method for finding time to read all the blogs she enjoys.
It's explained in two words: Google Reader! Maybe you all know this already, but it was such a light bulb moment for me! Google Reader lists all the blogs I 'subscribe' to, then shows which ones have new posts! I had to set up my list, but even that was easy after adding the "subscribe" button to my toolbar. While reading a blog, I just hit subscribe, and it's added to my Google Reader list.
I subscribe to like 200+ blogs via google reader... it only shows you the UPDATED blogs... plus you can share posts via feed with other users if you want... and sort your fave blogs into folders by topic. You can also "star" a post; so you can find it later! Plus since Google is slowly taking over the world; I like to feel connected!
Which brings me to my new pet peeve; And with more and more people using feed services LIKE google reader I really dislike it when Bloggers only send you the "short" version of the feed in their feed service; forcing you to click ON the blog and open a new window... it really slows down my reading... and I have started to skip these blogs on my daily blog reads and only read them weekly instead.
Some bloggers do this so you are forced to visit their blogs and visit their links, ads and affiliates. Others probably don't even know that they are doing it! With Blogger-beta this is a preference under settings>feed subscription. I assume it's similar with typepad. Bloggers; send your blog with FULL feed service PLEASE!
Here is ANOTHER reason to use Google reader instead of an email subscription; Today I got a "out of office" reply from one of my email subscribers. It was an automated massage from her workplace... but now I have her workplace address and her Phone number. Something you might now want everyone who's blogs you subscribe to to know.
Another reason to use google reader; it loads immediately and you don't have to look at all the widgets people have on their blogs...
Please don't be offended if you have/like the widgety things like "snap" or "slideshow".... but they slow me down.... some blogs take FOREVER to load... and blogs with "snap" always mess with my pop-up blocker and REALLY slow things down....
Google reader lets me enjoy the real content of the blogs without all the extra stuff... And yes; you can still view pictures and links within posts... unless the writter has those functions disabled or only sends out the short feeds.
Is this different than feedblitz? I have feedblitz on my blog and subscribe to many others. Working 7-7 it sometimes hard to catch up on ALL the blog reading i'd love to. How does the google one work? Where do you go to get information/sign up for it? Thanks! (you can pm me if you want to about it)-Samantha :-)
I love Google Reader also!!!
I tried FeedBlitz but got so annoyed with it. It doesn't send you the update until the day after it is posted! How are you suppose to get some blog candy if you find out too late?
I recommend Google Reader too.
Is this different than feedblitz? I have feedblitz on my blog and subscribe to many others. Working 7-7 it sometimes hard to catch up on ALL the blog reading i'd love to. How does the google one work? Where do you go to get information/sign up for it? Thanks! (you can pm me if you want to about it)-Samantha :-)
Samantha - I don't have feedblitz, so can't compare (I'm a novice to all this blog stuff!) I have a Google Mail account, so it was easy for me to sign up. If you don't have GMail, it might be different. But, start here and sign up for an account; then go here to check out reader. It's super simple to set up; click on subscribe, then enter the address of the blog... there you go!
When you sign in to Google Reader (after setting up your subscriptions) you can easily see the blogs that have new posts since the last time you were signed in. And, the posts stay shown until you read them, so if you can't take the time to read them all you'll know tomorrow which ones you've missed.
Thanks for the info, Sarah! I like to click through to others' websites when I'm reading blogs, so I didn't even think of those who might read from the feed.
I use IE7 which has a feed subscription service built in. It updates on a schedule (I have it update every hour) and it bolds the feeds that have been updated so I can just click on those. The list is in my favorites/history tab thing (real technical, huh!) at the top of my browser, so with just a couple clicks I can check in on the blogs I read.
Another reason to use google reader; it loads immediately and you don't have to look at all the widgets people have on their blogs...
Please don't be offended if you have/like the widgety things like "snap" or "slideshow".... but they slow me down.... some blogs take FOREVER to load... and blogs with "snap" always mess with my pop-up blocker and REALLY slow things down....
Google reader lets me enjoy the real content of the blogs without all the extra stuff... And yes; you can still view pictures and links within posts... unless the writter has those functions disabled or only sends out the short feeds.
Change your blog feeds to FULL service!
Sarah, Do all blogs work with it. For example, I dont have a google blog. Would mine still work if someone was using it with my blog?
TIA
Gina K.
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Owner- Gina K. Designs
Sarah, Do all blogs work with it. For example, I dont have a google blog. Would mine still work if someone was using it with my blog?
TIA
Gina K.
Gina - I have blogs from Typepad, Blogspot, and an address that starts with RSS... they all seem to work the same with Google Reader, from my perspective
Cat-Thanks for the instructions. I just signed up and set up all my blog feeds. I'm very excited to try this out and see how I like it. Thanks so much!!! -Samantha
I use IE7 which has a feed subscription service built in. It updates on a schedule (I have it update every hour) and it bolds the feeds that have been updated so I can just click on those. The list is in my favorites/history tab thing (real technical, huh!) at the top of my browser, so with just a couple clicks I can check in on the blogs I read.
I too use RSS feeds to check for blog updates, but I always try to click through to the actual site so that it registers on their counter. Yes, it's sometimes a pain and it is an extra step, but I'm only trying to give "credit" to the blogger. I'm not sure that their counter is updated by only reading through the feed. Does anyone know?
Thanks for this info - I started a blog about a week ago and am still learning the ropes...so passing this info on to us novice bloggers is extremely helpful!!
I use Internet Explorer 7 for my feeds, but I can't get Gina's Blog on it. don't know why????? I currently get her updates thru my email. Anyone else having a problem with hers???? I LOVE her Blog!!
I can't get Gina's feed through IE 7, but it works great with Google Reader, plus I also get e-mail updates...I wouldn't want to miss anything of hers!!!
So, I guess I was the only one who didn't know about Google Reader And, I always consider myself a PC literate... I'm the one my friends go to when they have computer questions.
Anywho - REALLY neat way to keep up with your blogs.
Oh, Google Reader is a MUST have!!! This is going to allow me much more time to stamp since I won't be having to spend all that time checking each individual blog for updates.
I use Internet Explorer 7 for my feeds, but I can't get Gina's Blog on it. don't know why????? I currently get her updates thru my email. Anyone else having a problem with hers???? I LOVE her Blog!!
She has RSS feeds on the lower right side of her blog - click on one of those to subscribe (I have IE7 and I just clicked on I think it was a RSS2??? And then it let me subscribe to it so it now updates it's feed w/ the rest of the blogs I have in my "feeds" folder). I'm not too technical/computer savvy but I got it to work for me!!! :mrgreen:
I'm asking because I genuinely don't get it. I hear about it all the time, but I don't get it.
I put feedblitz on mine because all I understood was that by having it, folks could opt to receive blog updates via email, as opposed to actually visiting.
Define, please?
:confused:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
This seems to be a pretty accurate description from what I can tell. Basically a feed seems to be a way of setting it up so that the service you chose to use asks if a website you visit regularly has updated when it does it alerts you. I think most of them check to see if there is new content every hour or so. hth
I'm asking because I genuinely don't get it. I hear about it all the time, but I don't get it.
I put feedblitz on mine because all I understood was that by having it, folks could opt to receive blog updates via email, as opposed to actually visiting.
Define, please?
:confused:
Julie; I can also tap into the feed your blog puts out via feedblitz with google reader; or another reader service... instead of getting the email updates. The feed comes in to me directly from your blog... it taps into your URL and sends me the content... not just for the day, but each post on the front page of your blog.
Most avid blog readers prefer a feed reader... it lets me just look at the blogs that have updates... the reader shows a HUGE list of all the blogs and it highlights the ones that have new updates from their feed!
Your blog has an open feed by the way; meaning when I view you via my reader I see all your writting and all your images... so THANKS!
Most avid blog readers prefer a feed reader... it lets me just look at the blogs that have updates... the reader shows a HUGE list of all the blogs and it highlights the ones that have new updates from their feed!
Your blog has an open feed by the way; meaning when I view you via my reader I see all your writting and all your images... so THANKS!
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Bloggers and "feeds"
