Saturday, October 9, 2010

To *Press* or Not To *Press* (Yes, This Is A RANT!)


(photo w/o text from Tack-O-Rama)

Things are getting screwy here on the old Blogspot. Every day I miss, it seems Blogger has pushed down another improvement--and I use that term very loosely--that makes this blog less mine, less easy to navigate, and less easy to read.
Not to mention actually putting a post in the can. Or leaving a comment. Or being able to read the snippets in my dashboard. I have come to the conclusion that there are a bunch of people hired who reeeeally would rather be working at the *other* blog platform, WordPress.
Because after looking through 40 pages of W.P. templates, guess what? It looks very similar to the New and Improved Blogger. And it is getting as difficult to navigate. Remember Blogger--we are not all geeks!
Yes, that is dripping sarcasm.
I hope it drips a lot.
Far and wide.
Here's the thing, Blogger; most of us that chose this platform did it because of the following~~

1. Ease of use from set up to live blog. Bingo-bango, you have your blog going!

2. Easy to customize. I'm sorry, I don't WANT my blog to be this blank space that looks like tens of thousands of others. I want my art, my clutter, my voice.

3. Simplicity in using custom backgrounds. So what's your beef? Yeah, the ones you have are okay for people who don't want to do anything but write.....however, there are a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of people who want something more.

4. Lack of problems in blog hopping. (well, that one has gone down the tubes fast, now that I am having to sign in to some of the newer templates, even though I am already signed in to Blogger; way to GO guys!)

So what is it you want to be? WordPress? Because that is where you are pushing loyal users of this service. To the bland, non colorful world of another competitor.
Hmmmmmm.......and, who gave you this advice? Just askin'.
Are you having to justify your existence by changing everything and making it worse?
Or is it just control issues, like the old saying, "Why does a dog lick his....."
Oh, never mind. You know where that one is going.
So now my question for myself is simply this:
Do I leave a blog that I have invested an incredible amount of time and energy in because of a service that is making me not want to blog AT ALL? Do I make the switch to the bland world of W.P. simply because Blogger has decided they no longer want to keep their users happy? That we must be force-fed nominal templates and even worse no options to change them? Do I continue until there is a total meltdown, both in the ability to blog here and my state mentally, or do I cut bait and run now.
I went so far as to reserve a W.P. blog name.
Don't make me go further.
Yours Truly,
A disgusted and extremely unhappy Blogger,

42 comments:

studio lolo said...

I've noticed some changes too. When I was doing a post that included many pics, I put them all in the thingy to select as I wanted to drop them in. It seems you can't do that anymore (all of a sudden!) Now you have to write a little, go find a photo, drop it in...write more, find a photo.
Sheesh!!! It's way too much work.

Like you, I've put a lot of time and effort into this blog to make it what it is. WTF????
:P ♥

Silke Powers said...

And a good morning to you, too!! ;-)

I wonder if it depends on what browser you use? I'm no longer having trouble - just one day when the font was all messed up. I can leave comments, I can post, I can schedule my posts, etc. Now, when I was using firefox, I had many more problems - plus it all took so long! Now that I use Safari, for the most part, it all works well.

I hope it all gets worked out for you!! In the meantime, take a deep breath and grab a cup of coffee! Much love, Silke

Silke Powers said...

Hi again! I just read the first comment - I've noticed that, too. So, now I upload all the photos I want to use into the little box, deselect them all, then select them in the order I want to use them on my blog, drop all of them in and then write around them. It works quite well, actually. Try it! TSUP! Silke

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Girls,

I was so mad yesterday when I wrote that post, found I could not post it last evening without losing all the formatting,etc.
It seems that certain parts of the country have been affected worse by the 503 and 504 errors, but the issues with the constantly changing gadgets is ridiculous. Either get the bugs worked out or leave it alone.
I have tried other browsers and the blog doesn't look right, and perhaps it is because of what I built it in (I.E.) so changing at this point is not an option.
I've heard from bloggers as far as the West Coast who are having the same problems; I think it is at bloggers end.
The biggest headache is having to re-log in to comment on blogs. That is why I have been scarce---it is so much time to have to do it on every blog with the newer templates; I'm clueless andreally fed up.
But you probably already guessed that! LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

yoborobo said...

You know what I like? A cup of hot tea on a cool Saturday morning and a good rant from my pal Anne. lol! Well, since I decided that ALL the new stuff looked like too much trouble, and I barely have enough time to blog, much less make my blog look like anything, I can only attest to the wonderful 503. Oh, good old 503. I especially love it when I have put a good deal of thought into a comment, and I forget to copy before I post and then it explodes. Some day, if I am lying face down in my laptop, dead as a doornail, they will lift my head, and 503 will be gleaming triumphantly! Don't leave Blogger, Anne. I can't follow to a new platform - hahahaha! I hope you have forwarded your rant to the Powers That Be. Sipping tea and copying comment...now. ;) xox!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Pam!

ROFLMAO!!!
Oh yeah, 503, 504, I feel like I am in a George Orwell novel, and it ain't GOOD!!!
Get this, I tried to report some of the issues, and that was when I got the 504 error, which if I recall correctly was "Page doesn't exist".
Well, that's dandy for reporting errors and problems then, isn't it! :D
You and me both, banging head on the computer with the numbers tattooed across our foreheads, being drive off to the mental institution---and it's NOT like that is a long trip for me at this point.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

This is better than coffeeeeeeeeeee!!! In fact I have not had my coffee yet.

Good morning Annie!!!

Yes, I see you were angry yesterday! Why was that? You cannot let your bloog pressure go up. Listen, sweetheart, these things happen. I know, because I work in Information Systems. We always "improve" things meaning "make them more complicated" because they are just stepping stones for more innovations.

Okay about your other beef, I read that. OMG! Let it go. I worry about you.

About this beef, I do not have any of the problems you have, although I notice that my newer blog template has those photo collecting phase. On my "Dishes" blog, I have no problem. In fact, I cut and paste. You know I use a lot of photos.

Lastly, you are so passionate and I thank you for being so loyal and protective of me. Please please please let it be. Just relax and create. I know it's like telling someone not to breath, but you are very intense. I thought I was. No you are numero uno INTENSE, PASSIONATE, FIERY, YOU ARE BURNING HOT!!!

GOOD MORNING!!!

TSUP! TSUP!!!

Ces Adorio said...

What is bloog pressure? That's what happens to your blood when it gets messed up with the blog. HAHAHAHAH!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Ces,

I have burned myself out yesterday.
Today I am sitting feeling just like I did last Saturday....rotten. I am sure the grocery shopping did me in! (no joke--I think it did)
I just get fed up with not being able to psot or leave comments. I did some deep readingin the vaults of Blogger Help and the midwest seems to have been hit harder than other areas, although there are issues everywhere.
And lets face it, when I don't feel good my short fuse is shorter....hahahaha!!!!
Okay, I am off to get more coffee and get the internal organs going for the day..... ;D

TSUP!!♥
Nutjob

Unknown said...

Dearest Anne, I am sorry you are so upset with the way things are going with blogger. Half the time I can't even sign in. But if you are truly interesting in a more contemplative life style, now that doesn't mean sitting around meditating all day, then this is just a test. Does it really matter. As Ces said your BP is taking a hit. My son is an IT person in Texas and every company is just trying to out do the other. You will find problems over there eventually. Just hang on.
QMM

Ces Adorio said...

I think I will park here today and push your buttons! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Still in bed with laptop instead of brewing coffee. See? You are coffee substitute for a coffee addict. my what a great compliment that is!

P.S.: Have you ever heard of a woman in her fifties having a pimple, because I have a pimple! I have a pimple on my chin. WTH! You think you have blogger problems? I HAVE A PIMPLE!!!


HAHAHAHAHAHHA!

See if you can outnut me!

Janet Ghio said...

I'm with you Anne! Why can't they just leave it alone? It's was fine just the way it was! For the past two days, my dashboard had giant photos on it and wasn't working right-couldn't access the blogs I follow-thank goodness, somehow over night it fixed it self. So frustrating!! And no real person to ask for help. GRRRR

audrey said...

Well, here I am still using the same old blogger format I signed up for back in December of '08. I am filled with fear (well, maybe just a little fear) to change anything after reading about all the problems a lot of you are having.
I keep expecting to open my blog and find it has disappeared because I haven't made any changes or moved on to the new format. If I'm not mistaken, I will be forced into that at any time now. I experimented a little one day and didn't like what it did to my existing posts. I would sure hate for something that brings joy to all of us to end up being something we dread dealing with.
I'm a bit fed up with all the "change" that is going on with just about everything. How about we live with things staying the same for a while?
Hang in there, Anne. Things can always get better. ♥
♥ audrey

Linda and Michelle said...

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry! There are times when I miss the ease of Blogger, and evidently there's not much to be missed any more....I'm on WP, and it's ok...there are a bunch of things that are not intuitive, but I am fortunate in having a great IT person as a friend who walks me through things.I went with WP because I didn't want Blogger owning all my pics and goodies that I put up on the blog. Now I was easily able to transfer all my blogger posts over to WP, so nothing, including comments, was lost. Things seem smooth, but then, I can't be at it as much as I would like because school is so hectic.

Speaking of burps in blogger, I saw a poem from you last night through Google Reader that I haven't seen on the blog.....did it disappear??

Hoping you have a productive art day!

marianne said...

i've been feeling like a loser b/c i have a basic boring blogger background & so many other artists have, like you, arty, personalized spaces. i don't feel so bad about that after i read your rants. the biggest thing i've had to get used to is the new photo upload, but i just do like whoever suggested earlier & upload as i want to use them. text can be added in between (at least it could a few days ago) pretty easily. anyway- hang ib there- enjoy the fall leaves and whatever you do don't stop blogging- here or wordpress, just let us know :) love the passion-

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey all---

You know I am just one of those girls who has to LET IT OUT!! LOL!! This was toned down....trust me. ;)
I am all for improvements, when they are necessary, as I know all IT related things need updates.
BUT.
When it is just to try and *copy* another service, then I ask, WHY.
And yes, I was being a BIG SMART-A** when I posted this (or tried to!) because I have heard so many people complaining about issues and saying naught.
The whole point of Blogger in Draft was to work out problems before presenting the options to the public, but it seems that everything has been dumped straight into regular old Blogger. And they are not quality changes; for the most part, it's ditzy garbage that, as Audrey said, doesn't give us choice and puts me in fear of trying to get into my blog one day only to find that it is totally changed into something else.
I definitely feel chased by that big-arse spider, and I don't like spiders!
Per Linda, it is very apparent to me that unless I want to devote a solid uninterrupted week to learning W.P. it's not going to happen. It is not easy, even the free version and half of the stuff on there, I have no idea what it is or does. I am old and rigid. HAHA!!!
So Anne is ahving a rant, but it makes me feel better..... ;D

XXOO~~♥
The Wild Woman

Ces Adorio said...

Sigh*** So much energy spent and I have not lifted my butt out of bed and now I am exhausted, so I will go back to sleep hoping my pimple will go away...

Ces Adorio said...

I think blogger is okay. It is free, what can I say? I will change my background to blood red... my pimple is still here. I shall cover it with whipped cream...

Ces Adorio said...

Hey, when you get to town, will you please pick up a bottle of Ensure for me? I just read on Pam's blog that someone asked her when she was at the grocery store where the Ensure could be found. OMG! I can't stop laughing.

Ces Adorio said...

Oh also, please pick up a jar of prunes for me. I will share that with you. TSUP!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ces,

Just pop the thing, mash the daylights out of it and then jump up and downwhile putting some alcohol on it! :D
I have to use Olay's moisturizer with additive for Adult (read that *decrepit old fart*) Acne.
Man, it makes one feel sooooo good about aging.....

XXOO~~♥
Methusela

Ces Adorio said...

Oh Annie, guess what, the next time, I think Blogger will get rid of their GUI and require you to blog from the backend using HTML code!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey, if you get the Depends for me, I'll get the Ensure for you!
OMGosh!!!
Wasn't that a HOOT????
Poor Pam!

Okay I have to get off my butt and go look at a tiny video camera....

Older-than-dirt...A.

Ces Adorio said...

Hey, what the heck? You still here? Go to town. I wanted to spam your blog while you were gone! Okay, gotta brew coffee... TSUP!

Ces Adorio said...

Tiny video camera? Are you doing a sex tape?

Deborah said...

Anne, have you tried Livewriter? It is a free microsoft download and you write your blog in it and then hit publish and poof, it magically post to your blog exactly the way you wrote it. Best part is adding photos...just add them in where you want them, no uploading, no arranging. Now take a deep breath. I almost have your horns completely dried. **kisses** Deb

Georgina said...

I haven't written anything in over a week, ok, 2 weeks, so all this must have happened while I was asleep at the keyboard. I noticed recently these hu-eg pics on the dashboard...what's that all about, I asked. I also have had problems leaving comments to some of my buds...keep getting some error page...yea, Blogger, "ERROR THIS!!!!!"

Well, I was planning on spending time writing today on my blog, but seeing that it takes some techno-brainiac from MIT to do so, I'll just wait when I have time to figure out "the improvements" which will be in my not so near future...."We've got a life, Blogger!!"

Thanks for pointing all this out...thought I was going mad...well, madder than usual!!

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deb, I was reading an article the other day that said Microsoft was doing away with LiveWriter. I have it on the computer; I might give it a whirl until the Blogger issues get settled.
Of maybe a shot of some *spirits* and the give it a whirl! LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina!

Join the club of Mad-Women!!! LOL!
I'm not crazy, but annoyed, yes.
I think taking another break until they can gettheir pants on with the zipper in the front might be a good idea; I may not have much of a life, but I do have a little and would like to enjoy it...hahaha!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Unknown said...

Amen... I so ready to make the same move. When will they leave well enough alone.

Unknown said...

Amen... I so ready to make the same move. When will they leave well enough alone.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well Kate,

All I know is all the cool stuff you have on your blog, like the abundance of *stuff* I have on mine will not migrate over.
I feel stuck between that spider and a massive computer bank---like the old days, in Star Trek---computers-gone-berserk! LOL!!!
Hang in there!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Well then. I take a break from blogs for a bit and all h-e-double-hockey-sticks breaks loose. At least now I know the minute problems I've been having are 'normal' (hah). I finally got through my thick head that if Blog-grrr says the page doesn't exist when I try to click on it that if I try re-clicking, chances are it will work. I'm sitting here with an interesting visual in my brain...not one of them with their pants zipped in the front Anne, but one of them with their 'oughty-bits' actually CAUGHT in the zipper!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

AH-HAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Yepper! That's a good one!
I took Deb's advice and tried doing tomorrow's post in Live Writer. It previewed good, was easy, and seemed to be okay. I'll find out tomorrow.
Of course, that does not remedy the error messages.....pffffft! May they inherit one thousand sand fleas...all hungry and biting.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Jan said...

I haven't been on blogger much lately so have not experienced these problems over here (knock on wood)although there was one day where my dashboard pictures were huge and I kinda liked that, I could have gotten used to that but today I see they are normal size again. good luck sorting this one out.
I see some people use Type Pad although I think that one you have to pay for, I know nothing about it.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yep, TypePad is a pay by the month, from $8.95-$29.95. MAybe it works better, maybe not. One never knows.
I had the massive pictures and could not read the text that went with them, so if I did not know a persons work, I had no idea what blog it was from. The text was all crammed into the top and bottom of the photos, plus it took me forever to scroll through....sigh.
I think my fit is over for the moment.
It was a pretty good one though.
Not as wild as some I've thrown, but I am getting *older*.....LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Robbie said...

As usual, I must have missed something along the way of blogger land..my blog is fine; dashboard is same as always...hmmmmm could be because I'm just using the minimal/simple design..but that's just me..a simple girl! Love your rants, Anne!!! Makes my day! now you just need to send your post to blogger!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Robbie, if I could find somewhere to send it, I would. And I spent hours yesterday trying to find anything to report issues.....nada.
If it wasn't so annoying, it would be funny....IF!
My template is Minima, but that is the one you can add everything to. And people using the new templates are experiencing some of the same problems.
Maybe you lucked out and missed the worst of it.
Thank you on the rant---I try hard! Pffft! LOL!!! ;D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

OOh so it's not just me then??? I thought it was me and me only! I have considered coming off of every single thing Anne. I do mean everything. Heck I have your phone number and we can talk anytime. I love to blog, but it has to be something easy for me. Anyway, your comments left me in stitches this morning!! LOL!! Spider and I are coming by in minute, be outside with your instrument. We don't care if it's a rubber band between your toes. We can use all the help we can get.
Hugs and much love to you.
V

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Vanessa, it may just be me slapping my belly for rhythym, as I am not sure I can hoist the bass!
I tell ya, there are days.....a blog isa wonderful way to meet people and keep in touch, but lately....I'm sure it is the Spawn of Satan running the works....
As you said; You got my number BAby!
Tell Spider not to get a speeding ticket....I need to find my black beret!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

*Ulrike* said...

Ahhh, so it's not just been on my end! I thought after being on and off that I was missing something. Now it seems that blogger is! You tell them Anne!!!!
Take Care,
Ulrike

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I was reading where they have *more* changes coming....I am not sure I can handle anymore without the EMT's on the ready! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Post a Comment

Talk to me Dahling!
I'm waiting, breathless...... ;-D