Tweet
As you may have noticed, the people of Blogger have decided to implement a new URL system. Basically, the blog URL is changing to a country specific domain based on the origin of the browser request.
To simplify it, if you visit the web thought from the UK, the original blog URL (which is thewebthought.blogspot.com) will be changed to thewebthought.blogspot.co.uk.
And that is happening for each country.
As a result, the new country specific URLs have, among others, a great impact on blogs traffic statistics. However there's a solution which is quite simple and which I explain in the following post.
Web development, web design and programming.
Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts
Friday, 11 May 2012
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Google+ and Google+ Page
Tweet
As you may have noticed, today I've added the two new Google+ Blogger gadgets.
On the right hand side of the page, you can +1 the whole blog (while before you could only share single posts on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and so on) and contribute to the growth of the web thought.
Just below the Google+ badge, you can join the blog Google+ Page. Please, if you're interested and you want to be updated with the blog activity, either join the Google+ twt page, or follow in a reader (with RSS feed) or by email, subscribing with your preferred method.
Keep on following the web thought and stay updated with new articles!
As you may have noticed, today I've added the two new Google+ Blogger gadgets.
On the right hand side of the page, you can +1 the whole blog (while before you could only share single posts on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and so on) and contribute to the growth of the web thought.
Just below the Google+ badge, you can join the blog Google+ Page. Please, if you're interested and you want to be updated with the blog activity, either join the Google+ twt page, or follow in a reader (with RSS feed) or by email, subscribing with your preferred method.
Keep on following the web thought and stay updated with new articles!
Monday, 3 October 2011
HTML & CSS: header and footer elements for printing
Tweet
In July this year, I've posted an article about collecting data from an xml file in order to display it and eventually print it [JavaScript: get data from an xml file (like a Blogger backup file) and display it (or print it)]. The main reason why I wrote that post is because I wanted to create a unique way of printing The Web Thought. I managed to collect the data (articles body, datestamps, titles and so on) from the xml file generated by Blogger as blog backup, so I now have a good page ready for printing.
Since then, I've worked again on the file and I've changed it a bit, just to include some specific features I needed. Basically I've changed the css style and the JavaScript code. I don't think you might be interested in that part (if you are please let me know so that I can share it), however there's a bit of code I would like to show you. Basically we want to create footers and headers for every printed page.
In July this year, I've posted an article about collecting data from an xml file in order to display it and eventually print it [JavaScript: get data from an xml file (like a Blogger backup file) and display it (or print it)]. The main reason why I wrote that post is because I wanted to create a unique way of printing The Web Thought. I managed to collect the data (articles body, datestamps, titles and so on) from the xml file generated by Blogger as blog backup, so I now have a good page ready for printing.
Since then, I've worked again on the file and I've changed it a bit, just to include some specific features I needed. Basically I've changed the css style and the JavaScript code. I don't think you might be interested in that part (if you are please let me know so that I can share it), however there's a bit of code I would like to show you. Basically we want to create footers and headers for every printed page.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Blogger: make your blog fluid (fit any screen resolution)
Tweet
As you may have noticed, it's been a few days since The Web Thought has changed its layout. Now it is fluid.
Not knowing exactly how Blogger templates are built, I searched the Internet a bit to find a way to achieve that, and I must say I didn't find much... Everything I found was not really working for me, because it mainly focused on changing widths in pixels, while I wanted to use percentages. Finally, after playing a bit with the Design panel, I managed to make The Web Thought fluid.
I tested it with different browsers and it looks good. Please let me know if you find issues that I'm not aware of.
Let's see how to do it!
As you may have noticed, it's been a few days since The Web Thought has changed its layout. Now it is fluid.
Not knowing exactly how Blogger templates are built, I searched the Internet a bit to find a way to achieve that, and I must say I didn't find much... Everything I found was not really working for me, because it mainly focused on changing widths in pixels, while I wanted to use percentages. Finally, after playing a bit with the Design panel, I managed to make The Web Thought fluid.
I tested it with different browsers and it looks good. Please let me know if you find issues that I'm not aware of.
Let's see how to do it!
Monday, 8 August 2011
Blog Ranking (part 5) - Technorati & Alexa
Tweet
It's been a while since I've been writing about blog ranking. It was something I tried to understand more a year ago, when The web thought was newly born. Now, it is still a general interest for me - web site ranking and positioning is always important for a web developer. In any case, I would like to share some thoughts specifically about blog ranking and two tools which are often cited as very important and valuable: Technorati and Alexa.
It's been a while since I've been writing about blog ranking. It was something I tried to understand more a year ago, when The web thought was newly born. Now, it is still a general interest for me - web site ranking and positioning is always important for a web developer. In any case, I would like to share some thoughts specifically about blog ranking and two tools which are often cited as very important and valuable: Technorati and Alexa.
Monday, 25 July 2011
JavaScript: get data from an xml file (like a Blogger backup file) and display it (or print it) - Part 2
Tweet
As promised, in the following article I will explain the code published in my previous post. I don't know how many of you are interested in explanations, but because I think that understanding things is better than merely copying examples, I will torture you with this. You've been warned!
As promised, in the following article I will explain the code published in my previous post. I don't know how many of you are interested in explanations, but because I think that understanding things is better than merely copying examples, I will torture you with this. You've been warned!
Friday, 22 July 2011
JavaScript: get data from an xml file (like a Blogger backup file) and display it (or print it) - Part 1
Tweet
I've been running around this post quite a lot. I know that it could contain valuable information for everyone and specifically for Bloggers, but there's so much into it that I don't know where to start.
Anyway... The point here is:
1) take the Blogger backup file (xml) - or any other properly formed xml file (an Atom feed as well);
2) clean it up - if needed;
3) build an HTML page that gets the data from the xml file (using JavaScript);
4) properly style the page.
As you can see the task is not that easy... or is it? Read on, and judge for yourself.
I've been running around this post quite a lot. I know that it could contain valuable information for everyone and specifically for Bloggers, but there's so much into it that I don't know where to start.
Anyway... The point here is:
1) take the Blogger backup file (xml) - or any other properly formed xml file (an Atom feed as well);
2) clean it up - if needed;
3) build an HTML page that gets the data from the xml file (using JavaScript);
4) properly style the page.
As you can see the task is not that easy... or is it? Read on, and judge for yourself.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Browser Support: even Google is dealing with compatibility issues
Tweet
As of August 1st, we will discontinue support for the following browsers and their predecessors: Firefox 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, and Safari 3. In these older browsers you may have trouble using certain features in Blogger as well as many other Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs and Google Sites.
This is some news. It has been published on Blogger Buzz just last Friday (July 14th).
I've been talking about browser compatibility and support a lot lately. Older browser versions are still around, and - as web developers - we have to face more and more troubles just to make "everybody happy". When I recently had to show a new web site I developed, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw IE6 running on the meeting room pc. And you can imagine how difficult has been to explain how IE6 is some very old software ("I bought the pc just 5 years ago! It's not old!") and that it should have been replaced a few years ago with a newer version.
I believe the above news is definitely a very good news. Everyone should force people to use newer browsers - and possibly auto-updating ones. That will make us, web developers, take a deep breath of relief!
You can read the original post (Blogger Buzz: Update on Browser Support) and then, please leave a comment about it in the section below.
As of August 1st, we will discontinue support for the following browsers and their predecessors: Firefox 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, and Safari 3. In these older browsers you may have trouble using certain features in Blogger as well as many other Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs and Google Sites.
This is some news. It has been published on Blogger Buzz just last Friday (July 14th).
I believe the above news is definitely a very good news. Everyone should force people to use newer browsers - and possibly auto-updating ones. That will make us, web developers, take a deep breath of relief!
You can read the original post (Blogger Buzz: Update on Browser Support) and then, please leave a comment about it in the section below.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Blogger in draft and Windows Live Writer
Tweet
After the introduction of the new Blogger in draft, I would like to share my thoughts about it. While the new interface is quite interesting and complete there are a few things that are still not working as expected. At the same time there are few information on workarounds, tricks and tips. Personally I’ve contacted Google directly with my feedback and I will see what they will do about it.
What are the problems? Well, I’ve just noticed one thing that makes me quite unhappy: in the old Blogger in draft there was the possibility to directly edit the blog template through Design/Edit HTML. Now it seems that the feature is gone. I believe that’s a limitation I could accept for the moment, however most of the tricks and solution to Blogger issues are related to the direct edit of template. Are those solution now gone for good? We will see…
Another issue is related to post editing. And this is bad, specifically for a blog like The Web Thought. Basically inserting snippets example, I use html tags like:
That is a big problem, as I write a lot of code.
Another viable solution is to use Windows Live Writer. The Microsoft software lets you compose post in a simple and effective way, it can connect to the blog, it retrieves old posts for editing, and it has everything you might need for post publishing. I actually have written this very article with it. The first impression is positive, but I would like to test it further and see how it goes.
Another solution is to remove the check near the "Make Blogger in Draft my defaul" and get back to http://blogger.com/home
I will keep you posted on new findings.
After the introduction of the new Blogger in draft, I would like to share my thoughts about it. While the new interface is quite interesting and complete there are a few things that are still not working as expected. At the same time there are few information on workarounds, tricks and tips. Personally I’ve contacted Google directly with my feedback and I will see what they will do about it.
What are the problems? Well, I’ve just noticed one thing that makes me quite unhappy: in the old Blogger in draft there was the possibility to directly edit the blog template through Design/Edit HTML. Now it seems that the feature is gone. I believe that’s a limitation I could accept for the moment, however most of the tricks and solution to Blogger issues are related to the direct edit of template. Are those solution now gone for good? We will see…
Another issue is related to post editing. And this is bad, specifically for a blog like The Web Thought. Basically inserting snippets example, I use html tags like:
<div>this is a div</div>
The above box is what I use to highlight code portions. Usually I write the post using the “compose” view. After writing all the post, I check the “HTML” view for small problems. With the new Blogger in draft, every time you switch between the two views, the text formatting gets messed up. In addition to that, if you insert an HTML tag (like a did above), the tag is interpreted. Just to replicate the issue, if you insert <zzz> in the post body and switch to HTM view, you will see the text interpreted as <zzz></zzz> and obviously gone in the “compose” view. That is a big problem, as I write a lot of code.
Possible solutions
We have to wait and see if Google finds a solution to the issue. I definitely can’t use the post editor that way. It’s an awful waste of time, and frankly I have to check the text formatting more than once, just to be sure you see the post the way I wanted. And talking about it, I do apologize if the recent post are not properly formatted.Another viable solution is to use Windows Live Writer. The Microsoft software lets you compose post in a simple and effective way, it can connect to the blog, it retrieves old posts for editing, and it has everything you might need for post publishing. I actually have written this very article with it. The first impression is positive, but I would like to test it further and see how it goes.
Another solution is to remove the check near the "Make Blogger in Draft my defaul" and get back to http://blogger.com/home
I will keep you posted on new findings.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Blogger: a great 2011?
Tweet
According to Blogger Buzz, 2011 will be another great year for bloggers that use Blogger - no pun intended. New features and improved usability will be released during in 2011, while 2010 has been a great year, with an incredible growth rate. The features available to bloggers have increased and blogging experience has been made significantly deeper and easier. New widgets and options have been introduced, while a completely new dashboard will be released in 2011.
The new dashboard will have a new interface that - according to Chang Kim, Product Manager of Blogger - will make things much easier to bloggers. As an example, the new post editor will be completely revised. From the posted images it is quite difficult to understand the new features, however it seems that the overall usability will be increased.
Please see the Blogger Buzz post for more information.
According to Blogger Buzz, 2011 will be another great year for bloggers that use Blogger - no pun intended. New features and improved usability will be released during in 2011, while 2010 has been a great year, with an incredible growth rate. The features available to bloggers have increased and blogging experience has been made significantly deeper and easier. New widgets and options have been introduced, while a completely new dashboard will be released in 2011.
The new dashboard will have a new interface that - according to Chang Kim, Product Manager of Blogger - will make things much easier to bloggers. As an example, the new post editor will be completely revised. From the posted images it is quite difficult to understand the new features, however it seems that the overall usability will be increased.
Please see the Blogger Buzz post for more information.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Blog Ranking (part 4) - How to value your audience
Tweet
Every blogger needs to find a way of attracting visitors.
What's the point in writing good articles when there's nobody reading them? Specifically, considering the high number of blogs and bloggers, it is fairly easy to understand how hard is being noticed, if not almost impossible. Established blogs have many advantages such as a wide audience with loyal readers, a high visibility due to the fact that they are already well ranked, they have always new proposing writers and so they can publish articles even more than once a day and so on. That is like a big wheel: a blogger needs to work hard to set it in motion, but once that it is spinning, it is probably more difficult to stop it than to make it run faster.
Every blogger needs to find a way of attracting visitors.
What's the point in writing good articles when there's nobody reading them? Specifically, considering the high number of blogs and bloggers, it is fairly easy to understand how hard is being noticed, if not almost impossible. Established blogs have many advantages such as a wide audience with loyal readers, a high visibility due to the fact that they are already well ranked, they have always new proposing writers and so they can publish articles even more than once a day and so on. That is like a big wheel: a blogger needs to work hard to set it in motion, but once that it is spinning, it is probably more difficult to stop it than to make it run faster.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Blog Ranking (part 3)
Tweet
As I said before, blog ranking or - as I like to better define the concept - blog awareness is like a never ending battle. Despite the fact that articles are posted constantly and the content is good and interesting, blog ranking might still be (very) low.
After exchanging opinions with different people (especially marketing gurus, which I must admit I don't trust much), I do believe that there are good ways of increasing a blog traffic by spreading the word through the so-called social networks (like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn) as those gurus point out. I do believe that placing your link in your Facebook profile (for example) will increase your blog traffic, but is it what you're really looking for?
As I said before, blog ranking or - as I like to better define the concept - blog awareness is like a never ending battle. Despite the fact that articles are posted constantly and the content is good and interesting, blog ranking might still be (very) low.
After exchanging opinions with different people (especially marketing gurus, which I must admit I don't trust much), I do believe that there are good ways of increasing a blog traffic by spreading the word through the so-called social networks (like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn) as those gurus point out. I do believe that placing your link in your Facebook profile (for example) will increase your blog traffic, but is it what you're really looking for?
Friday, 24 September 2010
Use Feedburner & BuzzBoost to create a printable blog
Tweet
After creating the blog you're reading, I wanted to create a printable pdf version of it. I searched for automatic online/offline conversion tools without satisfaction. Some apps are good but not customizable, or sometimes the result was not what I wanted. Then I decided to try another way.
After creating the blog you're reading, I wanted to create a printable pdf version of it. I searched for automatic online/offline conversion tools without satisfaction. Some apps are good but not customizable, or sometimes the result was not what I wanted. Then I decided to try another way.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Blog Ranking (part 2)
Tweet
This is the second part of the series... and God only knows how many parts will there be. The first post (Google Blog Ranking... is it true?) was about Google and what people usually suggest in order to improve blog ranking. A month has passed and I think I can add some new thoughts on the matter.
This is the second part of the series... and God only knows how many parts will there be. The first post (Google Blog Ranking... is it true?) was about Google and what people usually suggest in order to improve blog ranking. A month has passed and I think I can add some new thoughts on the matter.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Google Blog Ranking... is it true?
Tweet
In the past I've used ranking technics for web sites. I've used procedures that could take the ranking very high, very quickly. But that was like playing with fire because after the initial burst, the site's ranking was always slowly going down, no matter what I was doing. Google improved its ranking methods and I think that there's no way fooling web spiders, now.
In the past I've used ranking technics for web sites. I've used procedures that could take the ranking very high, very quickly. But that was like playing with fire because after the initial burst, the site's ranking was always slowly going down, no matter what I was doing. Google improved its ranking methods and I think that there's no way fooling web spiders, now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)