Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Friday, September 9, 2011

Trying Blogger's New Interface as I Keep My Fingers Crossed

I'm posting from the new interface on Blogger. Many of you will have noticed the little hint at the top of  your Dashboard "Try Blogger's new Interface" or some language like that. It's a lot like the Word Press interface, only simpler to understand.

One of the blogs I follow has been hacked, so I'm thinking there might be better spam protection on the new interface. Some of you have experienced this-- a big warning sign when you click to go to a blog. "Danger! Virus! This blog is Bad for You! Don't Go Here!"

It's not a blog I have on my sidebar, or one I visit often, and if I could I would unfollow, but I can't even go there to do that. Apparently Google has notified the Bad Blog Owner and is repairing the problem. I feel really bad for the blog owner. What a nightmare for her.

I have a Word Press blog *sort of* set up just in case although I never do anything with it. I really don't want to mess with it right now, unless I'm forced to, because that would be like starting over.

So I beg of you Blogger, please stay good for my blog tour! You made it through my Labor Day BBQ just fine. Please make it through my release of House of Diamonds and the subsequent blog tour! Because I DO NOT want to have to plan that from a new and different blog.

Blogger, I do hope that you catch your evil viruses and keep them away from me and my giraffe.

Thank you, and until then I remain  your loyal fan,

KarenG

46 comments:

  1. Oh my the goings on with blogger these days. I hope this gets sorted out and quickly. Wordpress scares me.

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  2. I've seen the malware warning several times recently on blogs I regularly visit.
    I had a look at the new interface but didn't care much for it. However, if it keeps the nasties away, perhaps I should persevere:-)

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  3. I try off and on the new interface. I took off my side bar blog roll to prevent bad sites.

    Here's what I like about the new interface: (a) clean (b) easy to find things.

    Here's what I don't line: (a) it doesn't have my amazon associates widget (b) I couldn't find a way to change my comment settings this morning so I figure some of the features are not available on this new interface.

    But, I'm always willing to give new things a try.

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  4. Yikes! Blog hacking- how dreadful! I will keep my fingers crossed for your tour!

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  5. I'm afraid to click on the new Blogger interface--can I change back if I don't like it?

    Does it affect the custom graphics I currently use on my blog?

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  6. I haven't tried the new interface yet - almost scared to!

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  7. I've been ignoring the invitation in my typical fatalistic fashion. Not having encountered any of the Bad Blog behavior (the Luddite part of my mind really, really wants me to touch some wood here!), I'm not sure that it will make a difference to my happiness factor. I'm OK - for now.

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  8. I've wondered about the new interface. The hackers have been busy this past week between Blogger and Twitter. Hope all goes well for you.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress
    Freelance Editing By Mason

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  9. I didn't even know there was a new interface! Now I know how I'll be spending my next hour...:)

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  10. I agree with Alex, I'm a little afraid to use the new interface. *biting fingernails*

    I feel so bad for your friend! I would hate for that to happen to anyone!

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  11. What is the hacking about!? I've been seeing this a lot lately. Good luck with the new interface and fingers crossed all goes well for your blog tour :)

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  12. Melissa, So have I. I keep getting weird spam DM's from people on Twitter who aren't spammers.

    Carolyn, If you don't like it you can go back. There's a tab saying "Go back to old interface." It doesn't take away any of your design, it just takes awhile to catch on to where everything is. It's cleaner and less clunky. I hope it's safer!

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  13. I'm also using the new interface - and so far there have been no spammers and Iike it - it's easy to find you way around, it feels as if there is more space.

    And good luck with the blog tour

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  14. I was nervous about trying the new interface, but I went ahead anyway. I always think I will screw something up and am hesitant about change. However, I think things are Ok, at least so far.

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  15. Hi Karen .. you can go back very easily - I gather .. but seems ok Karen?! So far so good .. I think we're through the worst ..

    .. though please get rid of any followers you don't know and trust .. ie that look odd when you bring up their profile - once in they can access everyone else ..

    I guess Blogger has ways of helping people out with their blog if it gets attacked as I've seen certainly one who is back up and running again - all well there.

    I may give the new interface a try .. and change things around a little .. = brave!!

    Hackers et al .. are just plain irritating to say the least .. cheers Hilary

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  16. Hilary, There's a guy who showed up at one point on every blog I've seen but he never comments and has no blog. If you follow his link it goes to some kind of weird selling website. He's one I want to get rid of. Does anyone know if it's possible to delete or block particular followers?

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  17. Whoo! Scary! I haven't even noticed the new interface. I wonder if I should give it a try. PS: I do love your giraffe. My ballroom partner and I have what we call our "dance animals," and his is a giraffe, so every time he travels, I get a giraffe from a different town or country ;-)

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  18. I saw that about the new interface on my Blogger dashboard, too, but I've been hesitant to try it. Afraid of screwing something up.

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  19. I just tried the new interface last night, so far so good. :)

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  20. There's definitely some malware going round a few blogs for about a couple of weeks now - on and off! Bad malware people! :-(

    I think my only bugbear with the new interface is the problem with scheduling posts. It doesn't seem to want to schedule my posts! LOL!

    Take care
    x

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  21. I am one of the many reluctant to try the new interface. Change can be so darn hard...

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  22. Great blog Karen! I was hesitating but am going to go for it now too. Have a great weekend!

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  23. Oh my gosh, I didn't even know blogs got hacked. I guess that's fairly naive of me... the thought just never occurred!

    I like the new blogger interface, but I didn't really get used to the old one, so I can't comment on the smoothness of transition or the differences.

    Good luck on your coming blogtour, Karen!

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  24. About that new interface. I was a bit skeptical about trying it when I saw the invitations. Now, having seen others feelings, I'm practically terrified of it.
    I hope it works well for you, especially on your tour!

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  25. I haven't been offered it yet.. maybe that's a good thing.

    Good luck with your tour Karen...

    BTW I SO LOVE your Giraffe. It's my favorite animal.

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  26. I'm praying the same thing. I'm also praying my blog doesn't get marked as a spam blog during my blog tour!!!!! Happened to my partner last week :-/

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  27. Hope Blogger treats you well! It sure is a tricky animal. I feel like something goes funky with blogs all the time...

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  28. Scary. I'm wondering if I should change my password to protect my blog more.

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  29. Hi Karen

    I've had some issues with my blog as well, though nothing in the way of viruses but more to do with my inability to identify the problem with a plugin. These things give me headaches (*sigh).
    You told me to let you know if I want to be included in the list of book review blogs on your sidebar. That would be absolutely great, thank you.
    Hope you and the giraffe are fine and enjoying your weekend.

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  30. Hi Karen I tried the new interface but in the editing part it doesn't show the labels so it is harder to find old posts back. When it is more protective I will try it again though
    Arohanui marja

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  31. The labels are on the right where the scheduling thing is.

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  32. I did the same thing over at wordpress-just in case. I haven't had any issues with blogger as of yet, but I think I'm going to try out the new interface too.

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  33. With my recent computer problems with malware and viruses, you all have given me lots to think about. My daughter used my laptop to start a twitter account so I'm wondering if that's where my laptop was attacked from?
    Haven't tried the new interface yet either.

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  34. I tried the new interface. I don't like it so I've gone back to the old interface (I'm not one for change anyway hehe).

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  35. ugh! I've had more than one bloggy friend experience that virus thing. It's terrible! But I switched to the new interface, too. Can't tell a difference other than in the approach. Best to you~ :o) <3

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  36. Hi Karen, my fingers are crossed for your blog tour, too!

    Have you already made arrangements for the tour? If not, I would love to help. I just formed 'The Fanfare Fellowship' to help promote others' books and would love to be a part of it.

    Here's more about the Fellowship: http://andthenmyheartsmiled.blogspot.com/2011/09/fanfare-fellowship.html

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  37. I enjoyed reading the UNCUT DIAMONDS excerpt. And I love the cover! Did you design it, or work with an artist?

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  38. Every time I try to do anything with my antique blogger interface, it blows up. Audibly. You could hear it from there.

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  39. I tried the new interface. Didn't work for me and I switched back. Sigh. What can I say? I don't like change.

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  40. Why do all you in the US get to choose? They changed mine without even asking! :-/ Mind you, I like it much better, but yer know, annoyed I didn't get asked to 'try it out'.

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  41. Jessica, That means bad news for anyone who prefers the old interface. It sounds like they gave U.S. bloggers the choice-- along with a little box to click to give feedback, meaning we are the guinea pigs. Probably letting us choose in exchange for feedback but the fact that you got switched over means we will, too.

    Tamara, Did you read Jessica's comment? Better get used to the change, I think it's going to become permanent real soon. It took me forever to get used to the new Twitter, I kept going back to the old one.

    Murr, LOL!

    Charmalot, I'd love to have you involved with the blog tour, will email you! The cover for Uncut was done by an artist, back when WiDo hired professional artists to do original artwork for its covers. Glad you like it, people either love the cover or hate it :)

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  42. I hadn't noticed this new interface until you mentioned it. Now I'll have to investigate to see what it's all about.

    The malware problems have been a real hassle to many of us. The situation has made me evaluate several aspects about my blog. I've been cleaning up my page and getting rid of a lot of things. A back up plan is a good thing to have on blogs or anything for that matter.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  43. I quite like the new interface! And oh, that malware thing is so annoying. I've seen it on quite a few blogs now!

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  44. The malware infection must have been just on a particular gadget, though - hard to imagine Blogger per se being hacked. And I hope you don't go with WordPress! I never seem to get on well with WordPress blogs; commenting is always such an effort.

    Tried the new interface but I'm a bit, like. meh.

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  45. Just started to learn the old one! I clicked on the new interface, and kind of like it, despite all the work I did on the old one, trying to understand and all. Which wasn't easy. Now I can't find the dashboard, or if you can tweak the look of the blog. But if, as so many of you have said, blogs were getting hacked, who cares if I can't torture myself with changing stuff.

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  46. I've had blogs and comments hijacked, where somebody made a mock blog of mine (one letter different in the url) and went around making filthy comments in my name. Took months to track them down and apologize. I think I knew who was doing it. To block followers: go to your dashboard. Click on the words "25 followers" or however many, in black print. It will take you to a window showing you all your followers and you can click on their picture or name to take you to their profile or site. You can also click "block this follower." Easy. I will not be liking the new interface: too much like Wordpress and I don't like that.

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