Disqus - Latest Comments for Shirley

Re: How to Feed Your Inner Geek in 3 Social Media Sites

Shirley — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:27:47 -0000

Well, now I'm all atwitter! Your post is entertaining, informative and persuasive. Many people don't know how 'chatty' they really are until they start blogging! You've now enticed us with so many more outlets to explore! Thanks (I think!)

Re: Over 11% CTR From BlogRush Is Possible

Shirley — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:27:20 -0000

I'm new to blogging, so BlogRush seemed like a good way to find my true followers! Seems it works mostly for those with a large audiences already (the rich get richer... lol). I wrote an article referring to Andy's "7 critical mistakes" in using this service --- see my post at 'Is BlogRush Giving You the Bum Rush?'Interestingly, this post has yet to appear on my BlogRush dashboard -- i.e. it's not being syndicated! Are they screening it???

Re: Over 11% CTR From BlogRush Is Possible

Shirley — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:27:20 -0000

Re: Over 11% CTR From BlogRush Is Possible

Shirley — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:45:20 -0000

I didn't really think they would screen -- just a bit ironic. I moved to feedburner recently and just activated the pingshot after your comment. Will also look into the article I saw about disadvantages of blogspot when using traffic directors. Thanks for your response!

Re: Over 11% CTR From BlogRush Is Possible

Shirley — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:45:20 -0000

Re: Content Writing Strategies: The Tramezzino Approach And the Inverted Pyramid - How To Create Effective Article Openings

Shirley — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:19:19 -0000

Make mine 'tuna and tomato"! Great analogy and presentation. Thanks.

Re: How do I add a scrolling text box to my sidebar? | mummifiedtimesfive.net

Shirley — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:03:18 -0000

HI, I've been publishing tutorial code (html that displays in the web post after using a code converter) using my blogspot blog. .Recently I drafted a post in WP about the grab my button trend. However I can't publish because WP keeps interpreting even the character code into html or adding curly quotes. So instead of the sample code like yours, I get the scroll box in my draft post! Bottom line, do you use a WP plugin to stop that insanity??? Thanks.

Re: 12 quick tips to transform your invisible followers into active users

Shirley — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:11:39 -0000

It's a never ending quest to get readers involved in your blog's community. We recently added the 'top commentator' widget with hopes this becomes another enticement. We'll can use it in future contests. We also spotlight reader's success stories, including their blog's banner and link back. Thanks for your list!

Re: A great list of tips to create a link rich blog

Shirley — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:49:36 -0000

Good tips. I'm surprised about 'don't worry about relevant links", but seems logical for building traffic early on. The link back seems to work only on the same platform for free sites like Blogger (which I use) and Wordpress.com --- so that cuts your links somewhat. I've written posts about other blogs but don't see the linkback at their sites if on a different database. In particular my guest post on WP included other linkbacks but not the article I did on my blog about the guest post experience.. lol
Appreciate the list, covers a lot of territory. Good advice to attack slowly and analysis each effect and your discipline.

Re: How to: Use Zemanta to recommend articles from your own blog(s)

Shirley — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:42:57 -0000

I use Zemanta in nearly every article. I hope you will one day allow more than one image per post.
As for internal linking, I didn't realize that was the purpose of identifying your own or other blogs -- thought it was using them for common license images also. thanks for the clarification -- will certainly look for Zemant suggestions to supplement the WP plugin. I added my Flickr account but don't see many (if any) of my photos --- maybe they go to the bottom of the queue?

Re: How to: Use Zemanta to recommend articles from your own blog(s)

Shirley — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:51:34 -0000

Just drag and drop, eh? Great --- I was looking for something complex. LOL

Re: Adding "Comment Form" in your blog

Shirley — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:21:28 -0000

Hi, I have the same template as yours. Did this tip work on the Ads templated BEFORE you installed Disqus? I'd rather not use disqus at this time. When I use 'include' there is an error about only 'includable' use in Blog1 and no #comments allowed in the expanded widgets. That's on my test blog. Any ideas?

Re: Top 10 Must Have Wordpress Plugins For Your Blog

Shirley — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:21:19 -0000

I'm currently using BlogSpot to 'cut my teeth' as a new blogger. Everywhere there are hacks and themes that simulate things available in WP --- 'imitation is the most sincere form of compliment.' So to see what it's all about, I've set up a WP account. Your iinformative post will be very useful (someday!) One thing I've learned to do is verify that a blog that actually uses the plugins or widgets they write about.

<abbr>SBA´s last blog post..Quick Tip: Post While Browsing - Use BlogThis!</abbr>

Re: 10 Things: Absolute Coolness That You Can Believe In To Make Your Blog Super Awesome!

Shirley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:04:00 -0000

Entertaining and informative, not to mention 'kool.' As far as #5 which asks you to add to the discussion, this works for me (as SecondWorld knows all too well!)And you got me on the menu bar buttons not working --- although I was at first irritated and wrote you a note saying the link did not work. Still not sure if that is cool, but the rest of your blog makes the missing link okay.

<abbr>SBA´s last blog post..Blogging With Success - A Team Blog</abbr>

Re: 10 Non-Words or Phrases Featuring The Letters ORD!

Shirley — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:16:55 -0000

Congratulations. You're destined to be an extraORDinary blogger in your new life.

Re: Creating Your Very Own Unique DIY Mini-Cards

Shirley — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:52:16 -0000

Thanks for the tutorial --- didn't know you had so many friends (LOL). I like using PDF documents to send to the print shop. My local shop accepts email attachments. That could save me time and calories off your 3 hours...

Re: Avatars in Social Media: Value or Risk?

Shirley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:47:20 -0000

I use a spider image that's part of my web design business logo. I've thought about using a real photo, but I don't like any of them --- much better looking in person (lol) Also I think the image is distinctive/recognizable on social media networks. But a real photo might be appreciated on my blog's About page for the reasons in your post.

<abbr>SBA’s last blog post..Does Your Blog Need More Luv From Readers?</abbr>

Re: Two Useful Tools for Theme Tweaking

Shirley — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:39:40 -0000

Those two are good.Thanks. I like to use these:
1. http://www.pagetutor.com/colorpicker/index.html
which shows hex values for selected text, background and hover colors.
2. for visual list of colors & codes -
http://www.dotparagon.com/resources/color.html
3. shows hex and RGB codes (web safe)-
http://websitetips.com/colorcharts/weinman/value/

Re: How to Know if You’re “That Guy” in Social Media.

Shirley — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:49:42 -0000

Here, here! I totally agree. Bloggers are implementing captcha images on their comments but still miss these guys who act like 'bots' but have very good eyesight. I sympathize with you and others --- my blog is new so I've had only one spammer, sort of a milestone (lol). Very little we can do but try to reflect back on them with articles like this.

Re: 7 Best Gmail Labs Features : Try Them !!

Shirley — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:06:52 -0000

Glad you highlighted these features. I've been using the labs features but you pointed out a few interesting ones --- like the unSend! Thanks.

Re: Finding Photos On the Internet

Shirley — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:17:39 -0000

I love the images I find on Flickr.com, with the advanced search I specify look in 'creative commons only' That way no disappointments when the image says 'all rights reserved." I also have an account and add photos to my faves for use later. Also my post template has a reminder to give the proper attrition. You can even add a note to the photographer's album with a url reference to your blog usage of the photo. But that takes time and discipline!

<abbr>SBA´s last blog post..Dare you hope to be the next SuperStar - Blogging Idol?</abbr>

Re: 12 Bad Blog Designs You Should Avoid

Shirley — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:44:59 -0000

I really identify with the points made on navigation. My blog started with a basic template (no navigation bar) and I soon realized I needed one. But gave it low priority in my template makeover, until someone pointed it out. You can get this type of feedback from discussion groups like those in BlogCatalog and if you ask a friend in your social network to give you suggestions. I often give feedback to folks who add me as contacts and ask for the same. I see the difference in the Google Analytics with more pages per visit, especially from search engines, and real use of the temporaty navigation links I added. Good article.

Re: How to Gather Blog Contents When You’re Out of Idea

Shirley — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:23:06 -0000

Like you I get ideas by reading blogs, stumbled pages or from discussions or forums. Sometimes too many ideas, especially when researching a post I'm writing! I put notes in draft posts on Blogger to come back later. There's a good tool called BlogIt, a browser add-on that I just click when I find a good page or new resource to recommend. It adds the draft to my blog! Very handy on the dry days.

Re: Top 10 Tips for Switching Wordpress Template

Shirley — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:38:50 -0000

Very informative. Good guidelines for any new template --- We can make these points generic issues and apply across other platforms like blogger. Thanks.

Re: How to Define Blog Categories

Shirley — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:15:57 -0000

This is very important for keeping your blog focused and helping readers find content they want! I made that mistake on my blogspot blog and had to re-group the labels into super-categories. Now I cringe when I see a category list longer than 12. I like the Wordpress lets you use the tags so easily to make your posts SEO friendly --- individualizing for each post.

Re: 10 Tips to Improve Your Sense of Design

Shirley — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:38:38 -0000

These are good tips to get you started. You may also find some videos on related subjects like oil painting or drawing where you can follow along and learn about color and composition. There are lots of graphic design articles on Stumble Upon. Just looking at magazine and TV ads can help. We're lucking in the USA --- some Barnes and Noble stores let you sit in the aisles and read design, graphics books without buying. I've never done it, but lots of students take advantage of this customer amenity.

Re: The Truth About Social Networks

Shirley — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:17:11 -0000

Just found this post, so I feel even 'later for the party'! But I did stumble it --- hope you don't mind. My review expressed amazement that so many networks can mention your blog and have comments that you may never even see! On MyBlogLog and others, people add you as contacts and never visit your blog.

SBAs last blog post...Adding A Menu Bar in Your Blogger Header

Re: Linking Etiquette/Ethics for Blogs: The Last Word

Shirley — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:34:14 -0000

My comment is a bit late, just catching up on my email subscription reading! One reason I don't have a blogroll is that there are so many good blogs to choose from! I'm basically an ethical linker at this point. I do talk about specific blogs or bloggers in my posts. Some times I'm not sure if I need a link just to show a snall snippet of a blog as an example in a design tutorial --- I give the blog name but the actual link may not be relevant to my content from a search engine point of view.

SBAs last blog post...Template Makeover - Procedure 1 with Design Plan

Re: Make Your PC a Lean, Mean Blogging Machine

Shirley — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:48:18 -0000

I use Windows XP, but there may be a Vista version. I created a shortcut on my desktop that points to a Notepad with text reminding me to use the Start, Run command to turn off the annoying 'Restart Now' question after automatic updates are downloaded. That allows you to finish what you're doing and let it happen on restart. The run command is does not accept paste, so just key this in: services.msc and press enter.Then find automatic update under names, right click and select 'stop' to turn 'off'! This has to be done each day you get the message since the system resets on start up. Hope this helps.

Hope is was okay to reply to this individual comment (not sure if reserved for the big guy, BlogBloke?)

SBAs last blog post...Adding A Menu Bar in Your Blogger Header

Re: Make Your PC a Lean, Mean Blogging Machine

Shirley — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:30:57 -0000

Curtis, I meant to reply to this comment, but replied to the first Curtis! So see above! The two of you look so much alike, are you twins?LOL

Re: Make Your PC a Lean, Mean Blogging Machine

Shirley — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:11:44 -0000

It turns off the prompt where Windows warns you "your computer needs to be restarted for updates to take effect... will restart your computer automatically in nnn minutes". As you know, even if you select the 'restart later' button, you get asked again [3 seconds later.] The updates are already installed. Again, turning off the message with the 'services.msc' only works for that session.