on limitations of blogger, and quick tips

As an ex-Xanga user, I have to admit that the features in Xanga were more intuitive and useful than Blogger. However as nice as features were, they didn't drown out the loud and ugly ads that were rampant on the website, and there was no way I was going to pay for my blog when my reader base is a total of maybe 10 people.

Anyhow, here's a little list of what used to be available to me but isn't anymore, and some work-arounds that I've found while snooping around Blogger Forums. 

1. The reply button - the most intuitively feature of them all, and to this date I don't understand why it is lacking in Blogger when everyone else offers it. The reply button is usually next or below a comment and allows you to, well, reply to comments.

How-to: Here is a little widget that adds a reply button to your blog comments: 

http://blog.thisischen.com/2009/04/how-do-i-reply-to-comment-on-blogger.html

2. Something to notify you when someone replies to you on their website - so you left a comment, how do you know if the author replies to your comment? As a blogger who cares, and replies to reader comments, what if my very witty and insightful responses never get to my flock? 

Whereas Xanga automatically notifies people of replies made on their comments, unfortunately you have to opt-in this option in Blogger if you want more of my wisdom. 

How-to: When you're commenting, click on the Subscribe by e-mail link underneath the Comment Box, this will send new comments to the particular post to your email. Unfortunately, the replyer to your comment (e.g. me) has no way to enforce this on you. So if I call you a dumbass in my reply it's because you wanted the insult. 

This is obviously annoying. If you're a preacher, you should defect and use Wordpress or something.

3. Direct link to the commenter and follower's blog - So I click on your little picture, because you're following me and as a curious cat, I want to read your blog too and show some support. If you are one of those people that forgot to click a little box in your profile "display my blogs", then I can't find your blog. Not unless I know your very clever blog name, or that 18 digits blog ID.

Even if you do, after I click on your name it shows me a list of blogs you have, and then I have to click on your blog link. Ugh.

How-to: Go to your profile, choose to display your blog in your profile - you'll get more readers!