Blogger switch over

[Rynonut Mom]

First off - I'm not very happy that they changed the Hello Blogger Bot so that you can't upload your photos through Hello to Blogger anymore. Kinda t's me off. Then I go to use the upload feature through Blogger and it will only load 2 photos and that's it. Not to mention that they are smaller than when they loaded through Hello.

So talk to me again. How did everyone's switch over to the new Blogger go. I am terrified that all the customizing that I have done to my blog will be lost. It says everything says the same. Do they lie????? Does the new blogger version upload photos better than the old one? I know other people have had problems with uploading photos too..

What about other free blog versions... Wordpress lets say. I know you can transfer over all your blog content to them, but I think I saw somewhere that the photos all disappear in transfer. Is that true? And photos - do they upload through Wordpress better than Blogger? Does anyone like Wordpress better than Blogger????

Is there anything else great out there for free????

[Nathalie]

Hi Michelle, although I don't use Wordpress myself, I know a lot who do and they just love wordpress. You might need to customize the design and I don't think your photos would get lost, but I'm not sure. Not a great help, sorry

[sanstanton]

Personally, I didn't like new Blogger. I had just ((sort of)) gotten the hang of the codes and such in original Blogger. But then my old codes didn't work in the new Blogger... something about widgets, which I was completely unable to figure out. So somewhere I found the option to revert back to old Blogger, and I am much happier. In fact, I found a tut for making a three-column blog w/ old Blogger. I updated moved some new stuff in. My blog blinkie will take you there if you want to peek!

[Rynonut Mom]

Oh - that looks great, Sandra!!! I'm impressed that you found a way to go back, too!

I know - at some point - they are going to make everyone switch back over, but I bet it will take awhile. I keep dragging my feet, figuring by the time they get to me, the version will be better.


And thanks, Nathalie!!!

[nbeaudreau]

I hadn't blogged in months until the other day and I decided to make the switch over to the new blogger. I've only used it for a couple of days now. I kinda like it better than the old blogger. It's easier to add stuff to my sidebar. The photos seem to upload a lot faster and better than before. All my pics and comments transferred too.

I just need to figure out how to add a header to my blog. I haven't had a chance to play with that too much. The coding is a little different, but I'm pretty sure someone here knows how to do it LOL!

You can take a peek at my blog if you like (I need to get it back in my siggy soon) My Blog (http://thescrappychick.blogspot.com/)

[sanstanton]

Nikki, I love the way you framed your photos! Are they JPGs w. white background?

[Rynonut Mom]

Yeah - those photos and the frames are awesome, Nikki!

Did you have to totally change over templates then, Nikki?

[nbeaudreau]

Thanks! Yeah, they're jpgs with a white bg. I added a drop shadow to the frame and switched my blog border color to white.

Michelle, it's the same template that I had before.

[PixelStix]

Michelle,
You should totally switch, I'm sure it will be fine. The new blogger is good ;)

For anyone who needs it--

It's kind of a pain to replace your header in the new Blogger. I didn't blog on the old one, so I don't know how easy it was there, but here are some steps for ya:

1. From your blog, go to [Customize] (top r), then to [Edit HTML] (left below tabs).

Remove all the code from the section /*Header, except for the following, which will keep your new header centered up there in the right place (**you can just copy and paste what I have below and replace the whole section**).

/* Header
-----------------------------------------------
*/
#header-wrapper {
width:660px;
margin:0 auto 10px;
}
#header {
text-align: center;
}


2. While you're still in html, hit ctrl+F to search and type false, and it should bring you to a line that looks like this:

<b:widget id='Blog1' locked='false' title='Blog Posts' type='Blog'/>

Just change that little 'false' to 'true'. This will allow you to delete the old header on your page elements grid. [Save Template]

3. Go to [Page Elements] (to the left of the Edit HTML option).

Click [edit] on your Title in the "page header" long box at the top. Click [remove page element]. (If this button isn't there, then you need to go back and double check step 2).

4. Click on the long dashed box at the bottom [Add a page element]. Click [add to blog] under PICTURE and either browse on your computer or link your header graphic from a host site (like ImageShack). [Save changes]. Next part is a little tricky. Your long picture box will be at the bottom of your Page Elements grid. When you drag it up, it will try to put it in your sidebar, but just drag it all the way to the top where your old header box was until it turns back into a long box then drop it.
[SAVE]

If you successfully replaced the code in step one, the header outline and all traces of your original header should be gone and your new header should be centered at the top.

Hope this helps chickies!

[PixelStix]

[quote=Rynonut Mom;125395]Yeah - those photos and the frames are awesome, Nikki!

Awww.. had to go see, those are so GREAT! Who made the negative frames? What a fabulous idea! You chickies are all so creative.

[nbeaudreau]

See I knew someone here would know how to change the header! Thanks, Lisa!!

I guess I should have credited the frames in my post (shame on me!) They're by Holly McCaig in her Fall Velvet kit (DST November kit).

[Rynonut Mom]

Thank Lisa!

I'm really scared to fro some reason. I've thought about totally starting a new one and them importing the old stuff when I get it the new one the way I want, but I don't really wat to do that either.

[PixelStix]

Michelle, there's an option in there where you can back up your old template and then revert back to it if you totally screw it all up! LOL. Maybe try that ;)

[nbeaudreau]

I was kinda nervous too when making the swtich, but everything will be okay. Just do what Lisa said.

[InLoveWithDOTS]

I dont much care for the new blogger. Uploading was quicker but I cant see the image in preview and I cant move the pic to a different part of my post so I ended up using Photobucket to host the pic anyway which is a pain.

[Cynnder]

im still on the oldblogger....I suppose im going to HAVE to change sometime right??

[d2vasquez]

Ok I updated to the new blogger and have changed it a few times......I just googled how to change template for the template I was using for Blogger and up came up all this help.......then played with and made it work....but that was 2 templates ago and now I got to go back in and fix my header....but been too lazy to do it..... :)

[nbeaudreau]

I found a real easy way to change the banner on You Tube. The video is on my blog if you want to see it.

[karebear821]

I was a little nervous about the switchover, but it wasn't too bad. Like others, I had to fiddle around to get my header back, but everything else showed up. Now that I've made the switch and am settled into everything, I do find the new version to be a little easier to customize and the photos upload much quicker. Of course, it is always hard to make a change when you've just gotten used to one method.

[ChristineS]

it totally freaks me out to consider changing it. I have a nice three-column template and I always host my photos from my home site anyway because it has given me good results - e.g. when blogger behaves badly for hosting photos (seems infamous for that) I can alwasy get them to load if they are hosted by me

[alicia79]

Lisa I followed your steps but I still do not get the remove this element part.

GOT IT!!! thanks!