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Not that I don’t spend enough time on the computer, but the Cable is Out and K went to a Church Function. Boredom has set in, and I’m not into Solitaire.
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Time to Tweak…
I started by looking at the Sidebar. I really wanted to change things around so that I had a Left Sidebar and a Right Sidebar. THAT would be a little too much to Tweak. That would mean a whole new Theme. I like this one too much to change to something else right now, so I’ll stick with Andreas04 for now.
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The Google Search has been bothering me for a while. The Web Search is fine, but the Site Search lead to the WebPage. That is what really bothered me the most. So, I changed the caption just a little, I changed it to Working at Home on the Internet as the Search instead of the .com thing that was the default.
I also changed the url in the code to default to the Blog instead of the WebPage. (I hope I don’t get in trouble for that one). When I set up the Ad Code originally, it wouldn’t accept the /WP for the Blog, it defaulted to the home url. That ended up taking people away from the Blog and to the WebPage. Not the worst of things, but not what I wanted.
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Next, since the word “comments” bothered me since forever, I had to change that. Don’t ask me why that bothered me so much, but it did. Probably from when I was a little kid and got smacked for a “snide comment“. Now, it has been changed to “reader input“. I think that may (or may not) lead to people feeling better about commenting. Instead of the impression of an outsider giving an opinion, maybe they will get the idea that it’s Ok to give some “input” to the conversation.
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Whatda’yathink?
I really don’t think there will be a problem with the Google thing, I want to know your opinion on the “comments” thing.
Do you think it will make readers more comfortable in commenting? Or, do you think it will confuse them because it’s not standard issue?
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Please use “reader input” to make a comment. ;-)Â
Update
Guess what, I may use “remarks” or “reader remarks” instead. If you prefer one of those as opposed to input, let me know. Thanks. J.
Update II
I decided to go with “reader remarks”. I hope everyone likes it, I’ll give it some time before making a final decision. J.
11 Comments
Hey there – I know, I’ve been MIA for a while… lots of stuff going on around here. I’m back though!
As for the Google thing – no, you won’t get in trouble. Promise!
The comments though – I’m personally not too keen on the change. People are used to certain things, like the word “comments”, in blogs.
Maybe just test it out for a while, and see what happens? I just think that there are better things you could do to “make it your own” other than changing the words that are typically common across blogs, if that makes sense?
JMHO…
Hey Lara,
Hope it was a good busy, and all is well.
What do you think about the “remarks” instead of comments or input? I could possibly go with that, it means the same thing.
Joe
I think “remarks” is better than “input” – sounds less computerized or something.
Hey Lara,
I think I’ll stick with “remarks” for a little while just to see what reaction I get. I don’t get all that many comments anyway, but I don’t want to drive people away from joining in by using the wrong terminology.
After thinking about the “input” thing, I started disliking it more and more, especially after talking to you.
Thanks for your “INPUT”
Joe
Joe – interesting change on the “comments” vs. “remarks” thing. I’ll be interested to see what happens.
I hadn’t thought of changing that on my site or that “comments” might have a negative connotation for some.
Ya know, I’m just remembering, I think once you commented on my site to the affect of, “stop calling us readers, Ben, call us friends or a community.” You were right, but I’m not sure you can change reader remarks to “community remarks.” Hhmm…
Hey Ben,
I don’t know why “comments” bothered me so much, but I kinda like the alliteration “readers remarks”.
And, Yes, I am the one who said about using friends or community instead of readers.
(Did you read today’s last post? What a pain in the A** it is to log in just to comment on my own Blog)
Joe
Reader Remarks does have nice alliteration…if it increases comments on the site you’ll have something very valuable to share with bloggers. We’re all obsessed with comments; any little tweak to get more is golden.
I just read your most recent post re: your own comments being considered spam. Frustrating and funny at the same time. *chuckle*
Happy Thanksgiving Joe — oh and check out my group writing project (don’t think I emailed you directly on it)!
Yeah Ben, I think if it works, all the better. At least I can placate myself. Not to worry, if it does work, I will let you and everyone else know.
That other thing is kinda funny, but it is still a pain…
Do you celebreate Thanksgiving in the Great White North? Happy Thanksgiving, either way.
Joe
We celebrate Thanksgiving in October…so it’s already passed, and it’s nowhere near the holiday it is in the US
K Ben,
‘Nother question. Do you do Christmas or Boxing Day?
Yup, both of those are the same. *grin*