I don’t really want to a blog about blogging, when I want to blog about other stuff, however there are certain things about the way WordPress works which may need attention. I’m not complaining, just responding to the problems I feel need to be ‘fixed’. I will try to outline my suggestions as entertainingly as possible.
- A relative just emailed me, distressed because she thought one of the posts I reblogged (and I don’t do this often) was me talking, not the original blogger, so she thought I was going to get a divorce! This misunderstanding is because the reblogger’s comment (mine) came at the end, rather than at the beginning, of the reblogged post (the brilliant writer who is not me!)
- Along the same lines, everything is backwards in time; i.e you have to read your comments backwards and your ‘followers’ have to read your posts backwards. So, every time you subscribe to a blog, or vice versa, it’s a bit difficult to get to the beginning first and read through subsequent posts in an orderly fashion (you know, February to March, rather than March to February).
- I find the term ‘follower’ a little strange because, for me (yes it’s just me and probably everyone will disagree) connotes with either ‘disciple’ or ‘stalker’.
- Also, when someone ‘likes’ my post, I am also told by WordPress that they think it is “awesome” (and again, vice versa). Okay, I quite like my cute little nose but I don’t think it’s awesome.
I hope this doesn’t sound too cynical or rebellious; WordPress is awesome!
I’m ducking for cover now – hehe!
jmgoyder 
Hi,
It can be confusing for people that are not used to the blogosphere.
However I love your photo. 😀
Yeah it get’s really confusing for the ‘followers’ who aren’t bloggers! I keep getting into trouble!
Ducks look like they could yse a bigger Pond?
There’s a bigger pond right close to this one!
I’m not really up with the blogging that well yet to comment … I am setting up my website and blog … should be up and running soon … I hope!
Yeeha!
Yes, we have the same problem with organising blogs – fine for the latest blogs on the home page to come in latest first, but archiving is a big bore if you have to work backwards all the time. The post being ‘awesome’ makes us cringe too!
It’s comforting to know it isn’t just me! Thanks.
I agree with you too. Good for you for stating the problems so eloquently. If no one speaks up, nothing will change. I think you stated your (our) case very sensibly and without malice. Well done.
Hope so – thanks!
Just a few comments from my perspective, since every blogger loves a chance to sound off on the process itself!
1. Many bloggers, including myself, consider reblogging a tool of the Devil. We screamed and yelled when WordPress instituted it. I suppose they were trying to get in on a little of the Twitter/Tumblr action. I have “Please do NOT Reblog” on my site – if I spend the time creating content, I don’t want it ripped off. The big problem with reblogging is that if it happens twice or more, all references to the original creator disappear. Not good.
It’s only happened to me once, but I nearly had a coronary. I know it’s the way of the web, but if it happens again with my notices up, I may consider leaving WordPress.
2. That newest-first deal for posts is just the way of the blogging world. However, I do think that if you go into your dashboard under the “comments” section, you can find a way to reverse the order of the comments. You can have either the oldest first or the newest first.
3. Yeh. I prefer to refer to “readers”.
4. WordPress is run by a bunch of under-30 geeky sorts. They think everything is awesome, including inexplicable changes. Prepare yourself. 😉
You have terrified me – yikes this is really valuable information for a newbie like me. Thank you sooo much for that information – I am going to digest if slowly and I mean this seriously. It certainly raises a few questions which is a good thing – thank you again!
Nothing to be terrified about. You’ll get accustomed to things. When I first started, I spent a lot of time on the wordpress forums, just reading. I learned SO much, and it was really helpful.
Click your avatar (photo) in the upper right hand corner, then click “help”, and then click Forums in the page that pops up. They have a search function, too, so if you want information about something, you can just type the words into the search box – like, “changing order of comments”. If it’s been talked about, it will pop up.
I am very grateful for your advice here – thank you so much. I will try the ‘help’ button for sure as my avatar keeps turning me into that devil thing – hehe!
Julie, I Agree with your backwards in time comment, I was just thinking to myself today how bizarre it is especially for new people who join your blog, they have to scroll way, way, way back in time (especially if it’s been around for years) to get the whole story. But on the other hand it also makes sense for the newest post to be first! I actually don’t understand the reblogging thing at all, it says it on my blogs all the time and I think to my self why would I want to reblog the same blog I have just posted?! Confused!
Reblogging is when you like someone else’s post enough to press the ‘reblog’ tab. This has recently become an issue with some bloggers wanting to be ‘reblogged’ and others not wanting it – so should really be something for WordPress to sort out – not us. I respect both sides of the reblogging argument, so I always ask first before hitting ‘reblog’ and I think I’ve only done this a few times. The other thing about reblogging that is interesting is that most readers of your own blog aren’t interested in your reblogs and the stats show this. Oh how complicated this blogging world is – but also how wonderful!
It takes a bit to get used to the blogging world. I like your photo to represent “ducking.”
Yes, it’s an interesting world all right!
I agree! My rant?
1.) Where’s the ‘love’ button!
2.) Why when you put a photo in and adjust so it doesn’t lay on its side, does it still show up on its side when you click to get a closer view?
3.) AND!!! Why can’t you block the creepy followers that come along from time to time! There are some scary folks out there in blog land. =:- O
~ Lynda
Good points! I haven’t yet encountered any scary folk so today will probably be the day!!
If you want… I could introduce you to a couple of mine.
Muhwaahahahahaaaaaa…!
That muhwaahahahahaaaa! is worth bottling!
I’m going to like this one cause it was awesome 🙂 lol. I love the pic at the end.
That’s Zaruma the duck!
Touche” Jules! This is such a good bullet pointed post. I’ve for the most past decided that it’s not worth the wrath most times as the reblogging app stands currently can cause all these perfectly related misnomers.
I cannot imagine why WP never thought of the sceneio like you stated; a reader reads your blog, finding that what is being posted is you talking.
Thanks – the other problem with reblogging of course is that if someone wanted to be nasty they could reblog and accompany the reblog with a sarcastic comment!
I have just found my long lost blog emails & am working my way through all 189 (it was actually hundreds more, but I was able to delete some without reading them). I normally started at the oldest first, but today I am having to work ‘backwards’ and spend most of the day working out which to delete (without reading) and which ones I REALLY want to read.
I find Worpress has it’s little faults, but as time goes by, I am getting used to them.
As I get new people reading my posts – new followers etc, I constantly feel I have to add in a sentence to explain myself (as I can’t assume they will read old posts and know that many of my posts follow on from previous posts – annoying and extra work.
I’ve never reblogged and try hard not to refer to other Bloggers too much – makes life difficult.
Yes, you are so right. Now I’m subscribing to more blogs it is becoming very time-consuming to read them all so it’s a bit of a catch-22.
Have fun with your 189!!!
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