An annoyance revisited and a work around...

Thank you to all the many people that have added reports and suggestions to work around the problem updating links and list in the sidebar. I have tried these and, for me at least this has restored functionality that has been missing for almost a week now!
Go here:
http://draft.blogger.com/home
Then:
In the 'Go To Post' Tab, chose 'More Options' > 'Layout'
Create new side bar widgets and edit existing one exactly as you would do it you had reached this point from the options at the head of your blog page. The only difference, aside from being slightly long-winded, is that when you click 'SAVE' something actually happens!

The only blot I have discovered thus far is that, at least in list widgets, it adds new items to the bottom of the list rather than the top and, while they can be "promoted" using the up/down arrows it is a little tedious. Maybe there is an 'invert list' option that I have yet to find? It is however less tedious than simply waiting for Google/Blogger to fix the primary problem.
In addition, so another slight issue, I cannot add links to the list items but I haven't the faintest idea why that might be. It is, I guess, just all part of the fun - the learning process. Were that not so I would no doubt have given up long ago.
No doubt Blogger will fix the underlying problem, probably sooner rather than later. It may be frustrating, particularly at first, but don't quit for there is plenty of free help out there and, at the very least, a carefully worded Google search will point you towards it.

Thoughts on blogging

If this seems a strange post then please let me explain...

There seem to be many new recruits to this part of the social network revolution in the last few months. Many of them have just started, written one or two posts, and then started to ask questions about blogging. I have, either directly or not, been on the receiving end of some of them...

Many things are common to all internet activities:

• Don't give personal details recklessly. If in any doubt at all then don't.
  
• Never EVER give bank details, passwords or anything similar.
• If something or someone concerns you, report it AT ONCE.

If you allow comments to your blog, and I do because I think it important that people can comment, then I suggest you choose settings such that you get to review and approve or delete (moderate) them before they appear. I have not yet (in 3½ years) had to delete one because it was in any way offensive but I have declined to publish a few that were totally irrelevant. Others comprised links composed of Chinese script, the content and relevance of which I am unfortunately unable to judge on merit, so I had no option but to reject in ignorance.

Remember:

• It is a two way game. Trouble is generally found where trouble looks.
• Having opinions is what a blog is all about but not everyone will agree with you.
• If you are reasonable and principled then your respondents will probably be likewise.

If that all sounds a bit gloomy, and rather like advice that you heard at school, then I apologize! Blogging is great. I started out of curiosity and never, ever thought that I'd keep it up beyond a few posts.

That was in September 2006 and I have thus found way more music than I would otherwise have done; of that there is no doubt.
Although indirectly, because I was reading and writing about music, I have met so many people often in the real world as a result of my blog. If I had not started it I doubt that I would have committed to going to festivals again...

As this, when I click 'PUBLISH' [and if you are reading this then I have and it has worked], will by my 452nd published post and I'm beginning to think that it wasn't a mistake to start. I also read a lot of other people's blogs now, so just blog if you want and if it suits you keep it going...

Richard