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Blogger: A blogging option for novices and pros
A new look at Google's Blogger
In this article, Linda takes a new look at Google's Blogger as an option for eliminating self-hosting.
Blogger for Professionals
With all the above said and done, and you're willing to use Blogger for your publicity as an author, designer or developer, then take a look at what Google does offer to its Blogger users...
Transferring Existing Blogs
You can import posts and comments from a previously exported Blogger blog, export a Blogger blog, or permanently delete it. When you're in Blogger, go to "Settings>Basic" and you'll find links to Blog Tools at the top of the page. When you import a Blogger blog (posts and comments), imported posts will be merged with any current posts, sorted by date.
Blogger asks for an .xml file for upload, so if your blog is available to download in that format, this is what you need to use.
To export your blog, you simply download that Blogger blog into what is called a "Blogger Atom export format." You can do this to move your blog to another blogging service or simply to store your blog on your own hard drive. Your blog will remain on Blogger until you delete it.
Deleted blogs can be restored within 90 days before they are removed forever. You can create another blog at this address using the Google Account you're currently logged in with. Before you delete a blog, check that the import worked successfully by looking at the blog, and also at the list of posts under Edit Posts: are the right number of posts there, do they have the right labels, etc.
For a more detailed account on how to import a blog to Blogger, visit Blogger-Hits-and-Tips.
Customization
You might be surprised to learn that you can alter various components within Blogger. You can edit the HTML by going to "Design > Edit HTML." Don't get all excited, though, as this editing pertains only to the template. That said, you can do a lot in changing that template (whichever one you choose) to create a whole new look for your blog.
With experience, you know that you need to create your template in text or in a CSS editor and test it before you upload and change any template on Blogger. You always can revert to other Blogger templates if yours doesn't work out. Pay attention to custom tags specific to Blogger (it's not like you can use a WordPress template, for example, and make that work automatically).
You'll also see an option to 'Expand Widget Templates.' By default, each page element is shown in the code as a one-line placeholder, and you can set options in the graphical interface on the Page Elements tab. Turning this option on will show the complete data and template for each element. The code is simpler the first way, but you have more control the second way, so use whichever option you prefer. Learn more by reading the article, Widget Template Tags.
If you noticed the Template Designer (NEW!) in the illustration shown above, next to "Edit HTML," you'll learn that this link takes you to a page where you can view your blog and change the template design at the same time, using Blogger templates. This template designer also allows users to change layouts (depending upon the template chosen) and colours as well as text and backgrounds.
Linda Goin
Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.
Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.