Update on the post from April 23rd: the issue has been fixed.
But see how I just linked to a previous post? It wasn't easy. Blogger makes users enter a URL just like any link. There should be a way to reference earlier posts. Both your own posts, and posts belonging to fave / bookmarked fellow bloggers (note: there is no such Bookmarked Blogs built into Blogger, but there should be!).
A 'reference post' button would pull up a list of past posts.... check the one you want. Wouldn't that be helpful?
Here's what I had to do instead:
1. open my blogspot (View Blog link) in new Tab/Window.
2. Click on the post I want to link to.
3. Copy the Address.
4. Return to Edit Blogger Post.
5. Highlight text.
6. Click "Link" button.
7. Paste URL.
8. OK.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Help Me, Blogger (Yeah)
When logged in users browse BlogSpot (which displays published view of users’ blogs), the site’s Header links to the user’s Dashboard, and to Sign Out. That is helpful. So, if you are reading someone else’s blog, you can jump right to your control panel aka ‘dashboard’ which lists and links to edit each of your blogs and profile. Here’s a screenshot:
But if you are viewing a BlogSpot page that you own (or to which you contribute), the Header links to “New Post,” “Customize,” and Sign Out. A link to Dashboard would be desirable here. Also, instead of, or next to, “New Post” there should be a link to “Edit Posts.” It is this link, which exists elsewhere in your dashboard, that displays the titles and previews and the # of comments of each of your posts, and has a button to ‘add new.’ A more suitable term is: ‘Manage Posts’ which conveys that you can edit/view existing posts as well as make an addition (The term 'Mangage: Links' exists on Dashboard).
Even if you contribute to just one blog, it would be convenient for the Header of the your blogspot page to link to ‘Manage Posts.’ And if you contribute to more than one blog, the link to ‘Dashboard’ would be of great help
But if you are viewing a BlogSpot page that you own (or to which you contribute), the Header links to “New Post,” “Customize,” and Sign Out. A link to Dashboard would be desirable here. Also, instead of, or next to, “New Post” there should be a link to “Edit Posts.” It is this link, which exists elsewhere in your dashboard, that displays the titles and previews and the # of comments of each of your posts, and has a button to ‘add new.’ A more suitable term is: ‘Manage Posts’ which conveys that you can edit/view existing posts as well as make an addition (The term 'Mangage: Links' exists on Dashboard).
Even if you contribute to just one blog, it would be convenient for the Header of the your blogspot page to link to ‘Manage Posts.’ And if you contribute to more than one blog, the link to ‘Dashboard’ would be of great help
Monday, April 23, 2007
YouTube: Invalid Parameters
When users login to YouTube, at the top of the screen, displayed prominently, is a message: "Invalid Parameters." What does it mean? I have been greeted in this manner for at least one month. How remarkable that the YouTube traffic continues to grow, despite an explicit insult on Page One. The user has reason to exit the site--and the 'Net--to determine what it is about him or herself that is Wrong. Readers: fret no more; it is the Google YouTube login script which has the problem. So, why is it, after at least 3 weeks, that the BUG still exists? The user believes one of the following is true:
1. The engineers are not aware of the problem.
2. The engineers are aware of the problem, but are unable to fix it.
3. The engineers are aware of the problem, but do not wish to fix it.
None of those possibilities boosts one's confidence or regard for the Google team. Indeed, #3 directly contradicts Google's "don't be evil" creed (whereas #1 implies that the makers don't use the system themselves or have a "Quality Analysis" staff; #2, incompetence).
Perhaps somebody there isn't too busy counting money, and can fix the issue.
The biggest problem with the message is that it is displayed regardless of what the user did. We might as well also discuss the error message in general. That is, if and when the message is displayed as a result of an invalid parameter entered by a user.
Problem #1: syntax. Sure, we are all aware of the word parameter, but we seldom use it. It's coder-speak. Fine and dandy for the internal methods of the coders, but the function should spit out 'Plain English.' If "parameters" was part of the local (YouTube) lexicon, it would be permissable here of course, but I don't see the word showing up**...
Problem#2: lacks specifics. If a user does something wrong, she should be informed WHAT it was she did wrong, and, if not self-evident, CORRECTIVE MEASURES should be identified and displayed.
** A YouTube search for "Invalid Parameters" displayed a short video from a young user who stepped up and asked the community "What's up?" As she mentions, there is no word about it in Help. Check it out (note: she pronounces 'parameters' like 'para-meters' but she means the same thing:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjUZ3SI9htw
1. The engineers are not aware of the problem.
2. The engineers are aware of the problem, but are unable to fix it.
3. The engineers are aware of the problem, but do not wish to fix it.
None of those possibilities boosts one's confidence or regard for the Google team. Indeed, #3 directly contradicts Google's "don't be evil" creed (whereas #1 implies that the makers don't use the system themselves or have a "Quality Analysis" staff; #2, incompetence).
Perhaps somebody there isn't too busy counting money, and can fix the issue.
The biggest problem with the message is that it is displayed regardless of what the user did. We might as well also discuss the error message in general. That is, if and when the message is displayed as a result of an invalid parameter entered by a user.
Problem #1: syntax. Sure, we are all aware of the word parameter, but we seldom use it. It's coder-speak. Fine and dandy for the internal methods of the coders, but the function should spit out 'Plain English.' If "parameters" was part of the local (YouTube) lexicon, it would be permissable here of course, but I don't see the word showing up**...
Problem#2: lacks specifics. If a user does something wrong, she should be informed WHAT it was she did wrong, and, if not self-evident, CORRECTIVE MEASURES should be identified and displayed.
** A YouTube search for "Invalid Parameters" displayed a short video from a young user who stepped up and asked the community "What's up?" As she mentions, there is no word about it in Help. Check it out (note: she pronounces 'parameters' like 'para-meters' but she means the same thing:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjUZ3SI9htw
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