Thursday, November 23, 2006

Beta?

What's the deal with switching to beta? Do I want to do this? It seems like Blogger is now trying to trick me into switching! Is resistance futile?
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6 comments:

Treggles said...

Eventually there will be no choice, and everyone will be migrated whether they want to or not. That's the impression I get, anyway.

Changes with the beta? Well the only ones you'll see on my blog are the hierarchical view of my archive, which I like very much, and the labels now attached to my posts, which might be useful. Have a click around those sections of my sidebar and you'll see how they work.

The big changes are behind the scenes. There's a wider range of templates to choose from, and the whole code is different. The pages are now written in XML rather than pure HTML. (This may or may not mean anything to you.) What it does mean is that some aspects of editing your layout are easier (they've built a graphical editor that you can drag elements around on), and others are more complex(when the template doesn't do what you expect it to!). I've struggled a bit to get mine to look just as I want, and have made use of a discussion forum on Google Groups to get valuable assistance.

Another thing to bear in mind is that you do need a Google account. If you have one already (if you use Gmail, or Groups, for example), you can use it, but be warned: your comments on other blogs may then reveal your true identity (I speak from experience!). I now have two Google accounts, one as Treggles and one as T--- (oops! Nearly did it again!)

It does mean I have to keep signing in and out depending what I'm doing, which can be a pain.

Overall, I like it, but it's taken some getting used to.

11/23/2006 5:05 p.m.
Laura said...

oooo, I'm so glad you asked this question and I'm so glad that Treggles gave such an awesome answer. I've really been wondering if I should do this or not, too. I'll do it if you do it :)

11/24/2006 6:05 a.m.
Rosepetal said...

me too - they're really pushing it now. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to leave comments or something anymore.

11/24/2006 6:59 a.m.
delphi said...

My husband just spent yesterday at an IT conference. One of the things that they discussed is beta versions of software (in general). The way he explained things to me is that beta versions are trial versions. They try to sign up as many people as possible to try it out before they release the real update. He said that he wouldn't update to the beta version, b/c he would rather let other people work out the kinks - lazy bum!

Thanks so much, Treggles. I am glad to know what the change in features are. I may give it a little more time before I switch. But some of the features are tempting... Perhaps, when I have a little more time over the Christmas holiday I will do it.

11/24/2006 9:54 a.m.
kate said...

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE, YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED...

Yeah, i changed when they were forcing me too -- and it is alot faster now, and i had no problems with anything. So i was glad i switched.

11/24/2006 12:33 p.m.
delphi said...

Kate - Oh, thank God someone got the reference... I am not a total Trek-head, but watched a lot of TNG reruns when I was a young teenager....

11/24/2006 3:15 p.m.

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