October 3, 2010

Alternative to the Blogger Editor


blogger editor makes me cry

On frequent occasions, my knickers have gotten in a twist by using the Blogger editor. When I insert multiple photos in a post (e.g., more than one and not at the very beginning), the formatting goes wonky. And the more that I try to fix it, the editor intervenes and manages to makes things worse. There have been many times that I have just plain given up, deleted my draft, and started all over again. I have used the old editor and the new one. They both give me fits. And it doesn’t matter if I am trying to upload photos from my computer (which go to Picasa) or link to my finer, artsy images loaded on Flickr. I know that other blogging friends have had frustrating moments with the editor too, so the problems are not of my own creation.

So what’s a blogger to do?  Answer: Find another way that doesn’t force me to curse like a longshoreman. After doing a little research, I learned that Windows Live Writer might be a good solution. I downloaded it from Microsoft (free) and tested it out several times this summer. For about the last month, I have been posting exclusively using Live Writer. I love it! It makes the creation and editing of blog posts so much easier. It was a snap to get it linked up with my blog site. I recently added a nifty plug-in (also free) which helps me easily link up to my Flickr pictures too. For pictures that I upload from my computer, Live Writer puts those automatically in Picasa.

And just so you know, I am providing this review of a Microsoft product with no compensation, LOL. If you’re happy with the Blogger editor, that’s wonderful. But I have been dissatisfied with it from the very beginning. I am relieved that I found an alternative tool that will help me post with minimum muss and fuss. The 2011 version of Live Writer just came out a couple of days ago, and it is better than ever with formatting options that are unavailable with the Blogger editor.  It even has some built-in photo editing features!

One word of advice: If you download the program, chose the custom installation rather than the default, which is a bundled conglomerate of Windows Live Essential programs. You need to select the installation of only Live Writer.

11 comments:

  1. bless you donna! i have been wondering what that was. but also been too afraid to touch it. i had an awful virus and all kinds of problems with blogger and blogging for the longest time. now that i finally, at least think i found a solution-- aside from posting any photos-- or at least arranging them, i didn't want to mess with what i thought to be a 'good thing'.
    i will have to test drive this and see how it goes for me.
    hope you have a wonderful day!

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  2. This is what I do for images that aren't my own. Right click on the image I want to place in my post. Right click again in my post to paste it where I want it. It's very easy. For my own images, I haven't had any trouble, sorry that you have.

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  3. This makes me glad I decided against blogging with Blogger and went with Squarespace, back in the beginning. Although I pay a nominal monthly fee for my blog, it has more storage than I could ever use and their editing process is very easy. Of course, everything became easier still when I switched to an iMac last winter! I'm glad you've figured out a way to remove this particular frustration from the blogging experience because we sure don't want you to quit blogging.

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  4. Oh yes, I've had problems with blogger editor. I've also deleted posts and started over because of problems I couldn't fix. Thank you so much for sharing this information, I'll have to look into it

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  5. I haven't used Blogger editor for several months since a blog friend recommended Live Writer. I love the way it helps me 'all my ducks in a row' and is simple to transfer to my blog. Unfortunately I didn't know I could do the custom thing so got a whole bunch of extras on my laptop. Trying to get rid of them is impossible! Looking forward to more posts from you!
    ~Adrienne~

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  6. I tried this one and didn't get along with it either. I think that I'm very hard to get along with. I hope that Aunt Amelia reads this as she has been having such troubles.

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  7. Unfortunately I couldn't download it. Sounded great, as I also have been having problems. I'm still using Windows XP. Thank you for the advice!

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  8. Thank you Donna, but I am on a Mac. Can not use Bill Gates stuff.

    And I do love my Mac, btw. We both do. I have an iMac and husband has a newer LapTop.

    I'll just have to keep plugging along. :-) Back to Old Editor for now. Check New Editor now and then, to see if it's got the "Beta-bugs" out yet.

    But I wonder when Blogger will reallllllllllllly switch all, to New? Betcha' not till bloggers keep helping, to get all the "Beta-bugs" out. And I am no longer doing Blogger work for them.

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  9. I haven't had any problems yet...(knock on wood) and hopefully I won't! Livewriter does sound interesting though! I may check it out anyway!
    Hope you and hubby DO get out more! LOVE your photos!!Hahaaa...I'm selfish that way!!
    Happy 27th Day sweetie!!
    hughugs

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  10. I had seen the Live Writer and was wondering about it because blogger does give me fits. I have several drafts that are yet to be published because the crazy thing doesn't cooperate.
    Thanks for the information, now if I can only slow down long enough to try it out!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!