Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Hope This Message Finds You


In only a few days, what to some will be a monumental catastrophe is slated to occur.

For others? Those like me would hardly blink at the scheduled demise of Google Reader on July 1—if only it weren’t for the fact that it will impact a high percentage of blog readers across the board and around the world.

I’ve never been a fan of Google Reader, frankly. That, however, is my consumer voice speaking.

When I switch hats to my blogging role, I realize the massive impact this event can have on readership.

So I want to very earnestly ask you, my dear reader, to check and insure that you are not going to be one of the many who have put off making the big switch from Google Reader to another blog—and news—reading device until it is too late.

I’d really miss you if you were…

Well, I suppose true confessions are in order here. I, too, was one among the many procrastinators. Only last night did I make the switch.

And, just in case my inept computer skills did me wrong on that switch, I overdid it and signed up for not one but two different readers. On my iPad, I chose to download the FlipBoard app. For my desktop (yes, the dinosaur clunker!) I went with Feedly.

If you are still casting about for an alternate reader, check out this list of clickable suggestions I found, courtesy of the blog at Author Media.

And if you choose, as I did, to migrate to Feedly, here are some instructions to help ease the pain of unwanted change.

Just be sure to do it by June 30.

Now, here’s a word for those of you who are not only readers but writers. Consider the effect this change is going to impose on your own readership. Remember those handy gadgets you installed on your blog when you first set up shop? As of last night, when I checked what came up for those clicking to subscribe via RSS feed, Google was still offered as a main choice. Feedly and FlipBoard and all those other current choices available now? No mention.

Wrong.

Until these new options integrate themselves into the mainstream of gadgets to be handily placed on our blogs, you may as well take the offensive and plunk down the appropriate buttons on your own cyber-property.

I like what Beverly McGowan Norman posted on her blog, Roots, Branches and a Few Nuts, yesterday: a link to Feedly’s instructions on how to add a widget to your own blog. That way, subscribers can simply click the link that says, “Follow on Feedly.”

One of the beauties of blogging is witnessing the gathering of a community of like-minded readers around any particular blog. I’ve certainly enjoyed interacting with the circle of readers who’ve gathered here. To think that any of us would be “lost” owing to a third party’s decision to disconnect its service is rather sad. I just don’t want it to happen to you. I certainly would miss your company—and your input! Whether you are one of those faithful daily participants here at A Family Tapestry or a more occasional reader, I hope this message finds you before we turn the calendar page on another month.


14 comments:

  1. OK, so I just migrated to Feedly. Now I'm trying to create the widget. Did you do that? Evidently I'm dumber than I thought I was because I can't follow the directions on how to do that.

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    1. Wendy, don't beat yourself up on that...I thought their instructions weren't clear, either. After I catch my breath from our family situation in a few days, I'm going to experiment with how I think it should be done. If it works (and no guffaws from the peanut gallery if it flops!) then I'll post how I did it--if you are still wondering about it all.

      I find both Feedly and FlipBoard have a wealth of info on customization--BUT they certainly don't make accessing it user-friendly.

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    1. Great, Iggy. Glad to know you will still be here! Hopefully, the switch will go seamlessly for everyone else after the big date passes and Google Reader is no more...

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  3. thanks so much for this timely post. I've been so wrapped up in a current crisis in our life that I have been rather oblivious to blogging housekeeping issues that apparently need some attention. I really appreciate the reminder and the advice.

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    1. Oh, Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear about that! Hope things get better for you soon!

      Hopefully, your readers will keep up to date on what they need to do to maintain their subscriptions.

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  4. I tried Feedly and another one. Could not upload my blog lists..so I went to Blog Lovin and it worked beautifully:)

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    1. Frustrating when you hit snags like that! However, thanks for the thumbs up on Blog Lovin, Far Side. Good to know that. Maybe someone else will find that helpful, too...

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  5. Thanks for the mention +Jacqi Stevens!

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    1. Timely that your blog post came up on my feed when it did, Beverly. Thanks for finding that info and posting it!

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  6. Hi, Jacqi! Thanks for your advice and sympathy. And you are on my Feedly. In fact, I've been reading you on my Feedly for weeks.

    I've been reading but not posting, for reasons explained on my resumed post tomorrow.

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    1. Mariann, I remember you mentioning going to Feedly quite a while back. You play the "Early Adopter" to my "Serious Procrastinator." :)

      Looking forward to reading your post tomorrow. Seemed strangely silent lately...

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  7. Thanks for the tips. I tried to Feedly button on my blog, and have my own write-up as well.

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    1. Well, I came by and took your Feedly button for a spin. Looking pretty good!

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