Finally, after buying Blogger a few years ago, Google is starting to make some changes. I would say improvements, but that remains to be seen.
The new Blogger is only available to new users and a select group of existing users right now. A full roll-out will happen “eventually,” according to Blogger’s Buzz news blog. Blogger users who want to try out the new tools can sign up for a new user account under a different name, then merge their accounts later.
New features include the addition of tags, which Blogger calls “labels,” to posts and photos. The new beta also has updated privacy and user management options which allow for private posts, tiered user permissions and multi-author blogging. Blog owners can define whitelists of “blog authors” and “blog readers” who have access to publish and read blog content. [wired]
When I first started out blogging, and like many other people out there in the same boat, I used Blogger. And for those just getting into the whole blogging thing, it’s great. More importantly, it’s free. All you need to get going with your own blog is an unused name for your URL and internet access.
Oh wait, did I just say that it’s great? I meant to say that it can be a real pain, and that goes beyond your butt. The reliability isn’t always the best. Somedays it will publish your posts, other days you’ll sit staring at the screen screaming, “Oh come on already! PUBLISH!”
There’s lots of other things about Blogger that made me jump to WordPress, and I haven’t looked back since. It’s about time Google did something about it. They’re promising lots of changes to come. I’m curious to see what they come up with.