The New Blogger GUI Is Not Quite Ready For Prime Time

This week, we're seeing signs that Blogger is about to push the New Blogger GUI (2011) a step closer to reality.

In about two weeks from today, all Blogger accounts that haven’t yet made the switch will be upgraded to the new user interface. You will be able to opt-out at any time by clicking the “Switch back” link; however, all accounts will eventually be permanently upgraded.

For all the optimism, the New Blogger GUI (2011) just is not ready.


Collapsed BlogList
There does not seem to be any way to selectively designate blogs to be displayed, nor is the Classic GUI link to "Show all" or "View all blogs" visible - though there is now a link to show "Deleted blogs". The latter is an essential function, for people trying to un delete a previously deleted blog, or to locate a blog locked (righteously, or spuriously) as a suspected spam host.

Comment Settings
People who need to enable / disable the CAPTCHA, for commenting on their blogs, have to switch back to the Classic GUI, as there is no setting for commenting "word verification" in the New GUI.

Older Browsers
Recently, we see reports that older browsers will have a major problem, leaving some blog owners unable to use Blogger, at all.

Removal Of Blog Posts Gadget From Template Code
Occasionally, we may have a valid reason for removing the Blog Posts gadget from the template. In some cases, we need to reset the post template, and in other cases, we may have a duplicate Blog Posts gadget. Both cases have been reported as a problem, by people trying to use the Template editor, in the New Blogger GUI.

Fortunately, Switching Back Is Not Difficult
Right now, the process of switching back is (somewhat) painless. At the top right of the BlogList, and of each Dashboard page, you'll see the familiar gear icon. Selecting that, you get a dropdown menu, with "Old Blogger interface". Selecting that, you'll land directly on the Dashboard home display (losing your position in the settings for one selected blog), which is a bit annoying.

If you do not see a menu selection for "Old Blogger interface", you are probably using Draft Blogger. Click on the pulldown menu at the very top of the screen, next to your name, and select "Blogger profile". From the Profile Editor, un check "Make Draft Blogger my default".

Alternately, you may be able to use the Blogger Classic GUI Recovery URL.

www.blogger.com/opt-in-new-ui.g?useNewUi=false

We'll hope that Blogger at least resolves these setting deficiencies, before pushing this to everybody, by default.

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