Dynamic Template Blogs, And Some Proxy Servers

Some Blogger blogs cannot be viewed, in some proxy servers.

Proxy servers are useful, when diagnosing connectivity and other blog display issues. They are more useful, though, when the content of the blogs being diagnosed does not contribute to the problems.

The reported discrepancy appears to start with blogs published using dynamic templates.

Comparing blogs displayed using Anonymouse and GeoPeeker, we frequently see a discrepancy in display content.

One discrepancy appears to involve blogs published using dynamic templates. Both Anonymouse (a single location proxy) and GeoPeeker (a multi location proxy display) have been useful, repeatedly, in diagnosing and reporting multiple issues.

I first used GeoPeeker, as part of the EU Cookie Advice Banner discussions. I have used Anonymouse frequently, in demonstrating and diagnosing various blog problems.

First, examine this blog.

This blog, blogging.nitecruzr.net, is published to a non dynamic template. It is visible, in multiple proxy server displays.

Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing this blog, "blogging.nitecruzr.net".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/https://blogging.nitecruzr.net/

Anonymouse, showing this blog, "blogging.nitecruzr.net".



Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing this blog "blogging.nitecruzr.net".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=blogging.nitecruzr.net

GeoPeeker, showing this blog "blogging.nitecruzr.net".



Now, examine my blog, published using a dynamic template.

My Musings blog, musings.nitecruzr.net, is published to a dynamic template. It is visible, in some proxy server displays.

Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing my dynamic template published blog "musings.nitecruzr.net".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmusings.nitecruzr.net%2F

GeoPeeker, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".



Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://musings.nitecruzr.net

Anonymouse, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".



Where's the beef, Clara?

And a third blog, also published using a dynamic template.

A third blog, thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com, is published to a dynamic template. It is visible, in some proxy server displays.

Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing a third dynamic template published blog, "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com

GeoPeeker, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".



Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/https://thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com/

Anonymouse, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".



The owner of "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com" points out that many Blogger blogs, and non Blogger websites do display properly, using AnonyMouse and similar proxies. I will add details, as they are provided.

I'll check out more blogs, and more proxy servers, as the week continues.

I'll continue, by examining more blogs - dynamic template and non dynamic template - possibly using additional proxy servers - as time permits.

I'm not sure how many of these discrepancies can be - or should be - handled by Blogger Engineering. That said, I note a suggestion by a Blogger Support expert, that the opportunity be provided to Blogger Support, to diagnose and enhance the dynamic templates.

---

It appears that some #Blogger blogs do not display properly, using some proxy servers. The discrepancy appears to involve blogs published, using dynamic templates.

This makes verification of world wide blog visibility confusing, to some blog owners.

Dynamic Templates And The Navbar

If your blog is published to a dynamic template, neither you or your readers will have a navbar, when your blog is being viewed.

The navbar, found on blogs which use a non dynamic template - when selected by the blog owner - has a number of reader friendly icons and links.

Dynamic templates have a "menu bar" 1/5 of the way down the page - which provides a combination of the Pages gadget, and limited navbar functions. At the far right end of the menu bar, you'll see 2 tiny icons - when you are properly logged in as the blog owner.

• New post, the "pencil" icon.
• Home, the "home" icon.

Blog administrators have limited navbar functions, on a blog that's published using a dynamic template.

Blog administrators have limited dashboard access using menu bar icons.

The menu bar, just below the dynamic template title section, has the "New post" and "Home" links.

There's the menu bar, just below the Title / Description.

At the far end of the menu bar, the "pencil" and "home" icons.



You'll see the "pencil" and "home" icons - when you are logged in to Blogger, as the blog owner.

Blog readers have no navbar icons, in the dynamic template menu bar.

If you're not logged in to Blogger, you get no menu bar dashboard access.



If you never logged in to Blogger, or if you have a problem with a filter blocking access to the login cookie, you won't have any dashboard access.

If you can't access the dashboard using icons, you'll be able to login - just use a bookmarked link.

https://www.blogger.com/home

If you have a cookie filter problem, you may have to login again, to access the dashboard for your dynamic template blog.

---

A #Blogger blog that uses a dynamic template won't have a navbar, with easy access to the dashboard, and a convenient login / logout link. Dynamic templates provide a menu bar, which is a combination of a miniature Pages gadget and navbar.
target="_blank"

Dynamic Templates, And Improved "Follow by Email"

We see some concern about providing email subscriptions, from blog owners in Blogger Help Forum: Get Help with an Issue.

How do I provide email subscriptions for my blog? Neither Follow by Email or Subscription Links works, for email!

The blog in question is using a dynamic template. In some cases, even "Subscription Links" does not provide a "Subscribe by Email" option - and it appears that the blog owner is really out of luck.

The "Subscribe by Email" gadget does not work, with dynamic templates - and some dynamic templates don't support the "Subscription Links" gadget with "Subscribe by Email" added.

Add "Subscription Links" to a blog with a dynamic template - for some blogs.

In some cases, you may not even want to use "Subscription Links". You can, however, use a LinkList gadget, to do the same thing - and to make an improved "Subscription Links" gadget.

In this case, add "Subscribe by Email" as a linklist gadget.

Just add the "Subscription Link Code", in a linklist gadget. Here is the code, from the FeedBurner Publicize dashboard page, for my blog, Chucks Musings.

The "Subscription Management" page, and "Subscription Link Code".



Add the link caption as "New Site Name", and the link code as "New Site URL".

<a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=ChucksMusings&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Chucks Musings by Email</a>

The "Subscription Link Code" caption, and link.



Just add a new LinkList gadget.

• New Site Name: Subscribe to Chucks Musings by Email
• New Site URL: https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=ChucksMusings&loc=en_US

Copy into a LinkList.



Click "Add Link" - then "Save" - and finally, "Save arrangement".

And we have a new sidebar accessory.

And if you click on the link, you get the FeedBurner "Email Subscription Request" verification form.



So, either add "Subscription Links" - or make a custom LinkList accessory. One, or the other, will give you "Subscribe by Email", in a dynamic template.

---

Some #Blogger blogs, which use a dynamic template, won't display "Subscribe by Email" as an added option, in "Subscription Links". Or, in some cases, you may actually want a more robust "Subscribe by Email" - or "Subscribe" menu.

In this case, add a LinkList gadget - and add the subscription form as a FeedBurner hosted form, using "Subscription Link Code".

Private Blogs Limit Other Blog Features

Private blogs affect other Blogger features - and the combination of results are inconsistent.

With dynamic templates, the private blog selection causes an inoperable display. Conversely, with Google+ Comments, enabling Google+ Comments disables the private blog (designated reader) selection - and vice versa, in the various Blogger dashboard pages.

The two interactions - and differing mutual exclusiveness - contribute to some interesting diagnostic sessions, in Blogger Help Forum: Get Help with an Issue.

Intriguingly enough, when one of the known limitations with private blogs is diagnosed, some blog owners may treat the limitation as a personal insult.

Not all blog owners understand the technical limitations, with private blogs and other Blogger features. The limitations are based on simple technical interactions.

• Dynamic templates, and private blogs.
• Google+ comments, and private blogs.

Dynamic templates, and private blogs.

Private blogs do not publish blog newsfeeds. Dynamic templates require comments and posts newsfeeds, to generate the displays.

You can make a blog private - and you lose the "Dynamic Template" selection, in the dashboard Template page.

Some of the templates offered on the Template page, for a public blog.
Simple.
Dynamic Views.
Picture Window.
Awesome Inc.

Some of the templates offered on the Template page, for a private blog.
Simple.
Picture Window.
Awesome Inc.



If the blog has a dynamic template already, you can change to private access (edit Permissions, and designate readers), with no warning. The next time the blog is accessed, you will see the Spinner of Death.

My Dynamic Template test blog, set to Private.



Google+ comments, and private blogs.

When Google+ is used, no access to the Blogger permissions database is available. Since Google+ Comments are (or can be) Google+ stream posts, Google+ Comments can only support public blogs.

If you enable Google+ Comments, you will see a warning in the Permissions wizard - and you'll have no ability to Edit "Blog Readers".

Google+ Comments enabled. Learn more

If the blog is private already, you'll similarly see a warning on the dashboard Google+ page.

Google+ Comments are unsupported on non-public blogs and blogs marked as containing adult content. Learn more

So Google+ Comments, and private blogs, are mutually exclusive, on the dashboard - though Dynamic Views and private blogs are not, with intriguing result.

Why won't my blog load? It was fine, yesterday!

And when the blog address is provided with the problem report, we can see the problem.

Learn More.

• More information about Dynamic Views blogs.
• Manage Google+ Comments for Blogger.
• Control access to your blog.

---

The option to designate permitted readers, for a #Blogger blog, affects other Blogger features. Not all blog owners know about or understand the limitations that exist.

Dynamic Templates, And "Follow by Email"

We see occasional concern about providing email subscriptions, from blog owners in Blogger Help Forum: Get Help with an Issue.

How do I provide email subscriptions for my blog? Follow by Email does not work!

The blog in question is using a dynamic template - and it appears that the blog owner is out of luck.

The "Subscribe by Email" gadget does not work, with dynamic templates.

Add "Subscription Links" to a blog with a dynamic template.

For email subscriptions, and a blog with a dynamic template, you use the "Subscription Links" gadget. Here is my blog, Chucks Musings.

Use "Subscription Links" with a blog that has a dynamic template.



When you add "Follow by Email" to a blog with a non dynamic template, it sets up the "Email Subscriptions" service, in FeedBurner. "Subscription Links" is a collection of various subscription services - and won't activate "Email Subscriptions".

You may need to activate "Email Subscriptions".

You will probably need to activate the "Email Subscriptions" service, to use "Subscription Links" instead of "Follow by Email".



To use "Subscribe by Email" as a selection in "Subscription Links", be sure that the "Email Subscriptions" service is activated, from the FeedBurner dashboard.

Alternately, add "Subscribe by Email" in a linklist gadget.

Sometimes, you may not want to use "Subscription Links". So, just add the "Subscription Link Code", in a linklist gadget.

Here, we have a new sidebar accessory.

And when you click on the link, you get the familiar FeedBurner "Email Subscription Request" verification form.



So, either add "Subscription Links" - or make a custom LinkList accessory. One, or the other, will give you "Subscribe by Email", in a dynamic template.

---

Owners of #Blogger blogs, wishing to provide email subscriptions, find that "Follow by Email" won't work with a dynamic template. Fortunately, "Subscription Links" will provide email subscription - though the necessary FeedBurner service has to be activated.

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/blogger/lsAVQuj_FOw

You Cannot Fit Your Entire Blog Onto The Main Page

Some blog owners would like their readers to view the entire blog in one page.

A small blog, with very limited size, can theoretically fit on one page. If you intend to publish a blog with any future, and page rank, you will have to publish content periodically - and the size of the blog will increase, steadily.

And eventually, thanks in part to main page limitation by auto pagination, older posts in your blog will be forced into archive pages.

For a blog with any future, and publishing activity, there are four possibilities for main page size.

• Segment main page, limiting post count.
• Segment your blog, using virtual blogs.
• Use a dynamic template, and "continuous scrolling".
• Use a non dynamic template, and Jump Break - and accept archiving.

Segment main page, limiting post count.

One of the simplest ways to make your blog reader friendly is to limit main page size, using a post count limit. This won't work as a final solution, however, if you're planning to publish the blog with any regularity.

Segment your blog, using virtual blogs.

If you can break your blog into multiple subjects, you can use a Pages tabbed index to access each different subject. You can fit each different subject, possibly using Jump Break, onto one page.

To complement the virtual blogs, you can have a static main page - providing a "welcome" message, and / or indexing the virtual blogs.

Use a dynamic template, and "continuous scrolling".

For public blogs, a dynamic template, with continuous scrolling, may provide a solution. Dynamic templates, unless you a very comfortable with editing the blog template, will never offer the accessory and customisation possibilities of non dynamic templates, however.

With a dynamic template, you won't be able to use Jump Break - though some dynamic views may provide a summarised main page view.

Use a non dynamic template, and Jump Break - and accept archiving.

Careful use of Jump Break will let you limit the size of the main page. If you continue to publish posts - which is necessary for a blog with any future - you will eventually have posts displayed on archive pages.

For best results, design the blog structure - and the posts structure - consistently, and accept archiving and pagination.

---

Some #Blogger blog owners would like to display all post content in one page - and ignore page display size. They do not realise that not all blog readers want to read a blog with an unlimited page size, all at once.

Diagnose Problems, With Blogs Using Dynamic Templates, Using Non Dynamic Templates

The process of examining browser source listings for a blog, and of having a blog owner carefully examine blog template code, is an important part of diagnosing many Blogger problems.

With blogs published to dynamic templates, neither source listings, nor template "Edit HTML", contain as much useful information, as with blogs published to non dynamic templates. Dynamic templates reference scripts, that are hosted in external libraries - and that cannot be updated or viewed.

The idea of having templates that were less customisable was originally supposed to encourage people to work on post content, and increase stability of their blogs - not create instability.

One of the original reasons for having the dynamic templates was to have templates that would encourage blog owners to work more on content - and less on style.

Dynamic templates were designed for less customisation - and increased reliability.

Having the less customised templates would, hopefully, have made the dynamic templates more reliable. Unfortunately, Blogger chose to add features to the dynamic templates, to make them more popular.

The "infinite scrolling" feature of the dynamic templates impressed people, who decided that "infinite scrolling" would be useful for their blogs - but without having noted that dynamic templates have less options for customisation.

People, who like the existing dynamic templates features, demand more features for them. And, they cause more problems, for themselves - since many of them lack the ability to diagnose their own problems.

Eliminate general blog problems, by re publishing to a non dynamic template.

Any time a blog problem is diagnosed, and the problem involves a blog that uses a dynamic template, it's a good idea to start by re publishing the blog to a non dynamic template. Try to diagnose and eliminate any general blog problems, before tackling problems caused by tweaking of dynamic templates.

Just go to the dashboard Template wizard, and choose any non dynamic template - then "Apply to blog". Then, reset the post template (if the posts are involved, in the problem).

Publishing to a non dynamic template lets us use standard diagnostic tools.

With the blog published to a non dynamic template, you (the blog owner) can use the Template Editor to examine general (non dynamic) template CSS, HTML, and / or XML code. Also, you (and any helpers) can use a browser "View Source" window, to examine the rendered blog code.

If you diagnose a problem with non dynamic code, you can edit and correct any problems found. Once that is done, and you are satisfied that there are no non dynamic template related problems, re publish the blog to a dynamic template - and diagnose any remaining problems.

As always, template backups are strongly advised.

If you decide to make any changes to the template code, as always, I advise that you backup the template - before and after making changes. Whenever you detect a problem, recover the template to the backup taken before the changes, and see if this fixes the problem noted.

Don't Try To Number Dynamic Pages

One interesting question, which we see occasionally in Blogger Help Forum: Learn More About Blogger, would be about making the blog easier to read - if the blog were static.

How do I number the pages, in the blog?

This blog owner does not quite understand the concept of dynamic content.

With a static website, and each page linked linearly, one after the other, it might make sense to number the pages.

Blogger blog content is dynamic.

A Blogger blog has dynamic content. Each reader retrieves the posts, in reverse date sequence, in a number of contexts.

• In main page view, one page linked to the next - owner selectable maximum posts / page, auto paginated.
• In individual post view, one post linked to the next - one post / page.
• In an archive retrieval, one page linked to the next - a maximum of 20 posts / page, auto paginated.
• In a label search, one page linked to the next - a maximum of 20 posts / page, auto paginated.

Each label in the blog can generate a different label search, one search / label.

We say that the content is dynamic, because each of the above contexts use blog content, retrieved just when a reader clicks on a link.

Each time content is retrieved, for each reader, it will differ.

Each different retrieval will generate a series of physical pages of display, with a different combination of posts. Each retrieval will be paginated according to amount of content, by auto pagination.

If the posts are summarised using Jump Break, pagination will reflect the visible post content. With other "Read More" solutions, this may or may not be the case.

Dynamic indexes can use any combination of various dynamic accessories.

You can index the posts in a blog, using various dynamic sidebar gadgets.

• An archive index.
• A label index.
• Any number of linklists.
• Any number of feed gadgets.

Again, each index will be dynamic.For truly dynamic indexing, you can provide a single blog search - or a multiple blog search - or even a label combination search.

You can get installable gadgets, and custom templates, from various third party developers. Some gadgets and templates will let you setup an index (whether dynamic, or static), with page numbers. This will be third party code - and carries with it the risks of using third party code.

Non dynamic accessories require post template tweaks.

Non dynamic indexes generally install as code, inserted into the post template. The post template is not a blog component that should be tweaked, without understanding the risks.

Also, if you apply to host AdSense ads on the blog, you'll probably get a refusal, cited as "Difficult navigation". The AdSense crawler can't navigate JavaScript based links - and won't be able to analyse post content, to place ads.

The AdSense crawler can't navigate this blog, with numbered pages.



All of the above details affect how much content may appear on one physical page, and how many pages may be relevant to the retrieval. With these unknowns, it is not productive to identify each post - or set of posts - using page numbers.

How many index listings would you want to keep - especially considering that any one index could change, in the next minute, as a new post is published, or maybe a label is added to, or removed from, one or more posts?

Blogger content is dynamic. Treat it, dynamically.

Adding Label Search Pages To A Dynamic Template

We've been dealing with the limitations of the dynamic template - how you can't easily edit dynamic template HTML code, with a blog published to a dynamic template - for a while.

At one time, you could link a dynamic and non dynamic view of the blog - and let your readers use the sidebar, and the many options there, in non dynamic view - and switch back to dynamic view, for the comments and posts. That choice was taken away, in 2014, because of "privacy issues".

Like Designer and Layout templates, you can add a Pages gadget - and index dynamic pages, like label searches - as you may have done with gadgets on static pages.

Dynamic templates now support positioning of the Pages gadget, in the menu bar - and let you add both dynamic and static pages.

If your blog, published to a dynamic template, doesn't have a pages menu, in the menu bar, you can always index the label searches in your blog, from a linklist in the sidebar. Or, you can upgrade your blog.

Using a working Pages gadget, add dynamic pages, referencing one or more label searches which interest you. And make sure that the pages are properly sequenced, in "List Order".

Checkout the blog, using a non dynamic template, and make sure that the Pages gadget works as expected. Once you have what you like, go back to the Template wizard, and re select the non dynamic template.

With the blog once again using a dynamic template - and if you added / relocated the Pages gadget into the Tabs section of the template, you should now see your label searches, indexed in the menu bar, just below the title section of the blog. You can see my favourite topics, now indexed in my "Musings" blog menu bar.

You may not have room for every topic, in the menu bar - but you can pick your favourites. And you can still index all of the label searches, in a linklist, which will work in the pop out sidebar.

Removing Author Information From The Blog

Not everybody likes to be known, everywhere.

Some folks prefer to publish a blog, without their name appearing. Anonymity is a goal, for many blog owners.

Blogs using both Dynamic and non Dynamic (Layout, Designer) templates can be made anonymous - but different tasks are involved. Fortunately, both tasks are simple.

We've been advising how to achieve anonymity, with blogs published to non Dynamic templates, for many years.

Both the Author Name, and Author Profile below the posts, are removed, using the proper selections in "Configure Blog Posts". In the "Post Page Options", the second option (has a modifiable caption, which by default is "Posted by") can be de selected, to remove the name. The twelfth option, "Show Author Profile Below Post", can likewise be de selected.

With a blog published to a Dynamic template, the solution for this need is not obvious - but it's not complicated, either. Use the "Add CSS" wizard, in the Template Designer "Advanced" menu, and add one CSS rule.

.publish-info {display:none !important;}

I advise people to include blank lines before and after the rules being added. If there are other rules, previously added using "Add CSS", with blank lines, you won't necessarily need a second blank line - but you do need one blank line, between each different rule.

There are other tasks needed, to publish a blog anonymously - but removing the name from the blog is one of the most visible changes that you can make.

>> Top

Adding Gadgets To A Dynamic Template

We all know the limitations of the dynamic template - how you can't easily edit dynamic template HTML code, or add gadgets.

Long ago, you could link a dynamic and non dynamic view of the blog, and let your readers use the sidebar, and the many gadgets there, in non dynamic view - and switch back to dynamic view, for the comments and posts. That ability was taken away, earlier this year.

And some gadgets, that you are used to seeing on a blog using a non dynamic template, have not been made available on dynamic templates.

That doesn't mean that you have to give up completely, however, on adding the gadgets that you need. Thanks to the ability to embed gadgets in static pages, and to add pages to a dynamic template, you can have a static page, on a dynamic template, that contains many gadgets, of your own choosing.

Blogger has been working on the dynamic templates - and they do add features, occasionally.

With a working Pages gadget on the blog, add a static page, containing the gadgets of your choice. Then, make sure that your new static page is selected, under "Pages to show".

Checkout the blog, and make sure that the new static page, and the Pages gadget, works as expected. If you're doing this while using a non dynamic template, go back to the Template wizard, and re select the dynamic template.

With the blog once again using a dynamic template - and if you added / relocated the Pages gadget into the Tabs section of the template, you should now see the static pages, indexed in the linkbar, just below the title section of the blog. Now, find the new static page - and checkout the new gadgets, embedded in the page. You can see my new "Contact Me" gadget, in my "Musings" blog.

This still won't let you add every gadget (some XML based gadgets can't be added directly, to a static page) - but it should give you a few more possibilities.

>> Top

Dynamic Templates Require A Full Blog NewsFeed

We see periodic signs of confusion, about publishing a blog to a dynamic template, in Blogger Help Forum: Get Help with an Issue.

My blog seems to load - but it just sits there, spinning gears!

or

The dashboard Template wizard tells me that dynamic templates are not available, for my blog!!

These are two blog owners who are not aware of the requirements of the dynamic templates - and who can't figure out why they see the Spinner of Death when loading the blog.

Most people know that private blogs cannot be published to a dynamic template - but not everybody realises that this is not an arbitrary or capricious restriction.

Whether you publish your blog as Private or Public - if you do not publish a Full Posts newsfeed, a dynamic view won't work.

Dynamic views retrieve blog content from the posts newsfeed - and without a full posts newsfeed, a blog can't be displayed in dynamic view. This may be one more reason why Blogger eliminated on the fly switching to dynamic views.

The comments section, similarly, retrieves content from the comments newsfeed. If the posts newsfeed is properly set, and the comments newsfeed is not, you (and your readers) will see the spinner of death when clicking on "Add a comment".

Look at the dashboard Settings - Other page. In the "Site feed" section, look at "Allow Blog Feed". You should see "Full". Anything besides "Full", for comments or posts, will eventually be a problem.

Allow Blog Feed: Full.



If you don't see either "Full", your blog (and any comments) can't be displayed, using a dynamic view. Neither "Short", or "Until Jump Break" can be used, with a dynamic view.

For a dynamic template blog, no other setting will do.



It's that simple. Without Full Comments and Posts newsfeeds, you cannot publish a blog using a dynamic template.

Either use the Template wizard, and select a non dynamic template - or use Settings - Other, and enable a Full feed.

Dynamic Templates, And Problems Editing The Layout Pages Gadget

Ever since the new Pages wizards have been in use, we've been seeing reports from blog owners, who have problems with adding, deleting, and re sequencing links on the dynamic template menu bars.

Most blog owners have gotten used to the idea of maintaining dynamic pages ("link pages", formerly known as "web address"), using the Layout Pages gadget - separately from maintaining static pages (formerly known as "blank pages"), using the dashboard Pages wizard.

Even understanding the changes, some blog owners, who publish blogs that use dynamic templates, cannot add or delete dynamic pages - or cannot resequence the various page links.

Some owners claim to have links on the menu bar that they can't delete. Others have added, deleted, or resequenced links - but have found their changes to be lost, when viewing the blog, after saving the changes.

It appears that some blogs have had multiple Pages gadgets.

Blogs using a dynamic template, with multiple Pages gadgets in their history, become a problem.

If we look at the "Edit" link of the Pages gadget, in most blogs, we find the gadget referenced as "PageList1".

https://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=1573647684922284136&widgetType=PageList&widgetId=PageList1&action=editWidget§ionId=sidebar-right-1

That is the "Edit" link for the gadget, for my dynamic template test blog.

Some blogs show signs of having had multiple Pages gadgets. "PageList2" - or even "PageList3" - are seen in some blogs.

https://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=3821418744348630367&widgetType=PageList&widgetId=PageList2&action=editWidget§ionId=sidebar-right-1

That is the "Edit" link for the gadget, for one blog with this problem.

Apparently the dynamic templates only use "PageList1" in the menu bar - even if "PageList2" or "PageList3" is the active "Pages" gadget. This is not a problem for non dynamic templates.

The workaround, in this case, is simple enough. The blog owner must edit "PageList1".

https://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=3821418744348630367&widgetType=PageList&widgetId=PageList1&action=editWidget§ionId=sidebar-right-1

Just extract the URL from the "Edit" link, paste it into the browser address window, change the "2" to "1", and hit Enter. Then add, delete, and rearrange links as necessary - and Save the changes.

The workaround is simple enough - but until Blogger Engineering fixes the problem, the blog owners affected have to use the workaround, each time they need to update Pages. And, if they ever switch back to a non dynamic template, they will need to update the active alias of "PageList", with any changes made to "PageList1".

Let's hope that Blogger Engineering can identify and fix the problem.

Loss Of Ability To Let The Reader Choose A Dynamic View Or Non Dynamic View, When Viewing The Blog

When the Blogger dynamic templates were first introduced, back in 2011, they provided choices.

Besides letting the reader choose, on the fly, which dynamic view to use, it was possible to let the reader choose whether to view the blog using a dynamic view - or a non dynamic view.

When dynamic templates were first introduced, they offered a dynamic view of the blog posts - and little else. Popular features like static pages were added later, and in pieces.

As the various pieces of the dynamic views became better defined, the need to switch between dynamic and non dynamic views became less essential - and eventually, some choices were eliminated.

If you look at the menu bar for this blog, you'll see a selection "DYNAMIC".

If you click on the "DYNAMIC" menu selection, you'll get a link to the "sidebar" dynamic view of this blog. At one time, this would have actually shown you this blog, using a dynamic template. Now, it leads you to a blank screen.

We asked Blogger Support recently, about the recently discovered inability to allow the reader to switch from a non dynamic view to a dynamic view, and were told that option had been discontinued, for "privacy reasons".

Apparently, some portions of the posts, when removed using the "Configure Blog Posts" wizard, were still displayed when a dynamic view was used. This caused problems for some blog owners, who had intentionally used a non dynamic view with personal details like author name removed from the posts. When they viewed the blog in a dynamic view, they found their name displayed, for all to see.

If anonymity is your concern, there are other techniques, which you may consider.

Another possible problem involved the blogs being simultaneously published using a dynamic template, and a non dynamic template. Last year, many blog owners reported various problems encountered, when their blogs were viewed using a dynamic template. It's possible that solution of the various problems involved simplification of code - including the ability to use either a dynamic or non dynamic view, at will.

Whatever the details, it appears that dynamic templates, and non dynamic templates, are completely separate options now. And as Blogger improves the dynamic templates in general, this should be good for all blogs.

>> Top

Dynamic Templates Becoming More Usable

Possibly encouraged by less than positive reviews, Blogger has recently enhanced their dynamic templates.

Dynamic Views are a set of templates that make it easy and fun to explore a blog. As you might expect, we’ve made the gadgets interactive too. Instead of appearing in a panel that consumes valuable real estate on your blog, gadgets now appear in a dock that slides in and out as you move your cursor over them.

Now, at least some of the gadgets in the sidebar will be visible to your readers, when they visit your blog, as viewed using a dynamic view.

The shiny new dynamic views are now more usable for us - with our readers able to see some of the sidebar gadgets which we may accessorise our blogs.

You may now read this blog, using a dynamic view.

If you're in non dynamic view, look above. See the link in the linkbar, "DYNAMIC"? Click on that, and you'll see the "home" page post, for this blog - today, you'll see this post. If you're already in dynamic view, you'll be here.

Click on the picture, to see more detail. See the vertical bar, in the right margin, just left of the scroll tab?

Don't bother clicking more than once, though.



As you view a blog dynamically, you'll see the "docked sidebar" artifact, the vertical bar, there in the right margin of the display. Hover the mouse right over the vertical bar, and see what pops out at you.

Watch the CPU and memory displays on your computer, too. This shiny new feature is not for marginally overloaded computers - but for those who can use it, the dynamic views just became shinier.

>> Top

Dynamic Templates Display Blogs In One Page

Ever since Blogger installed auto pagination. Blogger blog owners have been asking

How do I disable auto pagination?

and

Why can't I display my blog on the main page, without my readers having to use "Older Posts?

The response, up to this year, has been simple.

You cannot disable auto pagination. You have to allow sharing of network resources.

Though technically correct, the latter response has not always been met with appreciation.

The solution, for avoiding auto pagination, is now simple. Install a dynamic template, on your blog.

With a dynamic display, an entire blog is presented in main page view, with no archiving needed.

A dynamic view presents one page at a time - just without requiring clicking.

You get one display page at a time - either the index, or blog content, depending upon which view you select. To see earlier content, you simply scroll downwards, and wait a few seconds while the display refreshes.

The display is still segmented - the segments are simply selected fluidly. When the display is scrolled to the bottom, the dynamic display code (running on the personal computer of the reader) simply requests another page of content, from the Blogger server.

The readers using a non dynamic blog view are not affected.

Since the content is coming from the blog feed, your other readers, using a non dynamic view of the blog, are not affected.

The average reader, who cannot see any more than one page of content at a time anyway (current monitor technology provides limited sized displays) never knows, or cares (subject to bandwidth and processor limitations) that the entire blog is not downloaded to the local computer, immediately.

Within limits, you can combine dynamic and non dynamic views in one blog.

If you want to let your readers use a dynamic view (non paginated), or a non dynamic view (paginated), depending upon personal preference, you can link the dynamic and non dynamic views.

---

Link Your Blog, Using A Dynamic Template, To A Non Dynamic Page In Your Blog

The dynamic templates have been available for just over 3 months, and for all their usefulness, there are a number of identified deficiencies. We see, every week, naive questions about one well known deficiency.

How do I add a bloglist (Followers gadget, labels index, popular posts, what have you...) gadget to my blog, with it using a dynamic template?

Adding gadgets to a dynamic template display just won't be a simple project. Not to be facetious, but there is really no space on the screen, for an accessory bar (also known as a sidebar). The dynamic views dynamically fill all horizontal space.

Lack of popular gadgets, like Followers, are a major shortcoming for many blog owners, who are considering using a dynamic template for their blog. Many blog owners like the Followers gadget - and can't bear the idea of having their blog without its ability to build their reader community. Other gadgets, similarly unavailable, cause disappointment also.

It's possible that Blogger is hard at work redesigning the dynamic template display, and creating a space for an accessory bar. Until they do that, though, you may be able to have gadgets like Followers - if not on the first page of a dynamic template, possibly on a Pages link.

If you create a Pages gadget, using the New GUI Pages editor, you can add a link to any URL in the blog, in the Pages gadget. If you can do that, you can add a pair of links to the home page - one explicitly targeting the non dynamic URL, a second targeting a dynamic URL (your chosen default view). The first links your blog, using a dynamic view, to a page containing all of your missing gadgets; the second links back to the dynamic view.

The Layout menu entry is not available, when the blog is published to a dynamic template. If not already present, you'll have to add the Pages gadget, with the blog published to a non dynamic template.

As an alternate to the two links, you can force a new tab / window, for the non dynamic link. With the non dynamic view opening in a new tab / window, there's no need to link back - so you need only one link.

Here's a link to my test blog.

http://nitecruzrtestnew.blogspot.com

Here's a link to the home page of my test blog, non dynamic, added to the Pages gadget.

Home (Non Dynamic)

Here's a link to the home page of my test blog, dynamic, added to the Pages gadget.

Home (Dynamic)

Here's how the latter two links were constructed.

Here's a link to the home page of my test blog, non dynamic, added to the Pages gadget.

http://nitecruzrtestnew.blogspot.com/?v=0

Here's a link to the home page of my test blog, dynamic, added to the Pages gadget.

http://nitecruzrtestnew.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

Here's a link to the home page of my test blog, non dynamic, opening in a new tab / window, added to the Pages gadget.

http://nitecruzrtestnew.blogspot.com/?v=0 target="_blank"

Click on any of the links, and see what you get. It was simpler to do it, than to write about it.

>> Top

Dynamic Templates And Private Blogs

With the new dynamic templates steadily gaining acceptance, there's one group of blog owners finding themselves left out - and not understanding why.

We are seeing various queries in Blogger Help Forum: Something Is Broken, from owners of private blogs.

Is there a way to use a dynamic view, and have a private blog, just for us to view?

And the answer here is simple

No, private blogs don't publish a blog feed - and dynamic views won't work.

This is not a capricious or pedantic decision by Blogger, it's a technical limitation.

Dynamic Templates Lack A Login Link In The Header Bar

Last week, after some complaints were heard from blog owners who were using the dynamic templates on their blogs, Blogger added "Dashboard" and "New Post" links in the header bar. These new links are accessible when the blog owner is logged in, as a blog administrator.

Unfortunately, their improvement did not take into account the need to login. Blog owners, not logged in, will still see no links.

If not logged in, you may access your dashboard simply using the link to Blogger.

http://www.blogger.com/

Alternately, you may access the non dynamic alias of any blog, for instance

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/?v=0

and you may then use the "Login" link in the navbar.

>> Top

Dynamic Templates Lack A Dashboard Link In The Header Bar

Yesterday, we saw a few reports in Blogger Help Forum: Something Is Broken, mentioning the lack of a link, in the dynamic views header bar, to our dashboards.

I'm using dynamic views and now can't access my dashboard!

It appears that the Blogger logo / Attribution ("Powered by Blogger" caption), which formerly linked to our dashboards, is not there, any more. This deficiency appears universal - the links no longer appear on all different dynamic views, on header bars with the views listed side by side or in the pulldown list, or on blogs where dynamic views are default, or optional.

Having reported this problem to Blogger Support, we were informed that they are planning an update, coming very soon, that will provide links in the header bar similar to the right side of the non dynamic template navbar. We will, presumably, have links to "Design", "New Post", and such. Until then, the previous links have been removed from the header bar.

For the time being, you may access your dashboard simply using the link to Blogger.

http://www.blogger.com/

Alternately, you may access the non dynamic alias of any blog, for instance

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/?v=0

---

(Update 2011/11/16): We see now, various blogs with dynamic views, showing tiny Pencil ("New post") and Home ("Dashboard") icons, when the blog owner is properly signed in. You, not being an owner of this blog, will still see nothing, in my dynamic view demonstration of this blog.

---

>> Top