When you use the Blogger, you may have an experience that Blogger says "We're sorry, but we were unable to complete your request" and it gives you something "bX" code and guides you that you need to report your issues to Blogger Support or on the Blogger Help Group. It does not give your more detail where exactly you need to report.

However, there is the bX-code Reporting Form that you can submit the "bX" code and the descriptions. Google does not response back to you when the issue is resolved, but you will just need to wait at least an hour or a day and come back to try it again.

[After you submit]

I don't know why they do not tell the form is existed.

The form itself is not professional enough and the customer service is not quite good.

Is it because the Blogger is free of service? I don't know.

(Read more inside...)

Google looks at your title of the post.

If you are the new to blog like me, you are frustrated that not many people visit your blog even after you submit your sitemap to Google.

Here are few tips you can increase SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for your blog.



Google looks at your title of the post.



1. Download the existing XML template and make a copy in your PC.



2. Open the copy of XML and search the below code.

<title><data:blog.pageTitle/></title>

3. Replace the above entire code to the below and upload the XML into your Blogger.

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == &quot;index&quot;'><title><data:blog.title/> : Your Blog Title Goes Here</title>

<meta content='Add Your Description' name='Description'/>

<meta content='Add Your Keywords' name='Keywords'/><b:else/>

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == &quot;archive&quot;'><title><data:blog.title/> : Your Blog Title Goes Here</title>

<meta content='Add Your Description' name='Description'/>

<meta content='Add Your Keywords' name='Keywords'/><b:else/>

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == &quot;item&quot;'><title><data:blog.pageName/> - <data:blog.title/></title>

<meta expr:content='data:blog.pageTitle' name='Keywords'/></b:if></b:if></b:if>

So what have been changed?

1. The old code only shows your blog title. Vs. The new code shows the additional description.

[OLD]

[NEW]

2. Even if Google does not look at meta tags such as description and keywords, some other search engines may look at those.

The old code does not have meta tags. Vs. The new code does.



[OLD]

[NEW]

3. The old code shows the blog title and the post title. Vs. The new code shows the post title first.



[OLD]

[NEW]

(Read more inside...)

Why Digg?

According to TechCrunch.com on 7/22, the Internet Giant Google is negotiating to buy Digg for around $200M and the rumors are spreading all over the blogsphere and the Internet - Some reports that they already have signed a letter of intent. This is the third time the buyout rumor has surfaced again after March in this year.

Why Digg?



Despite of the recent number of unique visitors compared to it's biggest competitor, Yahoo Buzz, why can't Google build their own Digg, but buy Digg? The below may be the possible reasons so far.



1. The first possible reason is that Google is interested in "social search."

The Google brain is moving their interest to the relationship between the preference of the person who votes the articles and the articles themselves. So Google may not want to put their efforts building the site but "social search" based on the existing organized community site such as Digg.






2. Second, Digg currently has 3 years advertising contract with MS and the deal would be terminated if Google buys Digg. We may see some interesting reaction by MS since MS lose the game of Yahoo search advertisement by Google.







What would be the challenges?



1. "The beginning of the end" said by some blogger after this rumor. What does it mean?



After many Web 2.0 related sites have been opened, the people post their idea, thoughts, and the story and exchange them in those sites. However some of the major Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube, Flickr, and Facebooks acquired by big companies, the free becomes the limitation and the rules.

If this deal is closed and Google has Digg under their umbrella, would Google do the content moderation or something? Can we still keep posting our idea or thoughts around the blogsphere without BIG G's control?



2. The recent data by ComScore regarding June traffic shows that Digg has 6.2 million and Yahoo Buzz, the major competitor, has 9.2 million.

In addition, Propeller, the social network site by AOL, is re-launched with new look and feel and is integrated with AOL. So this competition may be the headache to Google.

3. Google does not care after they buy Digg?

We have seen the case that Google only has added the AdSense in the feed without any improvements after they bought Feedburner about $100M in the last June 2007. What would Google do with Digg?







About Digg



Digg was launched in November 2004 by a group of young entrepreneurs including Kevin Rose and is one of the best-known social network site.

Digg initially gave the side impact to the several Website providers including Wordpress to crash due to the increased traffic, called "Digg Effect."

In this third time rumors seems more specific and more realistic that Google will buy Digg and especially most bloggers are interested in how it goes. We basically want to see whether Google can develop "social search" based on Digg and upgrade the blogsphere to the next level or Google just wants to use Digg as their business and govern the blogsphere under their control.

(Read more inside...)

1. Download the existing XML template and make a copy in your PC.

In my previous post - Ads Theme Template Error Fix - I explained how to fix the JavaScrip Error on Search Widget on Ads Theme Template.



This post will give you how to correct Archives Widget if you are using Ads Theme Template and having problem using Archives Widget.

1. Download the existing XML template and make a copy in your PC.



2. Open the copy of XML and search the below Archives Widget code.

<b:includable id='main'>

<b:if cond='data:title'>

<h2><data:title/></h2>

</b:if>

<div class='widget-content'>

<div id='ArchiveList'>

<div expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_ArchiveList&quot;'>

<b:include data='data' name='flat'/>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</b:includable>

3. Replace the above entire code to the below code and upload the XML into your Blogger.

<b:includable id='main'>

<b:if cond='data:title'>

<h2><data:title/></h2>

</b:if>

<div class='widget-content'>

<div id='ArchiveList'>

<div expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_ArchiveList&quot;'>

<b:if cond='data:style == &quot;HIERARCHY&quot;'>

<b:include data='data' name='interval'/>

</b:if>

<b:if cond='data:style == &quot;FLAT&quot;'>

<b:include data='data' name='flat'/>

</b:if>

<b:if cond='data:style == &quot;MENU&quot;'>

<b:include data='data' name='menu'/>

</b:if>

</div>

</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>

</div>

</b:includable>

Basically the original XML template does not have the condition for each style. Now you can use your layout/page element to change the style - Hierarchy, Flat List, or Dropdown Menu.

(Read more inside...)

1. Single-Line Connection (if you do not have a regular phone service)

If you plan to use VoIP service for your long distance calls, I gave you the little tips how to use Skype in my previous post - Cheap Long Distance Calls Unlimited with Skype.



In this topic, we will cover how to set up VoSKY Call Center as your Adaptor.



Again you can buy VoSKY Call Center from the below locations.

• Amazon
  
  


• Buy.com
  
  

If you purchased a VoSKY Call Center and open the box, you will see Call Center, USB Cable, Telephone Cable, User Guide, and CD ROM in the box. VoSKY Call Center does not require external power and is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, and Vista.



In order to set up, you will need to install Skype S/W and Internet connection is required.



1. Single-Line Connection (if you do not have a regular phone service)

1) Insert the phone cable from the telephone into "Phone" port on Call Center.

2) Connect the other end to the telephone.



2. Dual-Line Connection (if you have a regular phone service)

1) DSL Modem: Insert the supplied phone cable in the "Line" port of Call Center and insert the other end in the micro filter. Insert the other end from the telephone in the "Phone" port of Call Center.

2) Cable Modem: Insert the supplied phone cable in the "Line" port of Call center and insert the other end in the "Phone" port of the DSL filter. Insert the other end from the telephone in the "Phone" port of Call Center.



3. Install Call Center S/W

1) Insert the Installation CD in your PC and follow the step during the installation.

2) Once finished, connect the supplied USB cable to the computer's USB port and click NEXT.

3) Enter your email address and click NEXT.

4) Wait for the Call Center application to launch and click OK with "Allow this program to use Skype".

(Read more inside...)

Cheap Long Distance Calls Unlimited

Cheap Long Distance Calls Unlimited

How much do you pay for your regular phone bill every month? How many times do you check your cell phone minutes when you use a long distance calls? How many times do you think about buying a phone card because you need to use international calls?



I do not worry anything above at all after I know about Skype. I have used Skype for 6 months and paid less than $10 a month to use local, long distance, and international calls using my regular phone.

Let's find out how to make cheap local and long distance calls unlimited with Skype.





1. You need to purchase any Skype compatible Adaptor if you want to use a regular phone with Skype.



I personally purchased Actiontec VoSKY Call Center for Skype and don't see any quality issue. Currently you can buy it from Amazon.com for $34.99 as of 7/21. The price is changed frequently so you need to buy when the price is good.



[UPDATED on 7/22/2008]

Currently Buy.com offers $24.24 after rebates including free shipping. You may compare the price between Amazon and Buy.com to buy Actiontec VoSKY Call Center for Skype.





2. Download Free Skype S/W from www.Skype.com

into your PC which will connect to the adaptor later

3. Free sign up for an account during the installation process



4. Buy Unlimited US & Canada Plan for $2.95/month including cell phone calls

This plan even gives you a free voice mail service and free skype to go number. You can find out more information from Skype .

5. Buy Online number just like the local phone number so that people can call you with the number - you don't pay anything when you answer.

If you purchase 12-month online number, you can get $30 off so you only need to pay $30 per year. If you purchase 3-month online number, you can get $6 off so you only need to pay $12 for 3 months.

How much does it cost so far?



1. Adaptor: $19.99 (One Time)

2. Unlimited US & Canada Plan: $2.95/month or $35.4/year

3. Online number: $6/month, $12/3-months, or $30/year



So the total cost will be $65.4/year and $19.99 is as a one time payment.



How much do you pay for your local and long distance call now?

Pretty Good Deal~ huh?

(Read more inside...)

1. Login into Blogger in Draft.

If you use Blogger, you may see annoying comment feature that you have to either open the new window or open the seperate page that does not look like your blog.



However if you use Blogger in Draft, there is the way you can add inline comment in your blog.



Let's find out how to do add inline comment in your blog.



1. Login into Blogger in Draft.

2. Settings | Comments | Comment Form Placement

Select "Embedded below post" radio button and save it.

3. See if your blog has inline comment or not as below

If you are using the default template by Blogger, you may see inline comment, however if you are using the custom template like I do, you have to do more steps. Don't worry! It is too easy to follow.



4. Layout | Edit HTML | Download Full Template

Download the current template and make it as a copy for something happens.

5. Open the XML file and search the "data:postCommentMsg".

<p class='comment-footer'>

<a expr:href='data:post.addCommentUrl' expr:onclick='data:post.addCommentOnclick'><data:postCommentMsg/></a>

</p>

6. Replace the entire section of the above code to the below and save it.

<p class='comment-footer'>

<b:if cond='data:post.embedCommentForm'><b:include data='post' name='comment-form'/>

<b:else/><b:if cond='data:post.allowComments'>

<a expr:href='data:post.addCommentUrl' expr:onclick='data:post.addCommentOnclick'><data:postCommentMsg/></a>

</b:if></b:if>

</p>

7. Upload the updated XML file to Blogger and see if the inline comment is existed.



8. Additional Tip

If you click any of the comments under your "Recent Comments" section, it goes to the post page for the comment. Not bad at least it goes to the page. However, if you have so many comments for the post, it is hard to find out where the comment is located.



Here is what you can do:

Search "data:comment.id" from your XML file

<a expr:name='"comment-" + data:comment.id'/>

Replace "comment" to "c" and save it, and upload the XML to Blogger.

<a expr:name='&quot;c&quot; + data:comment.id'/>

You can even find out where the comment is located by clicking any comment under "Recent Comments" section. Sounds better?

Now you know how to add inline comment in your Blogger and enjoy the new feature!

(Read more inside...)