Edublogs have given all it’s users new freedom and allows javascript, iframes and object code to be embedded directly into Edublogs blogs. Which is great because I can just copy and paste pretty much most ‘embedding’ code picked up around the web directly into my posts or a text widget in my side bar.
Most importantly I no longer suffer from blogger envy caused by friends having cool toys on their blogs which I haven’t been able to embed. Trouble is I may have become “widget crazy” and need “widget addiction therapy”. Worst still I may have totally cluttered my blog sidebar, which is detracting to readers, so I’m hoping if I list the changes I’ve made my readers may give feedback as to their thoughts i.e. good widget, bad widget or no opinion yet on widget.
Lijit Search
I’ve been jealous of Martin Weller having Lijit search on his blog for a long time. The reason I like the idea of Lijit is because I have my content located across lots of websites and this search allows readers to search content on my blog or all my sites (by clicking on the My Content Tab). Plus it provides some really cools statistics on how readers interact with my blog that are emailed weekly or I can check them out online in my account.
Unfortunately when readers click on My Content tab the search will also shows results from other websites – which is really bad. You want readers to stay on your sites not go to other peoples sites.
The Lijit search widget can be customised to your preferences. I’ve set mine up so that it displays where all my content is located whereas Martin Weller doesn’t display his content. To be honest displaying my content like this may be increasing sidebar clutter and I may have been better using another widget or my blog roll to link to my other websites.
I also still have my Edublogs search widget in my sidebar while I testing Lijit search.
CoComment
Okay I can compromise (although maybe my hubby wouldn’t agree 🙂 ). I still prefer subscribing to comments on other bloggers posts using co.mment because its RSS feed into Google Reader is better. However I’m intrigued by the community aspect of cocomment which isn’t an option with co.mment. So I’ve installed my cocomment widget to this blog; not sure if anyone really wants to read my comments on other blogger’s posts in my sidebar? Let’s be honest it is creating clutter.
Still need a guide to getting more out of using CoComment if anyone has seen one.
Blogroll Created Using Google Reader Shared Folders
John Larkin taught me this trick; it’s a really quick and easy way to create your blogrolls using Google Reader.
Benefit of this method is your blogs subscriptions are automatically updated whenever you add or delete a blog subscription without you having to adjust your blogroll within your blog dashboard. Apologies to some bloggers –I’ve used two folders to create the blogrolls — Edubloggers and Non-Profit. Some bloggers in the Non-Profit don’t exactly fit that category.
Other Widgets
I’ve also add a Shared Google Reader widget; it’s right at the bottom hidden away — not fussed if it stays or goes. Plus haven’t been able to part with MyBlogLog widget; I like the pretty pictures 🙂 even if I’ve not got into using MyBlogLog effectively.
I like the FeedJit widget on Frank’s blog that shows where readers are visiting from but think adding it will just make the sidebar clutter even worse.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So besides “widget addiction therapy” what are your thoughts on the new widgets i.e. good widget, bad widget or no opinion yet on widget. Is there an important widget I’ve missed that needs to be in my blog sidebar?
Sue Waters 
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