Thursday, October 24, 2013

Blog Advice Wanted

Mistress MJ wants your advice, Bitches.

I'm helping "a friend" create a blog.


[via]

As you know, I'm no technical wizard so this is rather like the blind leading the blind.

He wants to create a blog to showcase his photographs and he wants to use BLOGGER.

My question to you Bitches is this:

What template can he use so that his photographs appear LARGE?

As you know, on my blog, you often have to click on a photo to enlarge it. That's because if I use the "original size" button or even the "X-Large" option under "Choose a layout," part of the photo isn't visible, possibly(?) because the margins of my blog aren't wide enough to accommodate a big photo. Honestly, I don't know why. Anyhoo...

I'll give you an idea of what we're looking for. Have a look at the photos on this post, created by our Princess. They're big, bold and beautiful...much like Prinny herself! That's the look we're going for.

Can you help a Bitch out with suggestions?


[via]

Note: He will be loading the photos to his Blogspot blog from his personal computer and doesn't want to use a photo storing/image hosting programme such as Photobucket, etc. And he's not  interested in Tumblr or any option other than Blogger. He simply wants BIG photos on a Blogspot blog.

78 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. LX: I take it you mean he should use something that doesn’t have that column to the right where we usually put our Blogroll?

      If so, good idea because he doesn’t require a blogroll.

      Delete
  2. Beats the crap out of me! I know about as much about this as I know about muff diving.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Why doesn't he do his own damn HTML?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. COOKIE: He knows even less about HTML than I do.

      As I said, it’s the blind leading the blind.

      It’s a miracle that I was able to create my own blog.

      Delete
    2. Not only does he not know HTML, he calls the computer the "Email machine."

      Delete
    3. is your "friend" my dead grandmother?

      Delete
    4. NORMA: The old girl still has some life left in her.

      Delete
  4. MAGO: I’m seeing some possibilities here.

    Thank you very much for the links.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BITCHES: I should also mention that he WILL be doing some text to include with the photos…stories about each photo.

    But he won’t require a sidebar for a Blogroll or that sort of thing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, I think Blogger does have some special templates for this sort of thing... but I will leave it to the experts!
    Sx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gah! Ms Startle, you scarleted me!

      Delete
    2. Oh my! Blog comment crash!
      Sx

      Delete
    3. MISS SCARLET & MR. DeVICE: Is this known as an STC crash? … space time continuum crash?

      Delete
    4. I don't know but I have had a shower just in case.
      Sx

      Delete
    5. MISS SCARLET: And I'm Febrezing...liberally.

      Delete
    6. Don't worry. I had my tin foil hat on, so the STC crash (you're right MJ) didn't take.

      Although be on the look out for errant Cusp interfaces in the next few days...

      Delete
    7. MR. DeVICE: I’ve started shrink-wrapping my world, in preparation.

      Delete
  7. Hmmm... This all smacks of witchcraft to me. I hope you all have your witching licenses at hand for an inspection?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MR. DeVICE: Are you suggesting a meeting of the Coven?

      I think it's time to dismiss BEAST for lack of attendance.

      Delete
    2. 'Petra too. Even Tim is chancing his luck, although I'd let him back in a heartbeat if he used this look on me.

      Delete
    3. MR. DeVICE: Even whilst seated upon a Smurf chair?

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    5. Especially whilst seated on a Smurf chair!

      (2nd time lucky)

      Delete
    6. MR. DeVICE: At least he’s not wearing a Phrygian cap.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for the reference MJ Darling...
    Photos taken in "portrait" mode embiggerate to extra large quite simply... Ones taken in "Landscape" tend to stretch into the sidebar where the Blogroll is as you might have noticed in some of my posts.
    Might i suggest scrolling through the page layout opions and finding one that doesn't have a sidebar option for gadgets... I haven't looked throught the options of late but there might be something suitable there... And text should be able to be added as normal either under or above photos.
    I'm off to have alook through the template options...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you go into blogger templates you will find what you are looking for there is one without the side bar option. and will allow for extralarge pics and text. and you can choose your own background and fiddle with the text colour by going into the advanced options mode.

      "Here's" a sample i prepared earlier

      Delete
    2. PRINNY: Your link goes to my blog.

      Not sure what you want me to look at.

      Delete
    3. My stuff up! the link was meant to go HERE

      Delete
  9. From the Post list page, scroll down to Templates and click... Click on classic, then click on dynamic view first option... and apply...then go back layout open it and click on "Template designer" and have aplay with the options... I hope this helps...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PRINNY: THANK YOU, DAHLING!

      I think you’ve nailed it!

      Delete
  10. Have you tried "Bibbidi bobbidi boo!"? Works all the time for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HUGGY JON: I’ve tried “Eenie Meenie, Chili Beanie” with disappointing results.

      Delete
    2. MAGO: I’m not sure what you said but I’m sure it’s something naughty.

      Delete
  11. the only thing kabuki knows about large photos is that they should all be of kabuki. hope that helps

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kabuki: I shall pass this pertinent information on to my friend.

      Once he has seen you, I'm sure he'll agree.

      Delete
  12. BITCHES: If anyone has figured out how to expand this dang comment box, let me know.

    It continues to piss me off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. expand it? not sure what you mean.

      Delete
    2. NORMA: When you’re typing your comment into my box (that doesn’t sound right)…

      When you’re typing a comment into the Infomaniac comment box, and you hit the “Preview” button, notice how you now have to use the slider thingy to see your full comment. Ditto if you need to edit your comment. You can no longer see the entire comment without sliding it. Annoying.

      Delete
    3. now i understand, thank you darling.

      Delete
  13. BITCHES: Thanks to everyone who gave their two cents worth here today.

    I'll probably go with Prinny's instructions.

    Suggestions still welcome if you have an opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  14. From what I recall when I first set mine up, all the various elements of a Blogger page (the content bit, the sidebar bit etc.) are individually customisable to whatever width will fit the screen. It's a case of just "mucking about" for a while till it looks the way you want it, really.

    Until, of course, the evil gnomes at Google decide to impose a new standard page template and bugger everyone's life up just as they have with YouTube. Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JON: It seems I’m always having to muck about.

      Why can’t they leave well enough alone?

      Delete
  15. HE is quite the thing with his wants, isn't he?
    i never knew what i was doing & played around with margins & made things a tad wider, but i have no recollection what i did back then.

    yes, norma...always late to the
    party & exceedingly helpful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NORMA: The only thing that got wider is your hips.

      Delete
    2. it's infomaniac's shrinking doorways!

      Delete
    3. NORMA: On the counter you'll find a vial of liquid on it that says "DRINK ME.

      That should help.

      Delete
    4. p.s. Go ask Alice if you don't understand.

      Delete
    5. as if i'd drink anything
      with an INFOMANIAC
      label on it.

      Delete
    6. *seals off Vodka Fountain spigot*

      Delete
  16. "the margins of my blog aren't wide enough to accommodate a big photo"

    To adjust width go to design, then click on customize under "Live on Blog", then adjust width... but maybe you already tried.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HUGGY JON: Thanks for the tip!

      I haven't tried this yet but it sounds good to me.

      Delete
    2. HUGGY JON: I just tried your instructions on Infomaniac and it said, "Not applicable for this template."

      Alas.

      Delete
    3. Maybe it's a sign... you know... from up above telling you IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU CHANGE YOUR TEMPLATE!

      Just sayin'.

      Delete
    4. HUGGY JON: I’d like to change the template but I’m afraid I’d bugger it up!

      Delete
  17. This template is from 2006 with fixed column space / width etc. I think when I left blogger (When did you vanish for some time? I forgot the date, sorry.) they started to change the "edit"-thingy / options. I saw the new possibilities only once and have no clue what is possible today.
    The same (adjustable width etc.) should go for the comment box. It's only that small here because the column is that small. If you do not want to chance the whole template you have the possibility that for commenting a whole new page opens up - there you have a larger comment box. That is what Foam has. Just click on comment and you'll see what I mean.
    Hey - why not renovate The Infomaniac? Variatio delectat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MAGO: Renovate Infomaniac?

      I just got through renovating the bathroom!

      Delete
  18. The Simple template would work here... It's fun messing around with the colours etc... and you don't have to press the 'live' button until everything is just right.
    Although this must be the only retro template left in the Blogosphere!
    Sx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MISS SCARLET & ALL BITCHES: I tried to go into my template today but thought it best if I back up the template before tinkering with it.

      Naturally, given my skill level, I didn't get very far.

      This is what it says...

      "To backup your template:
      Before editing your template, you may want to save a copy of it."

      Below that, it says, "Download full template."

      When I click on "Download full template" it opens a box that says, ...
      "What should Firefox do with this file?"

      My options are:
      a) Open with (and it gives me options here such as Firefox)
      b) Save file

      Do I choose a or b?

      Sigh.

      ANYONE?

      Delete
  19. Erm..... I was always a bit gung-Ho with my blog, I don't think I saved my settings... probably best to wait for someone who knows to answer this! But is the answer b.
    I really am rubbish at back-up.
    Sx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MISS SCARLET: Oh, and WHERE does one save the file TO, one wonders?

      Honestly, I am beyond hope.

      Delete
  20. I honestly used to close my eyes and not breath when I clicked on buttons. The Wordpress blog was worse, to be honest.
    Sx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MISS SCARLET: Death by blog asphyxiation.

      I can see the headlines now.

      Delete
  21. I have the same problem. I don't have a clue where it's going to save to (if it saves at all), so I just haven't bothered.

    Who will help us?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MR. DeVICE: Your blog is about as old as mine if not older.

      You’re a witch.

      Can’t you summon someone to help us?

      Delete
    2. I daren't. The last time I tried a demon box-related summoning I was plagued by HTML demons for 2 weeks.

      Delete
    3. MR. DeVICE: HTML demons are worse than the ManFlu.

      Delete
  22. You can save the files anywhere - desktop, C:drive, or a new folder called Blogger backup. It is only a safeguard if something goes wrong. But as Ms Scarlet says you really can't go wrong with a Simple template. It's not as if you have background colours, wallpapers or anything much that would go awry... Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JON: Thank you. Perhaps I should simply hold my nose and take the plunge into the abyss.

      Delete
  23. Firefox should simply stuff it into a folder called "downloads" - if you use something windows.

    Make a backup of The Infomaniac, please.
    Download the template.
    Best both files into one folder, like JON saied "Blogger Backup" or such. I prefer names like Holledilliöh. Makes the search and rescue a bit more, well, lively?

    Then play around with it. I'm eagerly awaiting the results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MAGO: You're right. I clicked "save" and then found my template in the "downloads" folder.

      I attempted to open the template file so that I could look at it but my computer wanted to open it using "Explorer." I usually use Firefox so I'm not sure why it was using Explorer.

      It was taking a long time to load and a box popped up that said "High CPU Usage" so I deleted it.

      I'll try again some other time.

      Delete
    2. "It" - the template file, or better: the format of the file, requiers IE. You can try when you right-click, and choose "Open with default program". But, see further down.

      The other thing, regarding that long time and high cpu Usage: You may NOT have used the IE for a long time - it may be a pretty old version you carry around on your computer, and there may be something like automatted updating" - it's just a guess, but maybe there simply came a lot of processes together.

      What you easily can do is setup another blogger blog, a new one, make it non-open. You can try to upload the old template or (better) look at the new possibilities without any fuss, see what is possible, what you like and what not. Just a testing ground.

      And when changes work there, successfully, you can change the original.
      I guess that would cause least stress, do no harm to any data, and simply allow to play around.

      Delete
    3. Of course. A test blog. Why didn't I think of that?

      Delete
  24. MAGO: You’re right again…I haven’t used IE in years and I haven’t updated it.

    I’ll follow your advice.

    You Bitches are in fine form today. The other person who suggested a test blog was Miss Scarlet who emailed me this morning.

    Brilliant!

    HUGGY JON: I never would have thought of that.

    That’s why I have you Bitches.

    ReplyDelete