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| Written by Joeprah | |
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Greetings Gentle Reader. Joeprah is here to lay the smack down in the form of blogging tips to anyone who reads this blog. These aren't just blogging tips, they are "webmaster" tips as well. You see, when you are a blogger, you run a "website." And since you run 'said' blog you are its "Master." So, if you blog you are a webmaster--the way I see it anyways. So, that being said, here are some really cool tools I wish I had known about long ago as a blogger. I mean way back, like over a year ago. That would have been so awesome. I am here now though, riding the wave so to speak of technology. Before I reveal my secrets (which really aren't big secrets), I would like to say why I am doing so. My philosophy as a blogger is A) to entertain by manipulating my kids and writing about my life as a stay at home dad, and B) to help all other bloggers be successful by sharing information because I believe in doing so we will only help each other and ourselves. Now, onto my list of the 5 tools I wish I knew about long ago: I would like to start off modest with an extension from Firefox , CSS viewer . This extension is amazing. Have you ever been to a site and wondered, "day-yum, this site is slick, what font is that, and what the fudge is that background color," and later you were like, "OMG, that freaking header is dope, what are its properties?" CSS viewer (free, like all firefox extensions) allows you to get all the 411 of a sites' CSS just by enabling it and hovering over content. I love this tool and you will find out just how to use it in the next paragraph. The next tool is actually a double whammy. First, if you haven't obsessed over Alexa Page Ranks , you should. This is one of the factors advertisers use as a guide, along with Google Page Rank and subscribers, to determine whether or not to approach a site to run ads. Meaning cash. The reason I said this tool is a double whammy is that you need to get the extension for firefox (of course free). Here are the reasons why:
I have a screen shot of this tool in action. Click the photo below to see how it will look on your computer. Yahoo is the number 1 ranked site by the way. PS - I used CSS viewer to gather info on Yahoo's fonts, font sizes and colors. Wicked cool eh?
 Ok, the third invaluable tool Bloggers and newb webmasters should get to know is Dynamic Drive . What is "Dynamic Drive " Joeprah? It is a website that (for free) creates an "ico" file for you to use on your site. The site has amazingly easy instructions that even I could follow without crashing my site (see very clear) and is creates a better "ico" file than other sites out on the web (in my opinion), I have tried like 5 different ones. By far Dynamic Drive is the best and worth a look. Oh, wait, you don't know what an 'ico' file is? Let me be the teacher to your pupil--click image below.  The next tool, which I have been showcasing at Joeprah.com for a little while now, is Photoshop Elements. Photoshop, the big brother is expensive as snot, maybe even more expensive--over $500, but Photoshop Elements (which has lots of the same features) is relativley economical--$90-ish. I am not selling anything here, but it is important to know that if you are posting photos and want to manipulate them for your site, Elements is the least you can do to give your creative juices the ability to run amuck. Finally, the last tool that I feel all bloggers/webmasters could use is quite simply Google Reader . Google Reader is the industry standard for feed readers, and if you are anything like me, your reader is filled with content. MyYahoo--horrid in comparison. For all of you out there that are like what the heck is Joeprah talking about let me clue you in. A feed is what is displayed on the front pages of webpages like Yahoo. They tell you top stories in snipits. It takes two seconds to sign up and get a Google account and my guess is many of you already one, the rest is easy. Just click my RSS (Really Simple Syndication) icon, with or without headsets (headsets denotes my podcasts--also tremendous), see image below for clarification, and you will be taken to a page that allows you to subscribe to my content. This same process can be used on any site that has an RSS feed (see all of them). Google reader organizes your feeds and can be refreshed to show you what you have missed lately. If you browse the web a lot, it is ideal for maximizing your time. Nothing out there is better.
So, that does it. I hope this list is helpful to some folks or at least it succeeds at getting me like 2 new subscribers. What tools do you use that are awesome? Write a post and link back for extra credit. Peace out.
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Comments (17)
 
Alright. I am back because I am catching up on all this. I love the Alexa stuff. I can't seem to get the cool icon thing to work but I am kinda tech moronic. BUT I went back to Google reader today after a long hiatus because of the firefox extensions which are so freaking cool I am now a firefox extension evangelist telling perfect strangers at McDonalds playland...it has a feature where you can click through your reader like you do on StumbleUpon where you are actually AT the site so you can easily leave a comment. It is amazing. Alrighty, thought I would come back and spread my Alexa cheer....you deserve it.
1
August 29, 2008
Votes: +0
Thanks for the info. I just switched to firefox when the whole explorer sitemeter fight went down and I love it. I am going to install those apps tomorrow and make us both rich and famous.
2
August 28, 2008
Votes: +0
Dude, I am soooo lost. And here I thought programming in BASIC what the shizzle.
I am so stuck in the 80's. I don't think my Commadore can handle much more. 3
April 10, 2008
Votes: +0
I'm a basic girly. No google reader for me. I do it the old school way. *click click click* That way I get those good guilt pangs if I fall too far behind.
 As for the rest... Uhh... I don't think my typewriter has those features. 4
April 09, 2008
Votes: +0
Man Joeprah, I gotta tell you. I would love to be a famous blogstar like you...but you lost me. Freaking RSS, tools, firefox...wha!?! maybe I can just pay you to by my webmaster.
www.bouska.blogspot.com And may I call you webmaster?? 5
April 09, 2008
Votes: +0
Thanks, that is a lot of useful information...I will come back soon and learn some more, especially since you pointed out,"Since I use the tool already and traffic many blogs...you kinda owe me."
 Word. (That is funny!)6
April 09, 2008
Votes: +0
:upset Holy Hannah! For those of us who are not-so-smart when it comes to computers....this was very cool! Awesome of you to share your "secrets". Do you really own a rodent?
7
April 08, 2008
Votes: +0
Thanks for the tips, Joe. I definitely have some homework to do. First on the list is to get firefox.
8
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
Okay, now I feel lame... except for Firefox and CSS viewer, I haven't heard of any of these... I have some serious homework.
9
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
AWESOME tools! That CSS viewer will come in handy. Couldn't live without my Google reader.
10
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
Yep, Dynamic Drive rules. I am glad folks are finding some of these tips useful. Word! :zzz
11
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
Brilliant info thanks Jo. And I'm not giggling at that name you left on my site that you were a little embarrassed about. No, not at all. Snort.
(Actually, I'm really not, she's gorgeous.) 13
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
YO, JOE!
Thanks for the info on the favicon. I, too, have used other sites to try to do mine, but this one actually works. You rock! 14
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
I didn't know youposted this here, too. Should I retype all my comment from The Ant Hill? How about I just link to them: http://www.cre8buzz.com/anthill/?p=23
btw, I love my Google Reader! Can't live without it. I also took your advice and went to Dynamic Drive to creat my favicon. Oh, and the DadLabs ads/videos down there? Love those guys! They are here in ATX.  15
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
oooh I love google analytics. Now if only it'd drive more ppl to my sites. Haha
16
April 07, 2008
Votes: +0
A couple of my favorites (other than the ones you wrote about):
Google Analytics: Awesome stats for any website. http://google.com/analytics/ Google Alerts: You can subscribe to an alert about your blog. I have an alert set up for the word "dadthing". Any time someone mentions "dadthing" it shows up in my RSS reader and I can immediately check it out. http://google.com/alerts/ Cool post! I'll have to check out Photoshop Elements. I've been using Paint.NET and GIMP. Both are free. Paint.NET is weak, but good for simple stuff. GIMP is powerful, but not the easiest to use. 17
April 07, 2008
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