Friday, January 29, 2016

Enter confusion - stage left ...


Announcement from Blogger:

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.
As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.
We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.
We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.

I am an old woman, and I am not going to TELL anyone what to do to read my blog. I think it is totally uncool to inflict rules on someone who has not signed up for them in the first place. I don't see this as any way to make MY reading of anyone's blogs easier.

So, they are going to remove any non-google account profiles - how 'Hitler' of them. Did we ask? I have been pondering over the meaning of this announcement for a while now and it just goes against the grain. If I accepted these followers and haven't kicked them off for infractions - who are THEY to do that? 

I may have been understanding this whole thing wrong, it wouldn't be the first time, but I am seeing other bloggers loosing their numbers of followers. I could really care less, but it's important to them. 

If I disappear - well, there is nothing I can or will do about it. I have said my piece.

Have a good weekend!

16 comments:

  1. I did see this announcement and just put it in the back of my brain. I suppose this is why I lost a number of followers.

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    1. I put this on the back burner and considered it - until I saw what was happening to some of the bloggers. It just seems so wrong.

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  2. I saw that announcement and I think the same way you're thinking. Boo to Blogger.

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    1. Not positive but think Google is the bear in the woods ...

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  3. I'm not sure it will make a huge difference. Most people who are on blogger follow my blog through e-mail, memes, or FB anyhow. I do wish all these platforms would play nicely though.

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    1. The thing is finding where everyone is - like when Blogger quit that feed thing. It would be nice if it could all be put in a pot and we could pick or choose for our one spot.

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  4. I'm such a creature of habit, I hate when anything is changed.

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    1. I do not like change, especially when it comes to technology.

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  5. Why do they have to change things. If it's not broken don't fix it. I hope you stay with me. I love hearing from you. I will find you again if they boot me off. I promise

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    1. How lovely of you to say that, Angela! I don't plan on leaving, but I don't know if my blog is secure or ???

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  6. Enjoy people stop in at my blog. But as I age I like things simple. Although not saying I don't like changes. But I don't need to be on top of the mountain of life.
    If things change here so be it....Coffee is on

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    1. My thoughts too. I enjoy my blog and blog friends, but it's not my life.

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  7. Long time ago, I dreamt I was in the Tower of London, next to a Google employee who was turning a big spool, containing all my blogs. I had been watching The Tudors at the time and I guess I felt Google had something in common with them..... I know a lot of people are concerned about the loss of followers, even thinking about stopping blogging. I really can't stand Google, so thank you so much for speaking your mind. I probably will too in my next post. Their arrogance is amazing!

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    1. I'm looking forward to it, Inger. All this angst is not what I signed up for.

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  8. I hadn't seen this, but also hadn't seen if I've lost followers or not. Real observant, huh. But it seems like what ever the mode, be it software, be it websites (not webties, as I just wrote...) or other such tech, if it works well, they insist on messing with it, until in my opinion, it is nearly inoperable by mere mortals!

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    1. 'New and Improved' leave a bad taste in my mouth. I suppose they don't earn their pay, unless they are working on something. We are all supposed to be happy with whatever they come up with.

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