Google Reader Blues?

Okay - I had 180 blogs in my Google Reader. It was becoming a HUGE task to go through it... I am sure some of you can relate! I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I was scared to go over there. It was like a monster waiting to pounce.

So I deleted them all. Yep. I know. Crazytown.

Then I clicked around the 15 or so blogs I read front to back, inside out, never miss a post - and re-subscribed to all of those. So now I have only 15 blogs in my Reader (and nothing to read!!!) But I'll build on that in the next week or two - and it'll be things I want to read RIGHT NOW. Not things I used to want to read. If you know what I mean.

While I was doing this, I thought of you, lovely readers. I thought about how some of you might not even use a READER to read all your favourite blogs. You really should. It's totally helpful. I also thought about the fact that a lot of you that do use GOOGLE READER might not be using the Toolbar Shortcuts that Google Reader offers.

So listen up if that sounds like you:

Did you know, that you can add a SUBSCRIBE button to your toolbar (the bit below the URL or WEBSITE ADDRESS box at the top of the screen). This means that whenever you are on a lovely blog - rather then bookmarking it and forgetting about it - you hit subscribe - and you get that blogs 'feed' in your Google Reader! Just like that! No frigging around!

You can also add a NEXT button to your toolbar. This is supergood for those of you that HATE the format of Google Reader, and want to see blogs big and beautiful on their own page. Installing the NEXT button means that your computer and Google will take you to the next item in your Google Reader (AND DISPLAY IT FULL SCREEN IN CONTEXT on the actual website - instead of a crappy little snippet like on the actual Google Reader page). Perfect for those blogs that have posted stuff that doesn't always show up on Google Reader - like some videos. And also for those blogs that elect not to show images in Reader (I don't know how they do that, or even why they do that!)

To add these super good timesaving buttons go to your Google Reader. (If you don't use it - it's really a good thing to sign up for) Now, down the bottom left corner click MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS. You'll be taken to the next screen. Then look up the top left, a few lines down, and click GOODIES. You'll see the button that says NEXT a little way down the screen - click and drag that button to your bookmarks/toolbar (just like it says on that page!). That's it!

A bit further down is the SUBSCRIBE button. Click and drag that to your bookmarks/toolbar too! That's that!

Now - when you want to see what's on your Google Reader - click the NEXT button and it will be displayed full screen and gorgeous.

Plus - if you visit a new blog you totally super-love - then click the SUBSCRIBE button and you'll be taken over to Google Reader where you hit SUBSCRIBE again and voila! Fresh fodder for your reading pleasure!

Thank you and enjoy!

xx Mikes

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