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New ActiveRain Widgets for ActiveBlogs

By Brad Andersohn

Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

February 03, 2009 01:56 AM

He won't admit it, but Rich Jacobson is addicted these little things so I have to keep testing them out and requesting them for HIS Blog! This isn't the first time I've written about Widgets and Rich, and it won't be the last. haha! Those who know me well, know all about my Widget World fetish. lol~

Seriously, while most of you were sleeping and the other late night Bloggers were posting...(like me), our AR Tech MASTERS released another update for the Outside ActiveBlogs. I had said earlier that these were coming and when I heard they were here, I just couldn't sleep. Then when I saw this, I just couldn't resist squeezing out a quick post.

Widgets for ActiveBlogs. This feature is limited to our Outside Blog users who have Individual or Group Blogs. Although these widgets will display in all browsers, Internet Explorer 6 is not a supported browser for "managing" your new AR Widgets. We suggest that any IE6 users Upgrade Your Browser.

We've added a topic/category widget and support for some third party widgets. Be sure your posts each have a topic/channel or this widget will pull up blank results. (I would go back and edit posts if need be)

Screen shot of the "Edit Widget" mode on your Outside Blogs. Next, is one of the coolest Features yet...

Members can now reorder their widgets with just a simple drag and drop process. WOW! These guys are good! This is the coolest Widget Feature ever!

No more code, no more embedding, no more errors, and no more wasted time trying to figure out how to install these little gizmo's on your Blogs, just a simple user interface which allows you to add what you need to customize and get the maximum "Widget" power from your new ActiveBlogs. But wait, there's more...

I saved the best for last:

ActiveBlogs & SEO

SEO Upgrades for ActiveBlogs. (Again, limited to Outside Blog users) The high point is our automatically generated Site-map which helps Google (and other search engines) more quickly and accurately index these Blogs. Now with the ability to search Local posts, topics and categories, and add widgets, this altogether will make these Blogs ROCK. I know where you're going next...

Be sure to stop by Rich Jacobson's Blog, I'm sure he'll have every "Widget" available right on his sidebar. That is, if you can get your computer to stop crashing from the lag caused by his widget-happy blog page!

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Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

I've just started with blogs and until I get that down pat, I'm not even thinking about outside blogs. I feel like I'm a million years behind. I tried installing a widget on one of posts but couldn't get it to work. Now wouldn't your drag and drop system for outside blogs have been a lifesaver. I'm feeling left out.

Feb 27, 2009 01:56 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Lora - there are posts that will help you to install widgets on your AR Blog. Use the search tool at the top of any AR page and just type in the word "widgets" and you'll get many posts that members have created and contributed just to help you.

That's just one of the things that makes this network and community so POWERFUL. I even wrote a post on how to do this: http://activerain.com/blogsview/170783/Widgets-How-to-Add-Them-to-Your-Blog I hope this will help. :-)

Feb 27, 2009 04:38 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Yes it is. We refer to outside blogs as ActiveBlogs on most occasions. :-)

Mar 12, 2009 04:14 AM

Heather Moriah Martin

eXp Realty - Allentown, PA

REALTOR - Lehigh Valley

Helllo Brad! Still working hard on my Blog and have a blast! So, now I learned the things I needed to learn before I learned them on my own...LOL

I have a question. How did you get the different size fonts on your Blog? Are they word art.??

Thank You!

Mar 16, 2009 01:19 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

You can use the CTRL+ 1-6 shortcut keys, or you can use scribefire.com. That's what I use. BTW - thanks for your great praise report below over on GetSatisfaction.com, I really appreciated you taking the time to do that, and then allowing me to share this with others!

You Rock!! :-)

Mar 18, 2009 05:35 PM

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME

Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

An artist starts with a clean white surface, or a fresh sheet of sketching parchment. And all along the way he/she has a vision in their head of the final product but along the path currents of inspiration and creativity shape the final product. Or should. Bloggers that have a vision of the final look and utility can hit the bull's eye. Ones that have widgets thrown here, different shaped elements, mismatched colors, font type and size explosion can be like a Christmas tree of ornaments and tinsel/garland heaved on in handfuls from across the room. The blogger gets an "A" for effort but the final product is Frankensteined and an
"oh my gosh" , "what happened here" experience. Easy does it.

Brad, as always enjoy your posts, and they are ones you leave thinking and returning to digest and implement the new tools being added to the toolbox. Time to get a larger toolbox though or maybe sort out some that work, from those that don't depending on particular market dynamics.

May 13, 2009 09:44 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Andrew - Point made. I have seen what you have seen many times over, read the book, and got the t-shirt. I was even one of those who got the A for effort but created a frankenstein of a mess. I have learned from my mistakes and still have not yet arrived, but hopefully we are on the right track by limiting the AR outside Blogs to widgets that do work, are non malicious, and have proven to be successful over time.

It's a fine line we need to be careful crossing when we limit an individuals ability to start with that "Artists Clean White Surface" and their desired outcome they have for their art. Being here to help them is the key, and with members like yourself assisting, it's truly what makes AR the powerful and supportive network that is is today.

Thanks for the candid and always appreciated comment my friend, they're always welcomed. :-)

May 14, 2009 03:00 AM

The 1410 Group of Benchmark Realty, LLC

Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

GREAT GREAT GREAT BLOG!!

May 29, 2009 12:13 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Michelle - thanks. :-)

Stephen - I appreciate that, thanks.

Suma - I'm here to help you anytime you need it, just shoot me an email or give a call.

Here's a couple links that will give you a headstart.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1142301/the-activerain-rainmaker-getting-results-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1074552/top-10-activerain-tools-for-new-members-and-rainmakers

Jul 12, 2009 07:45 AM

Chris Walters

Edisto Realty Edisto Beach,SC DiscoverEdisto.com - Edisto Beach, SC

Brad, I have been trying to educate myself on widgets. However with so many out there, it is overwhelming. What would be your top 3 widgets?

Dec 07, 2009 03:33 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi Chris - they are all my babies, too hard to pick just 3. I guess it really depends on your audience and what value you're trying to bring them. Some are cool, some are fun, but the ones that make you drive to the bank to make deposits are best!! :-))

Dec 07, 2009 07:53 AM

Margaret C. Taylor

Century 21 New Millennium MD - Mechanicsville, MD

St Marys/Calvert/Charles MD Real Estate Agent

OK I touched a Widget for the first time today! I bought a trial packet to Active Rain three weeks ago and it included the outside blog. I'm still wanting to add to the page but haven't done so yet. When I click on the widget tab will I be able to drag the desired widget to anywhere on the page? Sorry for my ignorance but when a visitor clicks on my widget is it automatically set up to take them somewhere or do I set this up for each widget? Thanks for any response you give. Margaret C.

Jan 01, 2010 03:18 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi Margaret, yes, you can drag and drop any of the widgets onto any location of the sidebar you choose. They only appear on the sidebar of your outside blog, you can't just place them anywhere on the Blog, they all appear on the sidebar just as they do on the ActiveRain internal Blogs. Hope you have a great 2010 New Year!! :-)

Jan 01, 2010 05:08 PM

Mike Ontiveros

Century 21 New Millennium - Patuxent River Naval Air Sta, MD

Thanks... This really helped me out..

Jan 10, 2010 09:28 AM

Frank Castaldini

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in San Francisco

I have so much to learn and relearn. I did a widget about two months ago and have forgotten competely what I did. Amazing.

Jan 21, 2010 04:08 PM

Sharon Alters

ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Brad, your blog just keeps on giving! No wonder you are one of the top 50 most influential people - you deserve it! Brad for President!!! lol

Sharon

Apr 12, 2011 02:52 PM

Suzanne Martin & Chris Knappett

Suzanne Martin, Broker & Bus Mgr Coastal Property Inspections - Laguna Niguel, CA

Thorough, High Tech, Friendly Home inspections!

Hi Brad....I just started learning about widgets and actually installed my first one on a wordpress site I have. There's so much I don't know!

Jun 20, 2011 11:38 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Suzanne - you're in the right place to learn about a lot of this stuff!! :-)

Jun 21, 2011 10:46 AM

Jeremy Joslin

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - South Windsor, CT

Professional Real Estate Marketing and Sales

I am really glad that I found this and I really like the google search widget

Sep 22, 2011 03:12 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Thanks Jeremy - it's hard to go wrong with "MOST" google tools out there!! :-)

Sep 22, 2011 04:05 AM

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New ActiveRain Widgets for ActiveBlogs

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