Make Your Blog Better-Episode 2: Custom URL Shortening! (bit.ly/pro)
This is the second in a new series on my blog, “Make Your Blog Better” (MYBB) where I’ll stretch my nerdy wings and share tech/blogging information that will improve the quality of your blog. Check out the previous MYBB post here, and the MYBB-Minibite here! 
Do you ever use URL shortening sites like
- bit.ly
- tinyURL
- or the proprietary shorteners like those in facebook or twitter (and their respective 3rd party apps)?
With the surging popularity of microblogging sites, and the fact that keystrokes are at an unprecedented premium, shortening long URLS is something that has become second nature to most of us in the social world.
I’ve been wanting to make sure that the links I share on twitter and Facebook are easily identifiable as legitimately from ME, and tiny URLS have changed the game in that regard. Someone in your stream says,
“OMG, Check out this LINK: http://bit.ly/gxxEeQ” And you, (trusting your friend) click on this now unidentifiable link and the next thing you know, Rick Astley is jumping out in all his glory, and you done been RickRoll’d. (Yes that is a live Rick Roll. LOVE it.) or worse… clicked on a spam link, because your friend let their fb get hacked by clicking on some random facebook application that promises electronic eskimo kisses or something… (hey, we ALL have some of those fb friends, right?)
So, here’s how you can implement your own, customized URL shortening service using bit.ly pro.
Before you begin, here is what you need…
- the tiny domain you want to use. I’m hosted through godaddy, so I used their domain search functions to find one that suited me… my short domain is kels.es so all of the short links that I generate using this method will be kels.es/S0MEthIng. This is NOT free. I was able to get my domain for $13 bucks for a whole year. You don’t need any additional hosting, so that was the only expense.
- a bit.ly account.
- access to your DNS manager (which you access through your hosting panel- mine is godaddy)
- The ability to follow pretty basic instructions about changing things in your DNS manager, and perhaps a bit of experience in clicking around a bit to find the right way to edit simple values.
*click through to finish the tutorial*
cool people I’ve met on the internet
So, the stigma about internet based relationships is dwindling fast… at least in my circles it is. I’m surrounded by people who met through online dating, blogger + friends = BLENDS, and people who have made friendships based on common interests and through social networking connections.
Sure, friendships started on the internet might seem a little strange to your grandma, (Hey! Nothing against your grandma, really!!) but it is becoming the norm, as our world continues to shrink into a global neighborhood, where finding a blogger you like is the equivalent of having a face to face conversation with someone as you both reach for the same book at the library. So, in an effort to further eliminate the stigma about these types of relationships and friendships, I thought I’d put together a little list of some people who are super awesome that I was introduced to because of the internet.
6 Cool people I’ve “met” on the internet.
1. My Lola
contact: message boards first, then emails, then trans-atlantic flight
Lola and I met on her website early in the new millennium… It was a Star Wars fansite for young women, mostly… Laugh if you must, but trust me… we’re awesome. And the site was HUGELY popular. It focused a great deal of it’s attention on the wardrobe, and costume designs of the films, and was very artsy and awesome. Through talking on the boards regularly, I eventually became a mod, then an admin, and eventually, we were talking more via email, im, and video chat than on the website. As lola’s interests changed and began to focus more on her artwork, (HAVE YOU SEEN HER FREAKING ARTWORK??? Click, Click, CLICK!) the website fell away, and we were left with a deep and lasting friendship. I’ve written about lola before, several times, she’s closer than a friend, she’s my sister!
Summer of 2009, I went to Spain to speak at the international association of special education conference in Spain, and was able to spend a few weeks with her, and “my spanish family”… We’re already thinking about how we’ll get to each other’s continent again soon, and without the internet, I’d never know her.
2. Heather
contact: Then Heather Said her super blog! Then texts and emails, and eventually a meet up in my home town!
from thenheathersaid
Heather is a blogging maven, and social networking diva extraordinaire. She has a gift for engaging people on her network through blog comments and tweets, which is endlessly endearing. I’m not sure that we met through our blogs, but during the 2009 blogger secret santa, Heather drew my name, and discovered that her family lives, LITERALLY one street over from me in our neighborhood. So when she came to visit, and we planned a local blogger get together, we realized that we had a great deal more in common than just our address. 
She’s wonderful, and I’m so glad to know her. I deeply hope that we continue to get to know each other more.
3. The Book Club…
contact: nationally based newlywed message board, and eventually, email.
Ok, this is a little bit of a cop-out, I KNOW, but I can’t list them all individually, or you’d never read anything else I wrote again. I have about 15 or so ladies, who I email DAILY… and not just a couple of emails, but DOZENS of emails daily, as we talk about our love of books, and eventually, our families, experiences, and dreams. These girls are AMAZING. One is one of my favorite people and we actually share another circle of friends too, so we meet up as often as we can and talk about tons of amazing things. One was my secret santa and hand delivered an amazing box of goodies this year. One girl is the object of my ultimate girl crush, as she’s a teacher, just like me, and loves YA lit even more than I do! One is the mother of an absolute princess, and exhibits kindness at every turn. One is a fierce pole fitness enthusiast. One just gave birth to the most gorgeous triplets. Still another is writing a book with a tie in to a love of music that makes me grateful for her brightness in my life. There are more, but you get the point. These ladies are unique, SMART, and so compassionate to each other. I’m so grateful for this support group, because we’ve truly become great friends even though most of us have never met.
4. Nicci
contact: bloggy love, then meetups in our town!
Nicci is one of the very few bloggers who actually lives in my home town! We’ve been awfully busy lately, and I wish I could express how sad I am that we’ve not been able to hang out more lately… but I know, at least for me, that our time apart hasn’t zapped any of the affection!! We are able to keep up to date with each other easily due to social networking sites like facebook and twitter. I feel like we’ve barely been apart because we share “likes” and comments on each other’s updates al the time! She’s really great, and I know I never would have met her, if it hadn’t been for the internet!
5. Trinity
contact: blogs, work, and meetups
Trinity is amazing. Like, seriously. If you know her, you’re better for it. PERIOD. She’s brilliantly intelligent, and clever. A teacher as well, we have plenty in common, not to mention her love for wholesome food and yoga. She introduced me to the yoga studio that I call home, and that has subsequently provided me with SO much growth and knowledge. Like Nicci, I haven’t been able to spent very much time with Trinity lately, which breaks my heart. My early bed-time, combined with my location on the opposite side of town makes it hard for me to meet up with them often, but I think about our handful of outings fondly ALL the time. 
I’m so glad that the internet brought us together!
6. Sarah Lane
contact: blog, and, like, literally a gazillion social networking sites (cause that’s kinda her thing)
This is a bit of a stretch… cause I don’t know Sarah very well, but she’s a great example of a cordial and pleasant acquaintance that is super common in today’s web based human interaction. Sarah is a tech maven, has worked at several awesome tech outlets, but always brought a bit of artistry, and creativity to her projects. It was that extra piece that lead me to keep up with her endeavors, as she moved about. Through the last, I dunno, few years or so we’ve exchanged a handful of silly emails, RT’d awesome cat photos, and annual birthday smiles (as ours are a day apart). She’s just good people. I’m moderately confident that we’d be more than happy splitting a block of cheese and a barrel of wine if the occasion ever arises.
____________________________________
Honorable mentions:
My class of DFW knotties
contact: national wedding board, followed by emails, meetups, and eventually facebook
So this is another one that’s a bit of a batch maneuver, but there are several dozen women, who I’ve known now, for 5+ years who met on this wedding planning board. We’ve all separated into smaller factions, and my switzerland status has kept me neutrally connected to most of these ladies over time, which I’m SO grateful for. These girls are funny, and have become a regular part of my friendship circle. I’m very glad to have them, all, absolutely.
Think about it, really think! Do you have any friends that you made online that you never would have met otherwise!? If you blog about them, please let me know, I’d love to read about it! Or let me know in the comments.
Battle of the New Greek Yogurts
Good evening people… Is anyone else COVETING the new Google BUZZ? I can’t wait for mine to be instated. YAY for technology! 
Anyway, today was a GREAT day!
That’s a lie. It was an Okayyyy day, but I’m trying to be Positive! It is always hard to prepare for time away from the classroom. I’m always so anxious about leaving my babies. I’m so glad that I know they’re in good hands.
Today, I had my FAVORITE BREAKFAST OF ALL TIME!!! Yogurtoats, this time with the second new Greek yogurt candidate of the week, the Dannon Greek (strawberry). (Keep reading for my opinions of the NEW Greek yogurt candidates) Lunch was really, REALLY light, and I paid for it later, I had my very favorite green giant veggie steamer… but the whole serving is just 100 calories. Stupid. (I also had 4 cool ranch doritos, SCHWEET)
**An ODE to Yogurtoats…
Heather asked me in my last post about yogurt oats. I’m pretty sure that what I know and love as, yogurtoats is just “overnight oats” to the rest of the blogging world, but I don’t care. Yogurtoats rules for several reasons.
1. I don’t like cooked oats. I know! Everyone loves oatmeal! Oatmeal is the BEST thing EVER, but I can’t get past the gummy part, and I simply do not have the time/patience required to cook oats on the stove in the mornings (let alone wash out the pans)
2. More protein/FLAVA. Yogurt, especially Greek, adds a bunch of protein to the mix, and fats (assuming I’m not eating a 0% yogurt at the time) which keep me full and happy! Plus greek yogurt adds flavor which I love.
3. I’m not super into hot breakfasts. I dunno… hot breakfasts make me feel sleepy or something. The cool, brightness of tangy yogurt wakes me up (as do fresh cold berries/fruits) so, I like that a lot.
So, if you want to make yogurtoats the kelsnotchels way, here’s how I do it.
-Scoop 1/3 to 1/2 cups of thick rolled oats into a bowl (mine are almost always travel safe, cause I eat it at my desk)
-Top with yogurt of your choosing, I love Chobani 0%, Oikos, and the new Dannon Greek Yogurt best.
-Based on the “looseness” of the yogurt I’ll add some milk, just a splash (I prefer almond breeze or skim)
-Top with berries or fruit, (or nut butter, or agave, or any other crazy thing)
Now, I have a 10 minute commute (go ahead and hate) and that’s the perfect amount of time for mine to have the perfect consistency… the oats are still VERY MUCH RAW, and not soggy, but chewy. I’ve left it overnight before, but I prefer it this way.
—————–
On the subject of yogurt, I wanted to weigh in on the two newest contenders in our local stores. Yoplait and Dannon have jumped on the greek yogurt bandwagons and have greek yogurt stocked in our regular market! I bought one of each, both in strawberry and have sampled them in my yogurt oats today and yesterday (with the same recipe).
Yoplait
I thought the yoplait tasted “okay”… it wasn’t the worst yogurt I’ve tried, but it wasn’t my favorite. It was pretty stiff, and I thought it tasted a little fake. There were no pieces of fruit, it was just flavored. It wasn’t terribly smooth either. The nutrition facts were pretty good, 12g of protein, and more potassium than the Dannon… not to mention .7 more ounces of the stuff. It was okay, but if there is another kind on the shelf, I wouldn’t buy this kind again.
Dannon
The Dannon was a “fruit on the bottom” kind, it was a strawberry, syrupy, chunky layer under the yogurt, and I liked it quite a lot! It was pretty sweet, I’m not going to lie, but the pieces of actual strawberries kept it from feeling too artificial. It was VERY creamy, almost mousse like, and was very smooth. It was a little bit of a smaller portion, came in at 10 calories less, though, and still the same 12g of protein. I would definitely buy this one again.
Anyway, that’s enough yogurt talk for one night! I may actually write another post before bed, and set it to publish tomorrow while we’re on the road! My roadmates and I are excited and we’ll be driving to the ATX tomorrow before I know it!
Make Your Blog Better-Minibite:GRAVATARs
Here is a minibite for my Make Your Blog Better series… It is a good one!
Have you wondered how sometimes, in the comment area of people’s blogs, they have a spot for a picture, but yours is always blank? Have you ever asked?
-How do I get an avatar to show up when I post a comment on someone’s blog? or
-Why doesn’t my avatar show up on the comments area of that site, I have a blogger avatar? (or something like that)
Maybe your photo shows up when you post on one type of blog, but not all of them… like it works in blogger, but not on wordpress blogs.
STOP BEING THE FACELESS COMMENTER!! Read the rest of this entry »
Make Your Blog Better-Episode 1: Creating An Auto-Updating Blogroll
This is the first in a new series on my blog, “Make Your Blog Better” (MYBB) where I’ll stretch my nerdy wings and share tech/blogging information that will improve the quality of your blog.
As bloggers, we all know about the pitfalls of having a blogroll… have you ever found yourself asking these questions?
- how can I have the feeds I follow in google reader show up as my blogroll?
- I hate that my blogroll is full of links that I read years ago, but I never remember to take old links out, even if I’ve removed them from reader?
- I add blogs to google reader all the time, but I never remember to update my blogroll, WHYGODWHYISTHISSOHARD?
Okay, maybe that last one was a little dramatic, but generally, manually listing blogs SUCKS.
Most of us are using google reader anyway, so did you know that you can use google reader to be the source for a list of links that you currently read? It is easy… Here is how…
1) Go to your Google Reader (You’re obviously logged in, right?) and click on Settings.
2) Go to the second tab called, Subscriptions. On the right side, next to one of the blogs that you’d like to add to your blogroll, click on the pull down menu and select New Folder
3) Name your folder. As you can see, I named mine “Blogroll”
4) Still in your manage subscriptions area, you can now check off ALL of the blogs that you would like to have listed in your blogroll PUBLICLY. **Remember, you can still have blogs that aren’t listed here in google reader**
Once you’ve checked them all, go to the more actions tab, and select Add to folder> *your folder name*
5) Now you need to go to the Folders and Tags tab in settings. Check the folder you created, and use the drill down menu to change sharing to PUBLIC
6) Now, it gets REALLY easy. On the right hand side, in the Folders and Tags setting screen, click on “Add a Blogroll to your site”. Once there, you can customize the title, choose one of the preset colors, and retrieve HTML code that you can implant in your sidebar, or on a links page (like I did here)
7. Now, in google reader, you’ll have a blog roll folder in your subscriptions list, much like a folder you might have in your email inbox. The best part, is that you can add and remove bloggers at your discretion from your reader. If you read a post that is particularly inspiring, give them the ole “clickclick” and they’re added to the blogroll folder, and immediately, instantly included in the list you’ve already added to your site.
Likewise, if someone in your blogroll folder stops updating, or otherwise loses the right to be on your roll (ouch!) a right click –or even a drag and drop- and their back in your unfoldered set.
Know that you could have all of them in the blogroll folder, but I personally have a few guilty pleasures that I’d rather keep off my blogroll. ;D
You could also use this, if you’ve got the time and patience, to make separate folders (aka GROUPS) of links. Like make a folder for runners, and foodies, and crafters, etc. Once you’ve made all the folders public, nothing is stopping you from grabbing several bits of code, and putting them near each other in a sidebar or links page. (I may do this sometime) Voila! instant categorized blogroll that is fully integrated with google reader!
Please share, link to, tweet, or otherwise share this story with friends, because this is good stuff!
2 Questions for you, dear reader:
Do you currently have a blogroll/link list?
If you don’t use reader, but something else, please let me know. 
If you have questions, please leave a comment. I will reply here, so that I can keep those questions and answers in this post for the benefit of the community.
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