Wednesday, July 24, 2013

How Do You Follow Blogs? Plus Sharknado at the Ballgame, Video Game Trivia, and Ninja News


Ninja News

Nothing like scrolling through blog post titles on Feedly and seeing this - We Love Ninja Captain Alex! Thank you so much, Sheena-kay. That really caught me by surprise. I’ll try to live up to your kind words!

The Goodreads giveaway for CassaStorm ended Monday, and when I forwarded the winners to my publisher, I noticed two of my blogger buddies had won a copy - Sarah Ahiers, JA Bennett, and Tony Laplume. Congratulations, guys!

The next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is in two weeks on August 7! My awesome co-hosts will be M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove.

Don’t forget the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest! Short and simple – name three blogfests you’d never participate in. Sign up HERE.



Sharknado Invades Baseball!

It’s everywhere, including the President’s Race! For the first part, keep your eyes on the big screen until the action moves into view.



How Are You Blog Following Now?


How do most of you follow blogs? Has it changed since the death of Google Reader?

I’ve noticed a slowdown in followers via Google Friends Connect this summer. I have that option, plus Feedly, Bloglovin’, Linky Followers, and email in my sidebar. (My blogger profile isn’t linked to my Google+ profile, or I’d have that option in place as well.)

I’m wondering if people aren’t just skipping GFC now? I have several bloggers I follow that way but pulling up their profile reveals they’ve never followed me through GFC. They comment here all the time though, so they're following me somehow.

If the blogger has GFC, I still click to follow, and then go add their link to my Feedly Reader.

Are you guys still using GFC? Using something else instead?


Video Game News and Trivia!

Video games Need for Speed, Assassin’s Creed, Warcraft, and Angry Birds are all coming soon to the big screen – films are in the works.

And on that note, here’s some video game trivia for you:

1 - What is the best-selling iPhone game?

2 - How many Pokemon films have been made?

3 - What’s the highest grossing movie based on a video game?

4 - What is the longest running video game franchise still being made?

Ready for the IWSG and Anti-Blogfest next month? Surprised by the Sharknado craze? Know any of the trivia? And how do you follow blogs?

173 comments:

RaveAir said...

I imported my feeds to Feedly. It's great, because I can easily read my favourite blogs via my mobile devices and computers.

The Angry Lurker said...

I use several blogrolls and a little GFC on the side!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

i need to better my numbers and a new direction in reading stuff. the blogger thing is shutdown have the time and i miss some of the greater posts out there.

Huntress said...

Thx for the IWSG reminder.

I still click on GFC and use the blogger dashboard to keep up on the new posts.

Sharknado = Pet Rock craze, btw. LOL

Natalie Aguirre said...

Can't believe I'm at the top of the comment list.

I still follow everything by GFC because I scroll down the blogger dashboard list to see the blogs I want to read. I had downloaded my blogs to Feedly Reader but never use it. We also added Blogovin as a way to follow on our site. I think more people are using that rather than GFC now.

I've noticed in general that the summer is really quiet.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Like Francis but also have bloglovin'. Glad you enjoyed my post yesterday.

Empty Nest Insider said...

I haven't changed over yet. I've also noticed that the summer has slowed down quite a bit. Looking forward to IWSG and the Gary fest!

Julie

The Words Crafter said...

1. Angry Birds?
3. Prince of Persia?

I love having a GFC thing to click in someone's sidebar. Makes it very easy. And I love Feedly....but it's losing my most visited links! Last week, you disappeared, as did about five others. I had to go back and create a new category to keep you all in....ah well.

Congratulations to the winners and I'm probably going to do the anti-fest. I'll have to watch the vid when I get home and an Assassin's Creed movie? I'm in!

Anonymous said...

I really want to watch Sharknado...:) I don't use GFC...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Fran, that's funny. I can see you ordering at restaurants.

Huntress, it is like a pet rock, isn't it? One with teeth.

Natalie, good point that it shows up in the dashboard if you use GFC.

Sheena-kay, thank you again! That really blew my mind.

Words Crafter, very good! And Google Reader dumped a few people for me just before transferring over, and I had to manually add them to Feedly.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I'll follow via GFC if it's on the blog or Bloglovin'. If there's no option I like, I'll just copy the blog URL into Bloglovin, although that way you wouldn't know I was following you - perhaps that's how your followers are doing it, Alex?

Heather Musk said...

I tried Feedly but found it annoying. I'd get all my blogs categorised and sorted and the next time I logged on it was all back to how I didn't want it.

I'm using Bloglovin' now, which is great as I can visit everyone's actual blog rather than just reading posts. I can have a snout around at what else they've got going on too, although it does mean it takes longer now to get round :-)

ediFanoB said...

I tried several options and ended up with a FireFox plugin named Bamboo Reader. Import of data from Google Reader worked without problems.

It works for people like me who do not use several devices.



Yolanda Renée said...

I still haven't figured out the following thing, I miss out on a lot of good blogs because of it, but I do have the list on my side blog that I keep up with, but really need to do better. One day soon, I'll actually sit down and learn this stuff, I promise!

Love the idea of the anti-blogfest! Still requires thought and I'm not sure my brain is ready yet! :)

Old Kitty said...

I have absolutely no idea about what or who or where or why a sharknado is?!?! LOL!!! Oh dear!!! The clip is just bizarre if mesmerising! LOL!

Take care
x

Pat Hatt said...

Only use GFC, always have and will until it goes poof. That sharknado thing needs to die.

#1 Angry Birds
#2 Just released #16(I've watched 10, that sad..lol)
#3 Prince of Persia(crap)
#4 Mario/Donkey Kong

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Annalisa, that must be it.

Heather, sorry it didn't work for you.

Yolanda, holding you to that promise!

Kitty, you just can't help but watch it, can you?

Pat, very good! And can't believe you've watched that many...

mshatch said...

I use the GFC, too, but if a blog doesn't have it then the best I can do is add the blog to my blogroll so it will show up when there's a new post. Sadly I know none of the trivia as I only play pc games *sigh*

Carrie-Anne said...

I transferred my GFC list through both Feedly and Bloglovin,' and also follow some blogs through e-mail notification and WordPress. It's usually a challenge to scroll through all the blogs I'm following to see new posts.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yep, I think us blogger old timers still use GFC. I use it more as a courtesy than as an actual following tool though. I also follow via comments and feedly now.

COngrats on the winners of your book. They'll LOVE it.

Suzie F. said...

Congrats to the winner of your book!

I still use my Blogger Dashboard and scroll through to see which blogs I want to visit that day.

#1 - Angry Birds?
#4 - I'm going to guess Mario Bros.

Rachna Chhabria said...

As of now I have stuck to blogger dashboard, did check Feedly though, it was quite okay. Just found it a bit of hassle to shift all the blogs I follow to Feedly one by one (thats what my friend told me).

Juliana Haygert said...

I first tried feedly but when I tested bloglovin, I deleted feedly from my stuff. So now I follow everyone and everything through bloglovin.
When I visit a new blog I like, I skip GFC completely and just go to my bloglovin and add the new blog there. Simple and easy.
But I confess I miss the numbers showing at the sidebar (though I'm a wordpress user and haven't been able to use GFC on my blog for quite a while now).

On my blog, I offer RSS through feedburner, email and bloglovin ... and I'm guessing who wants to follow me through feedly can, they just have to add me manually.

Brian Miller said...

haha sharknado...i still use my dashboard to follow people...i figure i will wait for the dust to settle...still have most of my friends hanging around...i never really used the reader function anyway....

Elsie Amata said...

I cannot believe the Sharknado craze. So hilarious!

I use my blogroll first and then I use my dashboard to follow people's blogs. I must be doing something wrong because I haven't seen any change at all. I was all worried about this big change and it hasn't effected me at all.

Luanne G. Smith said...

I prefer following by GFC. When I don't see the widget on a blog, I copy the address and add it to Bloglovin or directly to my sidebar. But then the person doesn't know I followed them back unless I tell them so in a comment.

A lot of people thought GFC was going away with the reader, but I'm glad it didn't. I like seeing all those familiar faces on people's sidebars. :)

Christine Rains said...

The Sharknado craze is hilarious! I'm all ready for IWSG. I've been so busy lately, I haven't sorted out my blogs after the loss of Google Reader. I'll have to give various readers a test drive. Once I find a minute to try! I do need to get organized, though.

Leovi said...

Yes, I recommend without hesitation Bloglovin!

Jo said...

I read all the blogs I follow on my Blogger Dashboard although I have one or two that come through on my email.

Mind you lately, I haven't been doing a very good job. Life is interfering with blogging.

Karen Baldwin said...

Hmm? My blog viewing hasn't changed. Am I missing something?
And thanks for the video of Sharknado. Funny.

Melissa said...

Ack! Send me some ninja clones, Alex!
Kidding. Looking forward to August IWSG. :P

I follow blogs through Feedly. :)

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I follow blogs through Blogger or else I bookmark the blogs and check them out that way. It's not the most convenient way, but I don't read a ton of blogs and so far, between Blogger and the bookmarks, it's still manageable. :)

I've been playing Minion Rush on my iPad - it's too much fun. I have to tear myself away... :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Carrie-Anne, that's why mine are organized into folders.

Lynda - courtesy. Nice way to put it.

Suzie, correct!

Juliana, those numbers matter.

Brian, with the amount I follow, the dashboard would be impossible.

Elsie, if you weren't using Google Reader, the no change.

LG, as do I!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I follow on GFC, if they still have it up. Or I do Facebook's Networked Blogs (don't think you're on FB, Alex.)

I read blogs on Feedly.

Still angry at Google. Grr.

Anonymous said...

I follow you through Feedly. After Google Reader was announced, I found that and really liked it, so I moved everything there. I like that it's not just limited to Wordpress or Blogger only. I can follow both there.

Kelly Polark said...

I follow blogs on the Blogger Dashboard only. Also, if someone tweets about their blog post I may head on over too!

I really wish I DVRed Sharknado!!!

Cassie Mae said...

I have no idea how I follow you. But I have you bookmarked and every Mon, Wed, Fri, I make an appearance, lol.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Love the Sharknado vid. I use my blog lists to follow my friends and those who comment on my blog, I visit. Google+ freezes my screen whenever I try to use it to visit friends -- so those friends who use it, I seldom visit. Google offered its reader for free so I guess we shouldn't complain. But it is awkward for so many now. :-(

ilima said...

I seem to read blogposts more and more through twitter or facebook links.

Heather M. Gardner said...

Hi Alex!

Howz thingz going?

I think the Anti-Blogfest is hilarious.

At least people are getting a laugh out of the Sharknado thing. :)

Trivia...
1. It's got to be one of the Angry birds games.
2. No one cares.
3. Lara Croft
4. Grand Theft?

I hope you have a nice weekend!

Heather

Charles Gramlich said...

I guess they were striving for awesomely bad with Sharknado and succeeded. Sharkawful.

Andrew Leon said...

I use GFC, and I use blogger's feed to access most of the blogs I follow. I have noticed, though, that as my page views have increased that the number of followers I gain through GFC has slowed. I'm assuming that people have other ways they're getting to my place, though.

Unknown said...

I use Blogger Dashboard also.
Sharknado needs to die a horrible death! Most video game movies never live up to the promise.

Marta Szemik said...

I usually use my blogroll to follow blogs. I think my kids will love Angry Birds movie and Sharknado, although not related, reminds me of the hype we had with Blair Witch Project.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I use something to read blogs, but what escapes me right now. Too stinking hot here to get my brain working effectively. Which is the only excuse I can come up with right now. LOL. Heard about your participation in the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest. You guys crack me up!

Sarah Allen said...

I do a little bit of following on Friend Connect, but lately almost all my following and all my blog reading has been through Feedly.

Al Diaz said...

Feedly but you know it's not being very accurate lately. I sometimes can't find a certain blogger even though I have them on lists or feedly updates posts I've already read, or do not update the newest. I'm not adding any new ones for a while.
I couldn't believe my eyes with that Sharknado. One would think the movie actually rocks. The idea of sharks with laser beams attached to their heads in a tornado appeals me more, hahaha. That was a good one, another ten dragon points for the Ninja.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Madeline, we downloaded that game as well.

Elizabeth, I'm not. At least with Feedly, I can unfollow blogs that have removed their GFC. Google Reader kept putting them back.

Kelly, don't worry, I've sure they will repeat it a dozen more times.

Cassie, that works for me!

Roland, Google+ is useless for following blogs.

Heather, you got the first one right.

Charles, good one!!

Marta, only Blair Witch was much better than Sharknado...

Joylene, we are here for your amusement!

Al, glad you liked that! Might've made the movie better if they had laser beams.

Martina Boone said...

I imported all my feeds to Feedly, but I don't particularly love the interface. Even before the Tragic Demise, I was using Mr. Reader on my iPad to go through all my blogs. Fortunately, they synced up with Feedly, so the transition was essentially seamless for me. But I'm still hoping Feedly will institute rss feeds from our tagged folders the way that GR did. I loved being able to use those as blog widgets.

shelly said...

Love Gary. He's such a hoot. Using Feedly now and love it.

And Alex you are wonderful as is everyone else in the blog world.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Cherie Reich said...

I'm still joining via GFC, but I also add the blog to Feedly too. They'll probably eventually do away with GFC, but until then, I'll keep pressing that button. :)

Livia Peterson said...

I still follow blogs via GFC. I'm used to it, but one of these days, I'll permemetly follow via Bloglovin' and sign up for few other websites.

Is Feedly free? I haven't signed up for that one yet because the site doesn't say if it's free or not.

Murees Dupè said...

I still use GFC and I am noticing the same thing as you. I rather like following through GFC, but there are more and more people using email sign up and other methods I am not too familiar with.

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'm a big fan of feedly for my own personal use, but I still do use GFC if I find a new blog I like. And like you, our GFC numbers have pretty much halted for the past month or so. It seems people are following in other ways. But, but... how can I justify my blogger existence if people can't see just how many friends I have???

M Pax said...

Go SharkNado! lol Loved that.

I'm ready to cohost. :)

I use Feedly and add people to my list. That's how I follow these days. I don't bother with much else. I think many people are doing the same with their new readers.

VikLit said...

I still use GFC! I wouldn't know how else to connect :)

Mark Means said...

I'm still using Feedly and I'm finding the same thing with GFC going on, as well.

For the trivia, I'll give it a go....

1. Candy Crush Saga
2. 3
3. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
4. Final Fantasy?

Mere spitballing, of course... :)

Stephen Tremp said...

Congrats to Sarah JA and Tony!

And I'm signed up for the Anti Blogfest.

Sharknado is.taking on a cult like status.

And for the past few momths I just haven't been visiting nearly as many blogs as over been busy writing Escalation. So my incoming traffic has been way down. And since Google shut me down in April there are a lot of Bloggers who do not have my new site.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Martina, I never knew there was an RSS option.

Thanks, Shelly!

Cherie, so will I!

Livia, it is free.

Murees, just fewer people using it now. Bummer.

Brandon and Bryan, that made me laugh!!

Mark, sorry - the answers will surprise you...

Stephen, you really got the whammy.

klahanie said...

Awe Alex, everybody loves you. A big blogging group hug! :)

Congrats to the winners who got a copy of your book.

IWSG? No, I'm not going to say what I usually say.

Must check out that Gary dude.

Hey Abe, do me a favour at getting the Washington Nationals returned to Montreal. I miss the Expos.

I still have my reader's list up and running on my blogger dashboard. I also subscribe via the email address application. And of course, like you, I have my blog list on a sidebar.

Take care, I'm going now.



Bevimus said...

I still use GFC, but that is because I am unversed in the others. I keep meaning to look into Feedly because many have said they love it.

This is the first I've heard of the anti-blog-fest. Sounds like fun!

And I really gotta see Sharknado already!

Unknown said...

I may be old-school or just uneducated... or possibly both, but I follow blogs through my BlogSpot homepage reader. I'm certainly considering alternatives though.

And the Warcraft film update makes me so super excited. Thanks for sharing that update, Alex :)

J.L. Murphey said...

I still use GFC and bloglovin'

Vanessa Morgan said...

I use Bloglovin now. I still have to add a couple of blogs, but I'm following yours already.

farawayeyes said...

I live in the dark ages of blogging and still use the blogger dashboard, such as it is. I think I screwed something up on mine,but then I tend to go to my friends first, and only meet new people through friends o blogfests.

That gaming trivia, Ha! I'm bad a trivia but when it comes of games I'm really bad.

Ready oor IWSG, I hope.

Toi Thomas said...

I follow through Feedly. I actually follow more and better now using Feedly after making the conversion.

Sherry Ellis said...

The Sharknado video is so silly!

Catherine Stine said...

I use GFC and check out the dashboard, but I plan to also look into Bloglovin'.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Gary, getting the Expos back might take an act of God. And you should check out that Gary dude...

Emilynn, glad you're excited!

Thanks, Vanessa.

Eternal, I think Feedly works better than Google Reader.

Unknown said...

I use Google Friend Connect mostly as I have no idea what to do with others. I know I should learn more but who has the time? LOL

I'm afraid I have no clue on the video game trivia, but I'd guess that Resident Evil is up there with grossing big money based on video games. r I could be totally wrong. :)

Unknown said...

I've not as many people as you so it's pretty easy for me. I just work from my blog roll. I won't follow anyone who requires me to join Google Circles though. I will comment on them and put them in the blogroll. All gamers go in my blog roll whether we comment on each other or not.

Julie Dao said...

I'm so sad that Google Reader is gone! I haven't had much time to keep up with blogs aside from the ones whose links are on my page, but when I do, I'll have to look into Feedly. I've heard that's a good one!

Nigel G Mitchell said...

I use feedly and my sidebar on my blog. I never used GFC...didn't even know it existed.

Tina said...

I use GFC when it's available, or I subscribe by email. The blogs in my sidebar are the ones I read the most, so I just use it as my reader. For the blogs I read less often, then I'm using Bloglovin', though I still have a lot to learn about it.
Tina @ Life is Good

Maurice Mitchell said...

GFC is Google Friend Connect bro. I use Feedly too although the spreadsheet still gets it's due. Congrats to Tony, Sarah and JA!

Mary Aalgaard said...

I follow the blogger blogs the usual way and add the others. I'm just looking at them on my sidebar or in my dashboard, now, to read them. I'm not reading as many this summer, though!

Cathy Keaton said...

I use NetVibes for my blog reader.

LynNerdKelley said...

Darn, just lost my comment! Funny video. I prefer to receive blog posts through my email.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

LOL - I love the Sharknado video!

I follow through GFC, Feedly, and Bloglovin'.

Anonymous said...

Thinking about GFC makes my head hurt. I know I have to address it at some point. But, until then, I'll keep procrastinating. :)

PK HREZO said...

Sharknado craze is too funny. Just goes to show peeps need some fun now and then. Def think I've lost some following since reader disappeared, but it is what it is. All my fave blogs are in my browser memory already... and from them I hop thru the blogrolls. :)

Ella said...

Timely Captain I was just thinking about ISWG ;D

I haven't decided I start BlogLovin a while ago. I think Feedly is suppose to be good?! Yes, I am undecided. I agree Sharknado is too crazy fun!

Unknown said...

I switched from google reader to feedly and so I follow my blogs from there.

J E Oneil said...

That clip still looks more realistic than Sharknado.

I think the best part of GFC was that it automatically connected to Reader, so now that it's gone, yeah, there's not much reason to click on it. I only do it as force of habit.

1. Angry Birds, got to be.

2. Too many.

3. Ahhh, probably Tomb Raider, but I remember hearing that Prince of Persia did better. Yes, I really knew that. Video game fanaticism is the one thing I do best.

4. Mario.

msmariah said...

First-- I love the new header. Second-- I'm glad you asked the question about google friends connect. Idk why blogger would get rid of it, as it works just fine. I'm probably going to sign up for Google+ to compensate for it. idk what else to do. Sometimes I really don't understand blogger. As soon as they have something that works and works well they get rid of it. I'm just waiting for them to get rid of blogger one of these days.

Danette said...

I'm thinking I'll get serious and try to connect through Google Followers. I just connected via my job and google suggests other people to connect with in their space- the whole numbers game makes my head hurt though. I don't see the point. It's not going to sell my book- I don't think. But then, the two big authors I know who have their own website/ blog say it's important to have website- but they already had books out there and people follow them because they ARE bestselling authors. I am torn. I think... I know I overthink things.

dolorah said...

I miss google reader :( I signed up bloglovin and feedly both but haven't used them. I have a followers gadget on my sidebar and use my blogrolls.

I'm one of those bloggers who has slowed up for the summer. I'm trying to do some actual writing and submitting and can't keep up. And I'm kinda losing interest in blogging. I may take a hiatus soon. I like reading posts still, but am tired of coming up with them on my own blog. Just tired I guess.

........dhole

Unknown said...

The Sharknado craze is amazing, another interesting lesson in marketing and what pop culture with cling to. I have no idea on the trivia, so I'll just wait for the answers. Congrats to the winners!

John Wiswell said...

I continue to follow blogs by Friend Connect and non-Blogspot folks through Bloglovin for the its daily digest. Works pretty well!

Helena said...

Who would've guessed that yet another bad Sci Fi Channel monster movie could become so famous? Kinda like "Plan 9 from Outer Space" became immortal through sheer godawfulness.

Mark Koopmans said...

I just use the blog roll thing at the end of my blog...

I know I'm missing tons of people, but I can't even keep up with comments, let alone read 50 more blogs.

Not a whine, just life!

G. B. Miller said...

I follow using the "add a blog" button on my dashboard and read via the "blog" button on my IE browser.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I had Bloglovin' send me an e-mail stating that a certain person was now following me. That's the only such e-mail I've ever received from Bloglovin'. Does that mean I have one follower on Bloglovin'? I guess so.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Melissa, I'm sure the franchise is the highest grossing.

Julie, it's the one I use.

Maurice, you tell him!

Cathy, that's a new one.

PK, I may have lost some because they were dumped...

JE, nailed the answers!

MsMariah, thanks, and the made me chuckle. Google+ just isn't a good way to follow blogs, so don't know why they thought it would be.

Danette, my blog is my website, and it's worked just fine.

Donna, it happens!

John, that's how I do it.

Helena, that really made me laugh!

Richard, I have no idea...

Miranda Hardy said...

Thank sharknado thing is crazy.

I'm using feedly right now, but I still think I have GFC on my blog.

I may know some if the trivia answers, yay!

Doralynn Kennedy said...

I wondered what had happened. It use to be easy to follow blogs, now, I can't even figure out how to follow some of them.

LD Masterson said...

I'm still using GFC and the Blogger dashboard but I seriously need to add/move to something else.

Brinda said...

I'm only following through Bloglovin now. I still haven't had time to check out Feedly. I was out of town at a conference last week and still can't get caught up. :(

Unknown said...

I use GFC, Blogloving, Linky, Network Blogs and email. I still have the connect with Google+ but have blocked all incoming emails from being sent as I was swamped. When I turned the link on, my email account received over 700 emails overnight! Far too many to sort through.

Unknown said...

I'm always up for a little insecurity! Looking forward to the IWSG posts. Alex, I must confess, I do not follow blogs any sort of way. I know, terrible. I'm awful at following anyone in an organized fashion. I rely on the old, willy-nilly brain in my head, which leaves plenty of room for accidental blog misses. I try to visit 1x per week, sometimes even those efforts go down the drain. But my heart means well. :)

Cate Masters said...

Love the sharknado video! Too funny.

I'm not doing a very good job of keeping up with blogs lately. Summer's been more hectic than I thought.

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised at all by America's obsession with Sharknado . . . we get obsessed with stupid things allll the time (bacon themed products, the Star Wars prequels, Jersey Shore). I don't have cable so we still haven't seen it, but my 13yo daughter has seen all the hype and was hesitant about going swimming in her aunt's screened in pool on Monday!!! Yeah, she's a little weird like her mom ;-0 As far as blogs, I follow in numerous ways, but unless I'm email subscribed, I don't tend to comment.

Unknown said...

I'm going to sound backwoods here, I follow blogs by remembering the ones I like and typing in the url. Each time. I know, I need to find a ten year old to get me up to speed.

DMS said...

I still follow via GFC most of the time and I do what you do to get the posts.

How wonderful to find out you were being spotlighted on a blog. :)

Congrats to the winners!
~Jess

Anonymous said...

Sharknado is everywhere.

I click on GFC. This reminds me that I need to add some new blogs on Feedly.

cleemckenzie said...

I've added Bloglovin'. Haven't tried Feedly.

Saw Gary's Anti-Blogfest. It was only a matter of time, wasn't it?

Susan Oloier said...

I follow using GFC, but mostly using my heart :-) I always visit the blogger friends I know and love first, and their blogs are simply in my head. Great technology, huh?

Morgan said...

I totally use GFC still... nothing has changed for me since the whole Google Reader fiasco. ;-)

SO stoked for the GaryFest. :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Brinda, I can imagine!

Carolyn, that is just insane!

Candilynn, we need to get you some help.

Jamie, if she watches that movie, she'll be afraid to go downstairs!

Melanie, you need help!

Lee, yes it was!

Susan, whatever works.

Ted Cross said...

I use a Blog Roll on the sidebar of my blog, so I can see all new posts that have been posted by the bloggers that I follow.

RaShelle Workman said...

Still haven't finished Sharknado!!! LOL

mooderino said...

I'm still finding my way around bloglovin. Feels like a lot more work than with Google reader.

Not really sure what the point of GFC is now. Used to connect automatically with reader but now what? Just a way of letting people know you're following?

Does feel like there should be an easier way.

mood

mooderino said...

I'm still finding my way around bloglovin. Feels like a lot more work than with Google reader.

Not really sure what the point of GFC is now. Used to connect automatically with reader but now what? Just a way of letting people know you're following?

Does feel like there should be an easier way.

mood

Sharon Himsl said...

Hi. Feedley keeps dropping me in Google Chrome and my old Readers List shows up in Internet Explorer. Not happy with the new format! I mostly rely on a gadget that shows blogs I'm following (like Ted above).

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex .. I haven't really sorted out Feedly or BlogLovin - and must get my act together .. I'm sure I've lost some feeds - but seem to have the main ones.

Then it's the newbies .. and for the moment the brain is acting as a Reader ... but I have to sort it out.

I do use Friend Connect - if it's a new blog and it's there ... it's quite nice to see how many followers one has ...

I really need to spend some time working out how it works!

Cheers Hilary

Susan Kane said...

My husband said Sharknado was about the worst film he had seen, and that means a lot. So it didn't surprise him that there is a sequel.

I think people are busy with summer and kids and vacations. We were on the road forever, and I am just now recovering from June. Hopefully people get back in the habit.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I mostly follow blogs from those who leave comments and from my blogroll. I have joined Feedly and loaded the Google Reader list, but I haven't spent much time there yet. One more thing on my To Do List...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Moody, it's both a way to let people know you've connected and to follow, as a lot of people still use their dashboard to read blogs.

Hilary, maybe we need a class...?

Susan, your husband was right.

Robin said...

I think I mostly use GFC. If they don't have that option I copy/paste the URL and put into my blogroll. Either way, it all shows up in the same place.

Sarah Ahiers said...

I think i might pee my pants over an Assassin Creed movie.
And i'm still super excited about my goodreads win!

Jemi Fraser said...

That Sharknado video was cute! :)

I usually use GFC as well - and I'm getting better at remembering to add them to Feedly :)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

It seems rumors of the Google Reader's death were highly exaggerated. As far as I can tell, it's still alive and kicking. I still rely on GFC too. Thank goodness. I'm too scared to make changes. I don't understand any of it.

Be well, Alex.
xoRobyn

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

A little late on commenting, but I use Feedly.

Julie Flanders said...

I've been using Feedly. I still use GFC too though and that is my favorite way to follow blogs. I hate all these changes.

Love the Sharknado video LOL.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sarah, I'm glad you're excited!!

Robyn, highly exaggerated.

Cally Jackson said...

I mainly use email subscription to follow blogs. I have got both Feedly and Bloglovin' but haven't spent enough time on either yet to decide which will replace Google Reader.

I'm about to migrate my blog away from wordpress.com to be self-hosted. Wish me luck!

Kirsten said...

I'm pretty low tech and like everything in one place, so I keep it simple and follow people through email. Besides, since I'm on Wordpress, it's a bit tricky to integrate my blogger friends with that.
But I manage, I think!

Kirsten said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I follow on Feedly now, but haven't worked very hard on it. Am revamping the link lists on both my blogs-- will add the links of those I visit regularly.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I have Feedly but I don't have the hang of it yet and still rely on my blog roll--which I am removing from my main page to make it led cluttered.

I'm interested in finding out what the longest running video game is.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

I'm still using GFC, and I sure hope they don't get rid of it because I hate trying to figure out new things on the computer. :-P

Libby said...

I'm doing it wrong, I just follow through blogger.

Bish Denham said...

I just go to my dashboard in blogger and read blogs from there. So maybe like, Libby, I'm doing it wrong?

Sigh... I'm so low-tech.

Carol Kilgore said...

I use GFC, Bloglovin', and my blog rolls.

Congrats to the winners of your book!

Happy Weekend :)

Hart Johnson said...

I think Google Friends Connect is one of those things I probably tried for a while, but I really only ever use the blogger follower button... facebook if the they are on a wordpress or don't have an easy follower, but I definitely GO TO blogs most often through blogger or else whatever they have connected to their comments.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'm signed up for the Gary anti-blogfest.

I don't really have a system for following, and as things are getting busier, I need to get one. I think I;m on GFC, but not real sure how everything works.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cally, you'll be fine!

Kristen, as long as you have a system that works for you.

Donna, if you divide the blogs into folders, Feedly is much more manageable.

Bish and Libby, no, a lot of people do it that way.

Elizabeth, organize early - trust me!

LisaAnn said...

OMG, there are so many options for following blogs. It's completely overwhelming. I'm excited to read through all these comments and see what everyone's consensus is!

Unknown said...

I just put blogs in a widget and let my Blogger keeps tabs on them in my sidebar. I always look forward to IWSG, and thanks for telling me about Gary's anti-blogfest. I'm sure that'll be a hoot!

All those games are being made into movies? OK, I loved the Resident Evil movies, but can't Hollywood come up with something original?

The Happy Whisk said...

I still have to set up feedly. The blog rolls aren't organized enough, I find.

Mel Chesley said...

I'm using bloglovin' at the moment, but need to find something else when it doesn't allow me to leave a comment. Half the time, I'll just open a new tab and go right to their blog.

Al Penwasser said...

I really don't know what Google Friends Connect is. I really should, but I strongly suspect I'm stupid.
I normally will follow a blog who follows me. Sometimes (not even most times) that blog is kinda boring, so I will rarely visit. If someone comments on my blog, it will jog my memory to go pay a visit over at their blog. Failing that, I go to the list of blogs I follow and will have a look at some of those who've left comments in the past (unless they're sucky-then I don't bother).
Does any of this make sense? I may not have provided a coherent enough explanation.
Like I said, I may be stupid.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lexa, something original? Don't hold your breath.

Mel, try Feedly.

Al, you have it in your sidebar - it's how people follow you.

Chuck said...

Dang! I didn't win a book. Guess September is pretty close anyway.

Sharknado was an awesome movie! How could you not appreciate the cinematic turn of an chainsaw wielding hero diving head first into the mouth of a shark only to escape by cutting its belly open from the inside AND pulling out the hot chick that was snapped out of mid-air as she fell from the helicopter!!! Classic, never saw it coming. Can't wait for Sharknado 2 - New York.

Now I have to go DVR Sharkocalypse!!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, Alex,

I still use google Friend connect. I haven't really explored the other options yet. And like you said the followings have DEFINITELY slowed down. For me too. I have been at my same number for the past few months. Summer is slower though with everyone on vacations,etc. Hopefully in the fall things will pick up.

Hope you have a great weekend.

TS Hendrik said...

I've always followed through blogger. Though I also follow you on twitter and will often read that way. And of course sometimes I just type your blog address in. Not that hard to remember. haha

I don't see the need for an angry birds movie. I am still waiting on a bubble bobble one though.

Brian Miller said...

assasins creed will make a cool movie...not sure on angry birds...about to head to the regional comicon...woot...happy saturday man

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congrats to the winners!

I read through blogger and file I have set up. I would like to set up Feedly. I've heard it's an ok way to read.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're right, Chuck. I have to appreciate the contrived and convenient plot twists of the ending.

Michael, good to know I'm not the only one.

TS, good thing I didn't use my full name, huh?

Brian, enjoy the comic con!

Michelle Wallace said...

I'm still wondering what to write for the anti-blogfest... there's still some time though...
I still haven't checked out Bloglovin/Feedly... time is so scarce...
Writer In Transit

D.G. Hudson said...

I settled on 'Old Google Reader', it was an option and it's working just like the original reader. Alternatives - I go through my blogroll (it's the ones I usually visit) or via my profile page which also links to all the blogs I follow.

I didn't like aspects of Feedly or Bloglovin'. So I'm content and still read mostly from my dashboard.

I've noticed it's a summer when everyone seems to have promotions on the go. There is an over-abundance of titles to choose from. . .

randi lee said...

I just love this Sharknado thing...I think I'm going to have to mention it on my own blog!!

Suze said...

I'm *really* curious about the answer to your question number three. I love your trivia section, Alex. I either always learn something or find a place to use the weird stuff I've learned already! :)

Chancelet said...

I'd entered your giveaway, but didn't win! :( I haven't checked out Bloglovin' yet, but may do so soon. I've just been using the Google link.

And you've got lots of bloggin love out there Alex. Writer’s Mark

Kimberly said...

I am totally lost on what the heck Sharknado is - I see it mentioned everywhere. What in the world is it? (I was hoping your video would give me a clue but it didn't work for me). :)

J.C. Martin said...

Hurray for Ninja Alex! What a lovely but fitting post from Sheena-Kay!

I kept hearing that GFC will be discontinued but it still seems to be working. That's my go-to follow method, but I've recently started using Networked Blogs, Linky and Bloglovin' as well.

Angry Birds and Assassin's Creed films!? I am there!!

Al Penwasser said...

Like I said.
Stupid.

Allison said...

Ah video game movies do NOT have a good track record.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Cynthia said...

Though I had Google Reader, I wasn't an active user of it, so now that it's gone, I'm still following blogs by just going through the update feed that comes with blogger and by getting email notifications to other blogs that I've subscribed to. I'm looking into other approaches, so I'd go back through your comments later and see what everyone else is doing!

Leovi said...

Google is determined to steer people to google +, but to access a blog using that profile to do more clicks. But somehow I think we are punishing those who do not have the associated blogger profile G+!

alexia said...

Interesting you mentioned follow methods because I've been thinking about this lately, too. I still don't know why they axed Google Reader. I'm just using GFC and looking at blogs in my blogger account feed, but I might see what the benefits of those other two are.

I'm gonna guess Angry Birds on the iPhone question. Hope you're having an awesome weekend!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

DG, I didn't know there was an old Google reader.

Randi, the craze is better than the actual film.

Suze, years of crossword puzzles and trivia games have filled my head with useless knowledge!

Nancy, I'm sorry.

Al, no, not stupid!

Cynthia, when you don't follow a lot of blogs, the dashboard works great.

Leovi, I agree with you!

Alexia, you are correct.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I follow from the blog roll I have on the side of my blog.

Mary Montague Sikes

Unknown said...

Once Google connected blogger with G+ and then got rid of Greader, I figured it's only a matter of time before GFC goes away too (there have been rumours for some time) so I follow blogs purely through bloglovin' now.

Tammy Theriault said...

oh my i can't wait to get gary back!!

Southpaw said...

GFC is kind of a bust now. But I still click it on blogger sites then add it to my feed.

Pat Tillett said...

I use the reading list on my dashboard and have done since I started blogging. It's the one thing I've never had any trouble with (yet).

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jamie, at some point, it might go away. Fortunately it still connects with the dashboard.

Tammy, it will be fun!

Jai Joshi said...

Oh man, I've given up trying to figure out how many people are following me. There are so many ways to do it, it's all too confusing.

Jai

Nicole said...

I follow the vast majority through Blogger dashboard and a few through email.

Kathe W. said...

I respond to folks who comment on my blog and I also will follow them on my own. I also participaye on severl memes- such as the ABC in April!
Have a great day!

Deniz Bevan said...

I use the blogroll on the side of my own blog and click through to all the blogs I want to comment on! Now that I'm down to posting once a week, it takes me roughly six hours per week to create my post and comment on the 50+ blogs I regularly follow.
I love blogging!

Rhonda Albom said...

I am so late in getting here. Sorry, limit internet with these travels, and really busy days.

I am now using Feedly. GFC left wordpress ages ago.