Remove - Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) from Blogger

In many Blogger templates there is a "subscribe to: Posts (Atom)" link, so that the blog visitors can subscribe to the Atom feeds. Considering the fact that many readers use RSS for their blog feeds, many of you could find this link pretty useless. Moreover it occupies space at the bottom of the template and it doesn't look nice at all. In this case you might want to remove it.

How to remove subscribe to: Posts (Atom) link? 

Step 1. Go to your Dashboard > Template > Edit HTML (click on Proceed button if needed)

Step 2. Select "Expand Widget Templates"

Step 3. Find (CTRL + F) this line:

<b:include data='feedLinks' name='feedLinksBody'/>

Step 4. Remove it and Save Template.

This should remove subscribe to: posts (atom) link.

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Add Multi-Colored Popular Posts to Blogger

Popular Posts is a widget provided by Blogger that displays the most viewed posts on the blog in the last 7 days, last month and of all time. It has three displaying modes: display title only, display title with image thumbnail or display title along with the posts snippets.

To customize this popular posts widget, we have to add a new variable and some CSS codes to our blogger template. So let's begin:

How to add multi-colored popular posts to Blogger

Step 1. Login to your Blogger Dashboard, go to Design >> Edit HTML

Step 2. Select "Expand Widget Templates" (make a backup first)

Step 3. Search for the following tag:

/* Variable definitions
   ====================

Note: If you can't find it, paste it below the autor information that is usually below this tag (CTRL + F):

 <b:skin><![CDATA[/* 

...and should end up with this symbol:
 

 ----------------------------------------------- */

Step 4. Copy and paste just below/after this tag, the next code:

<Group description="PopularPosts Backgrounds" selector="#PopularPosts1">
<Variable name="PopularPosts.background.color1" description="background color1" type="color" default="#fa4242" value="#ff4c54"/>
<Variable name="PopularPosts.background.color2" description="background color2" type="color" default="#ee6107" value="#ff764c"/>
<Variable name="PopularPosts.background.color3" description="background color3" type="color" default="#f0f" value="#ffde4c"/>
<Variable name="PopularPosts.background.color4" description="background color4" type="color" default="#ff0" value="#c7f25f"/>
<Variable name="PopularPosts.background.color5" description="background color5" type="color" default="#0ff" value="#33c9f7"/>
</Group>

Step 5. Search for the following piece of code:

]]></b:skin>

Step 6. Just above/before it, add this code:

#PopularPosts1 ul{margin:0;padding:5px 0;list-style-type:none}
#PopularPosts1 ul li{position:relative;margin:5px 0;border:0;padding:10px}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child{background:$(PopularPosts.background.color1);width:90%}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child:after{content:"1"}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li{background:$(PopularPosts.background.color2);width:85%}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li:after{content:"2"}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li{background:$(PopularPosts.background.color3);width:80%}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li:after{content:"3"}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li{background:$(PopularPosts.background.color4);width:75%}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li:after{content:"4"}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li + li{background:$(PopularPosts.background.color5);width:70%}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li + li:after{content:"5"}
#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child:after,#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li:after,#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li:after,#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li:after,#PopularPosts1 ul li:first-child + li + li + li + li:after{position:absolute;top:20px;right:-15px;border-radius:50%;background:#353535;width:30px;height:30px;line-height:1em;text-align:center;font-size:28px;color:#fff}
#PopularPosts1 ul li .item-thumbnail{float:left;border:0;margin-right:10px;background:transparent;padding:0;width:40px;height:40px}
#PopularPosts1 ul li a{font-size:12px;color:#444;text-decoration:none}
#PopularPosts1 ul li a:hover{color:#222;text-decoration:none}

Step 7. Now find the following code:

<b:widget id='PopularPosts1' locked='false' title='Popular Posts' type='PopularPosts'>

Step 8. Delete it until you reach at this tag (delete the </b:widget> also):

</b:widget>

Note: Be very careful when removing it. The entire fragment of code should look like this:

<b:widget id='PopularPosts1' locked='false' title='Popular Posts' type='PopularPosts'>
<b:includable id='main'>
  <b:if cond='data:title'><h2><data:title/></h2></b:if>
  <div class='widget-content popular-posts'>
    <ul>
      <b:loop values='data:posts' var='post'>
      <li>
        <b:if cond='data:showThumbnails == &quot;false&quot;'>
          <b:if cond='data:showSnippets == &quot;false&quot;'>
            <!-- (1) No snippet/thumbnail -->
            <a expr:href='data:post.href'><data:post.title/></a>
          <b:else/>
            <!-- (2) Show only snippets -->
            <div class='item-title'><a expr:href='data:post.href'><data:post.title/></a></div>
            <div class='item-snippet'><data:post.snippet/></div>
          </b:if>
        <b:else/>
          <b:if cond='data:showSnippets == &quot;false&quot;'>
            <!-- (3) Show only thumbnails -->
            <div class='item-thumbnail-only'>
              <b:if cond='data:post.thumbnail'>
                <div class='item-thumbnail'>
                  <a expr:href='data:post.href' target='_blank'>
                    <img alt='' border='0' expr:height='data:thumbnailSize' expr:src='data:post.thumbnail' expr:width='data:thumbnailSize'/>
                  </a>
                </div>
              </b:if>
              <div class='item-title'><a expr:href='data:post.href'><data:post.title/></a></div>
            </div>
            <div style='clear: both;'/>
          <b:else/>
            <!-- (4) Show snippets and thumbnails -->
            <div class='item-content'>
              <b:if cond='data:post.thumbnail'>
                <div class='item-thumbnail'>
                  <a expr:href='data:post.href' target='_blank'>
                    <img alt='' border='0' expr:height='data:thumbnailSize' expr:src='data:post.thumbnail' expr:width='data:thumbnailSize'/>
                  </a>
                </div>
              </b:if>
              <div class='item-title'><a expr:href='data:post.href'><data:post.title/></a></div>
              <div class='item-snippet'><data:post.snippet/></div>
            </div>
            <div style='clear: both;'/>
          </b:if>
        </b:if>
      </li>
      </b:loop>
    </ul>
    <b:include name='quickedit'/>
  </div>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

Step 9. After you have deleted the above code, paste the following in its place:

<b:widget id='PopularPosts1' locked='false' title='Popular Posts' type='PopularPosts'>
<b:includable id='main'>
   <b:if cond='data:title'>
    <h2><data:title/></h2>
   </b:if>
   <div class='widget-content popular-posts'>
    <ul>
     <b:loop values='data:posts' var='post'>
      <li>
       <b:if cond='data:showThumbnails == &quot;false&quot;'>
        <b:if cond='data:showSnippets == &quot;false&quot;'>
         <a expr:href='data:post.href' expr:title='data:post.title' rel='bookmark'><data:post.title/></a>
        <b:else/>
         <a expr:href='data:post.href' expr:title='data:post.snippet' rel='bookmark'><data:post.title/></a>
        </b:if>
       <b:else/>
        <b:if cond='data:showSnippets == &quot;false&quot;'>
         <b:if cond='data:post.thumbnail'>
          <img class='item-thumbnail' expr:alt='data:post.title' expr:src='data:post.thumbnail'/>
         <b:else/>
          <img alt='no image' class='item-thumbnail' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUuLO8UYZ28nozaJShbYwgUvNIAIxxJmhZqBI3P62hRcvwzxokRXNiH6SFFhvDaIaybNjJPFEf88onEkWxiUgSBlFoQIPAfRpq87I9Gvfj1Wd1EFYU5DZf5xdb4yRHuJ8TsMO9AVZpDo/s1600/default.jpg'/>
         </b:if>
         <a expr:href='data:post.href' expr:title='data:post.title' rel='bookmark'><data:post.title/></a>
         <div class='clear'/>
        <b:else/>
         <b:if cond='data:post.thumbnail'>
          <img class='item-thumbnail' expr:alt='data:post.title' expr:src='data:post.thumbnail'/>
         <b:else/>
          <img alt='no image' class='item-thumbnail' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUuLO8UYZ28nozaJShbYwgUvNIAIxxJmhZqBI3P62hRcvwzxokRXNiH6SFFhvDaIaybNjJPFEf88onEkWxiUgSBlFoQIPAfRpq87I9Gvfj1Wd1EFYU5DZf5xdb4yRHuJ8TsMO9AVZpDo/s1600/default.jpg'/>
         </b:if>
         <a expr:href='data:post.href' expr:title='data:post.snippet' rel='bookmark'><data:post.title/></a>
         <div class='clear'/>
        </b:if>
       </b:if>
      </li>
     </b:loop>
    </ul>
   </div>
  </b:includable>
</b:widget>

Step 10. Save template.

Settings

- Go back to Layout  and click on the edit link of Popular Posts widget.

Select to "display up to 5 posts", then Save the widget.

- You can easily change the background color of the popular posts widget, going to Template >> Customize  >> Advanced >> PopularPostsBackground and there you can select any color you want.

You're done!

If you are enjoying reading this blog, please like & subscribe for more tutorials.
For any questions or suggestions, leave a comment below.

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Recent Comments Widget For Blogger

The Recent Comments Widget for Blogger displays the recent blog comments on your blog's sidebar, showing a snippet of the last comments along with the title of the post to which the comment was made. If you want to encourage your readers in leaving comments on your blog, this is a widget I would recommend.

How To Install The Recent Comments Widget For Blogger

Step 1. Go to your Blogger Dashboard >> Layout >> Add a Gadget

Step 2. From the pop-up window, scroll down and choose the HTML/JavaScript option:

Step 3. Now copy and paste the below code in the HTML/JavaScript box:

<script style=text/javascript src="http://helplogger.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/recent comments widget.js"></script><script style=text/javascript >var a_rc=5;var m_rc=false;var n_rc=true;var o_rc=100;</script><script src=http://your-blog-name.blogspot.com/feeds/comments/default?alt=json-in-script&callback=showrecentcomments ></script><span id=rcw-cr><a href=http://helplogger.blogspot.com/2012/03/recent-comments-widget-for-blogger.html>Recent Comments Widget</a></span><style type=text/css> .rcw-comments a {text-transform: capitalize;} .rcw-comments {border-bottom: 1px dotted; padding-top: 7px!important; padding-bottom: 7px!important;} #rcw-cr {font-family: Arial,Tahoma;font-size:9px;padding-top:7px;display:block;} </style>

Step 4. Replace your-blog-name with your blog url.

Step 5. Click Save and you're done.

Hope you'll enjoy it!

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Hide/Show Widgets/Gadgets in Home/post/static/archive pages in Blogger

As some of you may have noticed, all the widgets/gadgets you add to your blog, will be displayed on all the pages by default, including the homepage as well. And I'm sure very few know that AdSense could disable your account in case you've put ad units inside the content of your contact or privacy policy pages. Therefore, hiding certain elements inside your blog pages is not only a matter of design, but it is also a requirement.

To hide (or show) widgets in particular posts, static pages, homepage or archive pages, you can use conditional tags.

Step 1. Go to Blogger's Dashboard > Layout and name the HTML/Javascript gadgets that you have already added. Doing this, it will be easier for you to identify the widgets that you have in your Blogger's template. Give it a unique title so that it does not match with any of the titles of any other widgets already added.

Step 2. Next thing to do is to go to Template and click on Edit HTML

Step 3. Select the "Expand Widget Templates" checkbox.

Step 4. Find the widget's title in the HTML by using Ctrl+F and entering the widget's name in the search box.
Let's say that the title for one of my widgets is "Recent Posts". After searching for the widget's name, I will find a similar code in my template:

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>  

This code represents the widget/gadget that I have added in the Page Elements location (Layout).

Step 5. After you've found your widget's code, add the following conditional tags marked with red just below and above to hide the widget from specific pages or posts in Blogger. For instance, in case you want:

To show the widget only in Homepage:

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.url == data:blog.homepageUrl'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

To show Blogger widget only in post pages 

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

To show the widget in a specific page
 

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.url == "URL of the page"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

Note: Replace URL of the page with the address of the page in which you want the widget to appear

To hide a widget only in a particular page

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.url != "URL of the page"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget> 

To show widgets only in static pages

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "static_page"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget> 

To hide widgets in Static Pages

<b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType != "static_page"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget> 

To show widgets only in Archive Pages

 <b:widget id='HTML1' locked='false' title='Recent Posts' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "archive"'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != ""'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>

<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:if>
</b:includable>
</b:widget> 

Step 6. After you have added the conditional tags, Save Template and view your blog.

That's it!

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How to create Google Adsense Account

Google AdSense is the most popular option for monetizing online content, but sadly enough, many bloggers don't know how to create a Google Adsense account. Creating a AdSense account is very easy thing to do and for being accepted you just need a website or a blog indexed by Google, which should contain a minimum of 10 pages and most important, not violating Google Adsense policies.

Apply Account Approval

Before anything else, you have to apply for a Google Adsense account.
Just go to the Adsense homepage www.google.com/adsense and click on the "Sign up now" red button.

Now you must complete the Adsense registration form:

Step 1. Select your Google Account to continue

Step 2. Tell us about your content: enter your main website/blog URL where you want ads to be displayed, then select your website content language.

Read and pay attention to the Google Adsense policies, because if you violate the rules, your account might be disabled later. And unfortunately, you have small chances to get it back.

Rules:

1. I will not click on my ads nor encourage others to do so. 
2. I will not place ads on sites that include adult content, including pornography. 
3. I will not place ads on sites involved in the distribution of copyrighted materials. 
4. I do not already have a Google AdSense account. 
5. I will not place ads on sites that include incentives to click on ads.

Check "I have read and agree...", and then press "Continue"

Step 3. Submit your adSense application: select your account type and enter your personal information (country, your real name, address, phone). These informations will be used when you will receive your payment. Next, press "Submit my application" to finish with the registration.

After submit the form Google will review your blog and your registration. Wait maximum 2 weeks to get your AdSense registration approved... or rejected. Google will send you an email to your inbox if your account has been approved.

Good luck!

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How to create a Facebook Fan Page for your Blog

What is a Facebook Page?

Sometimes referred to as a "Fan Page," a Facebook page is a single page where you can share & talk about any particular subject you want: a celebrity, a blog or whatever your heart desires. Think of it as a one-page meeting place, with information, links, a message forum box, RSS and anything else you want.

Want to promote your blog? Then Facebook is one of the best choices when it comes about Social Networking Sites. To see how a Facebook Fan Page looks like, please visit my Facebook Fan Page.

Create a Facebook Fan Page for your blog.


Step 1. Go to the Create Fan Page Link on Facebook and select Brand or Product

Search for "Website" in the drop down list and provide the Page name (e.g., name of your blog) in the next box. Check the "I agree to Facebook Pages Terms" box, then click on the "Get Started" button.

Step 2. You will be transferred to the next page - here you can "Upload an Image" for your Fan Page or Skip to upload it later. Browse for your image clicking on the "Upload from computer" link:

Step 3. Enter your site/blog description and the url address. These informations will appear on your Facebook page. After you have finished, click "Save info".

Step 4. Now you are transferred to your new Facebook Fan Page. To "Manage" your information, click on the "Manage" Button at top right corner of the page.

Get a Shorter Facebook Fan Page URL

Your Fan Page URL will look something like:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helplogger/120574614736021

Now, if you have minimum 25 fans, you the possibility to shorten your facebook URL, to look something like this: http://www.facebook.com/helplogger

For this, go to http://www.facebook.com/username/ and click on set a username for your pages.

There you can select the username for your fan page. Be careful when you choose your Facebook Fan Page Username because you can't change it back afterwards.

Use RSS Graffiti Application to share your most recent blog posts

If you want to automatically add your blog posts to Facebook, then use the RSS Graffiti Application.
Steps:

1. go to http://apps.facebook.com/rssgraffiti/ and authorize RSS Graffiti: click on the "Click here to authorize RSS Graffiti" button.

2. once authorized, you will see a list of your fan pages on the left: click on the Fan Page Name

3. authorize RSS Graffiti to access your fan page: click on "Click to authorize" button.

4. Click on the Add Feed Button, and enter your feed url.

For example, if your blog is http://yourblog.blogspot.com, then your feed URL will be http://yourblog.blogspot.com/rss.xml

Click the link which says "click here to fetch and preview" and see if its grabbing your blog feed. (if it's not grabbing your feed, then check if you have enabled the blog feeds. If your blog is not hosted on blogger, then your feed url will be different.)

5. After you have added your blog feed, go to the Filter Tab and click on the Change link next to the "Cut-off date/time". Choose the latest posts of your blog from the drop down and click on the Save button.

You don't need to worry if your posts don't appear immediately on your Facebook Fan Page Wall, there might be some delay in the wall getting updated, as RSS Graffiti checks the feed for new entries at regular time intervals.

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How to remove/hide or add a Peek A Boo Effect to your Blogger Navbar

What is Blogger Navbar?
Frist time somebody creates a blog in blogger.com, a bar will show up at the very top of a blog page. This bar is known as the Blogger Navbar (Blogger Navigation Bar) and it usually appears by default at the top of every hosted Blogspot blog.

Blogger navbar functions include:

• [B] (blogger logo): takes you back to blogger's homepage
• Search Blog: you can make searches on the blog and results will appear directly on the page.
• Follow: you can follow the blog you're currently viewing (blog updates will appear on your Blogger dashboard at Reading List - if you're not logged, you'll see a Share link, which allows you to share you favorite blogs on social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Google buzz, and Google Reader)
• Report abuse: you can report a blog if you consider its content objectionable (e.g., pornography);
• NextBlog: takes you to a random, recently-updated Blogger blog.
• email address@: If you are logged in to your account, you'll see your own address here. Other viewers will see their own email addresses, or none at all if they aren't logged in.
• Post: Direct link to the post editor
• Design: this link takes you to Page Elements, where you can add gadgets/widgets for your blog
• Sign In/Out: This displays the appropriate option, depending on whether you're logged in or not.

Blogger navbar is available in several colors, and is configured in the Template tab in Blogger's interface.

It can be useful but the only real disadvantage is visual. If you have customized design, Navbar usually doesn't fit in.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to remove it or add a peek-a-boo effect.

Removing/Hiding the Blogger Navbar

Step 1. Go to: Dashboard > Template > Edit HTML:

 ... select the "expand widget templates" box

Step 2. Find (CTRL + F) the following line:

]]></b:skin>

Step 3. Just above it, paste this code:

#navbar {
height: 0px;
visibility: hidden;
display: none;
}

Step 4. Save your Template.

There's another way of showing a Navbar. It is called
"Hover Peek-a-boo Blogger Navbar":

The navbar will only appear when you hover around the area on the top. To see it in action, take a look at this demo

Add a Peek-a-Boo Effect to Blogger/Blogspot Navbar


Step 1. Login to your Blogger Dashboard, then go to Design >> Edit HTML > check "expand widget templates"

Step 2. Search for the following piece of code:

]]></b:skin>

Step 3. Add the following code just above it:

#navbar-iframe{opacity:0.0;filter:alpha(Opacity=0)}
#navbar-iframe:hover{opacity:1.0;filter:alpha(Opacity=100, FinishedOpacity=100)

Step 4. Save the template... and you're done!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below.

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