Dynamic Template Blogs, And Some Proxy Servers

Some Blogger blogs cannot be viewed, in some proxy servers.

Proxy servers are useful, when diagnosing connectivity and other blog display issues. They are more useful, though, when the content of the blogs being diagnosed does not contribute to the problems.

The reported discrepancy appears to start with blogs published using dynamic templates.

Comparing blogs displayed using Anonymouse and GeoPeeker, we frequently see a discrepancy in display content.

One discrepancy appears to involve blogs published using dynamic templates. Both Anonymouse (a single location proxy) and GeoPeeker (a multi location proxy display) have been useful, repeatedly, in diagnosing and reporting multiple issues.

I first used GeoPeeker, as part of the EU Cookie Advice Banner discussions. I have used Anonymouse frequently, in demonstrating and diagnosing various blog problems.

First, examine this blog.

This blog, blogging.nitecruzr.net, is published to a non dynamic template. It is visible, in multiple proxy server displays.

Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing this blog, "blogging.nitecruzr.net".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/https://blogging.nitecruzr.net/

Anonymouse, showing this blog, "blogging.nitecruzr.net".



Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing this blog "blogging.nitecruzr.net".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=blogging.nitecruzr.net

GeoPeeker, showing this blog "blogging.nitecruzr.net".



Now, examine my blog, published using a dynamic template.

My Musings blog, musings.nitecruzr.net, is published to a dynamic template. It is visible, in some proxy server displays.

Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing my dynamic template published blog "musings.nitecruzr.net".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmusings.nitecruzr.net%2F

GeoPeeker, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".



Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://musings.nitecruzr.net

Anonymouse, showing "musings.nitecruzr.net".



Where's the beef, Clara?

And a third blog, also published using a dynamic template.

A third blog, thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com, is published to a dynamic template. It is visible, in some proxy server displays.

Here's a display from GeoPeeker, showing a third dynamic template published blog, "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".

https://geopeeker.com/fetch/?url=thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com

GeoPeeker, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".



Here's a display from Anonymouse, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/https://thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com/

Anonymouse, showing "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com".



The owner of "thestimulatedbrain.blogspot.com" points out that many Blogger blogs, and non Blogger websites do display properly, using AnonyMouse and similar proxies. I will add details, as they are provided.

I'll check out more blogs, and more proxy servers, as the week continues.

I'll continue, by examining more blogs - dynamic template and non dynamic template - possibly using additional proxy servers - as time permits.

I'm not sure how many of these discrepancies can be - or should be - handled by Blogger Engineering. That said, I note a suggestion by a Blogger Support expert, that the opportunity be provided to Blogger Support, to diagnose and enhance the dynamic templates.

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It appears that some #Blogger blogs do not display properly, using some proxy servers. The discrepancy appears to involve blogs published, using dynamic templates.

This makes verification of world wide blog visibility confusing, to some blog owners.

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Dynamic Templates And The Navbar

If your blog is published to a dynamic template, neither you or your readers will have a navbar, when your blog is being viewed.

The navbar, found on blogs which use a non dynamic template - when selected by the blog owner - has a number of reader friendly icons and links.

Dynamic templates have a "menu bar" 1/5 of the way down the page - which provides a combination of the Pages gadget, and limited navbar functions. At the far right end of the menu bar, you'll see 2 tiny icons - when you are properly logged in as the blog owner.

• New post, the "pencil" icon.
• Home, the "home" icon.

Blog administrators have limited navbar functions, on a blog that's published using a dynamic template.

Blog administrators have limited dashboard access using menu bar icons.

The menu bar, just below the dynamic template title section, has the "New post" and "Home" links.

There's the menu bar, just below the Title / Description.

At the far end of the menu bar, the "pencil" and "home" icons.



You'll see the "pencil" and "home" icons - when you are logged in to Blogger, as the blog owner.

Blog readers have no navbar icons, in the dynamic template menu bar.

If you're not logged in to Blogger, you get no menu bar dashboard access.



If you never logged in to Blogger, or if you have a problem with a filter blocking access to the login cookie, you won't have any dashboard access.

If you can't access the dashboard using icons, you'll be able to login - just use a bookmarked link.

https://www.blogger.com/home

If you have a cookie filter problem, you may have to login again, to access the dashboard for your dynamic template blog.

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A #Blogger blog that uses a dynamic template won't have a navbar, with easy access to the dashboard, and a convenient login / logout link. Dynamic templates provide a menu bar, which is a combination of a miniature Pages gadget and navbar.
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Remove The "Next Blog" Link From The Navbar

Ever since Blogger added the "Next Blog" link to the Blogger Navbar, blog owner and readers alike have periodically asked one question, in Blogger Help Forum: How Do I?.

How do I remove the "Next Blog" link, from the Navbar?

The "Next Blog" link, long ago added to generate random traffic for new blogs, is occasionally perceived as leading unwary readers to blogs where they should not wish to go. Some "adults" of various intention have asked this question, quite seriously, in fear of their blogs being inadvertently linked to blogs with unsavoury content.

The navbar coded as it is, there is no known ability to customise it, and to remove specific elements such as the "Next Blog" link. Generally, we simply advise people, when they have the need, to remove the Navbar.

Use the Layout wizard, Edit the "Navbar" gadget, and select "Off".

That noted, it is possible to remove the "Next Blog" link (and all buttons and links to its left), with a bit of CSS - for blogs with the owner able and comfortable with using the Template Designer. For a simple way to remove the "Next Blog" link, use the "Add CSS" menu option in the Template Designer, and add one snippet of code.

#navbar-iframe {
margin-left:-510px;
}

When you do this, you will lose 5 other buttons and links.

• The dashboard icon.
• The Blog Search window.
• The "G+ Share" icon.
• The share count display.
• The multi-function share / "Report Abuse" menu.

So hackers / spammers will appreciate the last menu being unavailable, on their blogs.

You may see this tweak demonstrated, in my New Template Laboratory. It's an ugly solution - but for blog owners who truly don't want their blogs linking to "Next Blog", it may be useful.

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Blogger Blogs Lack The Navbar, Though Not Removed By The Owner

Recently, a few Blogger blog owners are looking at their blogs and wondering

Where is my Navbar?

or

Why don't I have a "Sign In" ("Sign Out") link, at the top of the page?

When investigating further, they may discover that none of the blogs, that they view, shows the Navbar. And, they did not intentionally make any template changes, to their blog, to hide the navbar.

Many of these people, later investigating the problem in Blogger Help, learn that their browser, or another anti malware product, is blocking the navbar as suspicious code. This is another example of improperly configured layered security, planned to protect our computers.

If you are observing the lack of the navbar on your computer, and you request help in Blogger Help, please help us to help you better, and provide details.

• What browser (name and version - and precision matters) are you using?
• What add-ons are installed, in the browser (completeness matters)?
• What anti malware product(s) do you use, on your computer (again, completeness matters)?

If we can get an idea of what components are involved in this problem, maybe we can isolate the problem, itself. Please, be complete - and be precise.

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