This is my first online workshop and I'm struggling a little with how to navigate these waters. Being stymied by Blogger doesn't help matters, either. For the record, I had my own web design business for 10 years, have designed content management systems, have taught blogging, so I'm no stranger to technology.
The frustrations I'm having with the blog aside, I'm used to an in-person workshop where I print off the pieces, write marginalia, and then bounce ideas in real time off of my workshopmates as the writer listens.
When I've helped others edit their work, I've used a Google Doc. This allows me to "write" marginalia by way of Comments. In my experience, I've haven't done as many line edits in fiction classes as in poetry, but how are you all managing this?
Are you printing the pieces off?
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When I *could* post comments, Blogger showed me just a few lines at a time and it doesn't allow for editing a comment once it's posted.
As for posting issues - I was able to post comments a couple of days ago. As of yesterday, I can get to the comments page, type a comment, but then I'm asked to choose how to post - Google, etc. I choose Google Account, submit, and then I lose everything. I tried logging out of one of the windows and found out I was actually logging out of FAWC site (how did THAT happen?). When I tried to log back in to FAWC account, I try my Google credentials and I get an error.
I've logged out of Google and logged back in, tried different browsers, and still no luck. I even dumped everything in my cache and rebooted my computer.
I think I'm able to post comments from my phone, but the limitation goes without saying. I just posted a test comment, but it also posted the comment before I was even done typing. Sigh. Maybe the Gods are trying to tell me that online workshops just aren't for me.
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I fired up Internet Explorer, and despite the groans and smoke-filled coughs from being used for so long, it (for now) is allowing me to comment. I'm not happy about having to use it and am fearful to update it to the latest version because I don't know if it will break Blogger if I do it, but I'm going to have to try. Wish me luck.
ReplyDelete*unused for so long
ReplyDeleteHi class: Let's weigh in (I will also send an email about this). Perhaps we should share our lyric essays via email and then just post general comments here? This would also hopefully preserve formatting (something I am concerned about.) If folks send word docs then I can use track changes for my responses. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear I am not the ONLY person who struggled with Blogger. It's easier since Joshua gave me the great tip about hitting "view post" to get back to the main page (and orange pencil), but it still seems cumbersome to get a real discussion going, esp if you don't comment on a piece immediately after reading it the first time. I like having the essays on the blog so we can track subsequent drafts and read everyone's comments at once, but I also see that it could make it harder to go back and read earlier comments, just b/c there will be more posts to scroll through.
ReplyDeleteFine with email. Angela.mg.patel@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHere are some articles on Google docs (wbich can also be used by someonw without Gmail).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.e-education.psu.edu/assets/googledoc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jynk1wLDf89qpTrF3S8XPNaMJB9ua29M9haSx4dZtPU/mobilebasic
I've collaborated with one or two people and it's worked well, so Google Docs is another option.
FWIW, I only have Open Office, not Word. I'm not sure I'd be able to see Track Changes or not.
Sorry for typos. Commenting from my phone.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I like about the blog is that (when it works) it mimicks a workshop with everyone commenting on a piece. I am not sure how this will work over email but it might. The good thing about email is that sending the weekly writing assignments as attachments can preserve formatting. I don't know how to use Google Docs but am open to it.
ReplyDeleteA BIG PS! I am loving all of your essays. This class is so great. Good feedback and discussion as well. Yay!
ReplyDeleteWell, I've had to resort to the native browser on my phone as now Chrome on my phone is acting like Chrome on my laptop. Ironically enough, Chrome (Google's browser) doesnt want to play nice with Blogger (Google's blog). At this rate, by Wednesday, I'll be sending smoke signals
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are having so much trouble with this, but that last comment about the smoke signals made me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteNo problem. :) It was intended for comic relief.
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