Blogger VS WordPress

Two of the major platforms for heavy text-based blogs are Blogger and WordPress, both offer a plethora of designs and features, which can be kind of confusing for newbie bloggers. Though they both offer eye-catching features, the best blogging platform for the novice blogger might not be the best for the advanced blogger. Another deciding factor you should keep in mind is the purpose of the blog. If you want to reach out to a large fan base and keep track of your visitors and statistics, you might not use the same interface as the blogger who simply wants to keep in touch with friends and family and set up an online presence as a way to create a virtual scrapbook or online journal.

Blogger (Blogspot) refers to a free blog publishing service of Google. Initially, it was developed by Pyra Labs, but later was bought by Google in 2003. The blogs are generally hosted at a sub-domain of blogspot.com. In September 2009, a new set of features were introduced in Blogger. Features included a new interface for post editing, improved methods to handle the images, addition of locations to posts, etc. Blogger is available in various languages. It allows the users to select templates from the available options and then customize them. It has also launched a mobile app. Users can post and edit blogs using this app service.

Wordpress originated in 2003 to enhance the typography. It developed into a major self hosting blogging tool in the world. One can start a blog or create a web site using Wordpress. Wordpress is a software that is developed on PHP and MySql. It was founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. Wordpress can be considered as a successor to b2/cafelog. Since its origination, it has been released in various versions. It has a core development team which comprises of Ryan Boren, Mark Jaquith, Matt Mullenweg, Andrew Ozz, Peter Westwood and Andrew Nacin. However, it is also developed by its community. The support to the users is provided by its main website WordPress.org.

Comparison between Wordpress and Blogspot:

Definition	Wordpress started off as just a blogging system. Now, it proves a content management system.	Blogger (Blogspot) refers to a free blog publishing service of Google.
Developer	Wordpress Foundations	Pyra labs
Launched	2003	1999
Type	Software	Blog host
Type of accounts	Free , Account with premium upgrades	Free
Features	A free account includes – A blog, 3 GB of storage, a tool to publicize the blog with social networks, track of visitors, etc. A Premium Upgraded account includes - Custom design and domains, premium themes, addition space for storage, videopress for uploading and hosting of videos on blog, etc.	Free hosting and free Blogger (Blogspot) subdomain, addition of media to posts, mobile access through iPhone and Android apps, SMS or email blogging, access to Google’s advertising schemes, etc.
Process to sign-up	One can register for an account by mentioning an email address, username, password and URL.	Requires a Google account.
Themes	Comparatively more (third party for the development of themes).	Comparatively less.
Mobile theme support	Same theme	Can choose a completely different theme
Limitations	No direct editing of the code and no space to include non wordpress related projects.	No plugin support and limited design features.
Social media and sharing	Integration with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr.	Tweet and like buttons.

Advantages of Blogger: 

Blogger’s most attractive feature to first-time and novice bloggers is its cost: free. Newer bloggers should opt for a free platform that is easy to use and has step-by-step instructions. Blogger definitely delivers a user friendly interface with widgets that are easy for users to master. The site hosts a plethora of free templates, so bloggers can customize their viewers’ experience and create a visual presence that keeps their brand consistent. The site is also extremely reliable. Blogger’s upgrades are seamless, and the site is rarely down for maintenance or due to other issues, such as hackers. Many users also love that they can connect their Blogger account to their Google Adsense and Analytics accounts for seamless tracking.

Another appealing feature is the simple process of posting content which is straightforward, simple and quick. The Blogger can platform can be highly customized in its themes without needing the technical experience and skills to design a blog site. A blogger can do a trial and error designs for their website, allowing them to finally find the best feel and the look that they want. Another appealing feature of Blogger is that you can manage multiple blogs in a single dashboard. This feature offers more convenience for a blogger to manage all their blog sites in one place.

Blogger comes with an easy but intuitive interface to use. It takes a few simple steps to create a blog account and one need not go through the tedious process of installing software to start blogging. If you are new in blogging, it is best to start building your experience in managing a blog site from this site because it is optimized to help non-technical savvy bloggers manage their own blog site without any special technical skills required.

Disadvantages of Blogger: 

Google owns the site as it exercises control on what ads you are allowed to post on your blog site. With this ownership issue, a blogger should realize that whatever content that they post on Blogger could disappear if Google decides to close down the platform. Therefore, anyone who is using Blogger should backup their content because their blog site could be deleted by Google even without notice to the blog site user.

It is because of these limited features and designs available in the Blogger templates that lead us to another downside of using blogger – duplicate or similar blog site design. Because there are only quite a few available template designs to choose from it is a challenge to create a professional-looking blog site. Most often than not, you will feel extremely disappointed to find another site using the same design as your blog site.

Another disappointing feature from the Blogger template is that it lacks plugins that are so numerously available in its competitive blogging platform, WordPress. Although professional bloggers could tweak the template a bit, they are not at the full liberty to customize their blog sites.

Deepavali Trip ~ A day to IPOH

Recently at the past Deepavali I had visited to IPOH which lies inland in the Malaysian state of Perak. 

I went to Nam Heong was renowned as a local icon especially among fundamental and traditional coffee shops. It was a signature of Ipoh because their old town white coffee was popular even at other states.Some people saying if you never try their coffee which means you never been to Ipoh. 

After having coffee, the next destination is the famous Concubine Lane 二奶巷. This lane was very messy and dirty last time because a fire was happened long time ago. And guess what~ Concubine Lane is 120 years old lane at Old Town Ipoh! I knew they already renovated but this would be my very first time to step in after so many years. I felt surprised for all the changes. Now it became the tourist favourite place to visit. After travelling for so long,  I am already tired and hungry, especially our great man, Brian. 

So after settled down my belongings, I went to eat Yong Tau Fu as lunch. All the Yong TauFu are Rm0.85 each, which is quite cheap. As in KL, you can rarely find this kind of price. 

Before end of the Ipoh trip, I went to Gua Tempurung, the last destination. It's one of the attractions that you must go in Ipoh. Those who loves nature, you must go there! 

Can Millennials Change The World?

Here by sharing the thoughts after listening a talk by Mr. A.J Meenai which is the CDO of Xtrategize Technologies Sdn. Bhd. He is one of a famous speaker from TEDx and bring us the talk tittle of "Can Millennials Change The World?"

Mr A.J in First City University College

First and foremost, Mr A.J he a humor person, when he gives his talk during the seminar everybody were pay attention to him and he got a sense of humor whereby the way he talking is full of sense of humor. Is a great fortune to meet him in person and listen to him that he share all his experience about he himself giving speech to the people in other countries. Unfortunately, it was a morning class and we are not giving highly response towards his questionnaires. But luckily that because his funny speech made us become more energetic and slowly giving responses as time goes by. 

Through his speech, he shared the experience that he went to UK, US, Australia, Singapore and etc for giving his speech to our generation. He attract our attention by asking our first question which is, "where do guy have your shoe?". His intention was trying to let us know different culture all around the world which can bring different and significant impact on our own style of thinking. 

Futhermore, he gives us some example of people who bring the huge impact to our world nowadays for example, Jack Ma who created Alibaba. Yet, he wants to let us know no matter how old your are, no matter how many failure you had been through, as long as hardworking and passionate towards the thing you willing to, time will be not the issue and hard work will paid off in the end. 

Before he ends his talk for the day, he gives us a video, which is other speakers also from TEDx, and the video is inspire us how to become a becomes a better person and change the world. 

Laslty, I would like to thanks to Dr.Christine Lee invited such a inspire person to gives us a talk. It will be a wonderful speech throughout the day! 

Features and Functions of Google Form

What is Google Form?

- a platform where create the fastest way to collect information from respondent through online survey. For example, before a meeting, collect the names and contact information for attendees. 

There are several features when creating a Google Form: 

1. See Responses/Live

- One of the new features of is that you can view responses as they come in. Select the “response” tab and view a summary of the results or click on “individual” to see how individuals have responded to specific questions. This is a great way to keep tabs on your survey as it runs. 

2. Inserting video/image

- insert images and YouTube videos directly into your survey questions. This is great if you want to have students watch a video and check for understanding or to make a quick demo of a tool you want input on. On the right hand side, select either the “image” button or the “YouTube icon” to add your content into the your Google Form.

3. Multiple Choice Grids

- A new question type has been added, “Multiple Choice Grids.” This allows users to rank a series of questions. For example, if you want to rank a series of new technology features, you can set up a Multiple Choice Grid with the features in rows and rankings in columns. Even better, survey takers cannot select the same column twice. 

4. Publish with pre-filled responses

- A new feature for Google Forms is that you can publish a version of your form with pre-filled responses. This is a great tool if you need to do a “run-off” of one part of your Google Form. To do this, select the three dot menu in the top right and then click on “Get pre-filled link.” A new window will open where you select the answers you want to pre-filled. Pre-fill your select answers and click “submit.” Google will then post a new link for you to share out with your pre-filled form.

5. Insert add-ons

- With the new Google Forms has come a whole series of new add-ons! To include an add-on, click on the three-dot menu in the top right and select Add-ons (the icon looks like a puzzle piece).

Browse through the available add-ons to include in your form. 

Interesting ways to use Google Form in studies:

1. Reading response

- Form a connection to text. Respond to a novel or short story. Design a quiz that has readers match a character to a statement, describe the setting, or determine the significance of an event.

2. Unit Study Guide

- Prepare for an upcoming test. Develop a study tool that focuses on the meaning of keywords, recall of essential facts, and the importance of key concepts. 

3. Battle of the Brains

- Design a trivia game that collects the name and email address of participants. Analyze results to declare a winner.