A better way to comment: switching from Blogger comments to Disqus

I've been struggling for monthsyears with the way Blogger handles comments. In the 4+ years I've been using this blogging platform, it seems like they should have upgraded the comment system by now! I've had struggles with non-Blogger users wanting to comment without linking to their Google profile, and I've been looking for a better way to reply to comments so that the commenter can actually find my response!

Several bloggers I know use the platform Disqus, (and I use it at my style blog since Tumblr doesn't have a comment platform). But when I looked into it several months ago for Latte Love, I found several blogs that reported they lost all their Blogger comments with the switch. So, boo. Three years worth of comments wasn't something I was willing to give up for the improvement.

But last week as I was scrolling through all your comments from my last post and trying to figure out the best way to respond, I decided to look into Disqus again...just in case.

It turns out, in September, Disqus launched an update which allows Blogger users to import their comments! Happy day. So I took a deep breath and added it this weekend. Within an hour - all my comments transferred over! Everything looks good so far, so I'm very excited for this change. (and p.s. If you commented on my last post, you probably didn't get a response notification, but I did do some responding!)

If you haven't created a Disqus profile, you can do so here or in the comment section below. Alternatively, you can comment with your Twitter handle, Google profile, Facebook profile, blog/website, or just your name. The best part is, you can get replies to comments via email so you never have to track down the post to see if there is a response!

I hope this is an improvement for you guys when commenting here, and I hope some of you other Blogger-users make the switch as well. It's been such a relief already.

iPhones

So, E and I were both traveling last week. We each had stressful trips with delays, flight changes, etc and both of us simultaneously has major issues with our cell phones. Batteries dead, service not working when it should, and no access to internet when it would have been especially helpful.

We've been lusting after and researching iPhone for a few months, but it just wasn't in the budget for us - especially because the required data plans would double our phone bill and force us to switch providers. We thought maybe Christmas presents? But after the stress of ineffective cell phones while traveling, we had both had it. I picked E up from the airport (4 hours later than he planned to come in, and in a different airport) and we drove straight to Verizon to get iPhones.

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Word to the wise - after a long stressful weekend of traveling, going to a cell store and getting new phones, starting a new plan and switching providers is not exactly the quickest, least stressful idea. After two hours in the store we left with my iPhone 4 and E would pick up his the next day.
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We did some research on the 4S and decided that we'd rather pay the lower price for the 4 because it didn't seem like the improvements were that drastic.

One week into using it and my life has been so much easier! Especially while I'm traveling I love being able to look up places with free wifi, check-in for my flights online, find good restaurants, and get directions to them. And, after ogling all of your adorable istagram pictures, I've been taking plenty of my own!

I have to admit, I'm still not an Apple convert so I'm still getting used to the way Apple products work. It's not intuitive to me. But overall having the iPhone has made things so much less stressful and more convenient. The best part so far is a forever lasting battery life! (48 hours for the first two charges, now its about 24)

Here's a dump of this week's instagram pics. I'm on my way to eastern Washington for my final trip of the fall then I'm excited to get back into regular posting mode (and regular life!).

[If you're on instagram as well - follow me! I'm lattelove]

new very bradley clutch & puppy-sitting

Boston....in the fall? (these pictures were taken 1 day apart)

the "West End", and Cheesecake Factory (which I enjoyed with @Momentspassslow)

odds n ends. (those documents are from a church formed in 1682 in North Boston!)

Sweet Home San Diego

Enjoying a day off with E - finally!