Blogger UnWrapped: Blogger Gadget Title "Fix", or "Blogger, why the heck do you force me to title my gadgets now???"

You probably know I love Blogger. I use it for all of my blogs and I am also a Blogger blog designer. So imagine my horror (ok, maybe that is a bit dramatic) when suddenly late last night Blogger started forcing me to add titles to all of my gadgets on Page Elements, including html/javascript and text.  


You are probably asking "why should I care?". But you might be surprised. If you add a background with a gadget html code from a site like Shabby Blogs or any of my tutorials, you now have to put a title on there like "background" or "." or "Blogger, why oh why did you do this to me???".  And you will see that stupid unwanted title on your blog. And if you open an old gadget to check it out, you will be forced to add a title...

See, many html codes you add as a gadget on your Page Elements you don't want titled because they add design elements such as a slideshow header, background, buttons, and other goodies. So the last thing you want is a title on your blog taking up space. How silly would it be to have a title "Slideshow Header" over your slideshow!!!  And if you post a button on your blog you don't always want a title over that button.  Does your Facebook badge really need a "Facebook Badge" title?

So last night I was on a mission to figure out how to "fix" this. After spending approximately 10 minutes cursing Blogger out under my breath while glaring at the computer, I found that other people had noticed this issue. You can see my frantic question in the list.

I calmed down and looked over my template code and figured out a fix (you can read all about it on the forum) and it was a PITA but it worked. But today I checked back and found an easier if still irritating solution.

When you add a gadget that does not need a title, then simply type, in the title area

<h2></h2>

and there won't be any title. However, if you edit this gadget or add any new ones you will have to type this title in each one, every time.

Oh my... Blogger, if you read my blog, please please please don't force us to add titles to our gadgets! If I put a photo of my kid on my sidebar, I don't want to have to title it "My kid".  Blogger, I have been your biggest fan so please fix this annoying issue!

Hope this post helps someone out there. :-) 

Amazing giveaway tomorrow, so please check back!!!  And I am also releasing many new free actions/tutorials in the next days/weeks.  Look out for my new and improved Perfect Portrait, Magic Sunset, and several new B&W actions.  I have been having some fun playing.  ;-)