Sometimes I think Blogger knows what's going on in my mind, because once again, just as I was getting sick of my blog layout, they rolled out a new option: Dynamic Views. I'm trying it out today to see how I like it. I definitely like the potential - some of the new formats are better suited to certain kinds of blogs, and I like how the default view I've chosen - Magazine - allows for more content to be displayed in a cleaner, less clicky format.
However, I'm experiencing some qualms about the new Dynamic View. For example, despite Blogger's assertion that we can add a custom header image, I have yet to figure out how the heck to do so. Also, I'm not sure I like the fact that no sidebar content, AT ALL, is allowed. Perhaps this is something they'll work in to a future release? I did think my sidebar was cluttered in the old format but I don't think it was necessary to reduce it to absolute zero, as Dynamic View forces you to do.
A minor grievance is that private blogs are not allowed to switch to Dynamic View, which means that the (private) photo-centric blogs I run for my kids can't take advantage of the lovely lovely lovely Flipcard template. Again, perhaps that will come soon.
I miss the LinkWithin widget, that suggested You Might Also Like posts after each entry.
Is anyone else trying this? What do you love and hate? If Blogger doesn't roll out some key customizations soon (mostly in the form of some kind of sidebar allowance) then I think I'll switch back. Still, it's been fun to take Dynamic View out for a ride.
