WordPress Text Widgets: Oh, Now I Know Why WP.ORG Is Preferred

Oh.  I get it.   So, this is why folks prefer to use WordPress.org and self-host their WordPress blogs.  With a few exceptions, Wordpress.com doesn't allow third party flash or javascript widgets  (such as VFlyer or BlogRush) in the sidebars.

I'm a spoiled TypePad Pro user.  I'm used to plugging in any ol' widget, anywhere.  In fact we can pretty much plug in any ol' widget here on Active Rain, too.

But, for the record, here is how to add simple text and images widgets in a WordPress.com blog:

Sign in to your WordPress.com account.  Click the Presentation tab, then the Widgets tab. 

Click on Text 1 and drag it into the sidebar.  Note you can also drag any of the allowed Widgets, such as Flickr or Meebo.  When you release youre mouse button, the Default Sidebar box will disappear, and the widget box will snap into place.

Click on the Text icon at the right side of the widget.  A text box will pop up. 

Type or paste in simple HTML link code or insert image code.  Click Save Changes once to save the text in the widget, and then click a second time to save the whole sidebar layout.

Drag any other Available Widgets of your choice into the sidebar.  Drag them up or down to arrange them to your liking.

OK.  That worked.

This series could be titled "A Regular TypePad User Dabbles In WordPress".  As you read, please keep in mind that there are many, many people here who know much, much more about WordPress than I do.

However, curious about all the recent commotion over problems with inserting images in a WordPress post, I set up a test WordPress.com blog  http://cheryljns.wordpress.com/ (now http://www.grammagrape.com/ ) and started playing around.  And as I learn how WordPress.com does stuff, I'm posting it here in case it is helpful to anyone else.

Here is my family of TypePad blogs:  http://www.nelalive.net/  ||   http://www.taylorhotsheet.com/  ||  http://www.dablogmother.com/