My ActiveRain Blog sidebar has forever been a hosting ground for widgets, gadgets, gizmo's, buttons, and anything else I could place there that didn't break my Blog or the AR Network. LOL Most of the buttons there were just links to other Blogs and sites where I participate. The others were just on-line tools and services I wanted to share. There are so many Social Media Networks and great sites out there, it was getting really hard to decide which ones I should have on my Blog's sidebar.
Today, I got rid of them all! All except the ones I still need for subscribers, tracking and promoting events and information. They have been replaced with REtaggr. It's one small step for a widget, one BIG step for Social Networking and Bloggers. If you are already on sites like FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MyBlogLog, etc., there's no need to add those buttons to your sidebar or website anymore. Just use the RETaggr widget or chicklet, it's FREE.
The best part of RETaggr is that if you don't see the service, network or site you're already on, just add it. You can add any website, Blog, or Internet site you chose by using the "ADD" feature you'll find on their site. They even have an ActiveRain Icon 
listed as an option to add as one of your Blogging sites. There are some really great features and other benefits of using RETaggr, but just the fact that it allowed me to cleanup my sidebar a bit made it worth posting about. haha! Check it out, I think you'll really like it, I do.
To the right is my REtaggr widget, just hover your mouse over the chicklet and the card opens up. Then click on the "more" link to see all the buttons, widgets, and gizmo's I was able to remove from my sidebar today. YEAH! Adding other Blogs, Websites and Widgets to REtaggr is unlimited, and the widget gets updated Real Time as you add or make edits. No cutting and pasting the code every time you make a change. REtaggr, you're it! :-)
A Great Tool for Blogs, Websites, Email Signatures, and On-Line Business Cards.
Excellent Brad...reTagger looks cool. Another thought on Share This...A few people have mentioned that instead of adding it to AR you can add it to your tool bar instead and accomplish the same thing.
Bill - that's a great idea, I'll add it to my Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari browsers. Now I'm checking out Google's Chrome Browser, I might as well add it there too. Thanks. Let me know how you like retaggr, it's right up your alley. :-)
Thanks for sharing Brad. I'll have to play with this one and add it.
Thats cool as soon as I get set up everywhere I'll use it!
As always, you are the man in the know! I will go now to sign up! Thanks for the info!
Clean up your sidebar? If that is cleaning it up I'm naked. LOL
Thanks I'll try it !
Thank you for the tip. I always learn something new reading your blog.
Brad, Did I read a comment from you somewhere last week that stated that TLW showed you how to add a video to your comments way back when? And now look at you, the widget and technology wizard. It's amazing how much we have all learned over the last couple of years. AR is incredibale and this new widget looks pretty cool. Thanks
This looks pretty doggone cool. I wonder how one would add it to an e-mail signature in Outlook 2007. Just wondering.
OK Brad I will be checking into this here shortly!
Brad - that's a pretty nifty little tool there! But, in all honesty, it looks like you still have a ton of stuff on your sidebar! LOL
In all fairness though, you are such an involved individual that you probably can't get rid of much more.
Thanks for sharing, my friend. Hope the family is well!
Good tip thanks for the info. I'll check it out.
The only problem I see is most people dont know what it is and it doesnt really say what it does just by looking at it. Function wise it looks great.
Thanks, Brad, and as soon as my head stops spinning from all the new technology I have learned about here and I am savvy enough to have ANYTHING on my sidebar I'm sure I'll head back here to refresh my brain but by then there will probably be something even more cool out and I trust you will have blogged on it, right? :}
You were getting out of hand with the little badge thingies... I have retaggr on my Twitter profile... I guess I should deploy it elsewhere.
And let's talk about that picture you used... is it from high school?
;^ )
Thank you for sharing this information Brad, I just set mine up, it's pretty cool stuff.
I'm so glad to hear someone say this! I've been in social networking overload! And you picked the exact same ones that I've settled on, except for LinkedIn. I know that's a good one, but I'm getting pretty bored with some of this stuff.
Brad - Thanks for this! I love it. Have an organizational 'thing' - didn't want all that 'stuff' on the sidebar, so this is great! Thanks for all the cool things you share..I'm working thru them one by one...
Hi Brad!
I'm with Sharon...I have no idea what this all means, but I did check it out as you described, and it looks very cool. Now, if I had a sidebar and had stuff in it, I would be jumping on this! ARGH! I hate being a baby boomer sometimes!
Another cool tool - I never like stuff/clutter around my house so don't like it in the side bars either. However, I don't have a lot of social networks etc. to put there - I am making progress though.
Great info Brad, I need to remember to look into that tomorrow. thank you for the heads up!
Brooke
Gasp... It's the "magic button"
Brad, there is only 24 hours in the day... Right now I'm writing a post to celebrate my 100th post today, while working on my www.mypodcast.com you've got me hooked on (it's coming together by the way... I'm at www.SherwoodOregon.mypodcast.com) and now I have to get this thing cause it too is too cool to pass up.
Thanks for all the great tips - do they come with coffee?
Amber Gardner
Missy - you know that's clean for me! lol~ I took away over 30 buttons and links, cut me some slack eh? ROFLMAO!! It really was time to do some face-lifting and cleanup. If we ever get the customizer back up and running, I got some great plans for my next background too. BTW - Don't I still owe you an hour on Mixpo?
Thanks for the tip. Have to go and read up more about this and how to make it work for us. Again thanks.
Just opening the RETaggr card and going over all the sites you're on is a lesson in and of itself! My geeky co-owner and I will have to get this one up and running. LOL We haven't quite earned out pocket protectors but trying hard!
Brad, Did I read a comment from you somewhere last week that stated that TLW showed you how to add a video to your comments way back when? And now look at you, the widget and technology wizard. It's amazing how much we have all learned over the last couple of years. AR is incredibale and this new widget looks pretty cool. Thanks
Broker Bryant - it's true, she was the very first one to teach me how to do that. She's my coach on the side, but you're not suppose to know that. lol~ She's even watched a couple of my youtube videos and didn't shoot them like those counter offers....and she could have!! Do give her a hug for me and tell her I hope she's feeling better. And the best therapy to get her up and out of there is to start singing that song,"I'm gonna sell a house today!"
I am working on some guitar parts for that song so when I see you guys, we can perfrom it live!! Shall we do it in Houston, Texas, or at NAR in Florida?? I say let's have Blogging Bertha do it in Florida, I'm bringing my guitar!! :-)
This looks pretty doggone cool. I wonder how one would add it to an e-mail signature in Outlook 2007. Just wondering.
Ken - it's right on their page how to do this. That's why I included the links in the post above. Doesn't anyone ever click on my links?? Whaaaaaaa! :-)) It 's really not that hard, it just depends on your email service and provider.
Brad - that's a pretty nifty little tool there! But, in all honesty, it looks like you still have a ton of stuff on your sidebar! LOL In all fairness though, you are such an involved individual that you probably can't get rid of much more. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Hope the family is well!
Carol, are you kidding me? I took off 3/4 of what was there. All that's left is a subscribe me, The recorded Rain Radio shows (that no one probably listens too anyway..lol) My twitter feed which you can see I haven't touched for two days, a couple up coming events, some blog trackers and that's about it. OK...you're right, that's still quite a bit, I still have trouble throwing out old t-shirts and jeans too! lol~
The only problem I see is most people dont know what it is and it doesnt really say what it does just by looking at it. Function wise it looks great.
Eah Claire - that's a great point and most likely, those are the one's who won't care anyway. I like that when you even accidentally hover your mouse across it, the box opens up and doesn't close until you click on the X. If you really wanted people to know more about what is is, you could add text above it, as well as in it, that would explain what it's there and what it's for. What is it for anyway??? :-)))
Thanks, Brad, and as soon as my head stops spinning from all the new technology I have learned about here and I am savvy enough to have ANYTHING on my sidebar I'm sure I'll head back here to refresh my brain but by then there will probably be something even more cool out and I trust you will have blogged on it, right? :}
Sharon - Right, you betcha! (big smile) :-)))
You were getting out of hand with the little badge thingies... I have retaggr on my Twitter profile... I guess I should deploy it elsewhere. And let's talk about that picture you used... is it from high school?
Lane - yeah, I know.... I guess I'm just prone to the addiction of those dam things since all I do everyday is read, write, research, and comment. It's Hard to not miss those little buggers all over the web. haha!!
Regarding the photo? It's only 3 years old. So the "High School" stab at me was actually a very fine compliment! LOL!~. Here's my High school photo.....
Dare I do this??? Now you better let us see yours...
I'm so glad to hear someone say this! I've been in social networking overload! And you picked the exact same ones that I've settled on, except for LinkedIn. I know that's a good one, but I'm getting pretty bored with some of this stuff.
Lisa - with many of the social networks out there, I just don't have as much time to get to them, and yes, some are boring, but the websites and blogs that generate an income or relationships, are anything but boring. ActiveRain is a great example. I had to bag out on quite a few of the others when I started working full-time here at AR. Best job I've ever had, and I'll tell you one thing for sure...."Never a boring day at work here in the rain!!" haha!
Brad- this will be a little like spring cleaning with the clutter it can clear....I think I have some cleaning to do....Thanks!
I might have to clean some of my side bars so that I can add this new widget to my side bar. Thanks for sharing Brad. Great post.
Brad, Thank you for this helpful tip. I will be working on this today and if I have any questions I will be doing the email thing.
Brad....first off...check out that hair in the picture in comments! You were quite the "dude!"
Secondly, where DO you find all this stuff?
Thirdly....you need to take a vacation so we all can play "catch up" with all your cool stuff. I think I'm about 30 posts behind on the implementation process! Yikes!
Fourth.....You're still awesome!
Hey Brad,
As much as I love all the fancy widgets and buttons ...I found them to slow my PC down and when I would go to your post I found it took longer to load my page until now...thanks and now maybe I can stay a little longer:)
Hey Brad,
As much as I love all the fancy widgets and buttons ...I found them to slow my PC down and when I would go to your post I found it took longer to load my page until now...thanks and now maybe I can stay a little longer:)
As always, thank you Brad!
I'm heading on over to check it out and I'm quite sure it'll be on my blog sidebar by this evening!
Thanks for the information. I'll check it out.
Brad - I acually eliminated all of my extra widgets a long time ago, just because i hated the clutter. Now I can add one widget to get to everything, thanks for the tip.
ok where is that high school photo Lane ??? we're waiting..... Brad - not too bad :-) Thanks for this little bit of info as you know I had trouble with some of my widgets interfering so this might help me out. Thanks for the post - now if we could just fix my associate problem - aaghhhh
Brad - thanks for a great new tool and lots of smiles reading through these comments (lol - naked? Bertha? - OMG - what a great place AR is :)) Looking forward to meeting in person at NAR in Orlando
Hi Brad! I'm with Sharon...I have no idea what this all means, but I did check it out as you described, and it looks very cool. Now, if I had a sidebar and had stuff in it, I would be jumping on this! ARGH! I hate being a baby boomer sometimes!
Paula - this just means that anywhere you have a presence on the internet, you can have the links all in one location making it easier for you to manage those sites, keeping them updated, and it allows others to see how and where you are connected. It's makes a great email signature card, and online business card, and most certainly a way to keep your sidebar on AR clean and neat. Trust me, you will end up on some of these sites just as others do.
Another cool tool - I never like stuff/clutter around my house so don't like it in the side bars either. However, I don't have a lot of social networks etc. to put there - I am making progress though.
Cathy - it's not just for social networks you're on, you can also add your websites, blogs, company sites etc. Anywhere you have an online presence can be added to retaggr, if you check out their site, you can see all the other benefits of using this as a tool as well. I put a couple links in the post above that go into much greater detail on the value and benefits of using their program. :-))
Gasp... It's the "magic button" Brad, there is only 24 hours in the day... Right now I'm writing a post to celebrate my 100th post today, while working on my www.mypodcast.com you've got me hooked on (it's coming together by the way... I'm at www.SherwoodOregon.mypodcast.com) and now I have to get this thing cause it too is too cool to pass up. Thanks for all the great tips - do they come with coffee?
Amber -for me it IS the magic button. haha! I noticed my Blog loads much faster now with all those buttons and widgets gone. Congrats on your 100th post (left you a comment earlier) you've passed the mark. Yeah! As far as the coffee goes, you might want to get some stock in your favorite java company! :-)
Just opening the RETaggr card and going over all the sites you're on is a lesson in and of itself! My geeky co-owner and I will have to get this one up and running. LOL We haven't quite earned out pocket protectors but trying hard!
Terri - don't go for the pocket protector status, it's over rated.. lol~
Brad....first off...check out that hair in the picture in comments! You were quite the "dude!"
Thom and Ray - Those high school days bring back some great memories, wish my hair still looked like that! lol~
Secondly, where DO you find all this stuff?
I don't, they find me.... haha
Thirdly....you need to take a vacation so we all can play "catch up" with all your cool stuff. I think I'm about 30 posts behind on the implementation process! Yikes!
Yes, I need a vacation, looking forward to one someday soon...until then, catch me if you can. haha
Fourth.....You're still awesome!
That's a matter of opinion, but thanks! :-))
Hey Brad, As much as I love all the fancy widgets and buttons ...I found them to slow my PC down and when I would go to your post I found it took longer to load my page until now...thanks and now maybe I can stay a little longer:)
Neal - exactly! Glad you'll be able to hang out a bit longer now. :-)
ok where is that high school photo Lane ??? we're waiting..... Brad - not too bad :-) Thanks for this little bit of info as you know I had trouble with some of my widgets interfering so this might help me out. Thanks for the post - now if we could just fix my associate problem - aaghhhh
Shannon - still waiting for Lane, maybe someone should send him an email, he probably commented and moved on, or, he just doesn't want us to see his high school photo. haha. Let me know what's going on with your associates. :-))
Cyndee - I'll be there for sure but naked? hmmm... that wasn't on the agenda as far as I know! ROFL! :-)
Brad,
That is a nifty little widget. Thanks for posting. I'll have to see if I can add a widget or two. You make me feel like an underachiever when I look at your sidebar.
Brad- That's a widget I like! Very cool and it definitely cleans up the side bar a bit....although you still have more stuff over there then anyone else I know of;-) You are the Wizard of Widgets. In fact, you should add that to your signature: Brad Andersohn, Community Builder & Wizard of Widgets. I like that, and then you could make that signature a widget....because you need 1 more on the side bar now that you removed so many, LOL!
Brad: I am so glad you finally cleaned up your 'widget' act. Everytime I've tried to access your profile, I get kicked off of AR!
Brad,
Thank you once again for the great insight into the use of technology. I will have to try this.
They find you?
;-)
Ann
Active Brad, You used to have the slowest loading blogs :) I'll have to look into this, I have nothing on the side except for a sitemeter---sigh.
Matt - I like that, the wizard of widgets, has a nice ring to it! haha Thanks. :-)
Rich - that's because I set it up that way just for you, didn't want you changing my photo or having too much fun on my Blog! LOL~
I still owe you for that one....remember? haha
Carole - I hope it's working much better for you now... I noticed it loads faster for me too. :-)
I actually just came to your blog to get some ideas for a new blog I just started and the answer I needed was right here! You are the answer to my prayers!!!!
Tina in Virginia
Brad- I still see an awful lot of gadgets and widgets on yoursidebar, comparatively. Hard to let go.....really!
Brad, I'll check out your new suggestion.....I'd like a one stop widget myself. ;-) Thanks,
Ok Brad you sold me on this, I been looking for some cool badges for my other sites as a one stop widget and what a kwinky dink will give this one a shot.
Brad - This will be really helpful. I was never one to have too many widgets so my clean up won't take as long as your. I think less widget equal a faster load.
Wow, a super widget. I love it. I want it. Cya later I'm gonna go get it. Thanks, Brad.
Great I've got this REtaggr all set up with only one slight problem. How the heck do you find the url for you profile on Linkedin?
Cool stuff, but I'm at a loss on the linkedin username stage.
Brad - I like the retaggr concept but it takes a really long time for the retaggr card to load.
Hi Brad! Thanks for this. It definitely looks less cluttered. :) I will have to go check it out.
Thanks Brad, I spent some time last week cleaning up my sidebar as it was very cluttered. I'd like to try adding retaggr.
Thanks for sharing Brad, I always find your information so helpful.
How cool is this. Thank you!
Great I've got this REtaggr all set up with only one slight problem. How the heck do you find the url for you profile on Linkedin? Cool stuff, but I'm at a loss on the linkedin username stage.
Brett - it's just LinkedIn.com/YourUserName - You can find what that is when you login or on your LinkedIn profile.
Pam - not sure why, mine loads fairly fast but maybe that's just my computer. When I hover the mouse over the retaggr widget, my profile card and links open up instantly. Let me know if you're still having a slow load time.
I didn't know you posted this - but I saw your REtaggr and looked it up. Priceless. It really cleans things up and it is so easy to use. Everyone should have one. I've added to AR, personal Website, and email signature.
I think the email signature aspect of Retaggr is huge. It's a free way for people to create link-back opportunities with every email that is sent out! Now every email can be a traffic building opportunity! Way cool!
Steve - glad you found it. One of my favorite sites and tool on the WEB! I use it for all my sites. Helps me keep track of which sites I'm on too! lol~ :-))
Matt - as I just commented to Steve, Retaggr.com is one of my ALL-Time favorite tools and sites on the entire web. Thanks for commenting. :-)
Thanks, have bookmarked it and will be playing with it.