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[globalgirl]

O.k., I don't get it. I've waded through the help forums, but still don't understand just what "Subscribe" (a.k.a. "Get email updates") does.

When one clicks on the Get email updates, it brings you to a screen where my blog visitors can input their email address along w/ a "Subscribe" button, and (most importantly) it states there that:

"By subscribing to globalgirls travel blog you will receive email notifications when their blog is updated"

I also get an email advising me that so'nso has subscribed to my blog, and their username/email addy is added to my address book with a little "subscribed" icon next to it.

Yet... in reality (and seemingly the repeated answer from Jacquesl here in the forums) is that subscribed folks don't automatically get anything - unless I choose to MANUALLY send them a notification each time I add a new entry to my blog.

But I don't get it - in my address book, those that have "subscribed" are duly noted - yet when it comes to notification, they seem to be treated the very same way all others (non-subscribed) in my address book are treated, i.e. I have to MANUALLY check both the subscribers and the non-subscribers for them to be notified.

In short, exactly what is it that "Subscribe" does for the subscriber?

I guess I would have thought that by subscribing, folks would AUTOMATICALLY get each update regardless if I manually (and imho, redundantly) check their box to specifically send them a notification.

IOW, if subscribing to my blog doesn't get folks automatic updates, then... just what does it do?

P.S. And please, let's not get into RSS feeds. While I happily use such to read my favorite news/blog updates - suffice that for most folks, the concept of setting up a reader, etc. is overwhelming. Point is - we're talking about the travelpod "Subscribe" function here - and what does it do?

P.P.S. And 2nd question (as long as we're on the subject) - when someone "Subscribes" (not that it seems to buy them anything, but...) are they subscribing to ALL my blogs or can they subscribe to my individual (i.e. Morocco vs. South Africa vs. Egypt) blogs? I'm thinking the answer is the former, but it would be great if it were the latter, as some folks may be interested in one of my trips, but not all of them.

[globalgirl]

Ah yes, finally a definitive answer. Thanks so much Eric - that clears up all the mystery.

So I guess the wee "subscribed" icons are just to remind me/the blogger that those folks deliberately opted to add their email address (and thus presumably want to be notified when I post a new entry) vs. the others that I added manually to my address book (who effectively haven't actually opted "in")

As it's important to me that folks have the choice to opt "in", then I guess the best approach is to start over - delete all email addys but the ones that chose to subscribe, and then send out an email to everyone else that might be interested in following my travels - with a link to the blog and instructions how to subscribe (i.e. click on "Get email updates" and then "Subscribe".) That way I won't have to uncheck any boxes when I opt to notify those in my address book.

btw... I presume there's some mechanism for folks to unsubscribe (perhaps in the email notification note?) And if/when they do - will that automatically delete their email addy from my address book (or leastwise remove the subscribe icon)?

Sorry to be such a pest about this, but I've been on travelpod since '04 and I guess I remember the subscribe thing being (as you say) a tad different.

I guess there's trade-offs with every blessed digital option and I can understand the 1 pic entry annoyance thing. The truth is - as I've watched the site evolve, you've done a truly outstanding job on all the new gizmos - thanks!

(and yes, it seems the ability to subscribe to each blog independently would be a relatively easy and nice option.)