Now I remember why I used TypePad's Avanced Templates. While a number of a bloggers essential tools can be slid into a TypePad theme using widgets, a larger number simply can't be achieved without using the advanced templates. For example. I think I want to offer readers the ability to "digg" my posts (www.digg.com), but I can't see how I can achive that without using an advanced template on thumblounge.com. Bummer!

So I've spent the last 45 minutes tinkering with the TypePad Advanced Template* for this blog. When I first created Thumb Lounge I spent a couple of weeks on the advanced template (you can still see the design in action at www.doipod.com.) so that the navigation was right for the end user, while being as google friendly as I could get it.

Well I've considered my objectives and for the first time ever I'm building a site JUST for me. You're welcome to tag along of course, but this site really is a last desperate attempt to organize the daily activity of a completely disorganized passive internet marketer.

So it's back to the TypePad Basic Themes for me. No more multiple browser windows, flicking to and from Google AdSense so I can place ads on the site. No more dicking around in Fireworks trying to pull a new design from my frazzled brain. Nope. Just me and my Typepad interface.

*Advanced Templates allow those with extensive knowledge of html to customize their Typepad powered blog. DON'T let anyone tell you it only requires basic html knowledge. That's bollox! You see once you start tinkering, you'll realize there's a bunch of other stuff you want your Typepad blog to do, That's when it gets messy.