Radar features posts selected by the Tumblr staff to appear on all users’ dashboards.  However, the images associated with the these posts are often visually arresting and, consequently, intrusive.   This would be fine if Radar was a feature you could opt out of (or, better yet, opt into).  But currently there’s no way to disable it on the Dashboard.

At its worst, Radar gives Tumblr the feeling of a bland monoculture somewhere on a continuum between National Geographic and MySpace.  To get a sense of what I’m talking about, peruse the recent Radar posts in this (unofficial) archive.

I suspect this is a turn-off for many new subscribers, and may serve to limit Tumbr’s appeal to a broader audience.  But perhaps this is exactly what Tumblr wants.

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Note: there is one way to disable Radar if you use Adblock Plus with Firefox:

1. Go to: “ABP” -> “Preferences” -> “Add Filter…”

2. Add this filter rule:

        tumblr.com##.dashboard_nav_item:last-child

NB: this rule may stop working if Tumblr alters the HTML or CSS that underlies the Dashboard.

You can edit existing posts, rather than deleting/reposting.  Are you paying attention Twitter?

No dates in results when searching by tag/keyword. Really? :(

This is a great collection of stories.

Disclaimer: I’m married to the author!

ja-pak:

Act of Creation & Other Stories just launched at Smashwords.

First post … will Tumblr be more satisfying than Twitter or Blogger?