Therefore, I almost exclusively use the category-links or tag-links and I love when there is a hierachy in them so that I can narrow down more and more. Actually, I think, tagging is the new search function if used properly.
If the categories give me very long lists of posts I might try to search for a “show all” link and hit ctrl+f to manually search the site. When I am really interested, I use google with the “site:”-parameter. But normally I just dump it or use a SE for links to that article on that blog.

This might sound a little odd, but I’m not much of a blogger myself, yet. More a general reader. So I can imagine that there are more people like me that don’t like to use extensive techniques of searching just to find a post in a blog… As a blogger, I still would offer a search function and a link to a page with a blogroll/archive on it to accomodate those who feel that these are essential features of a blog.

Regarded from the point of a fresh page, which other content do you add else? If you really want to go without comments, archives by date are a possibility (at least once a month a change).

In order for the reader to not be irritated about cluttering: just hide them after a certain amount of time, but let them in there.

2. Archives are great for search engines but suck for users. Ever try to track down an entry you think you saw on a site sometime between September and December of 2004? If the goal is to keep things one to two clicks away, categories or tagging are better. I would suggest readers consider moving Archives (which are essential for a blog if not the sidebar) to their own pages. Still benefit from SEO but implement user connectivity in a different fashion.

3. Blogrolls are old skool. I did away with my blogroll a long time ago. Like you, Darren, I connect excellent content via my content. That’s why I use an RSS reader… so I can filter that information for my users.

4. Recent Comments I like alot and have striven to keep them. That said, it is likely one of the first items to get the axe if necessary.

5. Consider tagging as an alternative to categories. I think it makes more sense.

6. Popular posts work with a busy blog like this one. It’s only a source of frustration and discouragement to less-trafficked bloggers. I’d say no to this.

7. Contact Info – Toss up. I choose not to list mine actively but I’m too easy to take advantage of so it’s by design.

10. RSS buttons are the spawn of the devil. With auto discovery, who needs them?

:)

Stick with the basics and draw attention to them.

Blogrolls? Nope. Way too many nowadays. I do have a few “Recent Links” that I update sporadically, but I limit those too.

Search? Of course, on *every* page, along with a link for RSS and the proper header code for RSS aware browsers to spot it.

Archives, yeah, by date though I’m surprised to see that it gets used frequently. Archives by subject topic gets used more.

What really surprised me is that the Popular Articles pages (which I break down by day, week, month and all time) get used much more than I ever thought they would.

Archives: Yes, but lose the links for each month in the sidebar and/or calendar that some software includes by default. They just end up being long, useless lists (if you post a lot) or tiny lists that tell everyone how rarely you post. If anyone’s looking for something date-specific, they can click an “Archives” link first.

Blogroll: Waste of space. Put it on a separate page. Blogrolls are “so” 2002. All of the cool kids read so many blogs there’s no room to list them all.

Recent Comments: There’s a window where this is useful, but if your site is too small (like most of mine) or too large (like Problogger) it’s a waste of space.

Most Popular Posts: I prefer “Featured Posts” selected manually. This lets me promote articles that deserve it rather than those that have stumbled into a popular search result.