Archive for March, 2008
Written on March 31st, 2008 by phirate
On Saturday the 5th of April we’ll be running Developer day. What this boils down to basically is that we’re going to run 2-3 sessions (to cover various timezones) of an hour or two each. During these times, you’ll be able to log into a realtime chat room with other Entrecarders and some of the Entrecard team, including me. We’re going to be taking micro-feature requests and suggestions and delivering them on the spot, as well as just hanging out and chatting. So if the color of a border or a particular bit of layout or something has been bugging you for a while, drop in and let us know and hopefully we’ll be able to fix it for you right then and there as you watch.
The exact times are TBA, as is the room location, I’ll give more details as we get a bit closer, but if you have any preferred times or anything please let me know. If this one is successful we’ll probably make it a semi-regular thing, see how it goes.
Written on March 30th, 2008 by Graham
We finally released a new and improved help guide to Entrecard. You can get there by clicking the “Help” button in the main navigation.
You’ll notice this new help guide is in Wiki form. That means we may add a few contributors from the Entrecard community at large to help out getting it the best it can be.
As we move forward, this help guide is going to be the place to go to find out how advertising costs and rankings are calculated, what the tax rates are, and any other metrics that may change over time.
Hope you all find it useful!
Written on March 30th, 2008 by Lee Doyle
Introduction
From today I will be making a weekly Interview with a Entrecard member. Most of the next 10 interviews are already planned but I will be looking for some more in the next few weeks.
Today’s interview is with SiteHoppin blogger Jung ‘Max’ Lee. As many of you will know Site Hoppin is a way of browsing other Entrecard blogs with just a click of a button. He also has many other types of sites for you to hop over at the click of your mouse.
This interview is a way of getting into the crazy mind of the Video Blogger and seeing if we can find out what else happens
If you would like to have a 10 question interview with me please message me over Entrecard and we can see if we have any free spaces.
You can also read this interview on my Blog along with some other Entrecard posts including the U DROP / I FOLLOW Movement
SiteHoppin Interview
Your one the few Video Bloggers on Entrecard at the moment. Do you think that video blogging has gained you more viewers? (Link to one Video: here)
I actually started out video blogging because one day I got too drunk and thought it’d be cool to make a drunken video. I wasn’t going to keep doing it but it seemed like people in general liked funny videos so I kept going. I think video only helps if your blog topic is entertainment. If your blog is purely informational, most people probably rather read then watch.
SiteHoppin has changed a lot in the last few months. How do you think it will evolve in the future?
Well, we have added a lot of features so I think the site will continue to grow. The greatest thing about SiteHoppin is that it’s a mix of many little things here and there, no one can copy us, especially our videos.
You use beer a lot in your videos, site and your whole business design… Do you think you may have a problem? Read the rest of this entry »
Written on March 29th, 2008 by multippt
Whenever a major Wordpress update comes, Wordpress users will almost always cheer, because the update packs a whole lot of features rolled up into one. Of course, there are the less active ones who rarely update their installations, either because they don’t feel like doing it at all, or that they don’t know how. The scope of this post is not to show you how to install Wordpress. Rather, it is to highlight the new update that is currently buzzing around the blogosphere, and what to expect of it.
First up, Wordpress 2.5 is a major step up from Wordpress 2.3. That’s two major steps, because Wordpress 2.4 was skipped. Therefore, this update would be a huge difference compared to other updates. Numerous features will added, some immediately visible, while others hidden behind in the inner workings of Wordpress. When you install Wordpress, the first thing you would see is a shiny new installation page greeting you, redesigned from the earlier ones. Aside from the neater interface, there isn’t really any other changes to the actual steps in the installation. However, that’s only the beginning. The main works are in the administration interface. For too long, Wordpress had only its outside look great, but the administration page looks like it could do a work up. Wordpress 2.5 changes that, with a completely revamped theme for its administration panel. This theme seeks to mimic the environment Blogger provides, and the result is a nice control panel that is easy to use and nice to look at. Much of the layout in the administration panel was built for the end-user (in this case, the blogger), hence the layout was made as easy as possible for any new and old blogger to use.
Even the posting page have been updated. No longer is the uploading of images done through a small area beneath the post editor. You can now click on a small button and out comes a Window/box that allows you to upload and manage photos instantly. Probably a great upgrade that most bloggers would need. The post editor is redesigned from scratch, as a result new features were added, that facilitates the posting of your post. The WYSIWYG editor attempts to mimic the look and feel of Microsoft office, down to the color picker as well. Tag management have be added, allowing you to remove and edit tags that you have added previously. In addition, adding tags no longer involves you just typing a comma-separated list of tags. Tag management within the post is now more robust, and you no longer need to scurry through long comma-separated lists of tags since you can delete a tag within a click of a button within a post.
A small titbit is that you can also change the color scheme of the administration panel by changing the setting in your profile. This feature currently only has two themes initially installed (with the “fresh” theme being the default theme), and more would probably be available via the community.
Aside from the visible aspect of Wordpress 2.5, there is that “invisible” aspect of Wordpress 2.5. Security has been upped in Wordpress 2.5. Even with an attacker with control over your database, they are unable to extract sensitive information like your password. To further increase security over your account, Wordpress now automatically indicates if your password is too weak (i.e. password strength meter). Other minor security glitches were fixed as well, which means that Wordpress 2.5 counts as a security update. For developers, they would be delighted to know that Wordpress is now more documented, with descriptions of almost every function within Wordpress. A great boon for those who tweak Wordpress to the extremes.
With Wordpress 2.5 addressing eye-candy, features and security, I would say that Wordpress 2.5 would be a recommended upgrade once it is released.
Written on March 28th, 2008 by Laura
There are a lot of sites out there which distribute donated content from writers. Many of them are ad farms. I’m not knocking them as a source of content for sites which focus on distributing content versus creating their own. However, the writers of that content (should have) given permission or donated the content. You can assume it is not content taken without notice and the consent of the writer. Some writers find these sites a good way to develop themselves as an expert in their topic even though it isn’t paying work.
Even for content which has been donated, send an email to the writer as a thank you note. Also, let them know where the content is being shown. Ask them if there is an updated link they would like added to the article. Offer space for a brief profile to be run along with the content. That’s etiquette and building goodwill. If you are making use of their time, research and energy you can take a minute to acknowledge that and give them proper credit. Next time you want to use their content they will remember you, in a good way. You could end up getting a regular contributor.
If you read a post or article on another site or blog (or any other media) and want to link to it make sure you link to the site itself and the article in a second link. Why? Because you want your readers to find the article itself. You also want to give the site owner/ writer a direct link so readers can see all they have to offer. Even if no one clicks it, you offered it. Yet again, etiquette and consideration.
Make sure you do not cut and paste the whole post or article. It is not yours to take. Do not repost something and assume it is ok to regurgitate it entirely. It is acceptable use to post an amount of the content. Roughly, a paragraph, though it is pretty much left up to your own discretion and sense of honour. Even a link back does not make it ok to repost content you did not create. Use your common sense and be considerate and just take what you need to show your readers what you found and give them a lead in to the site you found it on.
If you really want to repost the whole article ask the writer. Some may be fine with that. Others will not. If they say no, don’t get offended. They are allowed to say no. Let me type that again – THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SAY NO. Just because you want it does not mean you will, or should, get it. They have a right to say no. Accept that and don’t take it personally.
Never run content from another site (contributed included) and not include a link back to the writer. Do not just link to the site you found the content on. Give a link to the writer of the content, the individual writer. Some sites have more than one writer so a link to the site itself is not really enough. They did the work, give your appreciation. Imitation is not enough, flattering though it may be.
So I hope this helps those who want to create a blog with borrowed content. Never assume it is ok to take something. If you ask, people are likely to say yes. If you don’t ask people are likely to be very ticked off when they find out. If the content was good you would be wiser to keep on their good side, right? I’ve seen several EC bloggers looking for guest bloggers and contributions of content. If you are considerate and keep the etiquette of borrowing in mind you can find really good guest bloggers and regular writers.
Written on March 26th, 2008 by Deimos Tel`Arin
If you are like Deimos, who drops say 300 EntreCards a day, you would definitely experience something like this – you already dropped 300 EntreCards for that day, yet fellow EntreCarders are still dropping their EntreCards into your EntreCard Inbox, and you are totally unable to reciprocate those drops for that day!
So, what would you do? Interested in knowing how I handle the situation?
What Deimos used to practice
In the past, Deimos would wire transfer 8 (auspicious figure!) EntreCredits to those that he is unable to reciprocate for that day, and he would visit their site to reciprocate the drops when the daily drop limit of 300 EntreCards has been reset.
Due to as buggy system (at that time -_-), this method is extremely time consuming, plus at times Deimos ended up sending EntreCredits multiple times. O_O Deimos stopped using this method, plus he is quite Entre-Bankrupt at the moment after spending much EntreCredits on advertisement on various EntreCarder’s EntreCard widgets.
Perhaps when Phirate finally decides to enhance the EntreCredits Transfer System, Deimos might probably apply this method again.
What Deimos is practicing now
Though still quite a time consuming process, this method enables Deimos to make sure that he would reciprocate the drops once the daily drop limit resets.
Deimos visits the sites that has dropped on him, copies their url and paste them in an email message, then Deimos emails the list to his own gmail account, in which he then proceeds to reciprocate those drops once the daily drop limit resets.
Besides that, Deimos would also check out articles which interests him and comment sincerely, if he feels like doing so. Deimos finds it a bit hard to comment sincerely on articles that does not manage to capture his interest. -_-
Deimos’s Thoughts
Deimos thinks that he has spending way too much time on Blogging-EntreCarding related activities and wonders what he can do in order to manage his time better. O_O
Deimos Asks
Ever received more drops than you can reciprocate for the day? What would you do?
Written on March 26th, 2008 by Deimos Tel`Arin
The Daily EntreCredits Transfer Limit
If the system is not changed, then the limit of 10 EntreCredits transfer per day ought to be in place, unless one has applied for a “Trusted Status” to lift this limit.
I discovered this limit one day when I was trying to mass transfer EntreCredits to a lot of EntreCarders in one day, I messaged Phirate regarding this matter and in the end, I got myself a “Trusted Status” and continued with my EntreCredits transferring spree.
Proposed New EntreCredits Transfer System
At least, let those with the “Trusted Status” mass transfer EntreCredits? With the current system, you either transfer EntreCredits to a fellow EntreCarder directly, or you email someone a coupon code which can be redeemed for EntreCredits.
The proposed new EntreCredits Transfer System would allow us to do the following:
1. Send a fixed amount to multiple EntreCarders
2. Send a different amount to multiple EntreCarders, i.e. 10 to Bendgz, 20 to StanHayes
The same would be applied for coupon codes.
Deimos’s Thoughts
This new enhancement to the EntreCredits Transfer System would greatly benefit those who need to send EntreCredits to a lot of people at once, though I am not sure if anyone else beside me would use it.
Deimos Asks
What do you think? Do we need something like this?
Written on March 25th, 2008 by Graham
Great news everyone!
Entrecard has been invited to demo at Web Inno 17, along with a handful of other tech startups. The event will be held on April 2nd, at 6:3- at the Grand Ballroom in the Cambridge Royal Sonesta, in Cambridge MA.
The Website Innovators Group, known as Web Inno, has been holding conferences every month here in Boston for nearly two years. Web Inno 17 is a free event which boasts a very impressive attendance (scroll down).
If anyone out there on Entrecard is in the Boston area, be sure to come and chat with me!
Written on March 25th, 2008 by Laura
Blogger Buster offers tweaks with tutorials for those using Blogger. Note, Blogger Buster is on it’s own domain but uses Blogger as it’s CMS (content management software). Thank you to Amanda for the interview.
If you see something here that catches your interest click the link to her blog and drop your EC card too.
Q–Why did you pick Blogger as your blog platform?
Probably the most important reason for me is the price: it’s free! There are no limits on bandwidth or the amount of posts which can be hosted which is a big incentive for me. Also it’s a very stable platform (despite the occasional glitch): I feel safe knowing that my blog cannot easily be hacked, corrupted or suddenly disappear. That’s a great advantage of hosting with Google!
Q–Also, what keeps you with Blogger?
Well, I try not to get embroiled in debates of Blogger VS Wordpress because it’s like comparing chalk and cheese! Blogger may not be as “fully featured” as self-hosted Wordpress blogs, but I like the challenge of pushing the boundaries to see exactly what CAN be achieved!
Posting is much more simple than when using Wordpress, and I like being able to preview my templates when creating them, or making changes to my existing template.
I have hosted Wordpress powered blogs before though have had bad experiences with unscrupulous hosts, comment spam (yes, even Askimet can’t keep them all away!) hacking attempts and once a complete loss of all my existing posts! Such problems haven’t happened for my Blogger hosted blogs, so while it may be a simpler platform, the thought of maintaining a stable blog is of much greater importance to me.
Q–What is your favorite tweak for using Blogger?
I love Hoctro’s “Related Articles” hack which includes a list of related articles beneath each of my posts. It’s a really useful way of encouraging visitors to read other content they may be interested in too.
Q–Which script/ tweak do you think no one on Blogger should be without?
It would be tough to give only one as there are quite a few tweaks which I personally could not live without!
My personal essentials include a navigation bar (for important posts/pages); a recent comments widget (which helps encourage others to comment too), and also Hoctro’s Related Articles.
Q–What is the most requested or most posted about tweak from your site?
This would definitely be the “create a three column template” hack: it’s probably the most popular post on the whole site!
Q–Do you take requests from your readers?
I offer help to readers who have problems with their templates or need to discuss an aspect of their blog. Mostly this is by email, though occasionally I post “readers questions” on the blog when I feel this would be useful for Blogger Buster readers in general.
At the moment I’m not taking on requests for personal (unique) template designs, though in the near future I may offer this as a professional service through my blog.
Q–What are you working on for future posts?
I have a few projects in the pipeline which will be completed over the coming weeks. There are a few new templates I’m working to finish, plus some really useful “resource-style” posts.
Whenever I learn something new, I try to post about this for others to use these techniques in their own blogs too, so in the future you’ll see some new techniques cropping up in my posts which will explain many of the hacks I use in my own Blogger template.
Written on March 24th, 2008 by Scott
Sorry for the late post of the weekly forum roundup but I was enjoying a wonderful dinner with family yesterday.
So here we go with the highlight of some of the more interesting or useful posts from the Entrecard Forums from last week.
Stan from Fantasy Baseball gives up on Project Wonderful and discusses some other options.
Fitness Life Club discusses the U Drop I Follow movement.
Superficial Gallery ponders the answers some age old questions.
Virtua Gallery proposes a ban on blogging for money.
Another contribution from Stan who has some interesting ideas about Animals of the Future.
BendzG does some community building with his TV Series I Watch list.
Susie from Pencil Drawing Sketch Art wonders about Your Worst Comment.
Have a great week!
SB
