LeftyBlogs.com: News & Announcements
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How easy is it to add the BlogWire?
Via email, from Karen in Colorado:
"As far as setup goes, it was stupidly easy, especially for a HTML idiot like myself. ... I'd certainly recommend it."
Give it a shot. Put live headlines from your state's progressive blogs right there on your blog.
Posted by Kari Chisholm on November 1, 2005 02:03 PM
Comments
[off-topic comment deleted.]
Posted by Autorank on November 6, 2005 04:17 PM
It was so easy I added two to SoapBlox/Chicago. One for Illinois and one for Indiana. I'd add Wisconsin and Michigan and maybe Iowa if I didn't have to repeat the Sponsor, the Add you Blog, and the Want this Blogwire notices. Anyway to get those just once?
The CSS changes were a breeze as well. So far I am liking it a lot.
Posted by Jeff Wegerson on November 25, 2005 06:54 PM
Can I switch it so that it only shows local/state blog feeds? Do you plan on later giving us the ability to choose which specific blogs are fed? Why are the advertisements in the middle of the feed, as opposed to the end?
Not complaining about a free service. I'm just asking. Thanks for this great tool.
Posted by sadf on November 29, 2005 04:54 PM
great questions.
Right now, the blog wire shows all posts from a particular state. We've had a number of requests for different kinds of customization, including multiple states merged together, the ability to highlight just some blogs, etc.
At this point we're only able to offer the basic service -- but at some point in the future (particularly when there's advertising revenue behind the blog wire) we'll look into making it more flexible for bloggers.
Posted by Kari Chisholm on November 29, 2005 05:38 PM
Instead of LeftyBlogs, the icon can just read LeftyBlogs FL (or whatever state).
Posted by asfd on November 29, 2005 06:29 PM
Is it possible to make the links that are clicked on in the blog feed open in the new window through CSS? I mean, without having the links NOT in the blogwire open in a new window...
Posted by asdf on November 30, 2005 04:52 PM
asdf -- Sure, it's possible, but we won't be doing that. Opening up new windows is terribly anti-user. You should never force an action like that on a website visitor.
If it's a good link, then open it in the current browser. If it's not good enough to "leave your site", then don't link to it.
Many website visitors won't know that a new window opened up - and then, all you've done is "break" the BACK button.
For those website visitors that *do* know about new windows - well, they can just shift-click for a new window when the want one; or (in firefox) ctrl-click to open a new tab.
Remember, a core rule of usability is this: A navigation feature should always behave the same way. In this example, all links everywhere should open a new page in the same browser window - nothing more.
See UseIt.com for lots more info on usability.
Posted by Kari Chisholm on December 1, 2005 09:44 PM
At our BlogLeft Massachusetts gathering,
a TypePad blogger said it was a deal to add
your feed to his front page. Apparently,
it doesn't let you edit your template directly.
Do you have a FAQ or something similar for
folks in that situation?
THX
Posted by massmarrier on December 12, 2005 05:01 AM
I have a blog that is about 40 % local news. Is that acceptable? I can list it if it is.I have a blog that is about 40 % local news. Is that acceptable? I can list it if it is. I try to appeal to a wide audience, but there are local and state issues that just have to be addressed. Please let me know.
Thanks
Steve Otto
Posted by Steve Otto on December 16, 2005 10:12 PM
Yeah, sure - 40% is great. I continue to be amused by the folks who submit a blog that is 0% local, but who post a current item that is local just hoping to make it past me.
Rest assured, folks, I don't just look at this week's posts to decide if your blog makes the cut. I often dive into the archives a few months back to see what kind of content you usually have.
Posted by Kari Chisholm on December 18, 2005 06:48 PM
I like the BlogWire, and I understand your eventual need to insert advertising into the feed somewhere (you have to pay the bills somehow), but adding it to my site with ads would be problematic. Ads just don't work on a candidate's web site.
I suppose I can try to bang together some php to emulate the blogwire functionality, but I'd really rather not try to re-invent the wheel. Not when you have it working pretty well.
What do you suggest?
Posted by Jimmy Stewart on March 22, 2006 07:39 AM
Jimmy -- Well, I think you should put a disclaimer on it (whether there are ads or not) that says something like "The above headlines are an automated collection of local blogs. We're not responsible for their content."
Then be done with it. It was only two years ago that people couldn't believe candidates would allow negative comments about themselves on their own campaign sites. So, perceptions are changing.
As for the ads, I can promise that they'll never be obscene, they'll always be targeted at our audience (no cellphone ads), and they'll always be minimalist.
Besides, if you're really running for office, put down the PHP and go meet some voters.
Posted by Kari Chisholm on March 22, 2006 10:09 PM
