Regular readers of Web2Center know how much I like Linkify. However, I recently stumbled across another blog content tool that is equally interesting.
I have only used it on 2 client posts so far so I have to take a minute and investigate. Why don’t you join me…
This video/post will let you look over my shoulder so we can see if this Zemanta blogging tool is worth the real estate in your admin panel.
So, here’s what I’ve done so far. I found Zemanta on the GoToWb20.com site as soon as it came out. Actually, I have a Google gadget on my iGoogle homepage that keeps a running list of all the new web 2.0 services that post to GoToWeb20.com.
I visited Zemanta.com and installed the Firefox plugin, restarted and then spent about 5 minutes looking for some sign of it. I found an enable/disable command in the Tools dropdown in Firefox but thats it.
A bit confused, I went back to Zemanta.com and forced myself to read and realized that it would be something that shows up inside the Write Post module of Wordpress. And, sure enough, there it was top right.
So, I start typing and…. nothing. Type some more… nothing. OK, now I am wondering if I have fallen for some sort of unfunny April Fool’s joke.
Then, I thought, perhaps I need to hit the “Save and Continue Editing” button. So, after a refresh, Zemanta went into action.
Multiple choices appeared right there in the Write Post module.
1. A “Gallery” of images appeared in the sidebar, one of which was this image: Image from Wikipedia
I have no idea how this image fits or why it was suggested but the other images were more closely related to Firefox and Wordpress.
2. An “Articles” list appeared with links to articles from blog like techcrunch.com, readwriteweb.com and, of course, this one from Zemanta.com about “experimental” WP 2.5 support.
And, just below the wysiwyg, 2 more choices.
3. A “Links” list of terms related to the article like web 2.0, Firefox and April Fool’s joke that allow for a one-click link back to Wikipedia or the website itself. I clicked April Fool’s joke and it created the link above.
4. And finally, a set of suggested tags that I won’t really know what is for until I publish this post.
I just clicked on the tag “Zemanta” and noticed that Zemanta was added to the tag list along with some code just prior to this sentence.
So, here we go. Publish post….
Check out this video for an inside, over-the-shoulder look at how Zemanta works on your blog. (to be posted soon)
We are always looking for web 2.0 tools that will make problogging, authority site building and blogmastering easier. (did I stuff lots of keywords in there or what)
Adding images to a custom Wordpress blog is never “easy”. Maybe it is on other platforms but I am a Wordpress only dude. I have found a few plugins that speed the process up a bit but these source from Flickr or Picasa and return pictures that are, well… crap.
A new web 2.0 service in Beta may offer a solution for some.
However, there is a catch…
Its Called PicApp
Let’s see, how do I explain this…
Quality free images that you can embed right into your post. Pretty simple.
The catch is probably apparent to you already from the puppy dog image I’ve embedded in this post. There are ads embedded in that there image.
This is not a big deal for some blogging folk, but for other bloggers, this is a deal breaker. And… keeping in mind that this service is still in Beta and thus, will presumably be improved, there are other who are concerned about the technical wizardry being used to make PicApp perform.
Should You Use It?
Hey, that’s up to you.
One thing is for sure though, we all should have more images in our posts. As much of a hassle as image editing and adding is, there is nothing better than a quality post with an insightfully relevant image.
Whether you use PicApp depends on your level of aversion to ads in your blog and how much geekery you are willing to add to your html code.
I’m sure PicApp speeds up the image adding process but, as with most technology in Beta, the “cost” for this free service needs to be considered carefully by both the developer and the consumer.
Although this amazing site is still in private beta, its worth a look. Aviary is a truly intriguing and comprehensive suite of online media editing apps.
These tools are based right in your browser (or as downloadable AIR applications) and all “relate” to each other.
To illustrate, Aviary provides this example:
“You can import a swatch from Toucan into Phoenix, while doing complex bitmap processing of a 3D object developed in Hummingbird. Finally, you can take your finished artwork and lay it out in Owl as the DVD artwork for a music CD you and your friends put together in Roc and Myna and offer it for sale in our marketplace, Hawk.”
Why Should Social Marketers & Probloggers Care?
Probloggers are always looking for a way to spice up ye old blog post. After all, you are a publisher, right?
Skypeing the graphic designer and ordering images, buttons and banners is time consuming (not to mention expensive Aviary is intuitive enough to make image editing quick & easy enough that you can do it yourself.
A peek at the interface for the image editing console dubbed Pheonix
After a while you may get good enough to do something like this…
A Word To The Wise
One thing is for sure. Apps like those included in the Aviary suite serve to improve the quality and content offered up by serious bloggers and web developers.
The bar is getting higher everyday for social marketers and probloggers hoping to increase readership & subscriber numbers.
So, unless you have an angel investor funding your blog, its time to get familiar with web tools that make keeping up easier.
Image from Wikipedia
or what)
Although this amazing site is still in private beta, its worth a look. 
Monday, March 31, 2008
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