we::blog news

Due to constant spamming on the openlog and the creation of spamblogs on we::blog, I've changed the way links work. All links are now redirected through danchan.com which means linked pages from blogs on we::blog will no longer receive the "google-juice" that spammers are after. As an extra (unnecessary really) precaution, I've also added the rel=nofollow tag in links, Google's suggested way of combatting link spam. I'd like we::blog to be a public space where visitors are respectful of one another. I prefer this kind of solution to more heavy handed ones like banning users and/or by IP. There is no longer any page ranking incentive to link from we::blog.

Feel free to email me at dc at danchan DOT com if there are any bugs in the way the links now work.

0 comments

Tue 2001.09.18

12:04 I changed the code to allow Anonymous posts

You can set permissions to all now in both the advanced properties and in your weblog directives. I still need to make examples of how to use it.

Real quick, there a two more variables you can display:

$author_email
$author_url

The $author_nickname is in the form "anon:Dan Chan" so you can differentiate an anonymous post.

Bad news: Once you set permissions to all, members who are logged in will still have to post anonymously.

9 comments

Thu 2001.08.16

16:02 Non-registered users' comments (or Anonymous Posts)

I'm in the process of implementing a new permissions type ALL which allows anyone to comment without registering a nickname. This is a lot like other weblog commenting systems out there. While I like the idea of persistent identities and a certain amount of accountability for one's comments, I think allowing posting without registering will lead to more active participation.

The new type of comments entry form will include spaces to enter:

name
email
url
title
comment

There are a couple issues with Anonymous Posts. First of all, should registered nicknames be protected? So that if I try to comment as say Greggman I am required to log in. This opens a whole can of worms...

Related to this, what if I'm already logged in?

Right now, my inclination is to leave Anonymous Posts as a separate type of post from registered ones, in that there is no checking of pre-registered nicknames, that being logged in doesn't matter (you can still type in whatever you want in the name field). This keeps interactions with the system simple and less error prone, less potential for bugs, etc. This system is ready to be tested.

Give me the word and the code gets updated.

What do you guys think?

11 comments

Fri 2001.08.10

2:06 Allowed tags

In addition to bold, italic and link, you can also use these tags in your weblog entries:

<font>
<div>
<img>
<ol>
<ul>
<li>
<br>
<tt>
<pre>
<strong>
<blockquote>

See this message for info.

HERE ONE PROBLEM: In order to post tag descriptions like what I did above you need to enter > for >. BUT: once you post, if you edit it, it reverts to the actual greater than character and the tag actually takes effect. So... I can't edit this post without redoing all the greater than and less thans. Should probably only affect me. Just FYI.

3 comments

Mon 2001.08.06

12:35 Get rid of this news column?

Create a new standard template?

What to do to spread the word?

Note: bug fixed where some weblogs were displaying only their latest message!

4 comments

Fri 2001.06.22

15:25 Netscape

Don't know if I broke something else in the process, but I've fixed the comment adding window so that it displays OK in Netscape. I got rid of the 1px line style of the form elements. The IE flavor doesn't work under Netscape so the bold/italic/link buttons aren't functional. Neither is the Advanced button, but at least you can enter and edit comments using Netscape now...

5 comments

Tue 2001.05.29

15:31 Timezones

I added timezone support but haven't really looked into the possible exceptions to the standard offset off GMT. Therefore, the only way for people on the West Coast to get auto adjusted for daylight savings time is to NOT specify a timezone. PST/PDT is the default. I don't know what other timezones use daylight savings. All of the United States?

For everyone else in the world who doesn't use daylight savings, just specify in your <weblog> section:

timezone { -3 }

For a timezone 3 hours behind GMT.

timezone { +2 }

For a timezone 2 hours ahead of GMT.

6 comments