Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Windley seconds and improves upon Dave Winer's arguement to extend the use of OPML in directories.  Weblog Directories Dave is making another impassioned plea for people to start using OPML based directories. I'll add my small voice to the chorus. About 3 months ago, I got to wishing I had a way to create specialized directories of the content on my weblog and related content from elsewhere. As a consequence, I started my feature page. But this is just an OPML directory that Radio renders using activeRenderer. The OPML is available here. This isn't the complete answer however. A little while ago, I started to want to reference my collection of posts and material on GXA separately as well, so I split that out as a separate OPML directory. Ideally, I should be able to reference this in my "features" OPML and get it included as part of the features outline. Something isn't working right however. I'm not sure if its activerRenderer or something I'm doing wrong. So, for now its just an HTML link. I also wish there was an automatic way for activeRenderer to create a link to the OPML files so that people know they're there for the taking. There's probably some way to do it in the template, but I haven't figured it out. Once I get these things figured out, I'd like the features page to just be the top level directory for the other material. There's still some organizational work to do to make this all work the way I'd like, but its a big step forward in creating a table of contents for themes in my weblog and related material. Like it or not, its humans who add value to the Internet and these sorts of directories are the directory equivalent of weblogs with lots of people doing little bits of work that can then be aggregated, searched, and used by others. comment [] 9:40:30 AM

Not enough time today to comment.  But, these are good... Biz Bloggery. Rick Bruner: The B2B Power of Blogs. Rick points to Richard Karpinski's Corporate Blogs make personal connection, in Crain's B2B Marketing. Both Rich and Rick quote me rather extensively. I'm glad what I said got published, because it's a late response to some questions about corporate blogging that Joi asked me quite a while ago and I've been slow to answer. [The Doc Searls Weblog] comment [] 9:31:40 AM

No wait for tools. The really cool thing about this kind of directory isn't the format, OPML is designed to be unremarkable. When people look at the OPML files and criticize them I know they don't understand OPML, but I wish they did. They're looking at the roots of a tree, when the interesting stuff is happening in the canopy, in the tree-tops. Here's what's different. There's no need to wait for a tool to edit this format, because the tool existed before the format. This is flipped around from all other XML formats, where it may or may not be possible to create a tool. We know of several good outliners that support OPML. And outliners are a tool of choice for people who think, people who have information that we want in directories. It's a clever plan! Hey if you want to know about outliners, ask Larry Lessig. Lawyers love them. Soon so will librarians. [Scripting News] comment [] 9:22:07 AM

Am already doing this.  But, this is good info for those implementing blogs.. OPML.Org: How To implement an OPML directory browser. [Scripting News] comment [] 9:20:49 AM