Blogging

My WordPress blog uses several plug-ins, and I thought I would share with you what they are and why I use them.

• Akismet: Comment spam prevention. This is an essential plug-in for any blog.
• All in One SEO Pack: This plug-in helps me build SEO friendly links.
• Comment Referrers: This give me additional information when someone posts a comment. Its sent to me via the notification email and doesn’t appear any where on the blog.
• Comment Timeout: I use this to lock comments on posts so many days after I post them.
• Counterize II: This is a great statistics plug-in. I’m using this because I’m trying to find a really statistics program for WordPress.
• Dunstan-style Error Page: This plug-in allows me to create a custom 404 error page.
• Easy Tube: This plug-in helps me embed YouTube videos in a post.
• Enforce www. Preference: I like my blog URL to be www.digitalthom.com. When someone enters digitalthom.com it basically prepends www to incoming URL.
• Exec-PHP: This plug-in allows me to add PHP code top posts or widgets.
• Executable PHP widget: This is a plug-in that lets me add PHP specific widgets to the sidebar.
• Feed Locations: This plug-in allows me to change the default location of my RSS feed.
• Fotobook: Small plug-in that allows me to integrate my Facebook Photos. It integrates right into my blog and works better than the Flickr photo albums I’ve tried.
• Full Feed: This plug-in creates full posts in my RSS feed.
• Gravatar: Some themes require this plug-in to allow users avatars show in comments.
• iWPhone: This is a plug-in/theme specifically for the iPhone. I use this for all my iPhone readers.
• Link Harvest: I’m testing this plug-in to see of it has any value to my readers. It basically takes all links referenced in posts and pages and creates a collapsible list.
• Most Commented: This plug-in creates a small list of the most commented on posts.
• Popularity Contest: This plug-in shows a popularity percentage on each post.
• Recent Comments: This plug-in shows the last number of comments made.
• Recent Posts: This plug-in shows me the last number of posts.
• Related Entries: This plug-in displays 5 links that relate to the current post.
• Secure and Accessible PHP Contact Form: This plug-in allows me to create a secure comments form.
• Spam Karma 2: This plug-in eats spam for lunch.
• SpotMilk: This plug-in changes how the administrative tool looks, like a skin, well, it is a skin.
• Subscribe To Comments: This plug-in gives my readers the ability to subscribe to comments via email. I use this so readers can track comments on a post.
• WordPress Heat Map: this plug-in creates a heat map collection of post tags.
• WordPress Mobile: This plug-in makes my blog mobile accessible. I use this plug-in for all my PDA users.
• WP-ShortStat: This is a statistics plug-in.
• WP-UserOnline: This plug-in shows me who’s online reader in real time.
• WP-UserOnline Widget: This is the widget that actually shows who’s online.
• WPhone: This plug-in allows me to manage my blog from a mobile phone.
• WP lightbox 2: This plug-in blows up images in a blog post making them easier to see.

That’s it. Not too many but they really help me keep this blog running.

What do you use on your blog, WordPress or not?

Here are some great links I came across during this past week.

LifeHacker asks Does Google Make You An Efficient Time-Waster?

Russell Beattie posts Mobilized Bookmarks in Del.icio.us

Jesse Stay write Auto-Follow Those that Follow you on Twitter

Box.net opens up their API

Upcoming local events from Utah Tech Spotlight

Chris Brogan writes Elements of a Personal Brand (probably the best blog post you’ll ever read)

Zenhabits writes Top 10 Resources and Inspirations for Decluttering Your Home

Hello everyone, well, you knew it was bound to happen. PodCamp has come to Salt Lake City, Utah. On Saturday January 26th, 2008, at the Salt Lake Main Library building, 210 East 400 South, we will hold the first PodCamp.

The web site address is www.podcampslc.org. You can confirm your registration at the Upcoming.org site.

If you would be interested in helping with the organization of this event, please send an email to podcampslc AT gmail.com.

We still have a lot to do and need a lot of help. Please consider volunteering. We also need people to present, so if you’re a new media guru or RockStar, please let us know what you can share.

There are also sponsorship opportunities. We would love to share those with you as well.

PodCamp isn’t just about podcasting! If you’re interested in blogging, social media, social networking, podcasting, video on the net, if you’re a podsafe musician (or want to be), or just someone curious about new media, then please join us — and bring a friend or colleague.

The event will be free of charge to the public but we would really appreciate advance registration so we know how many people will be attending.

We have also created a Facebook group where we will communicate a lot of the activities of the PodCamp. If your not a member of Facebook we encourage you to join. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others who have the same interest as you.

Please blog about this event as often as possible. Spread the word. Invite your blog readers, your podcast listeners and your videocast watchers. We want everyone to attend, from beginners to pros.

There will be more information to follow.

Here are some great links I came across during this past week.

1. Resolve Conflict Quickly with The Four Agreements. I’ve read this book before. It’s fairly small, both in diameter and number of pages. But the content is very strong.
2. Blog World Expo - Day 1 Recap. My good friend Ash Buckles spent a few days at the Blog world Expo in Las Vegas. Here is his take on the first day.
3. Term Sheet for an LLC vs. a Corporation. This was a very relevant post seeing how I’m facing that exact question right now. Perfect timing and great advice.
4. Advertisers- This is Sexy. Chris caught an ad from Blackberry that was inconspicuously part of the layout. He didn’t need to click on anything the advertiser was relying on the fact the name would stick with the reader.
5. Getting Too Old? Dye Your Hair Before The Interview! Jason caused some ruckus around the blogosphere with this post. It’s pretty good.
6. Guy Kawasaki - 5 Books you Must Read. I’m glad Janet captured the books Guy suggested, I had to walk out of the presentation just as he was naming them off.

While I was writing the Build A Better Blog series I decided I would write a few more series. Here is what I have so far. None of these will be 31 days. Most will be 5 posts covering a topic I enjoy.

• Beginners guide to using the Nikon D40
• Jazz Music 101
• NASCAR: A Fanology
• LifeStreaming (look for this series to start on Monday November 12th)
• FlickrCasting
• Gadget Bags

Will you help me? Add to the list, right here in the comments or on your blog and link back. Will you start your own series?