News

Apologies: WP update – updating to Version 2.7

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Apologies to all, but we’re updating the server. The WP-MU officially ended, and we’ve migrated back to WordPress. In the meantime, we’re redoing the overall design of the site over the next few days, so we’re hoping to have a new theme soon. Also, we had some ‘problems’ when we initially upgraded: including missing images, a bunch of spam, some missing widgets, and a bunch of smaller stuff! Sorry. But we’ll get these ironed out.

We’ve now removed the old install, reinstall the original WordPress, updated all the plugins and WordPress, imported all the previous sub-blogs, corrected the URLs, restored the images, removed the spam, removed some useless or broken plugins… but there’s quite a list of stuff to sort out, still. Should be up and running by January 1st.

Fine Blogging: it’s time for a little ‘sizzle’

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One of the most common questions that new bloggers ask when they start blogging is: what am I going to write? Such an easy question doesn’t necessarily imply an easy answer as most bloggers are still trying to find their feet when they start. There are a lot of tasks that need mastering.

For those who are starting out: there are a number of post that you could make. If you’re looking for a little sizzle, then try these:

1. Picture of the Week

Many bloggers are also amateur or professional photographs. Adding a regular or irregular photographs as your post with a very brief description can liven up your blog from the all text look, and fill a regular post slot. (click to see an example)

2. Video Post

A short post can include a video that you have uploaded to YouTube or even a video that someone else uploaded. Embedding the code is a very simple task these days. Simply copy and paste into your post.  (click to see an example)

3. Quotation

Short quotations on your blog’s theme or topics or that you find in your other reading are worth doing. They’re quick to copy down, don’t forget to add biographical details and also the source.  (click to see an example)

4. Link Posts

There are many kinds of link posts but one that I like is the post that links to recent readings and articles and websites that I’ve found across the Internet. Recently, StumbleUpon has been taking up this slack for many, but adding them to your blog is much better for your readers.  (click to see an example)

5. Buzz Posts

These are short posts that feature one particular blog or website. You can write them to highlight something you like. Keep them short (50 words or so), include an image, and there you go. (click to see an example)

6. Recent Posts

This is similar to #4 but instead you are featuring some of your own posts in the recent month or week. It’s well worth doing especially for blogs with a lot more posts and can draw attention to some that might otherwise be missed by readers.  (click to see an example)

7. Word Power

Post a word or phrase that you have learned. English has over 1,000,000 words (estimated!) but choosing a few careful terms or phrases that are not well-known can provide an inspirational post.

8. Sharing an Email

This can be an easy way to find a post. My email archives (and yours) are doubtless full of emails that are worth sharing. Raid those archives and see what you can find that would be worth posting! Of course, if you are sharing an email from someone else, make sure you have their permission! (click to see an example)

9. News Posting

This can be defined as widely or as narrowly as you like: include items in a short ‘what’s happening post’. These items might include competitions, invitations, news items, and anything else you might like! (click to see an example)

10. Review Something

You can always write a review of something related to your blog’s sphere of interest. Good suggestions include a book, a movie, a website, a product or service, etc. It needn’t be in depth but it should be appropriate and something you’re familiar with. (click to see an example)

These are just some of the ideas that I have tried on my blogs over the past two years. Of course, these types of posts are just the ‘sizzle’. If your blog doesn’t have any steak, then they won’t really help. Good luck blogging, and let me know what kind of sizzle or steak you are cooking up on your blog!

News Updates from InvestorBlogger – EntreCard, Investing, Presidents and Last.fm

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It’s been a really long time since I did anything newsy on this blog. I’ve posted “recent posts” lists, but nothing newsy. So it’s today.

Do check out my post on how to make a newsletter, my updated download page, and the language of spending money .

Trades in my account: Trading for Dividends!

I recently noted FYI my own stock holdings. I’ve recently added to my own holdings by purchasing some shares in GAIN which has an attractive dividend. I also had a look at Bank of America, picking up some there. I’ve been looking at banking stocks for a while, and wondering if the worst is past or not. It’s impossible to tell. But there were a number of factors that I liked in BAC: it’s not the only bank I’ve looked at, I’m also looking at Citibank, and RBS and, of course, HSBC in Asia. Banking stocks are somewhat undervalued at the moment, and will come back in price. A friend was suggesting looking at picking up Citibank and AIG shares… Both of these recently took hits.

EntreCards: New Features, New Blogs and Free Credits!

I’ve been an EntreCard User for quite a few months, but the recent news about EntreCard has been quite interesting. Overall, in the two months since I started using EntreCard has become my second largest source of referral traffic. They aren’t always the best quality traffic clocking in an average of little over 60 seconds on the site! But that may be that my site isn’t well optimized yet, esp. for drive-by traffic like that!

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Anyway, EntreCard are now allowing users to add a blog to their pre-existing account. I’ve already added an extra account, and I’ve funded it with some credits, too. It’s quite easy to do. They’ve also announced a new e-book that explains what EntreCard’s all about. And they’re promoting it by giving away 2000 free credits on their EC Blog ! I’m already in, as you’ve noted!

New President in Taiwan: Ma Ying-Jeou is the 12th president of the Republic of China

Two months after the presidential election in Taiwan, the new president was sworn in today. You can check the news yourself. Of course, the local stock markets are down on selling the news. You can read the Taipei Times article on his inauguration day nerves. He doesn’t mix metaphors very well: but I can imagine that’s just nerves.

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Ma described his feeling yesterday as “treading on thin ice and standing on the edge of an abyss.”

Last.FM – How are you discovering music these days?

It’s not often the words on InvestorBlogger prove right, and I’m not really one to tell people that “I told you so!” But for those of you reading last year’s blog post on the changes at Pandora.

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I have been following Last.FM for sometime, but hadn’t realized how much it had grown in scale, scope and funding. While it doesn’t have some of the finesse of Pandora, it is a very good social music discovery service, one that I’m enjoying very much. I’m glad that I will be able to add that to my online listening site. It also has great links to smaller CD retailers who are happy to serve those outside traditional continental US. While the founder of Pandora regretted that closing his sites meant cutting off loyal listeners (as I was).

The letter seemed to suggest that international listeners were listening illegally – well, it’s not that at all. International listeners are now finding other companies that can supply music legally through Streaming Radio, Legal Downloading (from smaller retailers), sites like Last.FM, and much more. It seems that, unless the Big Four music companies and their lackeys do something soon, they will lose a generation of listeners to their music, while empowering a whole rash of local, national and international music providers who are hungry, competitive and LEGAL.

So that’s it… Comment on this post or any of my posts (they’re all open)… I’ll comment in reply and follow you back to your blog! Good Luck!