Blog Conversation Syndication

Mark — 2003-05-22T17:29:16-05:00

In the spirit of ThreadsML, I have decided to syndicate the conversations on my blog. Each entry now has its own RSS feed that contains the orignal blog entry and all of the replies in the conversation. The file name for each feed is the same as the file name of the entry, with an ".rdf" extension rather than a ".html" extension. Each entry is also setup for RSS autodiscovery, so your favourite aggregator with find the feed automatically. Why would I want to do this? There are a number of reasons, but the first one simple: to help keep track of conversations. How many times have you posted a comment on a blog entry and forgot to return to that entry to see if there were any replies or follow-up comments? It can be hard to keep track of all the comments you make. Now, if you make a comment on one of the entries in this blog, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for that conversation. You can then setup your aggregator to monitor the feed for replies. I have created a "conversations" folder in my aggregator for this purpose. I created the RSS feed using a custom Movable Type template -- if you use MT and you want to syndicate your conversations, let me know.

Blog Conversation Syndication

William Blaze — 2003-05-22T18:40:29-05:00

definitely would love the see the template.

also where is the actual feed? I don't see a link to it on this page.

Blog Conversation Syndication

Mark Carey — 2003-05-22T19:21:42-05:00

If you were reading my post from the home page, you won't find the feed. But if you click on the archive link: (blue arrow beside post title), or the time link at the bottom of the post, or the "Conversations" link. The one thing I haven't done yet is to create a link to the feed (it's setup for autodiscovery, but no explicit link yet -- perhaps I will add that now ;-) You can find the MT template here.

Blog Conversation Syndication

Mark Carey — 2003-05-22T20:06:51-05:00

Ok, I have created an explicit link now. On individual archives (like this page), the XML icon to the left points to the RSS feed for the conversation for the entry.

Blog Conversation Syndication

Marc Canter — 2003-05-22T21:59:09-05:00

Hey dude - pretty cool - but isn't it kind of a hassle to ask me to have to subscribe EACH time I leave a comment?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a button - that I push - ....well I guess that's XML Radio or XML Amphetadesk icons - huh? What about what Joi does? He has a premanent channel - that's ALL his feeds that get comments.

And since Joi has these like 20-30 - sometimes 50 reply post threads - it's kind of fun to watch. I get a copy of the entire thread EVERY time another comment is added.

But you can see where I'm coming from. Htow can teh end-user - the person leaving the comment 'more easily' get a copy of the thread?

Blog Conversation Syndication

Mark Carey — 2003-05-22T22:22:50-05:00

Marc,

Yes, I see where you are coming from. If you use a desktop aggregator that supports autodiscovery, subscribing is pretty easy: you get a little pop-up bubble in in the lower right asking you if you want to subscribe. The "all conversations" feed is a good idea, though it might get confusing, with threads overlapping. Maybe I will give it a try...