What's the best option for blogs with vBulletin?

**Soliloquy** · 08-10-2008, 06:36 PM

So after reading about how Jelsoft's vBulletin integrated blogs aren't all that great I've been wondering what the best option to offer blogs to my members is. I remember there used to be a (non-Jelsoft) mod to add blogs; is that still available or did tha go the way of the dinosaurs? And WordPress would only create one big blog, and WordPress MU doesn't (yet) have a vBulletin bridge. Are there any other options?

**ArnyVee** · 08-10-2008, 06:51 PM

I'm going with WordPress MU once I get someone who can actually style it similar to my style without breaking the bank.

The ability to run my own network of blogs with my own ads built in and creating revenue for me is too enticing. Plus, it can build a nice following and once the bridge is built (which I hope is sooner than later), then things will be peechy keen

**Soliloquy** · 08-10-2008, 07:29 PM

True, but I'd have to wait because if people started their blogs then MU released a bridge then all the usernames would be messed up...
(who am I kidding, by the time I actually get to it they'll have released the bridge)

**ArnyVee** · 08-10-2008, 07:35 PM

LOL...I know what you mean.

I'm going to try and get the 'splash' page done first to buy some time and then work on the WordPress MU after that.

**Caddyman** · 08-11-2008, 03:02 AM

i would think once the bridge is created/if it is created, that you would be able to do a fresh install of mu and import the membes over or do it by hand, it couldn't be that many unless your site is amssive and everyone loves the blogs. i have had MU on TD for like a year and have many 25 blogs running.

**ArnyVee** · 08-11-2008, 04:15 AM

I'm assuming that I'll have about 10% of the folks wanting to blog based on some feedback that I've gathered as I've been discussing it. So, that would translate to 13 to 15 blogs in total. Although, these Disney fans LOVE to chat!

So, we'll see how it goes.

But, if/when the 'bridge' happens or the MU, then I'll do what Chase stated. Other than that, I'm okay with having them separate for now.

**Soliloquy** · 08-11-2008, 04:55 AM

If nothing else I'll definitely keep an eye on MU, but I don't relish the thought of importing users by hand... could get hairy

**Soliloquy** · 09-02-2008, 09:46 PM

Looks like my users are kind of meh on blogs anyway. I put up a poll and though there's some interest it's much less than I thought it would be. Well, there's several days left in the poll, we'll see how it goes.

**ArnyVee** · 09-03-2008, 03:50 AM

Michele, it will only be a small group that will want to blog consistently from your current forum members from what I suspect. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I think that 'maybe' 10% of the users will set one up and then I'd say 50% of those won't be that consistent with it.

But, once I start to cross-promote on my three sites and then promote the use of http://www.TheWDBHub.com, then I'll be able to 'highlight' each of the three sites separately and will have members in each one independent from one another.

It's interesting that some folks like a 'social networking' site and participate doing commentary (mini-blogs) but don't like the setup or 'feel' of a forums based site. While others go with forums all day long and don't like to 'mingle' with friends right away on social networking sites. Others feel that they don't like any of that 'interaction' and want to express their thoughts on anything they decide to. Those bloggers are more into themselves (not a bad thing, mind you) and would rather carry on this ongoing communication with the world.

Yes, there will be a small loyal group that will become members and even utilize all three types, but not many. So, I wanted to create the 'portal' page so that they could all meet there and go their separate ways to the different sites.

I'm still debating whether to do something as far as a shoutbox or something on TheWDBHub page, but I doubt that I will. I'd rather it be a 'map' or 'directory' to the WDB family of sites

**Soliloquy** · 09-03-2008, 01:56 PM

I'd never heard of a "portal" (at least, not the way you're using the classical sense of the word) page with a shout box, but that's just crazy enough to work

That page will be like a signpost directing travelers to the site of their choice, and maybe these travelers would like to leave little notes for each other. "I'm heading to the forums now, meet you there!"

**ArnyVee** · 09-04-2008, 04:03 AM

LOL...that's what a lot of my ideas seem to be classified as... "just crazy enough to work"

I'm debating that though because of all of the potential spam and garbage that I'd have to put up with I'm sure. I would almost have to have a mod assigned at The Hub at all times to clean that stuff up, I would imagine.

Although, is there a way to have a standalone 'chatbox' (I have zero experience with those things) like that where someone would have to sign up to use it? This way, I can at least keep the spam bots away?

**Soliloquy** · 09-04-2008, 06:57 AM

I know FlashChat can run on its own member system, but maybe you should take a look through hotscripts.com and see if there's anything there that will do the trick.

**ArnyVee** · 09-04-2008, 08:41 AM

I'll take a peek. Thanks for the suggestion.