Frequently Asked Questions
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What is PDC Bloggers?
What is a Blog?
Who can be a PDC Blogger?
In what language should I post to my Blog?
Microsoft PDC already started. Can I still submit my blog?
Do I have to move/change my blog?
What do I blog about at PDC?
What is The Daily Grind?
How do you choose posts for the main aggregated feeds?
How can I start a blog?
How can I subscribe to (monitor) the PDC Bloggers?
Can I publish the OPML directory on my website?
Can I publish the PDCbloggers.net RSS feeds on my website?
Who created and runs PDC Bloggers?
What is PDC Bloggers?
We put up this site in hopes of connecting bloggers interested in
Microsoft PDC and the technologies associated with the event. We thought it would be cool to
have a place to connect bloggers interested in the event: whether or not they are attending the event.
To make this happen, the PDC Bloggers website provides the following:
-
An OPML Directory - A directory of bloggers published in a popular
format used by news aggregators. The format for the directory is based on OPML™
[?]
. You can submit your blog to the directory using the Add Your Blog on the main
page. The OPML Directory is the primary feature of this website. At a minimum,
this will allow PDC bloggers to download the list, import and monitor each
others blogs, and enjoy enhanced connectivity with each other.
-
Aggregated RSS Feeds - We will actively monitor all blogs listed in the
OPML Directory and aggregate posts pertinent to the PDC to the various feeds
provided on this site. We've created several topical categories for readers to
monitor in addition to a Main category that will contain all aggregated posts.
The categories and RSS feeds are listed on the right side of the main PDC
Bloggers page. Only a portion of each post will be quoted in the main feed and
then readers will be directed to your blog for commenting, linking, etc. For
quoted posts, the Comments and Add Comment links will not appear below the post
on this page and the PermaLink will point at the permanent link provided by
your feed. There may be some other ways to direct users to your blog that we
can work in as well.
What is a Blog?
Dave Winer recently created a nice breakdown of blogs (weblogs)
in an article named "What
makes a weblog a weblog?".
Who can be a PDC Blogger?
Anyone interested in contributing their thoughts about the Microsoft PDC or
associated technologies can add their blog to PDC Bloggers. Please note: you DO
NOT have to be an attendee. However, we do check the information submitted for
obvious errors, appropriate language and valid urls before posting it to the
list.
In what language should I post to my Blog?
Good question, one goal when we created PDC Bloggers was to not require any changes
to your blog and how you post to your blog. Therefore, you can post to your blog in
any language you are comfortable writing. We are sometimes able to aggregate posts
written in languages other than English to the main feed by using
http://babelfish.altavista.com/ as a language translator. Keep in mind, your blog
will be viewed by people all over the world. If you have any questions, email
info@pdcbloggers.net.
Microsoft PDC already started. Can I still submit my
blog?
Sure. In fact, you can submit your blog anytime during or after
the event. We will continue to aggregate posts for as long as people are still
talking about the PDC in their blogs.
Do I have to move/change my blog?
No. In fact, we don't actually host any blogs at
PDCBloggers.net. There are various ways to host a blog and as long as you can
provide a link to your blog and a link to an RSS based news feed for your blog,
we can aggregate it into the PDC Bloggers feed. We do not limit blogs to any
set of service providers or software packages.
What do I blog about at PDC?
You can blog about the sessions, exhibit hall, auxiliary events
or other activities, parties, and crazy things you do in the evenings. You can
also photo blog if you take photographs during the event. It’s important that
posts to your blog are given some context by mentioning the Microsoft PDC.
Otherwise, we may not know to include that entry in the feed.
How do you choose posts for the main aggregated feeds?
Most posts that appear in your blog that relate to the Microsoft
PDC or technologies discussed at the PDC will appear in the feed as long as we
can determine they are in fact about the event. Mentioning the Microsoft PDC in
the post will help. There are a few exceptions, for example, very short posts
will probably not be picked for the main feed.
Threaded discussions between one or more blogs will only appear if the replies
in the discussion add significant information to the original post. Our thought
here is that we link to the original post and then the reader can use the
various forward and backward links inherent to blogs to follow the
conversation.
How can I start a blog?
You can start a blog by visiting one of the various blogging
services or by downloading blogging software and hosting it on your own server
or at your hosting provider. Refer to the setup instructions of the blogging
provider for how to setup and get started with a blog. Here are a few blog
services and software packages that are written on the .NET platform:
MSN Spaces
GeeksWithBlogs.net
DasBlog
Radio UserLand
Weblogs @ Asp.Net
DotNetJunkies
SqlJunkies
How can I subscribe to (monitor) the PDC Bloggers?
The individual blogs as well as the category feeds at PDC
Bloggers are marked with the 
logo. This means you can use a news aggregator to regularly download and
display the current list of posts for a particular feed. Here is a list of some
popular news aggregators:
SharpReader
FeedDemon
RSS Bandit
NewsGator
Can I publish the OPML directory on my website?
Yes. If you're super nice, you'll give TechEdBloggers.net credit
and a link. Our thanks in advance!
Can I publish the PDCBloggers.net RSS feeds on my website?
Yes. However, the RSS feeds take a lot of effort to maintain.
You must give PDCBloggers.net credit and a link. Use "by PDCBloggers" as the
text for the link (http://pdcbloggers.net).
Who created and runs PDC Bloggers?
PDC Bloggers is operated by InDepth Technology.
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