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Friday 18 January 2013

WordPress Plugin Reviews | DISQUS Commenting System

Everyone knows the importance of blog commenting. There are so many different solutions out there today that offer rich features. I recently switched from CommentLuv to DISQUS so I decided to go through all of its features and share them with you. Take a look inside and learn more about DISQUS and how it can benefit your blog or website. This is my WordPress Plugin Reviews of the DISQUS Commenting System.
Importance of Blog Commenting
First off I’d like to say of course it is important to get visitors to comment on your blog. It shows us that as a blogger/writer know that they were interested in the content you wrote. It gives you some affirmation of what your doing is write or wrong. And you know people actually READ your content. Of course another reason you want people to comment on your blog is so that Google will place your articles up higher in the search engines. For me its a little bit of both. I like the interaction when I get it, and the side benefit of the positive SEO to rank higher in the SERPs.
Why I Moved Off of CommentLuv
Personally I love all of the features of what Andy Bailey has done with his incredible plugin. I still think CommentLuv is a great commenting system. The issue I had with it actually has nothing to do with the program itself. Its just the prevalence of up and coming bloggers (like me ironically) who just want to spam a comment to try and get a free back link to their own blogs. With the way Google is now handling potential comment spam? I just can’t risk it.
If you want a quick over view of what CommentLuv is? Read the article below. It truly is an awesome comment system. And I might move back to it at some point in the future 
Read More: Comment Luv WordPress Updates | Black Friday Deal
I’m trying to go just beyond the basic blog. So I wanted something a little more mainstream and easier to manage.

DISQUS Commenting System

So I moved onto DISQUS. DISQUS has been around for a very long time. A lot of large sites are using the system. Not to mention the features and ease of use it has for both the admin of the blog or site it is running on but also for the person wishing to comment. DISQUS states the following:
Disqus (dis·cuss • dï-sküs’) is all about changing the way people think about discussion on the web. We’re big believers in the conversations and communities that form on blogs and other sites.
Formats Supported

Multiple Platforms

The DISQUS comment system supports just about every major platform or website you can imagine. In this review it is for WordPress but all of the features listed are cross-platform compatible.

The formats supported are:
Universal Code – Raw HTML/Javascript to insert into any type of site.
WordPress
Blogger
Tumblr
Squarespace
TypePad
MovableType
Drupal
Joomla
Setup and Install

It was very easy to setup and install. It goes just like every other WordPress plugin:

From your WordPress Admin
Click on Plugins -> Add New
Search for “DISQUS”
Install and Activate.
Sign up for a DISQUS account at http://www.disqus.com and follow the simple setup process.
Import Existing Comments

DISQUS has a feature to allow you to import your existing WordPress comments into DISQUS.
Export XML WordPress Data
Go to Tools -> Export
Select “All content” and click “Download Export Data”
Save it to your Computer
Import Existing Comments to DISQUS (Syncing Comments)

The “Hard” Way
Login to your DISQUS Admin Page
Click on Discussions Tab
Click on the Import Tab underneath it.
Click on Upload and Import WXR Data

The “Easy” Way
Go to DISQUS Plugin Settings
Click on the Export Option.
It will then automatically connect and synch your existing WordPress Comments to DISCUS and automatically add comments you’ve approved onto the WordPress database.

Although this is a great feature unfortunately the system is bogged down when I decided to switch. It took them a week to get caught up and actually do the import. This is something to keep in mine if you decide to switch.
DISQUS Comment Administration

This is the main area where you will be managing any comments that are left on your WordPress blog. This is also where you can manage settings such as the appearance and a whole bunch of other settings.

Comment Administration
Dashboard

This is where you manage comments on your site. You can easily approve/delete/spam comments from the dashboard which integrates with your WordPress site.
All – Lists all comments on your site regardless of status.
Approved – Only list Approved comments.
Pending – Waiting for moderation
Spam – Flagged as SPAM
Deleted – Shows comments you deleted so you can review and un-delete comments if needed.
Email
The great part about the DISQUS system? You can opt to receive emails when someone comments and have the ability to reply and moderate from the email instead of having to go back to the site’s admin window and moderate it from there.
Discussions
Edit - Allows you to set specific authors for each post, update titles, and close old discussions. In this section the main use is where you can lock/unlock comments on specific posts.
Tools – This section provides migration tools to help you manage your comments if you moved to a different platform or domain.
Import – Import tools to take existing comments from WordPress and add them to DISQUS
Export – Tools to allow you to backup your comments on the DISQUS system. This backup will not allow you to manually re-import back to DISQUS though.
Analytics
In this screen you can see how much engagement is happening on your site as well as any revenue earned. You can also see the top commenters on your site. Below is an example of how the graph looks.

DISQUS Analytic Screen
Settings 
This is where you will do your initial settings on how comments are to be displayed on your site.
Configure
Appearance – Adjust the color scheme (light or dark), Typeface to be used and the Admin/Moderator text to be displayed.
Comment Count Link – Adjust your comment counters to be displayed on your articles.
Reaction Count Link – Adjust your reaction counters to be displayed on your artilces.
Site Identity
Shortname – provided to you by DISQUS – in this case it was setup as ‘avgjoegeek’
Website name – Name of your site.
Website URL – URL to your website
Description – Add your site description.
Language – Default language you would like to use.
Community Rules
Guest Commenting – Allow guest commenting on/off
Pre-moderation – Set to None to allow all, Non-Verified – Comments from visitors without verified emails require approval, and All, moderators need to approve all comments.
Links in Comments – Allow URL links in comments or not.
Media Attachments – Allow pictures, links to videos etc in the comments.
Flagged Comments – Control whether you wish to receive an email when a comment has been flagged. Then setup to allow if a comment will be allowed to be displayed if it has been flagged after x amount of times.
Automatic Closing – Auto close comments on articles after x amount of days. You can set this to ’0′ if you wish to keep them open indefinitely.
Social Platform Integration
Twitter @Replies – input your Twitter user names for tweeted comments to @reply
Reactions – Enable mentions of your page on Twitter back into the DISQUS conversation on your site.
Mentions – Allow users to mentoin other users within a DISQUS comment
Discovery
This is where you can monetize and earn additional revenue and/or a list of recent articles below or above your the comments. This can be turned on or off depending on your blog. There is also an option to allow for in-textual links through the use of VigLinks if you wish as well.



Level of Discovery


How it Appears on Site
Choose Your Discovery Level – Set the level of how you wish to have the Discover to look – above or below your comments, just have links to your other articles, or allow “around the web” which you will earn if people click on those links.
How Your Will Look – Provides an example on how your comments will appear in the comment section.
Affiliate Links – Allow in-text links through the use of VigLinks
Paypal Email – Input your PayPal email address.
Blacklist – Input URL’s for sites you do not wish to display on your site.
Moderator Screen
Allow additional people to help moderate comments on your site.

Moderators
Filters

Set up Word, user, IP, or Email filters to white-list/blacklist individuals from commenting onto your site.

Filters
Restricted Words – You can add word filters to remove the ability to filter out certain words from being displayed in the comments.
Blacklists and White-lists – Add filters by User, Email, or IP Address to Blacklist or White-list individuals to your site.
Advanced

Advanced Settings
Default Commenter Avatar – Setup a custom Avatar to be used for those who don’t have a profile picture setup when commenting.
Categories – Categories are used only in conjunction with the DISQUS API
Trusted Domains – You can setup a custom lists of domains which are allowed to connect to your DISQUS comments embed
Akismet – Easily integrate Akismet SPAM protection by inputting their API key to help fight off SPAM.
Delete from DISQUS – If you ever decide to move to a different commenting system you can click this option to wipe out all information from their servers.
Commenting
Commenting couldn’t be any easier now. Your visitors get a multitude of options to login and comment on your website or blog. They can choose to log in using their favorite social media like Facebook or Twitter, use their DISQUS account or if they registered with the blog sign in using that. Or they can comment as a “Guest” (if you allow it) which means they don’t need to log in at all to comment. Visitors can also easily Register with DISQUS right in the Comment screen.

Leave a Comment

Some additional things visitors can do from the Comment window:
Best – Sort comments by Newest, Oldest, or Popular. You can configure comments to default to any of these settings as well in the administration screen.
Community – See other comments from within your website. You can also see a list of other users who has visited and commented on your site as well. If visitors or interested they can click on the link to be taken to that article to take part in the discussion.
Share – Easily share from Facebook or Twitter
Settings – Used as the Login screen or easily administer comments from within the window as well.
Good
The initial pain of setup was actually pretty minimal. It just worked out of the box. There was no having to tweak the WordPress theme, or have to manually do anything to get it to work. It just works – period.
Visitors no longer have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to leave a comment. There is no more having to check a bunch of boxes. They just need to sign in either with their DISQUS or favorite Social Media account and start commenting!
Bad
The bad news? Importing my existing WordPress comments took FOREVER.
You might see a drop in comments on your blog as you are no longer using your prior commenting system.
This site is no longer offering “dofollow” backlinks for other bloggers and I’m sure that is going to affect me a bit.
There is no more check boxes for visitors to easily opt in for my newsletter and special offers.
Conclusion

Overall I really do love the DISQUS commenting system. Its not only easy to use for those wishing to comment. It is even easier to administer comments – without ever having to go into the Admin panel! If you want a system that is fully featured and easy to setup and use? I highly suggest DISQUS.

Thursday 10 January 2013

Toshiba Laptops | The Best Computing Option

Toshiba are market leaders at providing excellent, affordable, functional laptops ideal for everyday use. Whether it’s online shopping, browsing through popular social networking sites, business or extreme gaming use, Toshiba have a portable personal computer to meet every need.

Because they know how we all use laptops in the real world, a huge amount of money and time on research and development of Toshiba laptops is spent to ensure the customer gets a great deal; at the design stage their machines are put through extensive and rigorous stress tests (such as dropping from a height or spilling liquid on test units) in order to provide you with the utmost reliability in the event that an accident happens.

Laptop or Desktop?

When deciding the time is right for an upgrade or even if you are a first-time buyer, one major factor in your choice is the amount of time that you plan to spend using your new machine. Will you be using it in one place primarily for long periods of time? In this case a desktop PC might be the better option where risk of overheating is minimal and there is a reduced need for taking it with you. However, if it’s an important element to have your computer portable – say for example if you are a student that needs to access work in lectures and seminars then a laptop may be the perfect option for you. A laptop would be a good choice for anyone with business needs; for visiting clients or another office whilst easily being able to take documents and files to your destination.
Another factor is the extras that a computer may require depending on the tasks you need to accomplish, for example, many laptops come supplied with inbuilt webcams, Wi-Fi adapters, microphones and many helpful software packages pre-installed to enable out-of-the-box usage. A traditional PC is generally supplied without any extras and may not even be supplied with a monitor depending on the distributor!
All Toshiba laptops also come with the latest version of the Microsoft’s flagship operating system, Windows 8, pre-installed, however the PC may only come with a software disc that you may need to run yourself before you can begin to use it which can be time consuming and frustrating, however customizability is increased with a PC as you have a choice about the available add-ons.

Which laptop is right for me?

To help you make your choice about which Toshiba laptop is more suitable for you than any other, Toshiba split their range up into your needs. If you are a light user and require a budget laptop at an affordable price then their ‘Everyday Computing’ range would suit your requirements. Should you wish to use your laptop more for watching films and extensive gaming Toshiba have an ‘Entertainment and Gaming’ selection to choose from. There is also a range of smaller laptops, sacrificing unneeded performance to save on size and weight for increased portability, and there is also a netbook section which is ideal for web browsing and combines small lightweight design with long battery life. With Toshiba your choice is made easy. If you want to read more about how to choose a laptop you can read the guide below as well.

I personally love Toshiba Laptops. They run great , look great, and for me they are very easy to work on. You can’t go wrong if you decide to purchase one!

Thursday 3 January 2013

15 Famous Blog Posts By Successful Bloggers -2012


2012 was my last fat year!
1/1/2013 4:37:34 PM,  95 COMMENTS
Today is day 4 of my newest "on track" streak! On one of the teams I co-lead, Progress Not Perfection, I've posted a new challenge. Its for NSV'...  Read more
True Change For The New Year- How To
1/1/2013 11:52:28 AM,  260 COMMENTS
Where COULD you be in 2014 if you would lose a meager 1/2 (which most of us think is not enough) pound a week? 26 Pounds thinner! Where could you be...  Read more
The facts of life
12/31/2012 9:01:48 PM,  82 COMMENTS
I was going to blog about something completely different this morning... but my thoughts were kind of disjointed and I decided I'd best let THAT blog...  Read more
IF SPARKPEOPLE IS SO GREAT, WHY AM I NOT THIN?
12/31/2012 1:25:09 PM,  215 COMMENTS
There was a post on a thread recently that asked “Does anyone have a success story” and this intrigued me and I began to think about an answer. Even t...  Read more
2013 New Years Resolutions
12/31/2012 11:49:26 AM,  4 COMMENTS
Will it's time to make my list. Been working on deciding what my goals or going to be for over a week. Even went through and read some of the spa...  Read more
An end and a beginning
12/31/2012 10:13:08 AM,  173 COMMENTS
Well, it's mid-afternoon on new year's eve as I write this. I'm going to a ballet later, which is a good choice for someone who's trying not to consu...  Read more
The Hardest Blog Ever Written.
12/30/2012 5:19:02 PM,  258 COMMENTS
I have met the enemy...and he is me. I have made the decision to go for counseling. That one sentence embodies the toughest decision I have ever...  Read more
We adopted!
12/29/2012 3:34:45 PM,  118 COMMENTS
This is our newest family member. She's 5 years old and a total sweetheart! She's a chocolate based red longhair dachshund. She's got a serene deme...  Read more
Commitment
12/28/2012 7:33:33 AM,  8 COMMENTS
It was just a week ago, I selected one card from Lynn Andrews' "Power Deck" and it was the card entitled, "Commitment." Andrews writes: "You need co...  Read more
"No rum balls for you.You are on a diet" and cookies in the disposal..Xmas maintenance
12/27/2012 10:29:13 AM,  141 COMMENTS
I have lost 117 pounds and am in one year and three months of maintenance. One of my tools to stay focused during the holidays is to get rid of the...  Read more
I've had enough! I sent DH packing out the door this morning...
12/26/2012 9:04:47 AM,  192 COMMENTS
198 .... with all the leftover Holiday Goody Temptations!!! 18 I didnt do too badly as I didnt make or buy much, but some goodies got brought a...  Read more
looking back to move forward
12/26/2012 5:35:01 AM,  133 COMMENTS
before i start my reflections blog i want to take this oputunity to thank each and every one of you for all your support,love,encouragement and inspir...  Read more
A castle for Christmas
12/24/2012 4:15:01 PM,  109 COMMENTS
Hello dear Sparkfriends! One month without a hike! :( Honestly, the weather hasn’t been wonderful lately, and I have missed my hikes! Finally tod...  Read more
There's something to this EATING MORE stuff.
12/19/2012 9:04:20 AM,  64 COMMENTS
On the 6th, my husband gave me a Body Media Fit for St. Nick's Day. It was originally meant to be a Christmas gift, but he knew how badly I wanted it,...  Read more
What I learned on the school bus on the way to MAINTENANCE
12/12/2012 8:31:45 AM,  78 COMMENTS
They say the REAL education takes place on the bus on the WAY TO school. The education about real life.58 Perhaps the same goes for the weight ma...  Read more

15 Most Applicable Mobile application for Mythological Entertainment

15 Essential, Bro-Worthy Apps for Your New iPhone 4
The new iPhone 4 was released today, with lines stretching around Apple stores for blocks and early complaints of users losing "bars" in their AT&T service whenever they held the outer edges of their devices. Yes, that's right, actually holding the new iPhone 4 on the metal edges that double as the device's antenna will cause it to lose service. You can't make this stuff up. Any Bro who is lucky enough to already have an iPhone (and who's patient enough to endure the shoddy AT&T service) knows how addicting the little rectangle is. The App store has over 100,000 applications, with prices that vary from free to over a thousand bucks, and apps that range from checking the weather to finding some tail for a one-nighter. If you took the plunge today and bought your first iPhone, here is a list of 15 essential iPhone apps to get your collection started. We'll add more to our list each week, and include Apps for the BlackBerry and Android systems as well. Add your own suggestions in the Comments.
  
1. Trapster (Free)
Trapster
When my buddy told me about this it blew my mind. Trapster finds your location via the GPS in the phone, displays a Google-esque map, and shows you the shady places local police hang out. The only downfall is that its not an actual live feed to where cops actually are, but Trapster points out the most likely locations for speed traps, DWI checks, road hazards, and a variety of other services. Currently Trapster boasts over 6 million users and allows anyone to point out a spot where they recently saw a police trap. This is a great app for any road trip or night out on the town. Best part -- it's free. [Editor's Note: This is still no excuse for drunk driving. Don't drink and drive.]



2. Picture Safe ($1.99)
Picture
Admit it, you definitely have nekked pictures of your girlfriend, your ex-girlfriend, and maybe even yourself on your phone right now. Picture Safe creates a folder where you can store pictures and other information behind a password-protected vault. It's really basic, easy to use, and, to be honest, has saved my ass more then a few times.



3. PMS Buddy ($0.99)
PMS
Have a girlfriend or significant other who gets EXTRA moody around the same time every month? PMS Buddy displays a meter of how close the old ball and chain is to that dreadful week that every Bro fears. Whether you want to get all sappy and be extra nice to her, or avoid her at all costs and hang with the Bros, PMS Buddy has your back.


4. Men's Health Workouts ($1.99)
1000
This App is for all your Brolic meatheads and little pups who need to get their weight up. Stack this app with some N.O. Explode and whey protein, then go get your flex on at the beach this summer. The app itself has tons of different workouts and a training log to monitor track times, reps, and actual progress. Upgrades and expansions are also available for an extra price.


5. The Scoop NYC (Free)
NYTimes
Whether you need a good place to take a broad out for a date or you're just in town visiting some fellow Bros, The Scoop will make sure your experience in NYC is complete. A new offering by the New York Times, The Scoop uses resources from the newspaper to display their critics' favorite restaurants, bars, and events in New York City. It's updated regularly by the NYT staff and also allows you to mark down the places you've been and your personal review so you can share with friends.


 
6. SI Swimsuit 2010 (Free)
SI
It's classy enough that you can look through pictures in public, but hot enough to get you through the day. The infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has officially gone mobile and now you have the ability to scroll through pictures and watch videos of some of the most beautiful women on the planet, instantly. New updates to the app allow you to save high-res pictures directly to your photo bin, save your favorite videos for offline viewing, and now use the "pinch and zoom" function to zoom in on some of your favorite shots. Paid upgrades are also available for extra content.


 
7. DatPiff Mobile (Free)
DatPiff
DatPiff.com is an online archive of Hip Hop mix tapes, where you can download or stream music right to your computer and now to your iPhone. Get the hottest tapes from Don Cannon, DJ Ill Will, Biggy Jiggy Mixtapes, and DJ WhiteOwl, as well as sponsored tapes from any of your favorite hip-hop musicians. Save your favorites and listen to the newest hip hop before it hits the shelves. Great app for any Hip Hop enthusiast.


8. Pizza Hut (Free)
Pizza
Too high to get off the couch? This app is for all you stoner Bros out there who consider pizza a daily food group. The Pizza Hut App allows you to custom make your own pizza and side dishes then order the pizza to your pad without calling or anything. You also get some pretty sweet discounts and coupons from the "virtual fridge" and the app itself is free, too. Strangely, neither Domino's nor Papa John's have similar apps.


9. iKamasutram ($1.99)
iKamaSutram
If things are getting lame in the sack with your current squeeze or you're just looking to break out a few new techniques to impress the ladies, iKamasutram can show you a move or two. As a mobile version of the infamous Kama Sutra, the app displays over 100 sex positions with clear and precise illustrations. No internet connection is needed and there are no mobile advertisements. Now go get some.


 
10. Beer Button (Free)
Beer
This is a great application for any bro in need of some booze. Beer Button uses the built-in GPS to find your location, then lists the closest liquor stores to you. It's really easy to use and comes in extra handy when your in a new city.


The Gold Standards

1. Google (Free)
Google
I guess it's only a matter of time before google completely takes over the world, so if you can't beat em', join em. The Google application is really simple, which is why it's such a great tool. After you type in a search you can tap any link with your fingertip and view the result while still staying in the google application (instead of having to close out of the app and re-open the link in Safari). Voice search is what really makes this app the bee's knee's — it's shockingly accurate (if you're not in too loud of a spot) and perfect if your hands are tied up.


2. ESPN Score Center (Free)
ESPN
A must-have app on which you can follow your favorite teams, check scores and game times, and even receive push notifications for instant updates. It's one of the most useful applications in the store and a must download for any sports enthusiast.


3. Pandora Radio (Free)
Pandora
Just type in a musician or genre of music that you enjoy and Pandora will form a playlist tailored to your interests. It's a great way to listen to commercial-free music and find new artists. Even better, the new iPhone 4 allows for multi-tasking, which is build precisely for Pandora: you can listen to streaming music while using any other function on your phone.

  
4. Remote (Free)
Remote
This application is one of the major reasons why the iPhone is so cool. It turns your iPhone into a remote control that takes over iTunes on your computer and allows you to pick what to play through your speaker system. It also controls Apple TV if your lucky enough to have one, all from the palm of your hand.

  
5. Shazam (Free)
Shazam
When the iPhone App store first launched, Shazam was the app that everyone was buzzing about, and for good reason. If you're in a bar and a song comes on that you can't instantly identify, Shazam will listen to a short sampling of the song and let you know the artist and song. These days, it's still one of the most ingenious, yet simplest Apps to have.