I took my cue from some on the videoblogging list that suggest a HUGE part of "videoblogging" is about interaction. And I took this to mean, first, "commenting".
So what does an aggregator developer do? Seek out how to implement this "very important" aspect of blogging in general. Some of RSS (and the way that many people write their RSS items/messages) is dependant on a "connected aggregator". Which means people will use the <comments> RSS 2.0 element. This is defined to be a URL that takes the user to a comments page IN THEIR BROWSER. Any time a user MUST interact with a web page (such as accessing a URL, typing into fields, and pressing a SUBMIT button) it is assuming a "connected aggregator". While this may be fine for most cases, it is NOT fine when the user is NOT using a connected aggregator. Anybody thinking Mobile? A mobile connection is sometimes available. But a lot of times, neither a cell phone connection nor a WiFi hotspot is available. When a user taps a link (for instance on a Pocket PC), and an internet connection is not available, the user can't interact any more. Can't read, can't submit, can't communicate, can't comment. As we move away from the destop aggregator and onto semi-connected mobile devices, this will continue to be a big problem. In my brief search in how to implement comments, there are (at least) four solutions: 1) Link to comments web page on HTML version of feed, but nothing in RSS. Horrible HORRIBLE for those not viewing your feed on the Web. 2) URL using RSS 2.0 <comments> element Horrible interface for semi-connected devices. When a user is ready to comment, they might not be connected. How will they comment? 3) Blog post with trackback This is possible to do semi-connected, but requires the user to have a blog. Is this really likely? For members of this group, yes, but probably not for another 5-10 years in the general population. 4) CommentApi using <wfw:comments> Great solution for semi-connected users. User can cache comments locally until connected. All fields and protocol predefined. 5) And number five: ATOM will (does?) likely have a way to make comments in a semi-connected manner, but I haven't verified that yet. So...Speak up. Do you allow comments to your videoblog? Which of the ways above are implemented on your videoblog? I took a look at two proponents of interactive videoblogs (I'm a little bit sorry for calling you out, but correct me if I'm wrong on any of this!) Andreas' blog looks like it only has trackbacks to blog posts on another (presumably your own) blog. Josh Leo's Picks has URLs only on the HTML version of the blog. The FeedBurner version has no indication of any comment capability. Granted, this may be a limitation of FeedBurner feeds in general (I'm not sure yet). Comments? Suggestions? Corrections? Greg Smith Author, FeederReader - Pocket PC *direct* RSS text, audio, video, podcasts www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get Bzzzy! (real tools to help you find a job). Welcome to the Sweet Life. http://us.click.yahoo.com/A77XvD/vlQLAA/TtwFAA/lBLqlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
