March 2008 Archives

Podcasting support for Movable Type just got better. In this most recent release of the Podcasting plugin for Movable Type, iTunes support has been rounded making it easier than ever before to get your podcast listed and listed properly within the iTunes Music Store. This latest release adds the following features:

• a complete RSS feed that includes all of the proper iTunes meta data.
• an enhanced submission form that collects addition information about your podcast including its duration, whether it contains explicit material, a subtitle, summary, keywords and more.
• additional plugin options to capture important information about your blog so that its listing within iTunes can be finely tuned.
• support for basic authentication to access podcasts located behind a username and password.
• enhanced error messaging when linking to feeds.

This release is a necessary and important step to help make Movable Type the premiere self-hosted podcasting platform on the planet. I am excited by this release and am growing even more excited about the next one, which may include any number of the following features:

• download statistics for your podcasts
• iTunes notification pings
• auto-podcast submission to iTunes

But this plugin has been more the result of the feedback I have heard from folks like Bud Gibson, Todd Cochrane and others. So I anxiously await hearing from the Movable Type user community what they would like to see in the next version.

Following the request of a user I have updated the Promote This plugin for Movable Type, the plugin similar to the Socialize plugin for WordPress to include support for Technorati and Ma.gnolia. Thanks for the suggestion cognitive dissident!

Following quickly on the heels of Cutline and 2813, I am happy to announce the availability of the popular Hemingway theme for Movable Type 4 users. For this theme however I can take no credit - I am merely a hosting facility for the CSS handy work done by my friend and co-worker Bryan Tighe.

Installation is simple and quick. See for yourself. Then, when you are done, join the Hemingway Showcase!

A couple of days ago I released Cutline for Movable Type 4. Now I am getting around to re-releasing 2813 for Movable Type 4.

It is a simple theme for simple sites and blogs. It is not done yet, so if you are interested in helping test it out, I would be grateful. Installing it easy too - you don't even need to download anything. Just point Movable Type at this blog and you are done.

Or check out the live demo.

About twice a month for the last year I have been getting requests to update my port of the Cutline theme to Movable Type 4.x. Today I am happy to announce that I have a first draft of the updated theme now available for MT4. Installing it is actually simple: there is nothing to download. Just copy and paste a URL into Movable Type and you are done. Seriously.

I have created a live demo of the theme for people to check out. I intend to publish there more information about the theme as well as any other information that may prove helpful to users. If you need help, please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Thanks to Jesse for the wonderful recipe:

• 1 part annoyance
• 1 part controversy
• 2 parts stubborn
• a pinch of right (optional)

Add together into a large glass of KoolAid and stir vigorously. Keep stirring and stirring and stirring, never drink.

Please add your review of this wonder recipe in the comments below.

While on a recent trip to New York, my wife helped to lessen the distance between me, her and Harper by having Harper, our very own "Seasame Street Bureau Chief" go on assignment to report on his day-to-day activities.

I missed them so much.

• Your Daily Kid: Monday
• Your Daily Kid: Tuesday
• Your Daily Kid: Wednesday
• Your Daily Kid: Thursday

There are soooo many people I am honored to work with at Six Apart, but Anil Dash really stands out for me. Not just because he is witty, and I am sooo, sooo not, but because he can walk into any room, walk up to any person, and within seconds form a real connection with them. It is an enviable and amazing quality.

Which is why of course that Battle Decks is the perfect stage for him: