MyBlogLog updates reader widget, releases API

Filed under: Internet, Blogging, Web services, web 2.0

MyBlogLog updates reader widget, releases API

by Brad Linder Feb 15th 2008

We have to admit we haven't given much thought to blogging community site MyBlogLog over the last year or so. The service launched as a way for bloggers to get in touch with one another and find new sites they might be interested in. But Technorati and Google Blog Search are both much more useful for finding blogs covering topics you care about.

But that doesn't mean there's no value in MyBlogLog. The service offers a couple of web site tools including a free and subscription analytics package and a "recent visitors widget," that shows the profiles of other MyBlogLog members who have visited your page. And this week MyBlogLog rolled out an updated and much improved version of that widget.

Not only does the new widget have a slick Web 2.0 look and feel, but when you hover your mouse over the name or image of a recent visitor, you see link to their MyBlogLog profile and links to their web sites. This adds value for anyone who publishes the widget on their site, and also creates an incentive for bloggers and web publishers to sign up for a MyBlogLog account since there's a better chance that someone might see their profile on a random page and click through to their site.

To get the widget, just login to your MyBlogLog account and click the "Get Widgets" button to get the HTML embed code.

In related news, MyBlogLog recently released an API that lets third party developers create applications using MyBlogLog data. The coolest one we've seen so far is Kent Brewster's Blog Juice bookmarklet.

All you have to do is drag Brewster's bookmarklet to your browser toolbar. Then whenever you visit a page that's registered with MyBlogLog, you can click the bookmarklet to get detailed information on recent visitors. It's not as pretty as the official widget, but it provides far more information and works on sites that don't have the widget installed.

[via Somewhat Frank and ReadWriteWeb]

Tags: api, blog-juice, mybloglog, widget

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Riaz Kanani said 11:05AM on 2-15-2008

*sighs* I like the overlay, but the design just doesn't integrate as well as the old one - why can I not select a white background or even lose the border - even better let me choose my own preferred colour - rather than a preset :(

and seeing as I seem to be first here.. there is some definite iphone inspiration going on with that design

Chris Leckness said 11:46AM on 2-15-2008

Wow. That Chris L. guys is an ugly dude!

I use MyBlogLog because it's a good way for readers to feel more part of the community.

jim buchman said 4:34PM on 3-07-2008

How do I access/download your application updates?

Where is there a listing of ALL of your applications to review for possible downloading?

I like everything you guys do, so I may soon need a bigger harddrive. Please keep it up!

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

View more Time Wasters