Comments on: Sociable Is The New Black http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black A traveling geek's blog on development, games, and the web Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:41:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Social Bookmarks - Bad for Blogs? at Content Quake http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-9723 Social Bookmarks - Bad for Blogs? at Content Quake Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:02:50 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-9723 [...] I think I side with Rand on this more than the others, and the three above are not the only ones talking about it either. Social bookmarking icons on blogs to me are a positive thing. It allows readers to virally get the word out about an article to an unlimited number of readers. If I like an article and send it to 10 people via email, and they send it to 20 others, chances are it will not be seen by nearly as many as if the article got 20 diggs. [...] [...] I think I side with Rand on this more than the others, and the three above are not the only ones talking about it either. Social bookmarking icons on blogs to me are a positive thing. It allows readers to virally get the word out about an article to an unlimited number of readers. If I like an article and send it to 10 people via email, and they send it to 20 others, chances are it will not be seen by nearly as many as if the article got 20 diggs. [...]

]]> By: Michael Maggard http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-9596 Michael Maggard Thu, 02 Nov 2006 03:28:49 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-9596 I don’t use Sociable on the blogs I’m responsible for, but do appreciate it’s function. I’ve even clicked on Sociable-supplied inks a few times to add to my own bookmarks. And yes, misuse/overuse of Sociable, like over anything else, can indeed become “NASCAR”-y. Moving all to default gray scale is certainly one way to harmonize the visual cacophony, but then you run into the issue of grays not looking right with the rest of the blog. So what about offering custom palettes? PNG files are compact, offer the alpha-transparency some of the icons seem to use, and have (relatively) easy to edit color tables. I realize it’s a significantly more complex matter to custom recolor the icons but the results would indeed be harmonious. Enter in the colors being used on the website, click generate, and enjoy the now harmonized icons. Tables of intermediate & closest-approximation colors are trivial to generate and yield impressive, generally attractive, results. Sure the Delicious icon wouldn’t be a black & blue checkerboard but now a teal & beige one (until hovered over), so what? These icons are house guests on a blog and should be reasonable about their accommodations. Of course you’d be relying on external image processing libraries being present on the local systems, something that isn’t going to be universal. A work-around would be offering a service on the Sociable homepage to automagically generate icon packs for folks. Asking for a $5 donation would likely cover the increased overhead, possibly even cover all of the hosting bills. Again, it’d be a lot more complexity, but the result would be making so many blogs look nicer. (Thinking about it, a clever Photoshop or Fireworks user should be able to write a script to do all of this within those or like applications. Anyone up for it?) I don’t use Sociable on the blogs I’m responsible for, but do appreciate it’s function. I’ve even clicked on Sociable-supplied inks a few times to add to my own bookmarks.

And yes, misuse/overuse of Sociable, like over anything else, can indeed become “NASCAR”-y.

Moving all to default gray scale is certainly one way to harmonize the visual cacophony, but then you run into the issue of grays not looking right with the rest of the blog. So what about offering custom palettes?

PNG files are compact, offer the alpha-transparency some of the icons seem to use, and have (relatively) easy to edit color tables. I realize it’s a significantly more complex matter to custom recolor the icons but the results would indeed be harmonious.

Enter in the colors being used on the website, click generate, and enjoy the now harmonized icons.

Tables of intermediate & closest-approximation colors are trivial to generate and yield impressive, generally attractive, results. Sure the Delicious icon wouldn’t be a black & blue checkerboard but now a teal & beige one (until hovered over), so what? These icons are house guests on a blog and should be reasonable about their accommodations.

Of course you’d be relying on external image processing libraries being present on the local systems, something that isn’t going to be universal. A work-around would be offering a service on the Sociable homepage to automagically generate icon packs for folks. Asking for a $5 donation would likely cover the increased overhead, possibly even cover all of the hosting bills.

Again, it’d be a lot more complexity, but the result would be making so many blogs look nicer.

(Thinking about it, a clever Photoshop or Fireworks user should be able to write a script to do all of this within those or like applications. Anyone up for it?)

]]> By: Eduo http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-9566 Eduo Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:32:44 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-9566 I had the sociable plugin active for a while. I decided to take it away because it was confusing even myself in my own posts. After thinking it over I have to agree that giving the option of hiding them so only people that know about them can see them would be a great option. This can already be done by anyone with a medium knowledge of html and a javascript toggle function that affects a small block (or using a :hover CSS style to show the content, but we know how those work in some browsers). I had the sociable plugin active for a while. I decided to take it away because it was confusing even myself in my own posts.

After thinking it over I have to agree that giving the option of hiding them so only people that know about them can see them would be a great option.

This can already be done by anyone with a medium knowledge of html and a javascript toggle function that affects a small block (or using a :hover CSS style to show the content, but we know how those work in some browsers).

]]> By: paul http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-9473 paul Wed, 01 Nov 2006 11:14:20 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-9473 "Its far easier to cut something down than create." Wrong, its easier to shove things in than to make the difficult choice to leave something out. “Its far easier to cut something down than create.”

Wrong, its easier to shove things in than to make the difficult choice to leave something out.

]]> By: Terrin http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-4607 Terrin Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:33:23 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-4607 I am sorry if this is the wrong place for this comment. I, however, did not know where to post it. I excitedly installed your plugin on my stepfather's site that I manage for him. It, however, interferes with the magpier plugin.The exact error messeage is: "Fatal error: Cannot redeclare parse_w3cdtf() (previously declared in /home/watching/public_html/wp-includes/rss-functions.php:772) in /home/watching/public_html/wp-content/plugins/kiwi/includes/magpierss/rss_utils.inc on line 2" Any clue on how to fix this? The site is watchingpolitcs.com. When I activate sociable, my "elsewhere links" disappear. The theme I use is a modifed version of Kiwi. I am sorry if this is the wrong place for this comment. I, however, did not know where to post it. I excitedly installed your plugin on my stepfather’s site that I manage for him. It, however, interferes with the magpier plugin.The exact error messeage is:

“Fatal error: Cannot redeclare parse_w3cdtf() (previously declared in /home/watching/public_html/wp-includes/rss-functions.php:772) in /home/watching/public_html/wp-content/plugins/kiwi/includes/magpierss/rss_utils.inc on line 2″

Any clue on how to fix this? The site is watchingpolitcs.com. When I activate sociable, my “elsewhere links” disappear. The theme I use is a modifed version of Kiwi.

]]> By: David Bradley Science Writer http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-3647 David Bradley Science Writer Thu, 07 Sep 2006 16:44:22 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-3647 I like this plugin, I've hacked it a little and will certainly upgrade to get the "greyed out" version. By the way, what are the most popule SBS? Digg, Del.icio.us Fark, Yahoo! Right/Wrong (del as applic.) I like this plugin, I’ve hacked it a little and will certainly upgrade to get the “greyed out” version.

By the way, what are the most popule SBS? Digg, Del.icio.us Fark, Yahoo!

Right/Wrong (del as applic.)

]]> By: BobsLog http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-2646 BobsLog Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:16:33 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-2646 <strong>Social Networking...</strong> A plugin to help in this area is available. It is the second “available here” that is clickable(Im learning, but this doesn’t come easially) available here ...... Social Networking…

A plugin to help in this area is available. It is the second “available here” that is clickable(Im learning, but this doesn’t come easially)
available here

……

]]> By: BobsLog http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-2647 BobsLog Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:16:33 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-2647 <strong>Social Networking...</strong> A plugin to help in this area is available. It is the second “available here” that is clickable(Im learning, but this doesn’t come easially) available here ...... Social Networking…

A plugin to help in this area is available. It is the second “available here” that is clickable(Im learning, but this doesn’t come easially)
available here

……

]]> By: Changing Way » Blog Archive » Social Bookmark Icons http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-310 Changing Way » Blog Archive » Social Bookmark Icons Sat, 20 May 2006 04:06:24 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-310 [...] In fact, there is a WordPress plugin: Sociable. And Paul Harkin, its author, has posted the refreshing statement that “lots of links to social bookmarking sites at the end of your posts are ugly.” Good for him. [...] [...] In fact, there is a WordPress plugin: Sociable. And Paul Harkin, its author, has posted the refreshing statement that “lots of links to social bookmarking sites at the end of your posts are ugly.” Good for him. [...]

]]> By: Social Networking - Bobs Niched Blog http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-283 Social Networking - Bobs Niched Blog Wed, 17 May 2006 18:54:43 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-283 [...] A plugin to help in this area is available [...] [...] A plugin to help in this area is available [...]

]]> By: the r-blog » Social Bookmarking, and WordPress http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-114 the r-blog » Social Bookmarking, and WordPress Fri, 21 Apr 2006 11:53:09 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-114 [...] They’re Distracting and Weird-looking, Those Icons Yes. Yes, they are, aren’t they? All different colors, designs, styles. What is a self-respecting blogger to do? One guy made the images grayscale until you hovered over them. Peter Harkin, the author of Sociable, notes that he’s going to include this feature in the next version. However, I think I like my solution better. I’ve made the icons semi-transparent until you hover over them. That way, they still have their identifying colors, but they recede into my design a bit more. Let me know what you think! [...] [...] They’re Distracting and Weird-looking, Those Icons Yes. Yes, they are, aren’t they? All different colors, designs, styles. What is a self-respecting blogger to do? One guy made the images grayscale until you hovered over them. Peter Harkin, the author of Sociable, notes that he’s going to include this feature in the next version. However, I think I like my solution better. I’ve made the icons semi-transparent until you hover over them. That way, they still have their identifying colors, but they recede into my design a bit more. Let me know what you think! [...]

]]> By: maxpower http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-86 maxpower Sat, 08 Apr 2006 04:45:15 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-86 Peter, almost everything people do on the net is critique. Weigh in with their opinions. Screw them. You have created something. Its far easier to cut something down than create. Empowering people by giving them options is a wonderful thing. Your question as to which sites to include is a valid one. The answer in my mind is clear: only the popular sites. Young startups shouldn't be included unless they are popular. You decide, its your baby. So assume you have every single SBS in the list. You don't have to have them all enabled by default. Enable only the most important. Perhaps only Digg and del.icio.us. This might be the happy meduim. Initially, when we first started talking, I had envisioned a companion page on social bookmarking sites to advise various website owners as to which SBS they should use. I have been diligently working away on such a page from Sociable V0.01 (the hideous hack ver ;)), describing <a href="http://www.maxpower.ca/bookmarking/" rel="nofollow">social bookmarking</a> and would love feedback as well. Keep up the good work! Peter, almost everything people do on the net is critique. Weigh in with their opinions. Screw them. You have created something. Its far easier to cut something down than create. Empowering people by giving them options is a wonderful thing.

Your question as to which sites to include is a valid one. The answer in my mind is clear: only the popular sites. Young startups shouldn’t be included unless they are popular. You decide, its your baby.

So assume you have every single SBS in the list. You don’t have to have them all enabled by default. Enable only the most important. Perhaps only Digg and del.icio.us. This might be the happy meduim.

Initially, when we first started talking, I had envisioned a companion page on social bookmarking sites to advise various website owners as to which SBS they should use. I have been diligently working away on such a page from Sociable V0.01 (the hideous hack ver ;)), describing social bookmarking and would love feedback as well. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: BillyG http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-84 BillyG Sat, 08 Apr 2006 03:11:41 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-84 I've had this loaded since the first day you came out with it and once setting it to the multiple icons that I have, I haven't looked back. It sounds like you are griping at everybody for using it that doesn't have just a few icons like yourself. To me, that's what diversity an choices are all about, I don't understand what the problem is. I would love to see it greyed out unless it was hovered over, that takes care of different theme's color pallettes and makes it a little fancy at the same time, great idea. Thanks again. I’ve had this loaded since the first day you came out with it and once setting it to the multiple icons that I have, I haven’t looked back. It sounds like you are griping at everybody for using it that doesn’t have just a few icons like yourself. To me, that’s what diversity an choices are all about, I don’t understand what the problem is.

I would love to see it greyed out unless it was hovered over, that takes care of different theme’s color pallettes and makes it a little fancy at the same time, great idea.

Thanks again.

]]> By: Rachel C http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-79 Rachel C Fri, 07 Apr 2006 06:09:02 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-79 Hi Peter, Thanks for your response. I should clarify that I still think your plugin is useful. A lot of people really *want* social bookmarking icons on their blogs and while I think they seem cluttersome, others won't :) You make it really easy for those people to have that feature on their blog - your plugin is well-written. Cheers Rachel Hi Peter,

Thanks for your response. I should clarify that I still think your plugin is useful. A lot of people really *want* social bookmarking icons on their blogs and while I think they seem cluttersome, others won’t :)

You make it really easy for those people to have that feature on their blog – your plugin is well-written.

Cheers
Rachel

]]> By: Stu http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black/comment-page-1#comment-75 Stu Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:50:03 +0000 http://push.cx/2006/sociable-is-the-new-black#comment-75 I've <a href="http://tossr.com/2006/04/05/the-sociable-tossr/" rel="nofollow">just added Sociable to my blog</a> but moved the icons into the "These icons link to social bookmarking sites..." box, which does a good job of making the clutter invisible -- until you hover over the tagline, anyway! I’ve just added Sociable to my blog but moved the icons into the “These icons link to social bookmarking sites…” box, which does a good job of making the clutter invisible — until you hover over the tagline, anyway!

]]>