496 Project Metablog

From BluWiki

Dave and I have launched the Spectrum Spectator, a spectrum policy metablog. The Spectator aggregates feeds from 38 blogs, most of which were suggested by class members (Wireless Policy Resources) or by Sascha Meinrath (one of our esteemed advisors). The metablog's RSS feed is published by FeedBurner. We're using Google Analytics and FeedBurner Analytics to track hits and subscribers.

Hand-off infrastructure

• The spectator is generated using a python script that reads the feeds from the constituent spectrum policy blogs. At present, Dave�s computer runs the script and uploads the new version of the spectator once every hour.
  • In the long run, the script should either run on the host or on one of Christian�s computers. Kristen�s friend (who set up the projectbroadcast.org website) can probably configure the account to support python.
  • planet.py examples/fancy/config.ini generates the output

• The site is basically a stock planetplanet.org distribution. All of the configuration is done in the examples/fancy/config.ini file. (The template files in that directory can change some of the static content and overall look on the site.)
  • To add a new site, append it to the end of the config.ini file

• The feed out of the spectator is generated by planet but the one we advertise is via feedburner.com.
  • Managing the feed: Go to www.feedburner.com. Log in as �spcm496� Click on �Spectrum Spectator� to manage the feed and to track stats (hits, links, subscribers, etc).
    • See Sam or Dave for the password.

• Managing google analytics:
  • Dave has google analytics bugged on each of the spectator pages so that page loads are monitored via Google. This is currently running under Dave's mussulma@gmail.com account, but he can share that with others or setup a class-specific one (like Sam did with feedburner.)

Future considerations

• Enhancing the spectator�s appeal: At present, the spectator is a no-frills metablog. Are there ways to make the spectator more interesting? We could allow readers to vote for best blog or best blog entry, then award �prizes� or razzies on a weekly basis.
  • We decided to do some basic advertising of the blog (maybe email some of the sites involved, make sure that search engines have found it, etc.) and wait. We'll check on things again mid-April to see how much traffic it's gotten and review/act on any feedback we received.