This was one of those post that slipped through the cracks. but better late than too late.10 days ago Disqus released version 2.0 of their Wordpress Plugin. this offers a better integration for Wordpress users than any other Social Commenting System (or alternate, if you will) for Wordpress blogs. they have highlighted the following changes:
WordPress Plugin 2.0
We’ve been working on improving integration with platforms. Available now, the new WordPress-Disqus plugin 2.0 features the following:
This update makes it easier than ever to try Disqus out.
Note about import: Comments imported into Disqus will be initially unclaimed. People can merge these comments with their Disqus profiles simply by claiming the comments.
The WordPress plugin is just one of the first uses of our new, revamped APIs, which we built to open Disqus up to developers. There are currently some developers using our API for custom integrations or connecting web applications with the Disqus network. We are still polishing up our public documentation, but they will be available soon.
Faster
Disqus now has a new look. The look itself isn’t faster — it’s accessing your stuff that is now speedier. The entire interface was retooled to improve how you use Disqus. Not only is using Disqus faster, we’ve worked on making the entire service quicker. We know many people trust our service to be fast and reliable so we spent some time making sure we’re delivering on this.
The New Homepage for Commenters
The new Disqus homepage is completely focused on you, the commenter. From the homepage, you are able to view your and friends’ comments, track replies, and manage everything from a single interface.
Adding and Following Friends
Following people’s comments has been improved. On someone’s profile, click “Followâ€. You can view view all of your friends’ comments by toggling the button on the homepage.
Easier
New Admin Interface for Bloggers
Publishers, bloggers, or website owners have a hard job. The new Admin interface makes it much easier to moderate commenters and administer settings. We feel that the new Disqus.com is much more useful; we hope you take a look around and will agree with us.
Comment Blogs
Disqus also has new profiles for commenters. While familiar, the new profiles have one big difference: we’re treating them as comment-blogs. Many people don’t have a blog, but comment regularly all over the place. A comment blog is their place to collect and show off their thoughts. We have big plans for this, including customization.
Note that the changes are only Wordpress specific. there is no mention of Blogger or other platform. the changes are pretty much a step up over JS-KIT in the case of Wordpress. there is also the fact that Disqus provides Specific support for 2 more Blog Platforms than JS-KIT. but in terms of Blogger support JS-KIT got a better integration. logical considering Blogger is where the big numbers are. Disqus upgrade is still a huge step up against the two minor players in the Social Commenting Systems and in the Commentosphere Second War against Disqus. a war that started with JS-KIT acquiring Haloscan and that continues via Savvy Marketing and Big Partnerships from JS-KIT. but SEO friendly comments, Comments back up and synchronization come a long way and now it will be time for JS-KIT to answer back and escalate things even further to the benefit of everyone. Meanwhile the other players like Intense Debate and SezWho prepare something up or just await to see what happens while trying to not lag behind too much.
via Disqus blog
JS-KIT Rages On With A $3.6M Funding Round
October 15th, 2008Because a good war is fought to the end. and the Second Commentosphere War is no exception. The announcement of Wordpress acquiring Intense Debate to integrate it blogging platform and to offer it as a service was a big hit for JS-KIT and Disqus. but while JS-KIT will be affected. they have the upper hand because they offer support beyond Blog Platforms and they got the best Blogger.com integration where the big numbers are in term of users and also because they got other Widget Services too beyond its Social Commenting System. Disqus response was that they would not be affected (which is of course a
liePR spin since their previous releases clearly pointed their aspirations of growth to Wordpress by giving it preference) and they quickly followed by releasing an API in an attempt to search for the growth they need and to see what new opportunities can come up from it. but JS-KIT raged on and in what way. they added a partnership with ShareThis for cross promotion of each other. this is of course a response from ShareThis to Clearspring acquisition of AddThis that in turn was Clearspring response to ShareThis acquisition of Madkast (puff!)But now it is the turn for JS-KIT to assure confidence that the announcement of Wordpress and Intense Debate does not affect them at all. what better way to do it, that with a Funding round of $3.6M ?.
Their Bullet points:
I also have to note that they don`t only announced this founding round. but announcing that Chris Saad will join them as Strategic Advisor indicated how they will be spending that money since Chris talks about what needs to change on JS-KIT to make it better in his own post about JS-KIT
JS-KIT
via JS-KIT blog (Go there for the Full Details)
1 comment »
Posted in Tools, Web 2.0
Tags: API comments disqus JS-KIT-Disqus social