June 5, 2013

  • Let's Make it Work! -- Part 2

    A second question troubled me when I first read the message from TheXangaTeam.  They indicated that “we would find a way to port Xanga to open source blogging software like WordPress and reinvent the site…”There are further references to WordPress – “building a WordPress version of Xanga;” and “we will move over to the new WordPress version.”  At the time I first read that, I knew I’d seen called WordPress, but didn’t know anything about it.  I decided to take a look at WordPress in case I had to make the switch.

    HOWEVER, in the days since then, I’ve seen a number of posts, and asked a number of questions, and have come to the conclusion that I was barking up a wrong tree.  Last Friday, @tjordanm posted “Analyzing Xanga’s WordPress Choices.”  While I don’t pretend to understand the technical stuff in his post, it did clarify for me the use of the term WordPress and some of the information that had confused me (Tom – please help me here if I am a little confused!).  As I now understand it, there are two sites known as WordPress.  WordPress.com is the blogging site that some have used to set up new or existing blogs with the idea that Xanga will move to WordPress.   WordPress.org, on the other hand, is the base on which WordPress.com runs, similar to the way many programs on your computer run on a base of Windows 7, for example, or on an Apple operating system.  There are many other sites (tv station news sites, business sites, etc.) that run on the WordPress.org base – Tom has provided examples of these in subsequent posts.  In his interview yesterday afternoon, @edlives likened it to having a car body (WordPress.com) sitting on an engine (WordPress.org) – Xanga’s engine is old, and needs replacing – the potential new engine is WordPress.org.

    By “moving Xanga to WordPress,” what the XangaTeam means is that Xanga will be rebuilt on the operating base WordPress.org.  The Xanga site will still be Xanga, programmed by Xanga’s programmers, paid or volunteer, and will have a look and feel that is unique to Xanga.  Nobody will have to log on to Word Press in order to reach their Xanga site – we will log on to Xanga.  People who support Xanga and remain active here, but also have a WordPress site will actually have two open blogging sites, just as they have had all along.  The sites will be discreet, and some will continue to maintain both sites.  It is possible, that we will all wake up on July 16 to a site that looks just like the Xanga that we know now, but will say at the bottom of each page “Powered by WordPress.”  I would expect, however, that the first time we see Xanga 2.0, it will look a bit different than what we are used to, given that the Team is apparently already working on programming upgrades.

    Given the above understanding, I now know that I will submit my pledge, at least for myself, and perhaps for one or two additional memberships.

    Let’s make it work!

     

    Note:  I have read and appreciate all your comments on Part 1.  I will reread them, and will respond where it would help clarify the situation.  Thank you for your input, and please feel free to comment here as well.

Comments (57)

  • What you have written is my impression as well. I started my WP blog just in case Xanga fails, so I won't be scrambling for contacts later. If Xanga continues, I suppose I'll let the WP blog sit mostly idle for use later in case Xanga dies later on.

  • Thanks for the explanation. I didn't know that about WordPress and I thought I would have to open a WordPress site until I read this.

  • i too learned of the .com and org. difference. it makes more sense now

  • or should i say, RECENTLY learned of the difference

  • Thank you for the explanation. I appreciate everyone who is making this easier for technologically impaired folks like me to understand.

  • I am learning more each day, even though I am 29 I am not very tech (I don't know how to even send a text message)

    I am understand more about org and com.

  • Thi definitely help clarify a lot! Thank you

  • Well said! Thanks for listening and spreading the word! :)

  • @edlives - Thanks, Joel -- for this comment, the rec, and especially for all the information you are providing!

  • well said, easy to understand!

  • What they said ^^^! That's the way I thought it was! But this make it simple!

    I think it is the case, that since they are using a completely different engine - there is no way to "translate" the old blog entries - so everyone will start from scratch with their blogs. There won't be years of dead, unwanted blogs that no one ever looks at to hog space on servers.

  • Like @Roadkill Spatula, I started my WordPress just in case 2.0 doesn't happen. I have decided that I don't really need to understand these things---I'll just join the new Xanga if it happens.

  • Well done j! You have explained it in terms that I am sure anyone will understand. I think most are more concerned with having to pay for something they were getting for "free" and though they still want to blog, have been looking at other options in case xanga fails or they feel they can't pay or just won't pay to blog.

  • Yes, there is WordPress.com, the blogging site, and WordPress the software, basically. I now have a new shiny WordPress.com blog, that will be the place where I will be should Xanga disappear. If it becomes 2.0 and provides (mostly) what I want in a blogging site, without too much 'change' that causes it to lose what it already has that matters to me, I'll stay right here. That IS my preference, but just in case, I have a choice and people can find me if they wish.

    Many people are talking about how it's 'just' 4 dollars, and to many of us, that's not a big deal. But I am starting to feel a bit like that's an attitude of superiority to some...IE "Well it's JUST $4.00, who CAN'T pay that?" Well, there have been times in my life that an extra 4 bucks a month was a BIG deal...like the part of my life when I was living in my car. Granted, I wasn't online with a computer then, but times today mean that people can and do use wifi, for free, have phones that connect, and use libraries to connect to use the net and even blog...and that extra $4.00 that we so glibly toss around is a BIG deal to them. Several of the best writers I've read have free sites, because they can't afford to pay what it costs now. Many of them have already left. I know it has to hurt or annoy them to read others who seem to be unaware that not everyone has extra cash for "Starbucks" or "Blogging" or whatever else is being used as an example of what $4.00 can buy...I'd bet they know better than I do the value of what $48.00 can be, because it's not really $4.00 a month that is asked for, it's $48.00 all at once.

    It probably sounds like I'm upset with you, I'm not...far from it, just giving a different point of view to something that we all care about.

  • @moniet - I appreciate your comment -- will message you with a reply.

  • Still haven't made a decision yet. I think I'll just wait and see

  • Waiting to find my cup filled first.

  • if Xanga will be the same that's good -sounds good to me.
    some years I pay but I've been a freeloader lately so I re-upped the other day

  • It seems like I know too many people who won't be paying the $48, whether or not they can afford to. If somehow all or at least most of them somehow manage to pay and stay, I would certainly stay, too. I wish xanga would consider setting another dollar figure for what would be required to make it free thereafter. I bet they could raise triple the target amount or more if they would pursue that tack.

  • I had the same misconception at first - that Xanga would be a subset of wordpress, even thought I know that other websites, with their own domains, run on the wordpress engine. Here's an example of one I visit almost every day: http://comicsidontunderstand.com/wordpress/ The site owner in that instance doesn't have the technical knowledge of how to code anything, so he lets the wordpress software do it for him, and simply moderates. Although, like any website, he does run into glitches, the site works well in my opinion. Of course, in that instance, there's only one guy blogging, not hundreds of users like on Xanga, but it's a similar format.

    Once that idea, that wordpress is simply the background, or the "engine," sunk in, I was much more on board. The Xanga Team can modify the website as they see fit making it similar to the existing structure (if they'd like) or revamping it entirely without having to write or modify lines of code. It'll be much easier to run because that structure is pre-built.

    I think that as more people decide to join & stay, there will be a snowball effect. If an individual's circle of friends & subscribers is sticking around, THAT will be what makes them stay. It's about the community. I think if we focus on that, we might be able to keep people around. :)

  • Thanks for the explanation.

  • I can be the engineer. keeping up with the team and you.

  • Thanks. This was very helpful for me.Perhaps we won't be the wandering waifs come July 15th.

  • Thank you Janet. I have created an account with wordpress.com. Haven't posted anything on that yet. Your explanation sheds a lot of light. I have pledged and have donated some money to Xanga. I don't know what the current total is. I am praying that Xanga won't shut down. And if does, at least we will have wordpress. It will be a little difficult to go and start things anew, but I suppose beggars cannot be choosers.
    Appreciate the post. Thank goodness for friends like you who understand the problems and explain them to the simpletons like me.

  • This is a good perspective, thanks for writing it.

  • Thank you for the clarifications. I did not know there was a differentiation between wordpress .com and .org. I've pledged my support for Xanga, but also opened a wordpress.com site (thought hedging my bets would be important).

  • thanks for the explanation.

  • Thanks for explaining this. I gave for myself, but may give for someone else.

  • Thanks for clarifying the .org and the .com wp situation, I didn't know that. I opened a wp account in case xanga went down but it could have been blogspot or blogger if they would let me in, It didn't work for me. I am sticking with wp even if xanga survives and I would use both sites. The wp follow feature allows me to keep in touch with friends even if they are at different blogging sites, it works for most places but not with xanga. You and I have talked about this so you know how good a feature it is. I'm a part timer here but I wanted to be able to keep in touch with a few friends that I have made here (Some have left xanga and blogging) regardless of xanga closing. Wp has allowed me to do this, but I still want xanga to survive. Great post as part 1 was also very good.

  • Words is the basic framework of xanga. The uploading of photos adds an option to the car and the option to upload videos is so so.

    It is easy to transfer the words and photos of xanga, but the other options may not be duplicated exactly to another format.

    Will top blogs remain? The frequent updates and new standings is not difficult to remain but it does take computing power on the servers behalf. A more simplified hourly update might just work instead of the usual ten minute update that occurs.

    Will there be a different set of standards for bloggers in other countries? So far the Malaysians have fled the house of xanga and maybe we will lose the bloggers in other countries? I remember vaguely that the servers had a hard time keeping up with bloggers in other countries.....

    The update page most people will not complain about. However will the other parts of xanga the "ish" spots remain?

  • That is a fabulous description, and something they probably should have explained.

  • Thank you for this.

  • @ZSA_MD - Well I don't consider you a simpleton!  I, too, have a WP.com account that I haven't used (actually I've had it for a while).  I will donate at least for myself, and probably one or two additionals, and I sincerely we hope it can all continue. 

  • @PPhilip - Please redirect your questions to somebody who can get answers for you -- I have simply put in different words what I have learned from @edlives, @tjordanm, and @roadlesstaken.  I am NOT representing the XangaTeam or any of the above-mentioned people, and am not relaying questions to any of them.

  • @wematter - Thanks for commenting, and for your vote of confidence! -- yes, I'm thinking that if Xanga doesn't continue I will move to WordPress -- I'll play with it a bit in a week or so, when I return from a short hiatus.  If Xanga continues, I'll stay here, and let the WP account go -- I don't have the time for two accounts (is it age creeping up, or is it that there are other things occupying my mind? -- not sure!).  I do hope that Xanga will continue -- but if it does't, I'll see you on WP.com.

  • Thanks so much! Because of your input here i now plan to buy the membership, and possibly give a bit more. It's also helpful when I see people who love Xanga enough to put their money where their typing is!

  • @Such_are_you - I'm glad to know that my input has been helpful!

  • @slmret - . I'm glad too!

  • I thank you for your statement , Janet .I am reassured . However I saved my old blogs' since 2001) in case...I had a glance to the present Word press (wordpress.com ) but I find it less convivial. I did not open site there .

    So I am like  dingdongdingbat above : I wait and see in hoping to keeep the lot of friends I have here .
    Love
    Michel

  • thank you so much for the information! gonna grab that membership & hope others follow suit

  • About wordpress, my feelings are mentioned in my post. . . http://olwd.xanga.com/773615103/wordpress/

  • Hi Janet,
    I never saw a message from Xanga, so this is all news to me.
    Did they mention what will happen to our old blog posts?
    Is there a way to preserve them?
    Mary

  • There's a post on a blogsite called TheXangaTeam, dated 5/31 or 6/1.  I think it's the last post there -- and it explains it all.  You can archive your old posts and download them to your computer, but I've understood that the photos are simply links to their photo files, and may be lost when the system changes or goes down.

  • very helpful, thank you!

  • @maryhurlbut - The best place to keep current as to what's going on right now is at @edlives -- he's got good contacts, and is acting sort of as a liaison to the Xanga Team in NY (he runs the Autisable site.  I posted my lst two posts to help clarify some of what seemed to me to be very confusing in the original message and in subsequent comment traffic.

    On another note -- It's always good to see you in your once-in-a-while posts.  Bri's married now?  I guess you and Spence are having some big adjustments to make -- happy ones, I hope!  Will you be at Sawdust this year?  I haven't heard from Jenny for a while -- how is she doing?

  • @purpleamethyst76 - Thanks, Shanda -- I was so confused at the beginning that I found it helpful just to write this up!  I'm glad it was helpful to you too!  I do hope that we won't all lose track of each other ~ ~ ~

  • I understood that from the first plea for support I read. Of course, that is probably because I'm a computer geek. I hope it all works out and Xanga survives.

  • @C_L_O_G - Once I realized there are two sites, it was pretty easy to figure it out -- but I didn't have the background knowledge that you have. I hope so too!

  • I plan to stay on Xanga.  I am saving my money now so I will have it when it comes time to pay.  I paid $100 years ago with my refund money to be a Lifetime member, so I didn't have to tweak my budget to do it.

  • Make sure to make your pledge before 7/15 -- they won't charge your charge card till then, so if it doesn't fly, you won't get charged -- if everybody waits to pledge till after 7/15, it has a chance of not flying!

  • I came back and re-read your post again. I understand it so much better today. As I mentioned earlier, I have pledged and have contributed. Thus far the total is a little over 25K. I hope the radio interviews and talk shows that @roadlesstaken has been doing will generate some more monies. I have not posted anything on WP, and now that I have read your post (again) I will refrain from doing so. Patience and Faith are hard commodities!!

  • Wanted to leave a mini for you, but forgot to do that. So here's one.

  • Thanks, Zakiah, for the message and for the mini.  I'm glad you've done your pledge, and that you'll stay with Xanga.  I may try duplicate posting, now that I'm home again!  I'm going to do my pledge (as part of catching up after being away for a week) and listen to the radio interviews.  I'm very pleased to see the progress they're making -- I hope people won't wait to see what happens, as if they wait past July 15, it may end up being too late -- but to get 40% in the first 1/3 of the time required is great!

  • I have not invested the time into WordPress.com as I still feel that Xanga has a chance to remain viable. I suppose should the day come and Xanga blips out of existence, I'll be forced to set up a WordPress.com blog. *sigh* the idea makes my heart ache... Xanga is still home. 

  • I have a site, but have not played with it yet.  I'll probably try it out, duplicating what I do on Xanga somehow.  I hope that Xanga will survive -- plan to pledge this week for myself and at least one more!  I think I feel the same way you do about the situation.

  • I wish Tom @tjordanm would have chimed in on this post as he & I have discussed this. I've also done some reading on Wikipedia which was helpful as well. From what I understand the new Xanga will not look just like what we know now. It won't have all the little things we are accustom to. Pulses will be transferred over as posts for example. I wish the team would be more forthcoming on what to expect. A template of a new Xanga site would be nice. There are some other features I'm curious about. Of course WordPress already has an assortment of plugins so I'm sure those will be utilized. Thank you for taking your time in helping Xanga . peace always

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