43 Folders Blogger FAQs

Merlin — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:31:39 -0400

Since we've begun to break from the tradition of totally Merlin-centric blog posting on 43 Folders, here's some answers to theoretical questions people may have about our new bloggers and their contributions.

Last Updated: 2007-10-19 13:27:26 PT

Who are the bloggers on 43 Folders?

From 9/2004 through 9/2007, Merlin was the almost exclusive contributor to the 43f blog. But with the relaunch of 43f in 9/2007, we began offering a few select folks their own 43f blogs, to have and to hold.

Here's a list of the current 43f bloggers (which is to say: those who have blog privileges and have posted a bio and photo to their profile). If you have blog privileges but haven't yet tricked out your profile, please do so, and you'll soon start appearing on that page.

How do you decide who gets a blog?

Right now it's mostly voodoo and happenstance; at this point, it's purely Merlin's caprices.

People who Merlin has asked to write guest posts get a blog, plus there's a number of folks whose work Merlin admires who -- while not having posted yet -- do have the freedom to do so whenever they like and as often as they like.

Do all bloggers' posts automatically get promoted to the home page?

Nope. Merlin and his editorial elves will promote stuff to the home page that they think is particularly interesting -- this can be blog posts, forum posts, static pages like this, you name it. If we think it's good, timely, and/or interesting it goes on the home page.

Almost all of Merlin's posts are promoted to the home page, because he's a power-mad narcissist, and he can't be stopped.

Where can I see all blog posts by everybody?

This page shows you all blog posts by everybody on the site, in reverse chronological order.

You can also subscribe to this RSS feed to see everything published by our bloggers as new posts appear.

Bonus Hint: Visit the completely awesome sitemap page to see some of the bajillion different RSS feeds you can subscribe to. Note that, near the top of the page (where it says "Blogs"), you'll find links to all bloggers who have published something here, as well as links to the RSS feeds for each of these folks.

How's that different from the regular old 43f RSS feed?

The main site feed shows only stuff that's been promoted to the home page (which can also include "non-blog" stuff like this static page and promoted forum posts). Think of the home page as our idea of a "best of."

Can I still get a feed of just Merlin's blog posts?

Sure. Grab this or visit here.

Do 43f bloggers get paid?

Only in high fives and the occasional Brandy Alexander.

Why would someone write for your site for free?

Because they love you and want to share awesome things that they know and think with you.

It also probably doesn't hurt that their bio will contain links that acquaint readers with their other work.

Will this turn into one of those sites where contributors are compelled to meet "post quotas" or where beleaguered writers earn their keep by generating lots of traffic around nutritionally bankrupt "Top n" posts involving graph paper generators and new ways to put your pants on faster using a special stick and 10 lines of open source code?

I sincerely hope not.

What if I'm just not into this whole idea?

I dunno. I guess I'd say give it time to grow on you. There's a lot of smart folks who will be writing stuff here in the next little while -- people Merlin thinks a lot of. If you like his stuff, there's a pretty good chance you'll like theirs, too.

If you don't like any of the stuff here. Well. There's still lots of internet out there, and you're welcome back any time. No hard feelings.

How do I apply to get a 43f blog?

We're not accepting new applications from folks right now, although we very well might after Merlin returns from paternity leave.

In the mean time, the best way to get noticed is to post great comments on other people's posts and forum threads. We will notice you, I assure you.

How can I tell if I have blog privileges?

First, you'll just have a certain swing in your step, and you probably wear your fedora at a jaunty angle and help old ladies carry their groceries. It's something you just feel in your gut.

Here's another way to tell: if you visit this page, and can see "Submit New Blog Post," and have the ability to make a new blog posts, you're a blogger. If you see something about "Access Denied", then you're not. So it goes.

Also, if you have blog privileges, there's a high probability that Merlin contacted you personally and informed you of same. He's like that.

If I have blog privileges, how do I post new blog entries?

We're working on improving the UI for this, because it's all but non-existent right now, but going to that page linked above will let you publish new stuff directly to your blog:

http://www.43folders.com/node/add/blog

Save drafts for as long as you want, then tick off the "Published" button and hit "Submit." Swish, you're an internet star.

To see all the stuff you've ever contributed to 43f (including drafts), hit the "Track" tab on your profile page.

Hey, you didn't answer my question.

You're right -- I totally didn't. Sorry!

Maybe post your question to the forum?

”43 Folders Blogger FAQs” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on October 19, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"