I was asked by @frankbruining how I included the MailChimp sign-up form on my ServerTastic Posterous blog.
In essence I cheated a little. It is possible to add the MailChimp code provided to your Posterous blog provided you disable all the JavaScript. (I really wish @posterous would allow JavaScript - Premium option guys?).
However I wanted to include the subscriber chicklet counter to show off the fact I do have a few readers. This requires JavaScript.
Therefore I generated the HTML using the MailChimp embed form wizard. I then pasted this HTML into a file and uploaded it to my own webspace (so you will need hosting elsewhere which supports JavaScript!).
I then included the HTML file within my Posterous blog using an iframe.
To do this proceed to your site settings > Themes and select advanced (you need to get dirty with the code).
Then I simply pasted the following code where I wanted it to appear.
You will need to replace the src= with the link to the file you created.
I placed this code within the {block:ListSidebar} tags.
Andreas Kopp asked on my ServerTastic Blog how I had integrated the Twetmeme and FaceBook Like buttons into my Posterous theme. (Just like this theme).
It is actually pretty easy. You need to edit the theme in Posterous choosing the advanced option. Then look for the {Body} tag within the code. Just above this insert the code below. Change the twitterusername to your actual twitter username.
<div style="float:left;padding:4px;">
<br />
<fb:like href="{Permalink}" layout="button_count"></fb:like>
</div>
Time to publish my Supplier Christmas Wish List. This is the list of things I would like the suppliers I use most to implement/change.
Posterous is an awesome bloging / media aggregation system which I use for all my blogs.
- Provide RSS categories using tags
- Make last X posts in RSS feed customisable (I would like more than 20 please!)
- Include Google Analytics Referral data in post.ly links (utm_campaign)
- Adsense support
- JavaScript support so can include widgets in theme
- Include social bookmarks with posts (could probably do this via themes just not tried it)
- Allow autopost per blog rather than user - They've done this one!
- If/When a paid service is launched implement a referral program
MailChimp is an awesome self service Email Server Provider (ESP). Allowing you to send and manage multiple email campaigns.
- On demand RSS to email campaigns
- Allow multiple RSS feeds within an email campaign (not just a merged feed)
- Member rating implemented as merge tag
- Allow auto-responders by sign-up date even if user is not double opt-in (at least on "trusted lists")
- Allow RSS feeds in auto-responders
- Charge based on unique email addresses rather than for each independent list size
- Allow bulk updating of role based addresses if double opt-in
The most well known payment processor in the world (probably).
- Reduce my 90 day 5% rolling reserve balance
- Support multiple brands via Virtual Terminal (Card statement charge selector for instance)
- Remove Express Checkout requirement with Website Payments Pro
- Remove £20 per month charge for pro account as I already pay a fortune in processing fees
What would your wish list contain?
I have now found a few examples Posterous themes. Wonder if this will soon be a launched feature!!
This morning I finished migrating my blog to
Posterous.
The blog was originally a self hosted
WordPress blog. This worked pretty well. However it may seem strange being an IT guy but I was getting tired of applying updates to WordPress and some of the plug-ins I was using. I wanted to move to a more simpler system. Something which meant I would spend the time writing on the blog rather than messing with themes and plug-ins!
Posterous makes it so easy. I like the fact I do not have to mess with a theme. I like how clean it looks and how easy it is. In fact I like pretty much everything about it. The import from WordPress took about 30 seconds - very cool.
But the best way to test technology is to use it. So I have moved the entire blog and domain over to Posterous. This could be a genius move or a total disaster (I hope it is not the latter). If it all goes well I may even think of using it to run the new
ServerTastic blog I have planned.
Run a couple of internet based companies. I love business and of course like to have fun.