Lift the restriction of one blog-one user

[Michelle]

I know that the vB team is already trying to make it possible to allow multiple users to write to one blog.
What would be equally useful would be to allow one user to have multiple blogs.
Although that will be kinda difficult with the current database schema of the Blog I guess :(

[Freddie Bingham]

It isn't a goal to provide multiple blogs per user. Perhaps they need to create multiple user accounts if they must have more than one blog. What are you trying to achieve with the blog that requires this?

[Zachariah B]

I may be missing something, but why not make a category ?

EX:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/blog.php?u=13376
>> Blog Categories
* Uncategorized (3)
* Cat1 (0)
* Cat2 (0)
* Cat3 (0)
* Cat4 (0)
* Cat5 (0)
* Cat6 (0)

Each user has control of this. They can create whatever subject they wish and blog away.

AdminCP => vBulletin Blog => Blog Category Limit

The total number of blog categories a user can create.

These setting can be accessed by the user.
forums/blog_usercp.php?do=editcat

[Michelle]

It isn't a goal to provide multiple blogs per user. Perhaps they need to create multiple user accounts if they must have more than one blog. What are you trying to achieve with the blog that requires this?
A competitive blog system is what I'm trying to create!
Blogger allows multiple blogs per user, wordpress too, any serious blog hoster that I know of allows this! Forcing them to create more than one accounts is unprofessional and would create other problems.

@Zachariah: This is unprofessional. Why doesn't Blogger do this then? Wordpress?

Are you guys planning on making a really competitive product or just a small addon so forum admins can play around, while their members have their regular blogs over at blogger.com or wordpress.com? I thought you had more goals than that.

[Reeve of Shinra]

I don't get it... everything that a user could achieve through 'multiple' blogs they can achieve with catagories and sub-catagories?

Maybe I just dont understand what the goal is or how its being used in the context your thinking about...

[Michelle]

I don't get it... everything that a user could achieve through 'multiple' blogs they can achieve with catagories and sub-catagories?

Maybe I just dont understand what the goal is or how its being used in the context your thinking about...
It's not my idea, its not even a new idea, its something that has been going on in the blogosphere for a while.
Take a look at Blogger.com.
I know A LOT people that have multiple blogs there.
I'm surprised that something so usual in the blogging world seems so weird to incorporate in the vBlog :confused:

[Onimua]

I, too, don't really understand the purpose of having multiple blogs.

Do you mean multiple blog accounts? Can you link to actual examples as you see them?

[Michelle]

For instance, here in vbulletin.com, Freddie could have his own blog AND another development blog where all the vb.com team members would write. And that's just one example.
Its really an issue with team blogs (which are going to be incorporated in the vBlog, as it has been said). If I allow user X to write into my blog, I will not be able to have a blog of my own, with the current plans.

Also, as I keep telling from the start, Its a feature that has ALREADY been tested, and succeeded, as all the decent blog hosters have it! Why do you all keep ignoring that?

[Zachariah B]

For instance, here in vbulletin.com, Freddie could have his own blog AND another development blog where all the vb.com team members would write. And that's just one example.

hmmmmm

Perhaps options to:
- per category made on what usergroup can see / post to it.
- have a password per category.
- link to the buddy system with read / write access.

[Michelle]

Its not a thing of what I want to offer Zachariah.
Your solutions seem quite adequent.
But in this case, they are just not enough.
Cause I just want to offer my members the same basic features than the other blog hosters do. So no matter what you say, blogger.com and wordpress.com will still offer multiple blogs per user. You can't change that, no matter what logical solution you come up with. They will still offer multiple blogs per user.
So I only see 2 cases here:
1. vBlog incorporates this feature and becomes closer to the standards set by the blogging world, or
2. vBlog keeps the restriction of one blog - one user and never achieves to be a true, professional blog hoster, like Wordpress MU for instance.

It's not my idea guys, its a blogging standard nowadays.

[Dream]

I agree :)

With the user ability to create more than one blog, he would be the blog admin, and would add writers to the blog.

The blog.php?u=123 page would show a list of blogs this user writes in, or link directly to his blog if he only have one. (though this could beat the Blogger etc. intention of keeping multiple blogs per user anonymous). blog.php?blogid=123 would link to the blog.

At creation time, the user sets the blog options. The control panel would show a select box for the blogs you have administrator powers, when you post a new blog entry (that should be renamed to Blog Article) you choose the blog in which you want to post. If the blog doesn't have a name, display it as Joe's Blog. If there are two, Joe's Blog 2. The author box should show info of multiple authors on group blogs. Also change the forum navbar for a blog navbar.

Or not.

[DanaSoft]

On my site I have a couple blogs - one for biking, one for weight training and others for different "programs" I try. Maybe I am not understanding categories enough; but its nice to be able to have different blogs for different purposes.

[Michelle]

I agree :)

With the user ability to create more than one blog, he would be the blog admin, and would add writers to the blog.

The blog.php?u=123 page would show a list of blogs this user writes in, or link directly to his blog if he only have one. (though this could beat the Blogger etc. intention of keeping multiple blogs per user anonymous). blog.php?blogid=123 would link to the blog.

At creation time, the user sets the blog options. The control panel would show a select box for the blogs you have administrator powers, when you post a new blog entry (that should be renamed to Blog Article) you choose the blog in which you want to post. If the blog doesn't have a name, display it as Joe's Blog. If there are two, Joe's Blog 2. The author box should show info of multiple authors on group blogs. Also change the forum navbar for a blog navbar.

Or not.
Thats so sweeet!! I hope its implemented!

[TheElf]

I know that the vB team is already trying to make it possible to allow multiple users to write to one blog.
What would be equally useful would be to allow one user to have multiple blogs.
Although that will be kinda difficult with the current database schema of the Blog I guess :(

When we speak about a blog hosting solution, you expect to see customizeable template and layout. You expect to see some functionality that can be added, disable. You can expect to be able to add google ads to your blog. You can expect more freedom in formating your posts. You can expect many things. If you want to compete on this market you would have to change much, and you would lose much.

Why? The benefit of vBulletin blog is simple: Your users see an easy to use to interface they use for years. They are in a community they already know, they deal with stuff that are already on your forums. Easy to start, and easy to continue. With the social networking component it will be stronger, and it will work well in your community. This vision is more similar to some social networking sites, and their integrated mini blogs, and with this: vBulletin blog can compete.

[Dream]

Thats so sweeet!! I hope its implemented!

That would be a totally different design and behavior of the blog as it is now though. And it could make things a bit more difficult for end-users. I kinda like the current simple design of each user having a blog, but with multiple blogs and group blogs being available I think that would be the only way to do it.