I just released a new version of xPollinate, 1.0.0.3.

This is just a maintenance release to make the plugin work with Windows LiveWriter version 14.0.8089.726.

I am currently working on supporting categories for the next release, so stay tuned.

Tags: Windows Live Writer, xPollinate

After writing a Windows Live Writer Plugin and publishing it to the gallery, I’ve become completely frustrated with the user experience of that site. The Windows Live Gallery web site matches all the negative stereotypes that people typically have about Microsoft products. It is a hodgepodge of functionality, loosely tied together, with no visible support anymore. I can only imagine that it was a good idea from a good group, that has then suffered through re-org’s and budget slashes, and is now a headache for some Product Manager that is avoiding touching the system at all costs.

Posts go unanswered, the forum is no longer moderated and full of garbage. Authors can’t review or respond to issues about their own plugins. It has half-implemented technology (it tells me my plugin is “FREE”, but there is nothing that they currently charge for and they don’t have a shopping cart system in place). There is no mechanism to contact anyone for help (help and support links take you to the general Windows Live help pages).

I wouldn’t be too surprised if a year from now, some manager just pulls the plug on it and displays “The Gallery is now closed. You will be redirected to www.bing.com in 15 seconds.”.

Tags: Windows Live Gallery, Windows Live Writer

I’ve just released a beta of xPollinate, my Windows Live Writer Cross Post Plugin.

You can download the installer at the CodePlex site, and I’ll shortly post it on the Live Writer plugin gallery.

As an example, I’ve used it to cross-post this entry to my old Blogger account, as well as via Ping.FM to my Twitter feed (status method) and as a full blog post to my Tumblog.

UPDATE 3/31/09: Plugin is now available on the Live Writer Gallery here.

Tags: Blogging, cross post, Windows Live Writer

I am just finishing up the touches on my first Windows Live Writer plugin, which I’m calling xPollinate. I’ve wanted to cross post to multiple blogs as well as Ping.FM from Windows Live Writer, and originally I found this plugin by Daniel Cazzulino that was not perfect, but got the job done.

I used this plugin as a basis and then added a bunch of bells and whistles that I wanted. Following are some feature enhancements that I’ve added:

• Cross post to multiple blogs at the same time
• Choose blogs to post to at cross post time
• Set plugin defaults through the options dialog, and override at posting time.
• Ability to turn comments and trackbacks (pings) on/off at the cross posted blog
• Add header or footer html to each cross posted entry
• Cross post to Ping.FM
  • Supports triggers and services
  • Post using blog, microblog, or status methods, simultaneously or individually

Here are some screen shots:

The Blogs Tab:

This enables you to select multiple blogs to cross post to. You can optionally post a summary, and include header and footer text.

The Ping.FM tab:

This enables you to post your blog entry via Ping.FM to your configured services. You can post a full or summarized version to your Ping.FM blogs, and can post a notification to your Ping.FM status and microblog services. The format of the notification is customizable.

Left to Do

I’ll be releasing this as a free plugin to the community, and will release the source as well. The final few things I have left to do are:

• Clean up the installer
• Get a public API key from Ping.FM
• Submit to the Live Writer plugin gallery

Tags: cross post, Ping.FM, plugin, Windows Live Writer