Building a community spirit on Travel Rants
By Darren Cronian on Saturday, August 9th, 2008

Well It’s been a busy week here at Travel Rants HQ [well my living room]. I survived being interrogated by Mark at Planet Eye and Gareth at ASAP Ventures about my thoughts on travel. Phew. Who said managing a blog was easy work.

Building a community spirit on Travel Rants

Creating a community spirit

Last month I introduced Gravatars into the blog. These are small photos that appear whenever you leave a comment on the blog. To lead my example I have uploaded a dodgy photo of me, so I invite you all to join in and help create a community spirit on Travel Rants.

Weekly travel newsletter

For those readers who do not have time to visit regularly you can now subscribe to a weekly newsletter. Every Friday the newsletter will land in your inbox bringing you the latest travel consumer news, plus humorous, weird and interesting travel content from the blogging community.

Holiday destination guides

This week I added guides for Bruges, Ghent, Extremadura and Funchal to the map and the featured destination is Prague. Every month I will be featuring a new destination, with videos, photos, and content to help you plan your next holiday.

I would love your feedback on the blog and features – have a great weekend.


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19 responses to “Building a community spirit on Travel Rants”

Miss Expatria | 9 August, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Lookin’ good!

Best,

South of France Living Room Bureau

Sam I Am | 9 August, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Okay, have to try out this gravatar thing and see how it looks.

Darren Cronian | 9 August, 2008 at 3:35 pm

@ Miss Expatria

Nice eye! :) Wish I was in South of France instead of Northern England!

@ Sam

It’s worked! :) Now anytime you leave a comment on any Wordpress powered blog that has gravatars implemented you’ll see your photo.

pam | 9 August, 2008 at 5:39 pm

While we’re talking community, I’ve really appreciated your participation in the new forum at Nerd’s Eye View. Thanks!

Darren Cronian | 9 August, 2008 at 6:25 pm

@ Pam

No problem, glad I could help.

Karen Bryan | 9 August, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Darren, I’ve added my photo now.

Darren Cronian | 9 August, 2008 at 11:29 pm

It’s coming through great Karen.

Barrie 501 | 10 August, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Darren, just added my gravatar.

Darren Cronian | 10 August, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Barrie it’s not come through yet. Let me know if you have any problems and I’ll try and help.

Kevin May | 11 August, 2008 at 9:00 am

here’s mine/

Kevin May | 11 August, 2008 at 9:00 am

or i guess not….. :-(

Darren Cronian | 11 August, 2008 at 9:14 am

@ Kevin

Weird. I can see your gravatar in the admin panel but not here. Think we might have a bug, will look into it.

Elizabeth | 11 August, 2008 at 2:44 pm

Darren-
Glad to see this! Looking forward to the newsletter.

Darren Cronian | 12 August, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Gravatar’s seem to be working now! :)

@ Elizabeth

Thanks :) I would love feedback (good or bad) on the newsletter when you receive it this Friday.

Rohan | 13 August, 2008 at 3:31 am

Love the guides, joined the newsletter, but I will give that picture a miss thanks.

Kelsey | 13 August, 2008 at 7:31 pm

I’d love a Gravatar but you have to sign up and APPARENTLY the username Kelseyisawesome is already taken. Just kidding!

Darren Cronian | 13 August, 2008 at 10:49 pm

@ Rohan

Oh come on show your face! :)

@ Kelsey

Don’t be shy! Lets’ see you. ;)

Alex Bainbridge | 17 August, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Hi Darren,
Not only does Gravatar work on any supported blogging platform…… but we have integrated Gravatar into TourCMS as well….. I guess we are the first tour operator reservation system to have incorporated Gravatar!

Darren Cronian | 18 August, 2008 at 5:05 pm

@ Alex,

Nice! I like the idea of Gravatars, makes it a little more socialable than just text on a screen. I’m looking to add a few features on to the blog once more regular readers add their Gravatar (Hint-Hint!)

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