The B.A.N. is now a blog network, not just a blog site with built-in social net.
What does this mean? Truthfully: not much at this point, but I’m an optimist! As The B.A.N.’s user base grows (this site is not even a month old) I expect to discover some talented bloggers looking for a home (or a move), and I intend to offer them one here.
Technologically, it means that The B.A.N. is now running the identical network that FreethoughtBlogs.com uses — the WordPress multisite network (nee, WPMU). For instance, when you go to JT’s blog at FtB, you go to the address FreethoughtBlogs.com/wwjtd — and that’s JT’s dedicated blog, which he can control from the back-end admin. Similarly, if JT decided to switch to The B.A.N. (yeah, I know…) his blog would be at wwjtd.BannedAtheists.us. If you, Dear Reader, decided to start (or move) a blog here, it would be at DearReader.BannedAtheists.us.
The technological differences from FtB are worth noting, too. The B.A.N. is also running a custom instance of BuddyPress social to include readers in the creative process, giving folks a chance to participate in ways other than commenting on blog posts. Not many have taken advantage of all the features the ‘Community’ tab offers, yet, but again this site is still very new and I’ve spent more time tinkering than pimping. You can utilize group forums and group wikis, but also use your account to as a personal photobucket, organize links, send PM’s to other members of the network.
Now, you can even request to have your own blog site in the network. First let me make it foolproof, then I’ll roll out a blog request form.
(BTW, “Site News” has now changed to “B.A.N. News” to include all sites in the network.)
Enjoy!
Joseph Edwards VIII, Sysop