Disqus Revamps its Look and Improves Integration
We've mentioned Disqus here on ReadWriteWeb numerous times. You can even preview Disqus' popular commenting system across numerous personal and major blogs. It's been taking off since it hit the scene with advocates such as Steven Hodson and Louis Gray. Now, they're taking their platform to the next level with a new look and improved integration.
Fresh Redesign
There are numerous updates to the Disqus site design. As of today, Disqus has went from this:
to this:
You'll notice that there is an entirely new layout and color scheme for everything. However, one thing fans of Disqus will appreciate is the emphasis that has been placed on the most important aspects of the service. For example, there's a lot more emphasis in the site design on management options for comments and threads. It's a lot easier to jump directly to the original comment's link and options that used to appear hidden are much more noticeable now.
A Shift in Perspectives
The site has also shifted to the user as the focal point instead of the sites that are being managed using Disqus. This could be due to the fact that users are starting to sign up to the Disqus service to claim their comments, but not integrate their commenting system into their blogs. In doing so, the profile page for Disqus users has an entirely new meaning and design. The profile page will now serve as a comment blog for users and the redesign only serves to confirm the shift.
Much More Under the Hood
Disqus as also released new APIs for developers to allow for deeper and better Disqus apps and integrations. New platform integrations include:
- SEO friendly comments
- Automatic data sync between Disqus and the local database
- Seamless import/export of old and new comments
- Comment moderation from the WordPress Admin
Disqus now hosts comments for over 30,000 websites. With a substantial amount of growth and backing from numerous major hitters including Robert Scoble and two writers from ReadWriteWeb, we expect to see more great things from Disqus in the future!
Comments
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Corvida,
A quick point out that JS-Kit announced SEO support and sync with WordPress AND Blogger last month in numerous places:
Mashable (http://mashable.com/2008/07/08/jskit-acquires-haloscan/),
TC (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/08/js-kit-acquires-commenting-sytem-provider-haloscan/)
Center Networks
(http://www.centernetworks.com/jskit-acquires-haloscan-sync).
Since then, JS-Kit imports/exports comments with Disqus and Intense Debate as well.
Finally, I want to point out that Khris Loux has advocated from the beginning for the user as the focal point, and not having a destination site for community that is away from the blog. Most recently, he guest posted on the Faster Future blog on the topic and did an interview with Scoble and data portability advocate Chris Saad:
http://fasterfuture.blogspot.com/2008/08/guest-post-khris-loux-on-threat-of-free.html
http://qik.com/scobleizer
Cheers,
Nancy @ JS-Kit
Posted by: Nancy Cole | August 12, 2008 12:52 PM
Great release from Disqus. I like the shift in focus from blogs to commentators. Any plans for RWW to integrate it? I would love to be able to claim my comments.
Posted by: Nigel Eccles | August 13, 2008 5:23 AM
I'm surprised at all of the buzz that Disqus continues to get. I've been using SezWho and it's syncing has been flawless. What a difference PR and marketing makes!
Posted by: Douglas Karr | August 13, 2008 11:09 AM
I know always the knowledge doesn't flow from the writer, it also depends with the commenter and they do feed the most valuable content ever. There is a huge potential in COMMENT part of the web 3.0. I will try this.
Posted by: San Nayak | August 14, 2008 9:08 AM