Thoughts on Group Authored Lenses
I’ve been toying with some different ideas on how to have multiple lensmasters ‘author’ a single lens and yet not have to set up a new Squidoo account specifically for the new lens. An example would be a lens with group Q&A sections or expert interviews that constantly change or have new content added regularly.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.
The easiest way I can figure to build a lens like this with multiple lens authors and only a single lensmaster logging into the account is by using plexos.
Each other creates a plexo with the information they are responsible for on an existing lens or on a new ‘throwaway’ type lens.
From there the lensmaster that actually owns the account for the group lens can add each plexo to the lens.
By doing this, the ‘author’ of each individual plexo has control over their content and can change it whenever they need to but only one person has access to the Squidoo account.
Thoughts? This is a bit of a work in progress but I like the possibilities…
March 13th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hello Captain!!
I have two different ideas to add to your discussion.
This first idea is going to sound as if I havn’t been listening…but I have
The way I have approached this idea is what I am calling The Traveling Lens. I have opened a new account (which is the part I was thinking would sound as if I havn’t been listening)….
I have opened an account for the lenses that are part of the cooperative to live ‘when’ no one is actually working on them. Otherwise, they will be transferred to the account of the lensmaster currently adding content.
Here are a couple of links that may help explain some:
The Traveling Lens Journal http://www.squidoo.com/Traveling-Squidoo-Lens
The Account that will be the home of lenses that are not ‘traveling’ http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LensCooperative
When a lens is donated to the LensCooperative it becomes a ‘member’ of the Traveling Lens Journal (via a Featured Lens) and from then forward, it can travel anywhere and always be on the scope for visitors.
Only one lensmaster will log into the squidoo account and still allow vast freedom for each lensmaster that hosts the lens.
SECOND IDEA (Nearly Real Time UPdates without as much work)
If you want to have multiple more up to the minute contributions I do like your plexo idea…but, I have another idea that may prove to be more effective and less work for the facilitator.
It is described on my lens “Feeding Your Lens” http://www.squidoo.com/gypsyowl_optimization
The theory uses an RSS Feed module that is designed to add content to multiple lenses. (I use it for broadcasts and for updating copyright information, holiday announcements , etc.)…
But,
You could build your lens with multiple RSS Feeds, have each participating lensmaster create a blog specifically for feeding that lens, and insert the feed url for each blog into the place on the lens you would like the information to show up.
Some tips: You can select to show all of the blog post and let it grap HTML as well. This creates an entry that looks and feels as if it is ‘on’ the lens. And, since I am assuming you will be selecting your participants with care, you do not have to worry about pulling content that is inappropriate for the lens.
Hope that helps some, and thank you for giving me more ideas to add to my lens as well.
Brightest Blessings,
GypsyOwl Deborah Bryan
March 13th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Why can’t you just create an identity and give out the sign in information – would that be breaking some rule? as long as you maintain control of it, i don’t see the problem.
or you could send the info only to the lensmasters who are going to be involved. ???
March 15th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Wow, I have nothing to add since I’ve never thought about this idea – but am quite amazed with the possibilities! Thank you Captain and thank you GypsyOwl Deborah Bryan!!