I’ve been working on the newest version of the PR updater mod. It currently supports phpLD V2.10, V3.06, and V3.10. I still need to sort out documentation and beta testing. But looks great already!
I’ve now updated the Category Dumps package to contain a dump for phpLD V3.10. In reality, the V3.10 dump is identical to the V3.06 dump which I verified this weekend. So if you’re starting a new directory off on V3.10, you can now use the category dump from Directory Spy.
I’ve had a couple of questions on how to install a category dump. In short, its best you know what you’re doing. However, the basic process is to install the phpLD as usual, locate the database used by the directory, then use the Import or SQL option of phpMyAdmin (depends on version). There should be a browse button that allows you to upload a file, where you choose the database dump version that matches the version of phpLD you are installing. Click upload, and it should work fine!
Hint: If any directory blog owners want to write a tutorial on category dumps, it would be very useful!
You Cubez.com is a new way to advertise your website, with a cube! You basically buy a cube for at least £1 ($2), and then try to increase the value of your cube until it reaches the top of the page. The greater the value of your cube, the higher it reaches on the website, and then the more clicks it attracts. Since there are many ways to increase the value of your cube, you can even sell your cube at a profit too!
This website blends together the ideas of a directory, the million dollar homepage plus a few other elements of clever thought. Credit where its due, this site uses some clever techniques gaining cheap targetted traffic. Basically there’s a direct incentive to encourage visitors to You-Cubez.com:
So that’s the traffic taken care of. Now for the money. There is no upper limit to how much you can ‘invest’ in your cube, so the value of cubes can only increase. Of course the site owner earns money from every cube and topup purchased. However, if a cube owner sells a cube, the site owner earns commission on the sale. So when the value of the cubes reach high levels, this commission becomes valuable. My only suggestion is that the commission fee should be simplified. I think it should be 10% before Paypal fees, not after. This is because its difficult for the seller to work out how much they actually receive.
I can see copies of this site popping up in the near future. All good ideas are copied very quickly!
The Directory Blog over at Aviva Directory is quickly becoming the best resource for directory related news on the web. For February, it ran a competition for the best phpLD directory, best phpLD mod and best phpLD template.
I am really chuffed to say that DirectorySpy.com won first prize for the phpLD PR Update Tool mod! In addition to some cash, it appears that I have won some free advertising and links in a number of directories.
So a huge thank you to everyone who voted for my mod. You already know that I’ve got a newer version in the works, which adds compatibility for phpLD V3.1 and is easier to install.
