For anyone that has wanted to launch their own blog on their own domain and web server, but hasn’t done so yet, WordSprung has launched a new FREE service which will get you up and running with your very own WordPress powered blog.  For more information check out the details of WordSprung’s FREE Basic WordPress Self-Hosted Blog Installation Service.

I’m often asked by clients how they can increase their blog readership and user interaction to which I’ll rattle off a few tried and true practices that we recommend and I will often create a custom “to-do” list for the client.  If they follow through on those items, it will pay off in the end.

That question is usually followed by the question, “is there a good book that you’d recommend. “  And up until now that answers has been “no, not really”.  While there are more book/ebook products out there than you can imagine, most are overpriced and the few I’ve seen first hand are, how to put it nicely, useless garbage.  Beyond that, there are blogs out there that are helpful, but these don’t typically get laid out in a portable, easy to follow manner, so I can’t really tell a client, “go read this blog and do what so-and-so says”.

Which brings me to the point of this post.

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You’re told that WordPress 2.7 is easy to navigate.  Only a few clicks and you’re ready to start writing your post.  While that is true, what about all of the clicking and typing involved while writing your posts?  Isn’t that a tedious and time consuming task?  What if your blog knew what you wanted to write and wrote it for you?  That’s where our latest WordPress plugin, MindReader, comes in.

So how does it work? What exactly does it do? Why should I use it?

The WordPress MindReader Plugin is similar to speech-to-text applications but instead of actually speaking, MindReader reads what’s on your mind (web cam required) and outputs your thoughts as text in the WordPress editor.

Unlike speech recognition software, MindReader makes it a breeze to edit your posts.  Do you see a missing word or punctuation?  Do you want to rearrange a sentence or paragraph?  Just think it while looking at your web cam and the change will be made.  It’s truly as simple as that.

MindReader is perfect for the following:

• Blogging in bed when you don’t want to disturb your significant other with the clacking of keys.
• Blogging while in the library.
• Blogging while on public transportation.
• Blogging what other people are thinking (just point your webcam at them while running MindReader).

Are you not convinced? Don’t take our word for it. Listen to what some of our beta testers have to say:

“Making accurate judgments has been so much easier since I installed a web cam in my courtroom.  The MindReader plugin for WordPress is simply amazing! Thank you Watershed Studio!”

— Judge Stone

“MindReader has saved me so much time that I’m actually “writing” my forthcoming book, Seven Dead Flamingos, completely in WordPress.  I’d be willing pay a few hundred dollars for this plugin, but it’s FREE!”

— Jeff Stanger, Author & Blogger

“At first I was skeptical. As if a computer could actually read your mind via a web cam. But I installed the MindReader plugin and sure enough it worked as advertised!”

— Steven Long, Comedian

Are you still not convinced?  Try MindReader yourself and let us know your thoughts!

[Update: If  you didn't "get" it, this was an April Fool's Day joke.  While we can't make blogging quite that easy, we can help you out via other avenues.]

Planning for WordCamp Indy is officially underway and the website is now live.  We’re aiming to host the first event in Q1 2009.   If you’re interested in helping out or attending, please contact us.

In the meantime you can follow the WordCamp Indy happenings on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook & Google Groups.

The WordPress Flag Comments Plugin, version 1.7, has now been publicly released. WordPress Flag Comments Plugin allows readers to flag WordPress comments as inappropriate and then allow an administrator control on how to handle that.  Please pick up the most recent version via the WordPress Extend Plugins Directory.

The initial development of the WordPress Flag Comments Plugin was sponsored by Fox News and can currently be seen in use on Alisyn Camerot’s Alisyn in the Greenroom blog.