I’ve launched an index of companies and products that have been written about here on TechCrunch. This is a much quicker way of finding information on things I’ve written about than using the search function. In fact, I was having trouble finding my own posts using standard search. If you know the name of the company, go to this page and simply click on it to see a list of all of the posts that mention it.
This is self generating. Rachel Cunliffe took the basic code for the Ultimate Tag Warrior wordpress plugin (which was writen by Christine Davis) and modified it in a few key ways to suit my needs.
The result is a page that lists each company I’ve written about. The interface for the publisher is basically the same as UTW. The changes Rachel made are mostly to the output page.
We will post this to the Wordpress Plugin Database later today or tomorrow so that anyone writing for Wordpress can use it.
Planned enhancements include creation of the index in OPML format as well.
This index is also permanently linked from the top of the left sidebar on any TechCrunch page.
That. Is. Awesome.
Great work Michael!
Oh, and you too Rachel!
I really wish these kind of things had an “edit” button.
Andrew, Thanks very much. I had a lot of wild ideas for this feature, but Rachel found a very easy way to do it and I love it. I also like the fact that we can give this to anyone to use (if they are on wordpress). The key thing I want to add is OPML support.
Michael and Rachel,
Super Lists!
RSS and OPML would be fantastic for monitoring additions. Not to be undone but ever thought about a TagCloud option?
Nice Job you two. Don’t stop now!
Hullabaloo - Rachel assures me we’ll have OPML for this by tomorrow (ok, not really, I made that up - but it will come soon I think). A RSS feed for each tag already exists.
Glad you find it useful
I’ll update the template shortly, but you can grab an RSS feed for any tag, just add /rss/ to the URL:
e.g. http://www.techcrunch.com/tag/ning/rss/
Tag cloud shouldn’t be hard to do, thanks to the UltimateTagWarrior plugin’s flexibility.
You have 2 Netvibes there - one is misspelt
Cheers,
Andrew
This will be expremely useful if we can get a sentence or two about what the site is about when we float our mouse above its name
Andrew - thanks, fixed. I’ve found some other errors too but the interface makes it really easy to correct.
I run a site focused on soccer in the Ozarks. I have categories like HS Boys, it looks like your new plug-in would allow me to tag articles with the schools and players as well. They would then be listed in an index for easier navigation. Pretty cool and something I’d love to add to the site. Thanks!
This is fantastic Michael! Your readers really appreciate all you do to keep us aware of all the great stuff that seems to be sprouting up everywhere (despite the weed-like pace at which they seem to be growing at!). I’m sure you’re far too busy to do this, but if possible, I would love to see all the products and companies separated by their function or vertical. I’m hoping to make this list one of these days!
Excellent list - there are a few scattered ones out there but this looks mighty comprehensive. I vote in support of Dave’s comment regarding separating the products and companies - it’s easier to keep track of things that way.
Rachel and Dave - It’s nearly impossible to do this. I’ve tried - http://sndirectory.worldoutlin.....20reviews/
Great new feature! Keep up the hard work, this is one of my “must visit everyday” sources and everything you have done is much appreciated!!!
Michael - just as you posted this I was becoming disgruntled with your search box :). Great timing and great idea!
Now’s a good time to start a company named
!!!!aardvark
Good way to get decent placement
Very useful!
Thanks Mike.
Nice one Michael & Rachel,
I was playing with your old OPML file the other day and was going to ask when the next update was going to happen. This answers that query. I take it you won’t be able to keep the existing structure of the OPML as there is no way to break down the list anymore due to the comprehensive size of the list. You just have to stop doing so much work so your list can be catergorized. Just kidding, great job again.
Ah, a fantastic feature
I love perusing other sites that are (usually) in active development. It’s really nice to see where the various industries are moving and this is certainly going to help keep tabs on them!
Thanks — I tried searching for some companies the other day, but Wordpress search leaves lots to be desired
Yeah this is quite useful. Well done!
Great to have this! Re OPML, I’m not a guru, but I know of an interesting tool called OPOD by an Irish blogger.
http://eurekaman.com/opod/.
i can’t see the plugin in the database
http://www.techscurry.com
Nice one Michael/Rachel - I’ve been looking for something like this for ages
Great guide! All the features on each company together!
RAUL
Hi Jonathan,
The plugin is available here