This ISN'T about Jeremy and Brad... It isn't even about Rich or Mike. It is about something that WE do as real estate agents. We build communities. Builders build houses. People build homes. Neighbors build communities. We are the ultimate neighbor... when we are really doing our job.
I found a new toy. I haven't rolled it out yet, but I am excited... Really excited!
BuddyPress...
WordPress is a very cool tool. It is quite flexible, and very easy to use. It can be made to be a lot of different things, from a blog to a news site. It can be used to write posts, create podcasts or video blog. It can be deployed as a gallery or a portfolio. It does a lot of really cool stuff...
But can it be a total social network...
According to BuddyPress, yes it can. Of course there is a blog component. There is also a forum component. There is a stream (like Twitter or the FaceBook Wall). Users can create and/or join into groups and share specific info. Of course, they can send private messages to each other. And if there is going to be socializing, there need to be profiles. And finally... pictures... they aren't ready to roll with the albums quite yet, but later this year.
All of this is based on the WordPress architecture. It is customizable and extensible. And it is pretty close to brand new. Version 1.0 was only released a few weeks ago, on April 30th. They are already working on the next generation. 
Talk about sticky... Can you imagine getting a group on here to discuss, share and plan local events and issues? Like maybe a subdivision... or a club... or a group of employees... There are a lot of cool possibilites.
Normally at this point I would send you to my cool new site to show how I have deployed it as a test. But I haven't... yet. I am going to, and I am sure I will write about it. But it is too new for me to have taken the time to roll it out. Look for it sometime in June. It will likely be built out for a 4wd club. Only a couple of them know so far... The ones that normally freak out will be the first to find out... after I flip the switch. [smirk]
*** Last word. If you are a neighborhood in the Lilburn area, and you want to try this out for your association (formal or otherwise), let me know. I will set it up and host it for you for free. Also for car clubs in Gwinnett County. ***
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
When you do - I wanna join! : )
Lane
This is pretty cool.
They talked about BuddyPress at WordCamp Columbus.. it was over my head.
"This ISN'T about Jeremy and Brad... It isn't even about Rich or Mike."
Mike who?
Mike Mueller?
I'm watching your every move... on BuddyPress
Lane,
Look at that! You got hijacked by a FSBO in the middle of the night! Looks like the price is right LOL
Mike in Tucson
I'll park for more on Buddy Press
Lane - LMAO @ Mike Jones:) As if I don't spend enough time on the internet, this sounds intriguing. I'm with Mueller; I want to join as well.
Lane, this sounds VERY interesting, I can't wait to hear/see more about BuddyPress....you are right, we are the community builders!
Lane, LOVE the hijacked feature!! I'm sitting by watching to see what you do--this is a little TOO much for me!
You what, I didn't understand how it works. I will do google search and see if I can get up to snuff with the rest of you guys.
Lane, thanks for taking the time to educate us on this new area. As with anything it is important to decide if we have the time to invest in another area and the return on that invested time for us.
Lane - The Spammers have found you!
What another site? Man when am I ever going to have the time to do all these sites? Lol
Things are constantly changing... Tough to keep up with the Jones's anymore. Thanks for the info though.
Mike - I'll send you an invite... you can hang with us 4wheelers. I knew you'd want to play in it.
Tom - It is cool. I'd heard about it, but hadn't really "gotten" it until I started to look into it...
Maureen - Yes, Mike Mueller. He is a great community builder, as is Rich Jacobson. And this isn't over your head... you just have to play in it to understand it. There are so many possibilities...
Alex - Your spam will be gone in a minute...
Mike - I sure did... And I will have more to say about BuddyPress as I get in to it.
Jason - You can play with the Jeepers, too. That will be the first rollout.
Marney - The good among us are...
Debe - You can do it. You are a Bar Camper!
An - I haven't done it yet... And basically, this is a way to build a smaller social network for a group you are involved with. It can be a club, business or neighborhood... anything...
Gary - There are some challenges with creating a community. But, if successful, the rewards are huge.
Robert - This would be a site for my niches...
Hmmm. Parked to watch the developments. This'll be very interesting indeed. I just started using WordPress and to tell you the truth I'm not too convinced about its utility...but we'll see.
Is Mike in the orange shirt with the camera in front of his face?
Who is the guy in the white shirt? Hey maybe you have the photo tagged. I should look, Huh?
Who is Matt?
William - I would be happy to help you get more out of WP... Feel free to shoot me a mail with any issues you are having and we'll see what we can do about it.
Maureen - Matt is the guy in the middle of the pic... he is my broker and a very social guy. Behind the camera is Bobby Carroll of Dakno. He is also an all-around good guy. Mike is the guy behind AreWeConnected. He is also here in A|R. Mike couldn't make it to Charlotte for #rebcclt... he's one of those CA guys.
I know Mike...
we are connected....
Lane, This sounds a little bit like ning.com. I use ning.com all the time so will have to check out buddypress as well to what it's all about.
Lane..this is too cool...Sounds good too me..I am getting so nerdy I am sitting here with my REBar camp tag around my neck..I want to go back to camp..Thanks
How is BuddyPress dfferent than a community on Ning Lane?
I am very interested to see how your first test group goes for you and will look forward to your post on it.
Great post and I totally agree with your comments above. Thanks for sharing with us.
Great! The most successful RE professionals I know are positively excited to tell you all about their community. It permeates their very presence and is extremely contagious. I love telling people about how great Austin is. I remember someone on The Real World Austin saying that she thought they ride horses around town here. More like Priuses!
Bryant & Maureen - The big difference is control. Of course I am still fighting with it...
Hannah - My 5 year old has my tags...
Christine - I will be posting more about it...
Katiejo - And what comments would those be?
Ian - Yes, we do tend to be cheerleaders for the places we serve. How can we sell them if you don't love it there?
Lane - I would love to talk to you about WP as you seem very knowledgable about the features.
Sharon - Any time. My number is on the sidebar.
This is thought provoking to me. First time I have heard of buddypress. I will follow your blogs to current to see what you have developed...Thanks Lane!
Evelyn - Hair pullingly frustrating. Of course now I haven't looked at it for a while. I think there were still some bugs that needed fixing when I was looking at it.