OPML Editor support: How Map-A-Domain works...

How Map-A-Domain works...

Posted by Dave Winer, 6/14/05 at 2:57:29 AM.

The Map A Domain command in the Community menu lets you (as the name implies) associate a domain name with a directory rendering of the outline. For example, I have the name dir.scripting.com associated with this file, which I edit with the OPML editor. It's a list of all the sites that are associated with Scripting News.

Suppose you want to associate a domain name with one of the outlines you edit, and view it as a directory, in a similar way? This is how you do it.

1. First, you must own a domain, which you may purchase through a registrar like GoDaddy, EasyDNS or Network Solutions. Suppose that domain is you.myfoo.com. It could also be directory.myfoo.com, or baz.myfoo.com, basically anything you like that you can register. Arrange for your domain to point to this IP address: 67.18.151.44, which is the address of the community server we operate, on an experimental basis, I might add.

2. Now, in the OPML Editor, open the outline that you want associated with the domain. Then choose Map A Domain from the Community menu. There will be two entries in the dialog that appears. One will be the place where you enter the domain name, which you should do now; and the other will be the URL of the OPML file, which should already be filled in. However, you may change the URL if you like, to point to some other OPML file. It does not need to be stored on any particular server, but it must be accessible over the Internet. Here's a screen shot of the dialog:

A picture named mapADomainVersion2.gif

3. When you click on OK, you should get a confirmation dialog, and you're done.

Limits

Obviously a powerful feature like this must have limits. But we haven't programmed them yet, so please don't abuse it while it's in development. Four or five domains should be sufficient for experimental purposes. We make no warranties about continuing to host your outlines in the future. Please read that last sentence carefully and tatoo it on your forehead so you can see it when you look at yourself in the mirror.