Every year I come back from REBlogWorld and BlogWorld with new ideas and toys tools to try out here at the Lab.  This year one of them is Zemanta.

Last year it was Apture.  I’ve had that installed here at the Lab since I got back last year.  I’ve used it a couple of times.  I’m wondering if I won’t find the same issue with Zemanta I did with Apture.  The issue: I’m not struggling for content.  I know what I want to write, what I want to say and where I want to link out to for you the readers.

Maybe it is different here at the Lab as a tech blog.  So I’ve installed it on the Tucson blog as well. (Had Apture there to till it started slowing up my load times).

Therefore, this is an introductory post which will require a follow-up.  (It might be a short one)

Zemanta Plugin

The plugin itself is pretty straight forward.  Use the New plugin search, “zemanta”  it pops up, install it.  The API is automatically inserted.  Register on Zemanta website and set up some preferences there.

If you want to include third party images on your post then you can do that as well with image suggestions.

There isn’t anything to see till you open the editor and start typing.  As you do, it refreshes suggestions along the bottom of the editor.  Highlight where you want a link and select the link you want from the dropdown lists provided.  As you select links to include the dropdowns turn Orange to indicate there is a link on the post.

Zemanta Adding Links

I’ve used it to add links to REBlogWorld and BlogWorld in this post.  I have to admit, I like this feature.  I didn’t have to open either of those sites on another tab and copy paste the links.  Zemanta Link Suggestions [x] I Like it.

It did insert some class code in the links which I  see no need for it.

Zemanta Image Insertion

This plugin selects images which might be associated with content in the post.  It makes no distinction between copyrighted images and public domain.  It does indicate if it is public domain or “need to check with owner”.  (Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen very often.)  It also uses the image caption field for it’s own link to the image which you can’t seem to override.  Every time I change the caption it changes it back.

I want to write my own captions, thank you very much.  This is a “feature” I DO NOT LIKE.

Zemanta Reblog

It also added a div tag and code to “reblog”  I’ve not read about this “feature” but I don’t like anything that adds code to my posts without my asking.  I’ll look into this more on another post.  I deleted the div and it has been added back in as soon as I saved.

For some reason they think you want to have others blog your content. (This is a feature I wish I could turn off).  I’m leaving it on this post for your review/perview.

First Impressions of Zemanta

Overall, I give it a D.

I like the links suggestion and ability to insert them directly by highlighting.  But most of the other “Functionality” has too much overhead and too many restrictions.  I’m not sure it is worth keeping it installed on a blog.  I’ll give it a little more time.  But I doubt it will change my mind much with use.

If you are using Zemanta drop by the Lab and let me know what you think of it.

Post from: Real Estate Blog Lab

Zemanta Plugin and Content Suggestion Tool