Adding Facebook Connect to my Blog

UPDATE: February 25, 2009: I’ve disabled Facebook Connect due to some instability it was causing on my site. I don’t intend to reactivate it for the foreseeable future. You can still comment on blog posts using the Facebook integration in the IntenseDebate commenting system.
UPDATE: June 2, 2011: At present you cannot comment on blog posts using your Facebook credentials. The IntenseDebate login was interfering with the Like/Send button.

I’m happy to say that as of today I’ve implemented Facebook Connect on my website. This is part of Facebook’s attempt to further take over the Internet, and I’m happy to help them out. You can now use your Facebook login to leave comments on my website. It’s a pretty cool idea on the part of Facebook, since no one likes to have to sign up for yet another website account. Let me walk you through what the process will look like on my site.

Using Facebook Connect on My Website

Facebook Connect, at least how it appears on my website, is all about commenting. You’ll notice at the bottom of this post and all other posts where comments are open that next to the normal sign-in boxes there’s a new Connect button.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

Click on that button and login using your Facebook account.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

Once you login you’ll see a little box in the upper right hand corner of your browser letting you know that you’re logged in with your Facebook account.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

Now you’re able to leave comments using your Facebook username. One feature that I hope you’ll take advantage of is the ability to automatically send your comment to the News Feed. I know some folks don’t like the News Feed or the Mini Feed, but I do. I like the idea of having these feed stories published because it will give my site more exposure to the rest of your friend network.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

This is what your comment will look like on my site. Notice that it even includes your profile picture, complete with a little Facebook “F” in the bottom right corner.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

And, if you chose to publish the comment in your News Feed and Mini Feed, here’s what that will look like.

Facebook Connect on jaledwith.com

How Can I Add That to My Site?

This was a really easy to my blog. Facebook recently created a plugin for WordPress that will do most of the work for you. Click here for all the details. Facebook also created a Plugin Directory with more options should this plugin not be to your liking. This WordPress plugin is no longer functional.

Your Thoughts

I’m interested to know if Facebook Connect will influence how much you comment on blogs that implement it. Click here to vote in my poll and be sure to sound off in the comments. Do universal ID systems help or hurt the future of the Internet? This poll has closed.

UPDATE: February 25, 2009: I’ve disabled Facebook Connect due to some instability it was causing on my site. I don’t intend to reactivate it for the foreseeable future. You can still comment on blog posts using the Facebook integration in the IntenseDebate commenting system.
UPDATE: June 2, 2011: At present you cannot comment on blog posts using your Facebook credentials. The IntenseDebate login was interfering with the Like/Send button.

3 Responses to “Adding Facebook Connect to my Blog”

  1. shaun May 25, 2009 at 8:28 pm #

    hi, I was just reading your info and was struggling to get my rss feed for my status from facebook. You have your current status on your site… Can you provide any more info regards getting this feed etc. Your link has two features… your account number and your status id number too. I am unsure how to get this up and running and I have tried everything above but it states rss link unavailable.

    Thank you.

    Kind regards,

    Shaun.

    • Andrew May 26, 2009 at 11:45 am #

      Good question. Since Facebook had their last redesign the place where the RSS link used to be located is no longer there. I’m currently on the search for how to get this link in the new format. My RSS link includes a key produced by Facebook. I’m trying to find out what page that key is produced on under the new format. I’ll get back to you. Actually, it sounds like a good topic for a post. =)

  2. Nico Ranan October 8, 2009 at 5:25 am #

    its so nice to connect facebook from a blog but i don't know how. i need help.