Xavier Media®

The more I use MyXavier (our own StatusNet server) the less I mis Twitter. I have to say that a StatusNet server is so much more flexible then Twitter since you can follow people on other servers and you don't even have to sign up for an account at the other server.

The latest feature I discovered is a small plugin called Profile Attributes. If the StatusNet server you have your account on got this free plugin activated, then you can add your own attributes (descriptions if you like) to your profile page. As an example see the picture above.

We've activated this plugin at MyXavier.com, so if you have an account there you can test this plugin.

To add a new attribute to your profile page post a status message like this:

Favorite food := Meat

This will create a new attribute called Favorite food and assign the value Meat to it. To replace Meat with for example Pizza, just update your status again with the following:

Favorite food := Pizza

Lets say that you also would like to add Pasta as your favorite food, then just replace : in the status message with a + instead like this:

Favorite food += Pasta

Now you have two values for your attribute Favorite food. If you change your mind and would like to remove Pizza, then you just post a status message with a – instead of the + sign:

Favorite food -= Pizza

To make it possible only for your friends (people you subscribe to) to view an attribute, then just post a status with this:

Favorite food r:= FRIENDS

If you change your mind and would like everyone to see it, then post:

Favorite food r:= ALL

I suggest you try it out and have some fun with the attributes you can add to your profile. If you don't have an account at MyXavier.com get one for free and if you have your own StatusNet community don't forget to activate this fun plugin.

About the author
Andreas co-founded Xavier Media® in 1996 and has since been involved in all kinds of development, marketing and making money online.