The Xanga Empire

No, that’s a misnomer.  It should be the WebCrimson Empire as hosted by Xanga severs. 

John Hiler is co-founder of WebCrimson, a software consulting firm based in Manhattan. WebCrimson does website consulting implementing its microCMS for clients like VC firms, book authors, non-profits, musicians, etc. John also helped build Xanga.com, one of the largest weblog community sites.

That’s the blurb that John uses to introduce himself on www.microcontentnews.com which is described as “a CORANTE microblog” but which itself is hosted by the Xanga servers.

Now, www.microcontentnews.com is a very interesting site.  I recommend it as cutting-edge reading on the blogging phenom and I truly value it’s marvelous links.  But back to the Empire…

Yes, Xanga (the servers) is more than just us (the community).  Did you know that www.webcrimson.com is also a Xanga server site?  You probably do—if you remember back to 9/23/2001 when the XangaTeam proposed it as free trial.

But did you know that the *Crimson Hosting* (at www.crimsonhosting.com ), you know, the banners that adorn the top of so many non-Premium Xanga blogs, is Xanga, too?

We build websites

During the day, I work with a small group of friends as part of a small web design and consulting shop.

During the night - well to be honest, during a lot of the day, too - we spend our time building free blog apps (like bloglet.com), blog sites and webzines (like Microcontent News). We are all happily addicted to the world of weblogs. 

--Marc

And have you ever heard of bloglet (at www.bloglet.com ) ?  It’s an email notification system setup to work with Blogger and MovableType.  Courtesy of monsur.   Oh yes, and another resident in the house of Xanga!

Are these guys busy or what?!

Actually, Xanga servers claim IP addresses starting, according to my legal hacking scanner, at 208.215.143.2 and continuing until 208.215.143.30 .

Here’s the actual breakdown:

208.215.143.2 www.xanga.com
208.215.143.3 purchase xanga URL
208.215.143.4 Forbidden
208.215.143.5 Forbidden
208.215.143.6 xanga portal
208.215.143.7 cannot find server
208.215.143.8 cannot find server
208.215.143.9 cannot find server
208.215.143.10 www.webcrimson.com
208.215.143.11 www.webcrimson.com
208.215.143.12 “Nothing to see here”
208.215.143.13 xanga portal
208.215.143.14 www.crimsonhosting.com
208.215.143.15 cannot find server
208.215.143.16 cannot find server
208.215.143.17 www.microcontentnews.com
208.215.143.18 www.bloglet.com
208.215.143.19 xanga portal
208.215.143.20 cannot find server
208.215.143.21 xanga portal
208.215.143.22 xanga portal
208.215.143.23 xanga database
208.215.143.24 xanga portal
208.215.143.25 xanga portal
208.215.143.26 xanga portal
208.215.143.27 cannot find server
208.215.143.28 cannot find server
208.215.143.29 cannot find server
208.215.143.30 xanga database

There we have it: the Xangaweb as best as I could determine.  Do Xanga Premium subscriptions’ money and donations go to support any of the other entities?  We hope not.  Do any of the other entities financially support Xanga?  Selfishly, we hope so.  In any case, good luck WebCrimson Empire, sailing on the Xanga boat.

What could be more natural than climbing a tree?

Can you remember when?  Have you climbed one lately?

Yet upon strolling to work today along the downtown avenues, I considered the trees and reckoned that none have been climbed by anyone lately.  I wonder if the trees wonder: *what the fuck?*  *what kind of tree-hell is this that no one stops to climb up even just one of us?*

But if I would climb, the police would come.  I'd surely be apprehended, not so much because it's a crime, but undoubtedly because they'd think I'm nuts.

Yet what could be more natural
In the new wash of Spring
Than to climb a tree
And take ease in the breeze
And imagine new wings
To just swing and to sing?!

*blog composed on the run*

now I'm feeling good.  and wouldn't trade in life with anyone.
going to quit drinking--even that *social drink*
going to fast.
going to run.
or is that *run fast*?
the mind-alterers can stay stashed.
going to write
but not necessarily blog.

good-bye machine.
i'll miss the cogs.

Nope. The email posting that I've set up isn't working regardless of whether it's automated or individually sent.  And it's failing regardless of whether I send from a Yahoo or Hotmail account.  Xanga is broken again.  Well, at least in this concern.

I'm sure this just breaks my heart.  Now time to run, literally, and dance with the birds.

Dear Xangods,

My ability to post by email has been curtailed. I've tried several times since last night without success.  Nor are the email stats indicating anything arriving as a failure or success. Is this a breakdown on your Xanga server or have you amended the procedure?  Your prompt response will be appreciated.

notforprophet