Modules to create a digg clone?

[RichonPligg]

What modules would I need to create a digg clone? Preferably the free ones! thanks in advance...

(Also, my last post was about the template -NOT a module... SO, this is not spam...)

[pacifica]

Why would you want to create a Digg clone? Everyone hates digg now.

Anyway, to have similar functionality, you will need the plugins that automatically fetch images (such as auto post image or auto scraper), modules for signing in with facebook or twitter, modules for a status wall or similar, plus an updated version of some of the templates that look similar to digg but don't work with 1.1.1 yet (I think).

Also, you will need heavy ajax modifications made to practically all of your files, and a ton of professional work done to make your site have 1/100th the features digg has under its hood.

It's possible, I've seen it done plenty of times - and those sites don't last for more than a year.

Instead, why not make a StumbleUpon clone, which really only requires a custom template and the Pligg toolbar module (plus a few for images and such other features.)

[RichonPligg]

1. "Why would you want to create a Digg clone? Everyone hates digg now."

I did not mean the CURRENT version of digg. I meant the OLD version that EVERYONE loved. I agree with YOU completely on THIS. Hence, I would give everyone what they want. The OLD version of digg. That's what everyone likes, and that's what everyone misses. Hence, I would recreate it completely.

2. "plugins that automatically fetch images".
Pligg Thumbnails Plus Module | Pligg CMS Templates and Modules
Is this the module?

3. "some of the templates that look similar to digg but don't work with 1.1.1 yet (I think)"
What would it take to updat the template?



4.
"It's possible, I've seen it done plenty of times - and those sites don't last for more than a year." People paid you to do? How much did you it cost?

5. "Instead, why not make a StumbleUpon clone, which really only requires a custom template and the Pligg toolbar module (plus a few for images and such other features.) "
I just started using stubleupon like a few weeks ago. So I am "new" to it.

Please write back... thanks

[sachingk]

Please check out my following ideas.

For a social bookmarking website like this , there is a need of viral marketing . So why don't you do some of the following
1. Improved tell a friend script with any number of e-mail supported.
2. Facebook like Wall .
3. Invite Friends module.
4. Send a virtual Gift depending on Karma Value.

If you do any one of the above that would be of more helpful for the new websites to gain traffic.

[pacifica]

Hey Richon,

1. All Pligg sites are JUST like the old Digg sites, except they look a little different. They function exactly the same way, but there are probably over 100,000 Pligg sites you will be competing with, so you need to really do something to stand out and make your site unique, and it's just my opinion that a Digg "clone" wouldn't be incentive enough for people to use your site vs. another site.

2. Nope, I'm talking about this Auto Thumb. It's $15 at hotpropertydesigns.com. Also, Auto Content Scraper will accomplish this to a lesser extent (however, with a better interface).

3. In your case, you would have to contact the developer of the template, or download an updated template that works with 1.1.1, read the changes that there has been between that version and the current version, and start making the changes yourself.

4. You could get a digg clone done for around $100 or so on a freelance website, or pay a pligg experienced developer anywhere between $250 and $500 for a similar "looking" site. A perfect clone of Digg was seen at cligg.com (notice, the "cl" in "cligg" looks like a D). If you visit that site now, you will see that it didn't survive and has since been shut down (or transferred to someone using Drupal instead of Pligg).

5. StumbleUpon is a pretty great site that has a lot of features, so you wouldn't really be able to "clone" it, but you could make a site that gives users a similar experience.

It is my opinion that the best thing to do is to just have a unique site that is different than any other site. Look at the Pligg gallery sites. Many of them are really great and unique, and that is what you should strive for in your pligg site.

Also, if you really want to make your site a success, aim to be a niche site instead of a general one. Make your site about one certain topic that isn't already being used by someone else. For instance, you could have a site all about PGA golf news, or all about Automotive news.


Sachingk:

You are right, if you want to be successful "quickly," you could really use viral marketing.

1. Improved tell a friend script: yep! (or a completely unique feature like my own "secret pligg weapon").

2. Facebook like Wall: only if you REALLY know how to use Facebook, and can actually get people to like you and CONTINUE to like you.

3. Invite Friends module: again, yes, much like my own script (which probably could never really be in "module" format unless one of the VERY experienced pligg guys built it).

4. Virtual Gift for Karma: That's an awesome idea, which is like the "awards" pro module (which I believe Chuckroast created). It is an interesting concept that will work very well for larger sites where people might have really high and competitive karma scores. Similar to HubPages "accolades" that people strive to earn.

If you be creative and are willing to put in the time and effort into developing (and learning), or have money to hire someone else to do it, you can have an amazing website.

[chuckroast]

Auto Content Scraper will accomplish this to a lesser extent (however, with a better interface).

The new version of the Auto Content Scraper is almost complete and will be available shortly.
New in this version:

• If content is available it will grab a thumbnail. If thumbnail is not available it will use a screenshot of the page using websnapr.This way all submissions regardless of having rich media will have a thumbnail and statistics.
• Voting directly from the thumbnail.
• Statistics of the amount of views on the thumbnail
• Comment count on thumbnail.
• Notification if a friend likes it is displayed on the thumbnail.
• Click the thumbnail to view the media.

[pacifica]

Wow Chuck, great work on that module. I can't wait for the new version!