Tidbits from Tot Jot...

There is probably some type of "corporate-ey" acronym or official term (like TQM or Sigma Something) for constantly adding/changing/tweaking features at Tot Jot, but since we aren't very "corporate-ey" (cripes, that isn't even a real word) we'll just tell you what we've done this week:

1) We released some public Groups - you can catch up on what is going from our home page, or you can log in and get to participating in discussions on Potty Training and Picky Eaters (among others).

2) We are now providing convenient links to RSS Feeds for all public Groups (no password required) as well as Parent's Blogs (where passwords are required, along with a password-enabled RSS reader). Just check the bottom of any Group or Parent's Blog. You can read more about Tot Jot's RSS Feeds, as well their privacy/security features, here.

3) We've made it much easier to post to Groups you are a member of. When making new entries from your Parent account, you can now post directly to any Groups you've joined.

More to come, so keep an eye out!

Thanks again, from Tot Jot

Where to "record the babyhood"

The Blogging Baby crew is debating how to record your child's babyhood.

We know parenting is a lot of work, especially when it comes to babies. That's why we not only made Tot Jot as easy (and as secure) as it could be, but we also provide those little facilitation question to keep you going.

You have a pile of materials ready to go into a scrapbook, but don't remember what was going on with your baby the moment you collected them (because they are growing so fast you just can't keep up). You can't share it because it isn't as organized, and the fact that your friends and family are thousands of miles away doesn't help matters.

We think there is no need for debate.

It's time to get on Tot Jot!

Your children are now in pictures, with Tot Jot

Ta-da! Tot Jotters now have pictures! Yea, yea. You've been emailing us for months asking when you could put pictures of your toddler on Tot Jot. You've read the FAQs, which said "coming soon" and "very soon" and all that jazz. But we've been working hard on a solution, and now you have it.

Tot Jot now offers picture capability, with the help of someone who really knows pictures, Flickr. Flickr is a great photo sharing and social networking service dedicated to pictures, and it's part of Yahoo!, who does a heck of a lot of picture sharing. We chose Flickr because they are all about being social, and since that is what we're all about too, it seemed like the perfect fit.

Our picture service allows you to created galleries of child photos that act as a photo album management tool, so you don't have to run to Flickr all the time. We also provide the ability for you to embed photos directly into your Child's Tales. Uploading photos, adding keyword tags, and just plain browsing your pics of your child with their first birthday cake, or at their first soccer game - that's what you get. In order to use Tot Jot pictures, you will need to have a Flickr account, but no worries there - Flickr is free (and easy to signup for). We even provide you with links for signing up, as well as signing in when you are ready to upload pics. By the way, if you have a Yahoo! account, you are already halfway there, because Yahoo! accounts are used at Flickr, no problem. And as for your friends and family, well they won't need an account to view your pics - we've taken care of that in the same safe, secure way you've become accustomed to at Tot Jot. Just embed your pics directly into your Child's Tale and everyone's all set.

Now you can post pics of your baby, toddler or just plain tot throwing crayons at you (versus drawing with them), dipping their face (instead of their hot dog) in the ketchup, or even doing a balancing act.

Thanks a bunch!

The Tot Jot Team