I have been trying to setup a tag cloud using the TagCloud Beta. The initial steps of setup were a breeze. Basically, you create an account and configure your sources for the cloud by entering RSS feeds or by using an OPML file. I decided to go with my RSS feed as a source. I had everything configured in less then ten minutes however, when I viewed my cloud I received the following message:
"This cloud currently has no data. If you have just added new feeds, please allow several minutes for this cloud to be updated."
You can see the Somewhat Frank TagCloud for yourself by going here.
I figured a few minutes was under an hour so I continued to check back. Unfortunately, nothing changed. Two days later and still nothing. So I emailed the folks at TagCloud to try and determine if I had configured something incorrectly. In an email reply the from John Herren who according to the TagCloud about page came up with the idea:
Frank,
Please check out my posts here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tagcloud/
Thanks,
John Herren
In following the link to the Yahoo group for TagCloud. I found the issues related to setting up my TagCloud:
"It's not you, it's us. Really."
Feew, I am glad to hear that. Basically, TagCloud has outgrown its server space, so creation of the cloud is taking a LONG time. However, there is hope to clear up all this cloudy service as John continues in saying:
"I'm pleased to announce that we are partnering with a large web hosting company and will be moving our site to a new hosting infrastructure in the coming weeks."
This is great news, I hope to see my TagCloud up and running soon so I can add it to Somewhat Frank.
For other blogosphere perspectives check out these posts on TechCrunch, GearHack, palmit.commentary, DanLeonard.com and mathewingram.com.