In our recent upgrade to our platform, we've introduced some great new community features, and I'd like to introduce you to how they work.

Rating Content Items

First, we've added the ability to rate other content on the site, such as individual forum threads. You'll also be able to see average user ratings for each content item. Go right ahead and start rating your favorite content items, and help other community members find the best stuff!

Update And Personalize Your Profile

Second, we've upgraded the profile screen, and added the availability of some great custom options.

Here's what you'll now be able to do:

• Add your Twitter username
• Add your YouTube ID
• Add your Flickr account

All of these will be visible when other community members view your profile. In addition, you'll also be able to select the country you live in, and your country's flag will be proudly displayed next to your avatar!

Groups

We've also enhanced the Groups section of the site. First, you'll now see a sidebar on the right hand side of your screen, where you can access "My Groups," the groups that you are subscribed to, with one easy click.

You can also see all members in a group, and the member count in each.

So What Are You Waiting For?

We hope you enjoy the new features in our latest upgrade. Have fun updating your profile, rating content, and enjoying your Groups!

We know that all of you put a great amount of thought into your "most-wanted" list for Christmas. We enjoyed checking out what technology-related goodness you all wanted to see under the tree on one of the most exciting days of the year. We sincerely hope you got everything you wished for - and with the announcement of our holiday contest winners here at TechLore, you just might!

That's especially true for one exciting reason:

We've decided that EVERYONE who posted to the thread is a winner! See the list of winners below:

Grand Prize - Neuros OSD

• Chris Miller

1st Prize - WowWee FlyTech Dragonfly

• Zapdbf

2nd Prize - Monster iFreePlay Headphones

• idahophil
• panasyncolten
• Larry Dillon

Thanks again for entering the TechLore Holiday Contest, and we hope you enjoy your new gadgets!

Got something to say? Want your very own soapbox to stand on and shout out your opinions? Want to report the latest happenings in technology? You can do all of this and more with your very own blog right here on TechLore.com!

Starting today, we are opening up blogging to the TechLore Community! Why buy a domain, find a host, go through all the effort and cost of promoting it, and handle all the maintenence when TechLore can handle it all for you... absolutely free. Best of all, TechLore already has thousands of visitors each and every day, so what you say will be heard, and that's what's most important.

Ready to get your opinions out there? Want to have your thoughts featured all over the site and in the TechLore Newsletter? Read on to learn how you can apply for your own blog right here on TechLore.

How To Get Your Own TechLore Blog

First, blogs will only be given to TechLore members, but that's also totally free so just go join up already!

Next, we need to get the blog details. We are open to all kinds of cool blog ideas, so be creative and let us know what you have in mind.

To make the request, drop by our feedback page where you can shoot us a request to get a blog. Select "Other" in the drop down box, and for gosh sakes, please don't click the anonymous checkbox (we need to know who's asking and have a way to contact you!).

In the box, let us know what the blog is about, how often you expect to post, and a few more details, specifically:

1. The title of the blog (Jim's Corner, MP3 News, etc.)

2. The blog description (a one paragraph introduction of the blog. See the blogs page for examples)

3. The registered e-mail address or display name on your TechLore account.

4. An example first post (one or two paragraphs).

That's it! We'll contact you withing a day or so with an answer and further instructions. If you run a heavy junk mail filter, make sure you're set up to receive e-mail from techlore.com and capablenet.com e-mail addresses.

Blog Notes

We'll be honest, not everyone who makes a request will get a blog (we are talking about giving you access to thousands of readers, so we reserve the right to be a little choosy). We prefer bloggers that have some writing ability... we don't expect nobel prize caliber writing, but you should be able to spell check, use punctuation, and have some basic grammar skills.

TechLore is a gadgets and technology focused site, and while we have no problem with some off topic personal posts, you should head to MySpace if you only want to talk about your dog or favorite foods. We expect all blogs to maintain a focus that coincides with the rest of the site.

What are you waiting for? Here's your chance to step into the spotlight! Apply for your very own TechLore Blog today!