A couple of weeks ago, Ron over at 3000Newswire.com contacted me about customizing their blog. 3000Newswire has published an actual hard-copy publication about the HP3000 for 10 years, but they have recently started publishing a blog and were looking forward reaching both existing and new readers there.

To make this work, Ron wanted different advertising to be displayed on the different category pages. I knew this was possible on Movable Type, but he wasn't ready to move away from TypePad. With TypePad's single category template for all categories, a creative use of includes became necessary. And a big shout out to the support staff at SixApart...they were very helpful both before and during the project.

Coming into a blog that was already running was both a challenge and a blessing. I had to put aside my desire to "design" (always my first impulse) because that was not the job at hand. But then again, I didn't have to stress over the design and I could get the JOB DONE. I learned a ton, especially just how powerful TypePad can be if you know how to finesse it.

If you need help setting up per-category advertising (or anything else category-specific) on your TypePad install, get in touch. And if you can think of a better name for this skill/service, let me know. I'll come up with some sort of worthwhile prize for you...something descriptive, obvious, but catchy. (The name, not the prize!)