TruthLaidBear offers a free service for ALL bloggers to add to their blogs - it is known as the Blogosphere Ecosystem and you, too, can go from being an "insignificant microbe" to a "higher being!"

What exactly is the TTLB Blogosphere Ecosystem?
The TTLB Blogosphere Ecosystem is an application which scans weblogs and generates a list of weblogs ranked by the number of incoming links they receive from other weblogs on the list.

Right now, Gena is a Slimy Mollusc (and she was an Insignificant Microbe just a few days ago) ... Gena is doing a great job of climbing that Ecosystem ladder!  To see what the ranking meter looks like, go to Gena's blog and scan down to the bottom of her sidebar and you will see her designation as a Slimy Mollusc.

JenIg is currently a Crusty Crustacean, Spunky is a Marauding Marsupial (wow - she's really connected!), BiblicalWomanhood is an Adorable Little Rodent (way to go, Crystal!) and my blog is just a Wiggly Worm at this point ... oh, I long to reach the ranks of at least a Flippery Fish!

So, why would you want to become a member of the Ecosystem? Well, personally I think it's fun to watch my blog climb the "blogging food chain," but the bottom line is that the more blogs you are connected to, the more your blog will be read. You know that Friends list on your blog? Well, if you joined TruthLaidBear and all of your Friends did too, then you wouldn't be an Insignificant Microbe for long! So, sign up today - it only takes a minute - place the coding into the sidebar of your blog (under Edit Template) and watch your ranking soar as your Friends also join!

What links does the TTLB Ecosystem count?
All links from a scanned weblog to any other weblog (i.e., links from a weblog to itself are ignored). This includes links within posts, and 'permanent' links in a weblog's blogroll. Remember, however, that the Ecosystem only counts links from blogs that are also registered in the Ecosystem. If you have links coming from a blog that isn't registered, feel free to add it. Consider it a gentle reminder that this all shouldn't be taken too terribly seriously.

Here is the ranking list:

Here is some more information taken from their FAQ page - but first is the link so that you can add this fun meter to YOUR blog.

How do I add my weblog to the Ecosystem?
By using the form right here.

How do I get my blog listed on the Ecotraffic pages?
Do the following:
- Register your blog with the Ecosystem if you haven't done so already
- Add the SiteMeter counter to your weblog
- Ensure that your SiteMeter counter's Privacy Level is set to 'Normal'. You can access this setting via the 'Manager' menu of Sitemeter: this allows other users (and the Ecosystem) to see your SiteMeter statistics.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to comment here and I'll do my best to answer them! If you join the TruthLaidBear Ecosystem, make sure that your friends do, too, so that you can watch yourself climb from only being an Insignificant Microbe!

Kris Price
Assistant to the Publishers
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
www.homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalEducation4Me/