[Update … two links which provide a better way to do this – Inserting Picasa slideshows and The gigya shortcode 3 – inserting Flash]
[Further Update for Blogger and for responsive slideshows – create Slideshow in Lightroom, export as Video and upload to Vimeo]
There are two methods of embedding slideshows within a blog, both using Vodpod; one enables you to take the embed code from the slide-sharing site (this includes Flickr as well, I believe, but has only be tested so far with Picasa) and generate the code for your WordPress blog without any hosting. The second requires you to have a Vodpod account, in which case you can host the video or slideshow there and get greater control over the hosting and showing of your videos.
I will focus on the first method as that’s the easiest to get started with.
Method 1:
You first of all need to get a “Post to WordPress” button for your browser from the Vodpod site. This allows you to capture any video you see anywhere that uses Flash with embed code, and post it to your WordPress blog. It can be found with instructions here.
So assuming we’re dealing with a Picasa Album (public or restricted – it shouldn’t make a difference as you’ll have made the blog have the same restrictions as the album) open the album and press the “Link to this album > Embed slideshow” and make your selections for size, captions and autoplay from the pop up box and then copy the embed code that’s been generated.
Now press the “Post to WordPress” button you’ve setup in your browser and do the following:
1. Paste the embed code into the box under the heading “Video Preview”;
2. Uncheck the box “Save to Collections”;
3. Supply your WordPress Blog Details and the name of the blog post you wish to create (if they haven’t already been saved);
4. Decide whether you want to Publish immediately, or (perhaps better) “Send to blog editor”.
Your WordPress Blog will open in the editor and you can now add to the post, make further edits and finally … publish. And that’s just about it!
Method 2:
The starting point here is obtaining a Vodpod account – it’s free. It’s a good idea to do some housekeeping before you get started, for instance going to “Settings > Collections” and setting up at least one Collection (perhaps your default one) as Hidden. Some of the details of your Profile will have been created when you registered, but you can come here to change, or add to it, as required.
You then need to get the “Add to Vodpod” button and add it to your browser – this can be found here and is described here [although his URL may change as the text refers to the beta release version].
Using this button you can then grab videos – again using the embed code as required – and store them in your Vodpod space and during the save process you can share them to Facebook, Twitter or your blog which can be any of WordPress or Blogger. Have fun!
Showing your Vodpod videos in a WordPress sidebar widget.
Won’t dwell on this one; all the instructions are here and for customising it – here. You will also need the information that’s stored here to complete the sidebar.