Some hosting services block pings.  Despite the apparent success of the ping, it doesn't go anywhere.  However, I have an idea that might get around this and make it at least semi automated using the web browser.

At weblogs.com and blo.gs the ping site form includes functionality to run the ping automatically.  For example, using my site at http://thedevilsadvocate.org

I can ping weblogs.com by simply hitting this URL:

http://newhome.weblogs.com/pingSit....ate.org

I've set this up as a short cut so I don't have to type in the information by hand every time I ping.  Well, I thought during the whole posting process perhaps it was possible to hack into the code that controls how the entry is built and include two lines that open new browser windows with the appropriate URLs.  These URLs would load and run the ping.

This would otherwise be known as the poor mans weblog ping!

The only problem is I don't know how to do this within MT code.  Anyone here want to do a little exploration and try it out?

The URL for the blo.gs ping is below, but I can't get it to ping automatically yet, I still have to hit the ping button.  If someone else has a better URL I'd love to see it.

http://blo.gs/ping.ph....da5a237