The next version of Sparks! will be focused on adding OPML directory synchronization features. This feature will allow you to follow changes (additions and deletions) on an OPML directory on the net and optionally mirror them in your own blogroll.

In terms of immediate benefits, this will allow BlogMatrix to "prime" your blogroll in Sparks! and also allow you to follow changes to the Podcaster directory (i.e. find new podcasters). All changes, additions and deletions to your blogroll are optional and selected by the user.

In the future, you will be able to (automatically!) publish your blogroll to the net and allow other users to synchronize on it, thus automatically sharing your subscriptions.

Here's a screenshot showing the BlogMatrix Standard Blogroll, our OPML directory of suggested blogs you should be reading (organized by category — if you have suggestions, send them to us).

How do you use the Synchronization feature? Glad you asked:

• Synchronize with a directory by right-clicking on it and selecting Synchronize Now...
• OPML directories selected for synchronization will have a little green arrow pointing upwards on them
• Radio programming directories cannot be synchronized with (yet)
• At startup, Sparks! will automatically synchronize with any directories marked Synchronize at Startup (settable via a right-click on the Directory)
• Out of the box, the BlogMatrix Standard Blogroll and Podcast Directory will marked to synchronize at startup. If you don't want synchronization to happen at startup, just turn off the Synchronize at Startup flag
• You can add new OPML directories to Sparks! using Import > Import OPML Directory...