The entry below is in the present tense, as I typed it yesterday while at BlogOn 2004.

David Sifry is leading a panel on the 'Metrics of Influence'. Members of this panel include:

Discussion Leader: David L. Sifry, Technorati
Contributors:
JD Lasica, New Media Musings
Shripriya Mahesh, eBay
Mark Finnern, Future Salon, SAP SDN
Chris DiBona, Damage Studios

David asks, What are people doing to measure influence?

Chris DiBona says, of his SlashDot days, that in the beginning anyone could post a story to /.—anonymously or not, next /. created a registration system, then the 'trolls' started getting really creative in attacking /. so then there were visual IDs, form keys, and finally moderation which has become more and more sophisticated as  /. has become more and more popular.

Simply put, Usefulness + Trustworthiness = Influence according to JD Lasica.

eBay's Shripriya Mahesh says that eBay relies heavily on strong customer 'Voices' a group of eBay users who represent eBay's extended user base—effectively acting as ambassadors for the community. These 'Voices' are able to vett eBay's online products prior to the release of these innovations into eBay's service.

Mark Finnern spoke about SAP's Developer Network, NetWeaver, and SAP's utilization of weblogs.

While some search for signs of their own influence and/or personal name brand in the blogging universe—perhaps anticipating their potential inclusion into the ranks of the 'A-list' bloggers—others are most interested in tracking conversations; following the traces of the viral transmission of information; and in creating trusted networks of friends and cohorts.

Who are the most useful, trustworthy conversationalists in the blogosphere today who are influencing you?