Best blogging tool?

I first tried blogger.com blogger.com but had trouble with it. Almost everytime I tried to edit the template, I would get a server error. I finally gave up.

I then downloaded Movable Type and GreyMatter but both had way too much of a learning curve for me.

Finally wound up using pMachine and am pretty satisified so far although I can see myself growing out of it soon.

I saw somewhere the other day where Nucleus was mentioned but I haven't checked it out yet.

Hope this helps.

I have just recently started the blogging thing. Such a fun past time. (i was inspired to blog by Suzanne....i love reading her blog)

Whats a blog?

It's like a personal online journal. I'm no good at writing so I have never gotten into it but they can be great fun to read.

Here is lots of good info on blogging/blogs/weblogs.

Blog-definition, information, sites, articles.

Textpattern may be my next blogging tool if it doesn't go beyond what I understand. You can Read more about it here.

Thanks d-m! Are these remotely hosted services or installed scripts?

Any more advice would be appreciated. I'm pretty anxious to get going on this (crappy design in the works )

All the ones mentioned above you have to install.

Blogspot, DiaryLand, Pitas and LiveJournal are remotely hosted.

I think I'd rather have something installed - always unsure about remote services that may not always be free. That is, as long as installation is relatively painless.

Has anyone heard of something called B2? aka CafeLog? Something like that? I've seen that mentioned as a good one.

While we're on the topic of blogging - are you concerned at all about who is reading it? I wouldn't have a problem with complete strangers, aquaintances, online friends etc. but I am concerned about certain people I know reading what I say about them (namely my mother and my boss). So how do you deal with that? Do you try to block them or do you just watch what you say?

Isn't the point of a blog to spill the beans type of thing? I think if you have to edit it to suit then it's going to be more of a worry than anything else. One misplacd word could offend someone.
You could always place a disclaimer at the top

I installed GreyMatter once, but never developed it because I never got around to integrating a design with it. But it was easy enough and free. I have heard wonderful things about Movable Type, although LiveJournal is also very good and popular.

Quote: Originally posted by Busy
Isn't the point of a blog to spill the beans type of thing? I think if you have to edit it to suit then it's going to be more of a worry than anything else. One misplacd word could offend someone.
You could always place a disclaimer at the top

That's exactly my problem. I might not even be able to do this the way I want to. Certain people *will* read it and will comment about what I say on there privately, which causes hurt feelings, guilt, or arguments etc. I don't want to have to explain myselef everything I put something up. I had a whole conversation about this last night - about who could be reading it and what I shouldn't say just in case. Well, really, if people are using what I say on the 'net to judge me I really don't want to have anything to do with them anyway. Grrrr......

You're right - the whole point is to be free and open, and I don't want that to be hindered by what other people might think. The disclaimer thing is a good one - I might just post a clear message to people who know me personally.

Practicing the art of self-censorship is a good thing. It will prevent most issues. The install-on-your-own server variety is a good idea because you can set up additional blogs in private areas if you want to publish things that may be sensitive to others.

It's hard, however, to not be hyper-aware as you type for the first little bit. My dad reads my blog and I occasionally type things that may not be dad-appropriate, but he knows I'm an adult first, and his kid second, as far as my blog goes.

I'll read you and stalk you if you want, just so you know who's out there doing it...

Oh, dm, *blush* thanks.

from the general thread and this one:

I think be yourself, it would get you into trouble with someone whether you say it or print it, sadly we can't please everyone all the time. But this is your page for you (and other interested parties) From the other threadThere's a line here between genuine interest and stalking or other vindictive motives. That's what I'm worried about. I only wanted a peek
A blog is a journal, I bet if your mum ever read your private journal when you were a teen she'd freak. I remember my ex girlfreind gave me hers to read, sure it was interesting but I never read it all as 1/ I didn't know half the people mentioned, 2/ women don't make any sense at the best of times 3/ it was the past and just her way of venting most of the time, we all do it, she just wrote hers down.
I have a few friends with blogs and browsed some, but all seem to vent the bad stuff, sadly the good stuff never gets enough limelight.
The other thing is if you are constant (everyday or so) the threads/topics will get buried quite quickly.
Just say what you think, and mean what you say.
the other option is to do it in binary

Say what you think and mean what you say - that's good advice. Obviously there's going to be some self-censorship involved, but I can't hide stuff just for fear that someone might hold it against me. Really, I don't want to have to worry about people like that (mum thinks I should though...)

Unless you're a lot more of a crank in real life than you are at TWF, I'd say you're doing fine...

dooce.com got fired for what she wrote online about her coworkers. Most of it was very nasty stuff.

There have been cases here and there. diveintomark.org had a similiar issue (check his archives for "there are four lights") and ended up changing jobs, I believe.

I tend to think of blogging as publication -- would I write this to be published in the Globe and Mail? Would I write this in a letter to my grandma? Lately it's also been -- would I read this to my child?

Clearly some things you're going to want to say anyway, like "war is stupid! wage peace you ninnies!", and then in that case, be prepared for people to get pissed off. But usually, as I said in the other thread, this can be an opportunity to open a dialogue, not just engage in a flame war. Despite some popular idiots in Bloggerville who like to start blog wars every few weeks.

http://www.dooce.com/mtarchives/02_26_2002.html

HERE is a post on a forum titled "libel law, blogs, and ethics" that has several offlinks on this topic.

I have been thinking about this a lot, I am going to start a blog in the next month or so.
(btw- I will use Movable Type, if the install thing is too much for the non-geek me, I will pay the $20 and let Ben/Mina or some one else do it for me

I only read a handful of blogs regularly. One person often hides an entry and you need to email for password. One person also has blocked certain ip's from accessing to keep out people they know will come and be offended.

My personal take on all this is that I want a blog where I can say what I want, if someone doesn't like it they can leave.

And I believe you can add htaccess to keep out google, etc so it won't get indexed.

It's your place to be you, if you write when angry perhaps waiting an hour or two and rereading will prevent doing something you may be sorry for.

dragonsjaw

I heard some decent things about blogger.com ... it's already been mentioned but apparently it's decent

The good thing is that most of these systems import data from other blogging tools, so it's easy to change from one to another (supposedly...). I think I might just set something up at blogger.com since I still haven't gotten my hosting situation sorted out (need time to wait on the phone!)

Actually, try phpweblog.com

It is quite cool... I've been messing around with it lately...

Best tool hands down: MovableType. I've used it for over a dozen commercial and personal sites, and I love it more every day.