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In this series we have taken a look at some of the non-technical actions you can take to get readers as well as actions you can take to keep your readers. We’ve also examined some ideas to keep in mind to make sure your blog gets indexed by search engines. Today, let’s get even more detailed and look at some of the platforms available to blog – what you can expect in the way of installation and maintenance, cost investment as well as ease of use.

MoveableType
MoveableType, or MT as it is commonly referred to, was the de facto blogging platform used for years by many blogs. It is well developed and has a huge userbase across the internet from which plugins (small scripts that enhance the functionality of the system) and templates can be drawn from.

MoveableType has recently lost a large number of users to other blogging platforms due to a licensing change that it recently went through. In the 2.6.x stream, the technologies are a little older, but is freely available as a software that can run multiple blogs, have multiple authors and it is free. However, with the release of the 3.x version of the software, licensing restrictions have cost MT quite a few users. They still provide a free version but it is limited to a single author powering three blogs. There is no official support for the product. They offer supported versions starting at $69.95 and up from there, depending on the scope and size of the blog. On the plus side, they have incorporated a feature which allows for dynamic pages, a feature which significantly speeds up a blog. With the 2.6.x and the standard install of 3.x, pages had to go through a “Rebuild” process after every entry – something that could take a long time as blogs grew bigger and contained more entries.

MoveableType is available for install on your own hosting space, but I’m warning you right here and now… it’s very difficult at times to get installed. Because it is written in Perl, it’s crucial to check to make sure every library is available on the server, every file has correct permissions based on its install location. Recently I installed an MT-powered blog for someone and spent 3 hours doing so. Unless you have time and patience, this may not be the right software for you.

TypePad
TypePad is essentially a hosted version of MoveableType. A new user signs up for an account for as little as $4.95/mo and is supplied with a blog almost instantaneously. Features include mobile blogging, the TypeList feature (the ability to keep personalized lists of your choice), photo management, Trackback support, valid out-of-the-box XHTML, etc. They do offer a 30 day free trial.

Blogger
Blogger is the platform I have the biggest issue with. It is a Google owned platform that is fantastically easy for beginners to quickly jump in. It is free and takes only a few minutes to register and get the system up and running. There is also the added benefit that users can host their own Blogger-powered blog or allow Blogger to host it for them.

The biggest issue I have with Blogger is that for corporate networks using methods of network analysis and monitoring such as SurfControl, most Blogger blogs register as adult sites. Add to that frustration the fact that commenters (and remember that commenting is the currency of the blogosphere) must register an account with blogger or be satisfied commenting as ‘Anonymous’ and I typically recommend users avoid Blogger.

WordPress
WordPress is fast becoming the most popular blogging software available. In fact, I take the position that is is the most popular blogging software. And with good reason. WordPress is freely available, supports unlimited users and is also available in a (misnomer here) Multiuser version as well (which really means it can poer multiple blogs with different administrators – much like MTs multi-blog setup). WordPress provides a hugh user base with a huge amount of support via their Forums, their Codex and plenty of user blogs all over the internet. Their plugin and theme systems are simplistic and installing can be done in a users own web space in as little as 2 minutes. The downside of WordPress is (in my humble opinion) the disorganization of all the various WordPress sponsored mailing lists, forums, bug trackers, CVS, SVN, and the list goes on. But that’s the WordPress organization issue and not the software itself.

Textpattern
Textpattern is a maturing platform that has a slight learning curve when it comes to expandability. Some of the key features that many bloggers rely on are opposed on principle by the developer of this software – particularly trackbacks. It too is a free software app and can be used on the bloggers own webspace.

Ideally, this series will have provided a good window into successful blogging. It’s a learned art, to be sure, but the learning curve is not steep. And quite certainly, in your blogging experience, you will pick up on things that I have not picked up in mine. It’s a growing “industry” with more bloggers coming out of the woodwork everyday. I’m still learning and I hope I always will be.

Pick up your copy of the WordPress Bible, a wildly popular resource for beginners and experts alike.

Written by Aaron Brazell on March 19, 2005

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