Blogger vs WordPress vs....

Educator · 12-26-2007, 05:47 AM

Help!

I can't state that more plainly.

Here is my dilema. It will indeed be interresting as since I don't have 50 posts yet yere (and don't want to be banned as this is a really helpful forum with a lot of nice people I don't want to abuse this) you can't go to me blog to visually see it.

I need to make a relatively permanent decision on which blogging tool to use.....and in the next couple of days.

Background: We currently have a very, very, very small following (less than 20 per day) on our 3 month old blog about our home renovation expereinces. I know, I know....not very unique but it's ours

We currently use Blogger. I'm not technical at all, so it's very easy for me to use.

Now, I am learning that WordPress is better for our blog (according to some folks in another forum) as it has some features which Blogger does not, including being able to enter posts and have them posted on a particular day, e.g. if we go on vacation for a week I can set things up in advance such that it will post automatically for me.

We are planning, what to us, is a very important series of articles on energy conservation. Again, I know, I know....not very original. But in Canada there is a 9 month old federal government energy conservation program that is under publicized that every bit could help. But, if I change after I start that series on Jan 1st, then any initiative will be lost

if you understand what I am trying to say.

So, what blog platform is the best and why? Would you stay with Blogger if you were me or go to something else that is (A) free (B) not required to be hosted on our own family computer and that does not require one to have a graduate degree in computer science?

Appreciate any and all replies, especially with links to an example blog that we can see on your favorite platform / blog host.

Thank you in advance.

andheresjohnny · 12-26-2007, 08:35 AM

There is a big difference between "I'm not technical at all" and "does not require one to have a graduate degree in computer science".

If I was trying to monetize a website I would not use Blogger because they own the site and can yank it from you for virtually any reason.

From what you have stated you are just trying to educate people in something you apparently feel quite strongly about. If the only feature you feel you're lacking with Blogger is the ability to setup multiple articles to post automatically at some future date ... I would try to do without that feature. Especially if you are otherwise happy with the blog and it is easy for you to use.

Now, there is another alternative. Blogger has a feature that will allow you to email posts to your blog. You have to setup your blog to accept email posts from you first. Then as you send these articles to your special blog email address they will be posted to your blog just as if you had typed them in directly.

With that in mind, all you would need to do is find an email service that will allow you to create emails that can be sent at some future time. Outlook might have this ability ... I don't know.

However I just did a Google search and found something that might be helpful for you to accomplish this. If you look here I think you'll find a step-by-step to do this.

Good luck.

rhyswynne · 12-26-2007, 08:51 AM

Hmmmm....if you're looking to monetize, or want to be considered an authorative blogger, then I'd spend a little bit of money on some hosting. It's quite simple to set up (if your hosting comes with fantastico, it's a one click job), and if you're half decent with blogger's interface, then Wordpress should be a doddle (try getting a wordpress.com account to test with first to see if you like the interface).

But anyway, to answer your question: Wordpress is the best blogging platform because of it's expandibility and options available to you. But you have to spend a little bit to host it and what not

Educator · 12-26-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andheresjohnny

There is a big difference between "I'm not technical at all" and "does not require one to have a graduate degree in computer science".

If I was trying to monetize a website I would not use Blogger because they own the site and can yank it from you for virtually any reason.

From what you have stated you are just trying to educate people in something you apparently feel quite strongly about. If the only feature you feel you're lacking with Blogger is the ability to setup multiple articles to post automatically at some future date ... I would try to do without that feature. Especially if you are otherwise happy with the blog and it is easy for you to use.

Now, there is another alternative. Blogger has a feature that will allow you to email posts to your blog. You have to setup your blog to accept email posts from you first. Then as you send these articles to your special blog email address they will be posted to your blog just as if you had typed them in directly.

With that in mind, all you would need to do is find an email service that will allow you to create emails that can be sent at some future time. Outlook might have this ability ... I don't know.

However I just did a Google search and found something that might be helpful for you to accomplish this. If you look here I think you'll find a step-by-step to do this.

Good luck.

Hey andheresjohnny,
Thanks very much for this. Since I have to get back to actually do some more renovations vs blogging, I think I will for now stay with blogger, but do as you suggest. I migh also simply create 14 individaul posts, put them on a thumb drive and then when we are away simply log into the blog from a public PC and quickly post them to keep down the usage charges. But, then again if I can use Outlook to send out emails on a certain schedule that would be easier so I don't have to worry about this at all when on vacation. I'll check out that source for sure.