Almost certainly, online technology will never be a replacement for corporate church gatherings. Although our assemblies can take several forms (we know the building itself isn't the church), it's clearly the being together 'of one accord' that has spiritual merit. Online communications can be an extension of the relationships we have and can, in some cases, extend our church experience into cyberspace.
Obviously you know about blogs or you wouldn't find yourself here. But you may be intimidated to start your own or you may have begun blogging for free experimentally and want to switch up to a paid service. Hopefully this list of links will facilitate the continuing exploration of your web publishing options:
Each service provides both similar basics and more sophisticated individual options. Although I would never recommend one over the other (WordPress) because they are all so different (WordPress) I have to say I was really pleased when I went from one publishing platform to my current service (WordPress).
Addendum – TypePad Vox is out and a multi-blog version of WP. Also please see Stephen Garner's comment (8) for additionally helpful links.
Great list Cynthia, and you are preaching to choir when it comes to Wordpress!
b
Thanks for your biased, I mean, unbiased list Cynthia. Do you think that some blogging platforms (Typepad) are easier (Typepad) than others (Blogger, WordPres) for people who aren’t familiar with the tech stuff?
It seems that some blogging platforms are easier for those with a lack of skills (me) than others.
Good info, Cynthia! It’s refreshing to know that you are not biased.
I’m not biased, just like you.
Billy & Jim,
I’ve ended up loving WordPress but that may be because I was mentored by a software developer who was already well-versed in WordPress and operated his own server. I think it appealed to me because there were thousands of template options and it seemed to be a strong contender for the future. Have either of you experimented with other publishing platforms or were you WordPress from the start?
John (2),
TypePad was my strongest contender alongside WordPress (I used Blogger initially simply to experiment with a free service.) I was so indecisive that I did a Google search: TypePad vs. WordPress that ended in a draw of opinions so it is likely they are comparable.
Platform services are evolving so rapidly it is unlikely we could pick an overall winner yet. Also, I had help setting up my template (and I do not write but the littlest bit of code) so yes it is possible in set up that TypePad might be easier. But after that, I gotta say, I can not think of how WordPress could be any more user friendly. The interface is perfectly logical and simple.
I started at a site called lifewithchrist.org, it is a Christian site that hosts blogs and it has improved over the last couple of years. It’s not bad, for a hosted blog site. I wanted more, more flexibility etc, so I moved to blogger. It was better but after a while, I wanted more so that’s when I got my own domain and started using WP. That was a year and a half ago and I’m very happy. I love the plugins and the way I have complete control over everything, including design. At the same time, it’s easy to install a pre-made template. I have had both, my current template was designed by my wife, who is good at that kind of thing, me, not so much.
I tried the 30 typepad free trial and it was fine, no real complaints, but if I remember right, I couldn’t customize the template without paying more per month and that bothered me. I used typepad for the full 30 days, just playing with every aspect of it and could have been happy there, but when it came to paying for it, I couldn’t do it. It didn’t offer any more than what WP already did for me.
I have looked at b2nucleus, textpattern and probably 1 or 2 others but nothing seems to be up to the WP standard.
At this point, I have no reason to change.
There is one thing about WP that bothers me but not enough to change, I guess. I don’t want to get into it here because I probably don’t fully have a grasp on what goes on but I’ll share what I know offline, if you want.
Jim,
I did the exact same thing. During my introduction phase I operated my blog at two different sites – one on blogger and one on typepad. I did it with no intention of “generating” any traffic. But people started visiting my site and were confused as to which was my primary site. Then, another blogger, Jason Clark, published the launch of my site and suddenly my traffic went up. I found myself at a real juncture.
As my 3o-day trial drew to a close at TypePad, I had to make a decision. I, too, was disappointed that I could not customize with out paying. I suppose if I was operating a corporate site that wouldn’t bother me.
That’s when I decided I don’t want to go through this platform switch again. I wanted to pick a permanent weblog hosting platform. I elected to get expert advice from a family member and I’ve been WordPress all the way since then.
Whatever your WP bothers are, I probably can’t answer you, but I know someone who can so if you want to email me a quandary please feel free.
Nice list covering most of what’s out there. A good mix of straight blogging systems through to more sophisticated content management systems that include blogging functionality.
I’d also add the following CMS systems to the list which can be used by bloggers – phpWebSite and Mambo (and its derivatives like Joomla). Other people I know swear by TextDrive/TextPattern.
Wikipedia list of CMSs here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_content_management_systems
Also a good comparison guide and demos of open source CMSs at:
http://opensourcecms.com/
Over Christmas I’ll probably upgrade my site from good, old MovableType 2 to a more fully featured CMS. Should be fun installing various systems on the iBook to see which one to use.
One of the big things this week has been the release of the multi-blog version of WordPress – rather than having to do multiple installs.
Oh no – Cynthia uses wordpress, John uses typepad – I must get typepres or wordpad so I can emulate these A++ listers
en-cour-ag-er = n. Paul
stating the blindingly obvious = Paul more like but thanks for the encouragement
Of course, people who state the blindingly obvious are much needed in life. We all need to be told, from time to time, that the emperor is wearing no clothes (again). Sometimes we’re just blinded to the obvious.
Cynthia uses wordpress, John uses typepad – I must get typepres or wordpad so I can emulate these 热量表 http://www.saron.com.cn