I’m not exactly a seasoned blogger yet (although I have used LiveJournal for several years). However, I think I generally lucked out with the tools that I use when writing this blog. For those of you who might be interested in starting your own blog, the following might be of help:
For hosting, I cannot recommend enough www.bluehost.com. Setup was easy, quick, painless, and the cost vs. features is among the best I saw when shopping around for a web-hosting service. Their web-based management tools are simple but powerful. You can also use your own FTP client to manage your site, and even get SSH/shell access for free (once you fax or e-mail a scan of your drivers license).
For FTP access, I’m currently using Transmit 3, a fantastic program I bought on recommendation from a friend. Transmit is easily the best FTP software I’ve ever used, and I’ve been using FTP software programs since 1995.
For the actual blog software, I’m using MovableType 3.2. The main reason I chose this over WordPress was the general consensus that I found online that MovableType has more extensive documentation. Although I have some programming experience, I’m only somewhat proficient in simple HTML, and I previously had no CSS experience. Setup has not been entirely painless, but the interface is easy to use, and I like it. CSS and the MT markup language themselves actually aren’t too bad. I’ve been able to edit the template files to my liking simply by reading each file carefully.
For posting and for newfeed reading (to find interesting stories to post), I’ve been using two programs from Ranchero Software. I was first attracted to their newsreader, NetNewsWire, as a replacement or supplement to BlogLines. BlogLines has been good, but is going through growing pains. Also, having access to my newsfeeds from any computer connected to the Internet isn’t particularly important to me. NetNewsWire has exceeded my every expectation. The program is simple, fast, and beautiful to look at.
For the actual posting I’ve been using MarsEdit, ver. 1.1 beta fc1. At first I wasn’t sure I would buy the software, as it doesn’t integrate well with LiveJournal. However, its facility with MovableType has won me over. MarsEdit integrates with NetNewsWire, so you can easily and quickly post stories you find in the latter to your blog. Ranchero even offers a “combo pack” of the two pieces of software for a small discount.
Both pieces of software are for Macintosh computers (yes, I’m one of those people). I use a 15″ PowerBook I bought in December as my main computer system; I’ve been primarily a Mac user for home and school use for almost three years.
Now all I need is a decent graphics editor so I can publish more images on the site. I have to say that I’m not crazy about GraphicConverter, which came with my Mac. Keeping in mind that I’m a poor college student, any recommendations?
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