Blogging Tools

Blogger isn’t the only weblog hosting service – there are many choices. Some are free and some are not. If you are not in my class and want to set up a weblog, be sure to comparison shop before you spend your time and energy.

The alternative to using a hosted service, like Blogger, is to get your own blog software. These applications often allow for greater customization. Many of the popular blog applications are free or inexpensive. They are usually loaded onto a host server and accessed by the user(s). This list includes GreyMatter, Movable Type, and Manila, among others. There are various server requirements for each application and installation usually requires some knowledge of scripting.

“Yes, installing MT yourself can be a bit of a, uh, character-building experience, but once it’s up and humming like a top (and Ben and Mena are right on top of it when you finally break down and beg for mercy), it is an impeccably professional and amazingly versatile content management system for members of the dumb-ass masses with a little better than average Web-savvy quotient.”

Colin Brayton

Hosted Services

Google Directory - Weblog Hosts

TypePad
“TypePad is a personal publishing service designed to provide a simple yet full-featured environment for you to put your thoughts, ideas, and experiences on the web, whether it be a weblog, journal, photo album, diary, or an entirely new creation. Starting your weblog is just a click away.”

LiveJournal.com
Another free online blog/journal service.

Upsaid: Web Journaling Service
And another.

Diaryland
A free online diary site that is inhabited mostly by teens.

Blog Software

movabletype.org
“Movable Type is Six Apart's powerful, customizable publishing system which installs on web servers to enable individuals or organizations to manage and update weblogs, journals, and frequently-updated website content.”

Textpattern
“A flexible, elegant, easy-to-use content management system for all kinds of websites, even weblogs.”

What is Manila?
“Manila is an Internet server application that allows groups of writers, designers and graphics people to manage full-featured, high performance Web sites through an easy-to-use browser interface.”

Greymatter
“Greymatter is the original opensource weblogging and journal software. With fully-integrated comments, searching, file uploading and image handling, completely customisable output through dozens of templates and variables, multiple author support, and many other features...”

Google Directory ‚ Weblog Clients

Google Directory ‚ Weblog Publishing Tools  

Commenting Options

Google Directory ‚ Weblog Commenting Tools