Another

July 3, 2002 7:11 AM

Another blogging tool/service recently launched, adding to the already numerous options. They all have their own strengths and point(s) of differentiation, but is there a saturation point?
posted by jedro (15 comments total)

As with Blogs, 90% (or more) are crap, but the simple fact that there's a selection is definitely a good thing. For example, I just released my own system and I've been adding features that I haven't seen anywhere else. Whether other systems take new ideas and run with them or my system gets really popular, the concepts will make it to market.

Now we just need a site that reviews the different systems, or maybe a new section in epinions.
posted by jragon at 7:53 AM on July 3, 2002

This might belong in Blogroots... but yes, I think there's a saturation point. Like now. When I yawned instinctively when I saw the post.
posted by SpecialK at 7:55 AM on July 3, 2002

I too use my own engine for my blog, but then my blog isn't really for public consumption. It's read by family and friends, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to be interested.

The various blogging tools available seem more suited to "public interest" blogs.
posted by Mwongozi at 7:56 AM on July 3, 2002

BTW, You can do a lot of the stuff that blogstudio says you can't in blogger or blogger pro, if you know a little bit of how HTML works (i.e. font/color changes).
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:10 AM on July 3, 2002

the saturation point, i think, is the point at which these guys ask for money and don't get any. i think that's been happening for a while, but it doesn't stop new software authors.
posted by moz at 8:38 AM on July 3, 2002

Somebody get these guys a copy writer.

So is WML a free, or pay feature? It's listed under Pro, so assumably it's charged for, but it's also listed under the regular plan.
Could someone tell me why the free Blogger has unlimited posting, but Blogger Pro doesn't? This might actually be possible. I don't know much about Blogger.
The free service apparently can be hosted on their systems, though you have to click through to the FAQ to find this out(gee, wonder why it's frequent). Then they immediately launch into telling you about their upcoming(?) tool that runs on your own machine.

The TOS has the standard libel etc. disclaimers, but you also can't be "hateful"?
You also agree not to: "g. make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation, except in those areas that are designated for such purpose;" So spam in its proper place is fine.
The FAQ suggests some business uses for their service, but the TOS states you can't exploit it for any commercial purposes. Does exploit mean something else here?
Standard limitations statement about disk usage etc, but they can also limit the number of days they will retain your content. This is in General Practices, not in event of account closure. They also have the power to close your account and delete everything without notice, for any reason, not just TOS violation.
posted by Su at 9:22 AM on July 3, 2002

Actually wait. The free service can't be hosted on their servers. But you only find that out when you go try and set up an account. Bait. Switch.
They seriously need to add another column to that table on the front page.
posted by Su at 9:28 AM on July 3, 2002

is it me, or does the page really look too much like MeFi?
posted by arnab at 12:15 PM on July 3, 2002

Could someone tell me why the free Blogger has unlimited posting, but Blogger Pro doesn't? This might actually be possible. I don't know much about Blogger.

As crazy as it sounds it is true. It was the reason why I never upgraded to blogger pro.
posted by srboisvert at 12:25 PM on July 3, 2002

Just curious: does anyone know how/if I can publish to a blog using my Pocket PC? I've tried using PocketBlog to no avail.

And as far as more blogging tools, I say, more power to 'em. The strong will survive, the weak will flounder & be used by teenyboppers.
posted by davidmsc at 12:29 PM on July 3, 2002

they should add 'ass-ugly' interface to the comparison chart.
posted by donkeyschlong at 3:12 PM on July 3, 2002

I can kind of understand the need for Blogger Pro to have usage limits. For instance, let's say I was a Blogger Pro user (which I am not). So I could theoretically sign up for multiple blogs, 10s, 100s, etc. all of which would be covered under Blogger Pro. I could then go in, add my buddies as users, and there you have one person paying for Blogger Pro, and possibly 100s of people using that one subscription. The usage limit was designed to curtail those kinds of actions. So in that way, it does kind of make sense.
posted by benjh at 3:53 PM on July 3, 2002

As opposed to doing it with the free Blogger? Or am I missing something?
posted by Su at 4:16 PM on July 3, 2002

Of course you can do that under the free Blogger, but given that it's a free service anyway there's no advantage to it. Doing that with Blogger Pro though would mean your pals would be getting the advantages of the paid service without actually paying.
posted by jedro at 12:24 AM on July 4, 2002

There are a couple of blog tool comparisons; these are the two I know about:

Resources list at Blog Roots


Blog Comp



And of course, you can always read my subtle, delicate (cough) opinions on the tools I know about at my "other" blog, on Instructional Technology. There's a "Category" on the left that lists blog tool related posts.
posted by medievalist at 10:18 AM on July 6, 2002