To Wordpress or Not To Wordpress
THAT is indeed, the question.
And because I'm the least technologically literate blogger I know, I'm baring my ignorance for all to see and begging the collective wisdom of the blogosphere. Give me everything you got, but please put it in layman's terms. Think of it as a comparison/contrast project in college, except that you have to make it accessible to those with an 8th grade education.
What do you know? What do you like? What don't you like? What is difficult? What is easy?
What should I do?
posted by eclectic @ 10:21 PM
20 comments
20 Comments:
I know a couple people who have switched to wordpress and seem to have no complaints. Apparently, the worst part is setting up and copying everything over from the old blog. I'm a little afraid to do it myself. I worry that I'll mess up and lose everything I've written, but that's me. I bet I know less about this stuff than you do. Bet I can screw up more computer stuff than you can. My kid had to teach me how to copy and paste! I was torn between feeling stupid and asking her to reset the digital clock on the range.
Lynn: Nope, you don't want to make that bet, my friend. I wouldn't feel good about winning it. Although, I can reset all the clocks in the kitchen, just so you know. ;)
I can't help you here dear, I don't have a clue. Love you!
Actually, moving it over to wordpress isn't that hard because you haven't switched to Blogger Beta. Are you talking about wordpress the free blogging service or using the program on your own domain?
Personally, I switched over because blogger bites and between the constant downtime and the lost posts/comments, it was time for a change. I went with finding a hosting service and all that so I could have more fun playing around with the templates.
Wordpress basically gives you a lot more functionality than regular blogger currently does - categories and password protected posts being two obvious ones.
Do it, do it, do it! :)
Anyways, email me if you want to know more or need help, etc.
Come on, eclectic, everyone's doing it. You can do it too.
I didn't have any trouble moving my old posts, but I know someone who did. She was still on the original Blogger (I think), but thought her sheer volume of posts was causing her problems. I think I had 200-250 that moved over. If you decide to convert, you won't lose your old Blogger posts--they'll still exist here.
Wordpress is easy to use and has categories. It also tracks your stats for you automatically (though the information you get isn't as robust as with some third-party tools). The blogroll is really easy to set up too.
There's definitely less flexibility with the templates (which kind of bugs me), but I'm thinking you'll like that because it's easier.
Let me know if you want help with it. I dont proclaim to be an expert, but I'll do what I can!
I don't know anything about WordPress. I use Typepad, which I have to pay like $5 a month for, but it's worth it to me for the flexibility, reliability, and ease of use. And I spill $5 worth of liquor down the side of the shot glass in a week, so the money didn't seem like such a big deal.
Can I ask why you think you need to switch?
I use blogger beta and have never had a problem. I found it easy to change and move things and set it up the way I wanted it. I started with the regular blogger and it worked Ok as well.
Nina: It's okay. Makes me feel better to know I'm not alone. Love you too!
Zuhn: FREE! I'm cheap, to go along with my cluelessness. Thanks for the offer of help -- I'll certainly take you up on it.
Shawkey: Are you on the free or the fancy service? If I do it, you know I'll be emailing each and every one of you who volunteers to advise me!!
Nilbo: But do you have to be technologically competent and know HTML and stuff? Because aside from linking and putting in bolds and italics, I'm clueless. Seriously.
Mad William: Welcome! I've had trouble with Blogger not being willing to save drafts, or publish when I want; and LOTS of trouble with comments being eaten. The server is down for maintenance or repair so frequently, at least the one I'm assigned to. It's frustrating. But I don't just want to swap the devil I know for a different set of frustrations. I know, I know... you get what you pay for and since I'm all about free service, I shouldn't complain. Doesn't seem to stop me. ;)
I'm clueless too, not to mention lazy.
Just wanted to drop by and say hi!
I use Wordpress and I find it very similar to what you are using now. Not too much of a learning curve!
Rhea
The Boomer Chronicles
Ummmm.....What? I have no idea Eclectic. We've toyed with the idea but it seems like a whole lotta work for two gals who are computer idiots.;)
Angie
Wow, That sounds like a big drag. I have not had any of those troubles. I dig the free too.
Maybe you should switch to the beta and try that for awhile. It is also free.
I've also been thinking about switching up my blog. Where to go?
Sorry I can't be of further assistance.
I am thinking of switching as well. I am going to set up an account and post on two spaces until I am comfortable.
I like wordpress alot. It wasn't difficult to set up at all and transferring my old stuff to the new space was as simple as a click!
Movable Type is pretty user friendly. Plus there are some excellent forums and blogs that answer pretty much any question you'll ever have. I actually went with a web host that installed MT for me. Living Dot. I'm really glad I chose it. Good luck!
*promises to call Eeeclectic a "sellout" and insist she is no longer "down with the man" if she WUSSES out and leaves Blogger by not staying here and suffering with the rest of us*
*blank look*
I don't know, Sweetie.
Sorry, but I did save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to--
Oh, wait. I didn't switch. Dammit.
*walks off mumbling to self*
Typepad is entirely WYSIWYG ... no need to know HTML, which is a good thing, becuase I always thought that was short for "Hotmail". THAT is the level of my geek sophistication.
Now, I HAVE learned how to tweak the look of my blog ... but that was sort of an interest thing ... I just wanted it to look better and had the time and the curiosity and the leeway to make mistakes.
But I could just as easily have left it alone. And if you want your blog pimped in Typepad, you can ask me nice and I'll be delighted to help.
SierraB: Y'know, I'm probably more lazy than clueless, now that you mention it. But in the end, it equals the same thing: I don't know what the heck I'm doing. ;)
Scribe: That's encouraging. How long have you been using wordpress?
Angie: Bleh. I know what you mean. Truly, I struggle sometimes with even having time to post at all, let alone fiddle with technical maintenance! But I'm just so frustrated with Blogger right now! Grrrrrrrrr!!
Mad William: I've considered it, but friends of mine who have switched to beta, and THEN tried to import out have had MUCH more difficulty importing. So until I decide, I think I'll not tamper with it.
Hemlock: I know, huh?
Bill: Is that like two-timing?
Traci: OK, now that's good to hear. Any on-going service difficulties that bug you?
Heather: Really? Free, minimal charge, or expensive?
Peefer: Um, yeah... wordpress.com. Because I AM a techno-idiot.
Bloggy: You know, YOU could emmigrate too.
Mo-Dis: HA! That made me laugh out loud!! You crack me up.
Nilbo: You mean it isn't short for "Hotmail"?!? As far as I know, that's as good an explanation as any. Okay, I hadn't really considered Typepad, but an endorsement from you is actually fairly persuasive. And like you, the scotch I spill would totally justify 5 bucks. Hmmmmm... I'll have to check it out. Thanks Nils.
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