Open Source Blogging Tools

Open Source Blogging Software
Michelle Murrain, NOSI
June 24, 2008

What we'll cover today
What is blogging?
Options for creating a blog
CMS vs. Blogging tool
Drupal & Joomla CMS and Blogging
MovableType
WordPress
WordPress case study

What is blogging?
Regularly updated news, opinion or journaling
Often read by RSS feed
Usually (but not always) allows comments
Used to engage constituents
Can have one, or multiple authors

Software as a Service, such as:
Blogger.com
Free
LiveJournal
Both free and paid versions
Wordpress.com
Free, and very cheap paid versions
TypePad.com
Ranges in price
Blogware
Sold only through resellers

Open Source Blogging tools
WordPress
MovableType
B2evolution
Open Source CMS tools
Drupal
Joomla
Others
Many (not all) have blogs as a part of the integrated CMS package
Some (like Plone) require add-on tools
Proprietary Blog/CMS tools
Build your own
Don't ever do this!

CMS or Blog?
CMS – Content Management System: designed to manage an entire website
Blogging tool – just designed to manage a blog
If you already have a CMS, and want to add a blog:
If the CMS is capable, or there is a strong add-on, this is a good option
A standalone blog tool has advantages/disadvantages:
Different authentication
Designed to be only a blog – strong blogging plug ins, etc.
Blog, not CMS workflow
Different template

CMS or Blog?
Using a blogging tool for a CMS is not recommended.
Not designed as a CMS
Provides real limitations
You'll be sorry later

Drupal Blog
A blog in Drupal is a module
Authenticated users may, or may not, have access to the blog module, depending on what group they are in
Blog is directly connected to an individual user
Comments are built in

Joomla
Blog is a content category
Comments are not out-of-the-box – you need to add a plug in to deal with blog comments

Movable Type
Used to be proprietary (there are still proprietary versions)‏
Now GPL v2
MT is what powers TypePad
Very professional, high end

WordPress (and Wordpress.com)‏
“ Industry Standard”
Very easy to set up and use
Many hosting companies have “one click” installation
Wordpress.com very easy to set up
Even without that, it is quite easy to install
Very intuitive interface
Designed just for blogging
Multiple authors and roles
Subscriber, contributor, author, editor, administrator
Link management (for blogrolls)‏
Comment management/moderation
RSS feeds for entries and comments

WordPress
Lots of templates available
Lots of plug ins
Undergoing a lot of development – it has improved greatly over the years
WordPress MU ( μ )‏
Multi-user – basically make your own wordpress.com

Word Press Case Study
The AAUW (American Association of University Women) launched a blog in February 2008
Peggy Woods-Clark
Website Manager
Holly Kearl
AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Manager

Open Source Blogging Tools

by Michelle Murrain on Oct 20, 2008

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