Why Blogger?
Why did I choose Blogger for this blog? First, you may want to read some comparisons done across the web. Just Google for it but I liked this, this, and this reviews (in chronological order).
I mainly compared Blogger to the Wordpress hosting service at wordpress.com because I'm already familiar with those. So below are my reasons for choosing Blogger. I of course took into account the fact that I'm already hosting a WordPress blog in portuguese.
Reason 1 - WordPress can be too complex
Although the WordPress software (note the distinction between WordPress software and the hosting service) I'm using is great in many aspects, I didn't want to go through all the setup involved to put online a new WordPress blog. Especially because my actual domain name doesn't make sense in English.
Besides, although there is a great plugin called Gengo for administering multi-lingual blogs, I didn't want my English blog to have the same content and translations of the portuguese one. It is true that I might do that one day but it is not what I had in mind for now.
With WordPress software out of the way, I had to choose between online tools. Since TypePad was excluded without a thought because it's not a free service and I didn't know it, I ended up with two options - Blogger or WordPress Hosting Service.
Reason 2 - With Blogger I can host my files on my own server
Another important reason for choosing Blogger is that it allows me to host my files and content wherever I want to. Since I have enough space on where my other blog is located, this sounded like opera to me! I simply hate to leave my content in places where I can't access the source and that, for me, was a big flaw of WordPress hosting service.
Reason 3 - Blogger allows templates customization
WordPress hosting service doesn't. Customization is a big deal for me and WP had its limitations: I can't change templates and I can't add plugins. I know Blogger doesn't have plugins and, even worse, categories but at least that are some hacks that can be done.
Reason 4 - Blogger seems cleaner and faster
I read in one of the reviews above that Blogger has issues with FTP connections when your blog gets too big. Right now, though, it is working flawlessly; it's fast and clean, just as needed for Small Bits of thought.
Conclusion
The conclusion I make is that if you want power in your hands, go for your own server and setup WordPress software in it. If you are like me, looking for simplicity with a little power in your hands, and you don't mind doing some hacks to have a category system, than go for Blogger. Right now I'm happy with it.
I mainly compared Blogger to the Wordpress hosting service at wordpress.com because I'm already familiar with those. So below are my reasons for choosing Blogger. I of course took into account the fact that I'm already hosting a WordPress blog in portuguese.
Reason 1 - WordPress can be too complex
Although the WordPress software (note the distinction between WordPress software and the hosting service) I'm using is great in many aspects, I didn't want to go through all the setup involved to put online a new WordPress blog. Especially because my actual domain name doesn't make sense in English.
Besides, although there is a great plugin called Gengo for administering multi-lingual blogs, I didn't want my English blog to have the same content and translations of the portuguese one. It is true that I might do that one day but it is not what I had in mind for now.
With WordPress software out of the way, I had to choose between online tools. Since TypePad was excluded without a thought because it's not a free service and I didn't know it, I ended up with two options - Blogger or WordPress Hosting Service.
Reason 2 - With Blogger I can host my files on my own server
Another important reason for choosing Blogger is that it allows me to host my files and content wherever I want to. Since I have enough space on where my other blog is located, this sounded like opera to me! I simply hate to leave my content in places where I can't access the source and that, for me, was a big flaw of WordPress hosting service.
Reason 3 - Blogger allows templates customization
WordPress hosting service doesn't. Customization is a big deal for me and WP had its limitations: I can't change templates and I can't add plugins. I know Blogger doesn't have plugins and, even worse, categories but at least that are some hacks that can be done.
Reason 4 - Blogger seems cleaner and faster
I read in one of the reviews above that Blogger has issues with FTP connections when your blog gets too big. Right now, though, it is working flawlessly; it's fast and clean, just as needed for Small Bits of thought.
Conclusion
The conclusion I make is that if you want power in your hands, go for your own server and setup WordPress software in it. If you are like me, looking for simplicity with a little power in your hands, and you don't mind doing some hacks to have a category system, than go for Blogger. Right now I'm happy with it.
Labels: Geek Talk
posted by Ricardo at
8:29 PM
4 Comments:
I used to use blogger, but then I switched to Wordpress. I of course host it myself, so I get access to all the code and I'm loving all my plugins.
Also my host makes updates a snap - they have what they call "one-click-installs" which means I just log into their panel, say "upgrade my wordpress" then come back 20-30 minutes later and spend hours fixing all the little things that broke. lol
But yeah, Blogger is pretty good if you do want to do some tweaking on your templates, but don't want to bother maintaining a fully fledged blog installation.
I love WP plugins as well. Coding is part of my fun blogging.
I just don't think it will be the case for this blog. At least not right now...
Thanks for the first comment!!
I can't find the feed for the comments, is that a blogger problem?
Go point Osias. I tried to find something at Google but I couldn't. Hopefully there will be a hack to add RSS to comments.
I will keep you informed...
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