Do you have any blogging websites you find useful?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Soilman on August 12, 2010 at 19:55

I'd recommend getting away from Blogger or hosted platforms altogether and setting up your own self-hosted site.

It's nothing like as difficult as most people think: Wordpress' famous 5-min installation, for example, is very easy to do if you follow the instructions. All you need to do is rent some hosting (as cheap as £3/month with some hosts).

The upside is that you get full and total control over your own site. Plus WP is a very simple, clearly documented open-source CMS (the codex is even well written... which is SO rare in geek land). When you get familiar with it, you'll find yourself learning stuff that allows you to even - gasp – start experimenting with building 'real' websites rather than just a simple blog.

Permalink Reply by VP on August 12, 2010 at 23:34

Thanks Soilman - I was anticipating self-hosting might be a thread on its own so that people like yourself could give anyone considering making the move some pearls of wisdom about your experiences.

In the meantime, are there any websites you consider useful re the art of blogging whether it be for WP based bloggers or blogging in general?

Permalink Reply by Patrick Wiebe on August 13, 2010 at 8:34

I think the best sites to learn about blogging are the garden blogs themselves. It's like getting inspiration for your own garden, by visiting others. The list of founding members here is a good place to start...

I also agree with Soilman that your initial platform choice is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Whatever you choose, you'll be stuck with it for a while.

Permalink Reply by VP on August 13, 2010 at 9:39

Yes - I always have a look at what people are using on their blogs and what they do with them. I found it really useful when I started. That's also how I've picked up the odd bits of HTML I know just by asking someone who's done something I'd like to do.

Patrick Wiebe said:

I think the best sites to learn about blogging are the garden blogs themselves. It's like getting inspiration for your own garden, by visiting others. The list of founding members here is a good place to start...

I also agree with Soilman that your initial platform choice is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Whatever you choose, you'll be stuck with it for a while.

Permalink Reply by Rozzie on August 31, 2010 at 19:06

Having used various blogging sites over the years, and knowing HTML as well, I have to say, Wordpress is impressively simple and not fussy like some blogging sites. You can either host on wordpress or download and stick on your own hosting/domain. So I second the vote for them! :)

Permalink Reply by VP on August 31, 2010 at 19:51

Thanks Rozzie, but I'm keen to know where you go for your hints and tips, rather than your preferred platform. I use both Blogger and WordPress because I've found each has something to offer depending on what the blog is for. I've found a good self-help site for Blogger, but nothing as yet for WP - can you help?

Rozzie said:

Having used various blogging sites over the years, and knowing HTML as well, I have to say, Wordpress is impressively simple and not fussy like some blogging sites. You can either host on wordpress or download and stick on your own hosting/domain. So I second the vote for them! :)

Permalink Reply by Rozzie on August 31, 2010 at 21:12

Well, I've not downloaded and used Wordpress on a domain myself, as I'm too lazy despite my HTML knowledge hehe. But in terms of needing domain/hosting I recommend 1and1.co.uk or GoDaddy. GoDaddy is cheaper (depending on package) but I find 1and1.co.uk is more reliable in terms of the site always being online/never slow.

I could certainly help you with HTML, and what I know of Wordpress from using it myself if you have any more specific questions. I also recommend lissaexplains.com for beginners HTML help, which is where I began learning it 10 years ago.

Feel free to send me any questions you do have and I'll try my best to answer :)

VP said:

Thanks Rozzie, but I'm keen to know where you go for your hints and tips, rather than your preferred platform. I use both Blogger and WordPress because I've found each has something to offer depending on what the blog is for. I've found a good self-help site for Blogger, but nothing as yet for WP - can you help?

Rozzie said:

Having used various blogging sites over the years, and knowing HTML as well, I have to say, Wordpress is impressively simple and not fussy like some blogging sites. You can either host on wordpress or download and stick on your own hosting/domain. So I second the vote for them! :)

Permalink Reply by Soilman on August 31, 2010 at 21:17

I'd add two more reliable hosts I've found to be good value and which offer great support:

www.unitedhosting.com
www.justhost.com

The best source of Wordpress information is, of course, www.wordpress.org... assuming you're self-hosting.



Rozzie said:

Well, I've not downloaded and used Wordpress on a domain myself, as I'm too lazy despite my HTML knowledge hehe. But in terms of needing domain/hosting I recommend 1and1.co.uk or GoDaddy. GoDaddy is cheaper (depending on package) but I find 1and1.co.uk is more reliable in terms of the site always being online/never slow.

I could certainly help you with HTML, and what I know of Wordpress from using it myself if you have any more specific questions. I also recommend lissaexplains.com for beginners HTML help, which is where I began learning it 10 years ago.

Feel free to send me any questions you do have and I'll try my best to answer :)

VP said:

Thanks Rozzie, but I'm keen to know where you go for your hints and tips, rather than your preferred platform. I use both Blogger and WordPress because I've found each has something to offer depending on what the blog is for. I've found a good self-help site for Blogger, but nothing as yet for WP - can you help?

Rozzie said:

Having used various blogging sites over the years, and knowing HTML as well, I have to say, Wordpress is impressively simple and not fussy like some blogging sites. You can either host on wordpress or download and stick on your own hosting/domain. So I second the vote for them! :)

Permalink Reply by Gillian Carson on September 4, 2010 at 13:54

Honestly the best site I've ever come across about blogging is Darren Rowse's Pro Blogger it's been going for ages and has everything you ever wanted to know about blogging for either fun or profit. He's a nice guy too, I've met him a couple of times. He also has a wicked blog about photography

Permalink Reply by VP on September 18, 2010 at 11:50

I'm a Pro Blogger fan too - have been using it since the first day I started blogging!

Gillian Carson said:

Honestly the best site I've ever come across about blogging is Darren Rowse's Pro Blogger it's been going for ages and has everything you ever wanted to know about blogging for either fun or profit. He's a nice guy too, I've met him a couple of times. He also has a wicked blog about photography