BLOG SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
Bloggers who choose to use independent blog software are usually those with very strong technical skills in Web site creation, programming, or graphic design, or those with access to people with those skills. Because of the degree of complexity of such software packages, many bloggers consider using them a mark of prestige sort of a digital calling card that demonstrates skill and know-how. This is especially true of blogs that have been further customized with additional programming and functionality.
Using independent blog software is hard to do, but the really savvy bloggers choose this solution, so you know you’re on to something good.
As with hosted blog solutions, you can choose from many options. Most of these software packages include the following:
� Instructions on acquiring and installing the software on your Web server
� Guidance on server technical requirements
� A user guide
Be sure to review all these documents as you assess the different software packages. If you’re constrained by a certain set of server capabilities or can’t make heads or tails of the installation instructions, the software package may not be for you!
Many independent blog software solutions are available; the list could go on for pages. To get you blogging quickly, the companies I discuss in the following sections are those with very strong software packages, competitive pricing, and a robust set of functionalities.
Choosing functionalities .Good blogs have some important features in common that you need to look for in any independent blogging software solution you consider (and in hosted solutions, too). Whatever solution you decide to use, make sure you have access to the following technologies, even if you don’t plan to use them right away. If your blog is a success, you will undoubtedly want to add some of these features down the line.
� Categories: One of the best ways to help your readers get the information they’re most interested in is to categorize your content. If you post frequently, allow multiple authors, or cover a number of topics, you’ll find categories essential.
� RSS: Most blogs — and, increasingly, many Web sites with regularly updated content — provide an RSS feed for readers. An RSS feed is an XML-based file that creates short summaries of every entry posted on your blog. The RSS feed pushes your content to blog aggregation sites and permits it to be:
• Picked up by Web sites that syndicate blog content
• Pulled in by other Web logs or other Web sites
• Displayed by newsreader software
Figure 6-2 shows Bloglines (www.bloglines.com), a free RSS reader, at work.
� Blogrolls/links: Creating a list of links to blogs you read regularly, or a blogroll, is considered good form and a way of being a participating member of the blogosphere.
Some independent blog software solutions provide a tool for you to build the blogroll; others let you edit the templates and code yourself. If you pick a blog software package that requires you to write some HTML to create a list of links, see Chapter 4 for an HTML brush-up.
� Comments: Look for an independent blog software solution that not only permits comments, but allows you to track them to keep up with what people are saying.
You set apart your blog from a run-of-the-mill Web site with comments. They are the dialogue, the interaction, that makes blogs exciting and unique — and they’re important avenues for your readers to give you information and criticism.