Getting Back Into Blogging
Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 9:17 pm | 
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I've really let this site slide, and there are a couple reasons for it...
1. Work
Work has been keeping me extremely busy lately, which is a very good thing. I've been working on some really cool projects with some really cool people, and it's left me with much less time for other stuff than I've had in the past.
2. Life
Life in general has been keeping me pretty busy, as well. I spend most of my free time with my girlfriend, which is where I want to be spending it, not stuck in front of a computer. Don't get me wrong, I love my work and doing what I do, but at the end of the day, I'm ready to step away from it and not touch the computer again until the morning. We've been having all kinds of fun this summer skiing, swimming, boating, and just being together in general.
3. TypeSpace
Wait, did I just say TypeSpace? Yes, and that's been part of the reason I've not been blogging as much of late. I'm not really satisfied with the system I have (that being TypeSpace), and don't seem to have any desire to work on it right now (see points 1 and 2). I've been thinking about paths to take, and to be honest, switching to one of the pre-built solutions (probably either Textpattern or WordPress) has been sounding better and better. Alternately, I could look for people to help me out with TypeSpace, which might be a better choice due to the number of beta testers that have signed up.
4. This Site
I'm really not satisfied with this site anymore, and I've been wanting to redesign this site for quite some time now. But, point number 3 has been holding me off. If I decide to use a pre-built blogging software, I'll have to learn how their templating systems work. If I decide to look for some help with TypeSpace, I'll have to wait until that's closer to being ready for prime-time (as I don't have time to do it all twice). Either way, I'm ready for this site to turn into something else, and seem to be losing enthusiasm with this current incarnation.
Anyway, regardless of all that, I'm hoping to post more often, even if it means making short little posts.
Comments
Well if you decide to go with movable type, which I highly do reccomend, the template system is VERY easy. I learned it within ohh a day or two and made my site(see link), so I suggest using movable type because it is my personal favourite blogging system!
Jeff, thanks for the interest. I'll keep your name in mind! :)
I say give Wordpress a shot. Just try it out. People who don't even know any PHP at all have actually figured out how to use the templating system to create their own designs in Wordpress. Wordpress's Codex (http://codex.wordpress.org) is especially helpful, and there is only a small learning curve (took me no time at all, really). Also, by using Wordpress instead of your own blogging software, you have the benefit of a community with help and support. Wordpress is also loaded with features (and has a sexy OS X Tiger CP theme!) and any additional functionality that you may need can be easily integrated into the system (and is portable via plugins).
I've found Textpattern to be a lot more confusing, but some people seem to prefer it over Wordpress.
Glad to see you have a normal life behind the screen. It does hit you when you begin working with your hobby full time that you dont actually want to spend every night of every evening online. Normal life becomes bliss and as much as you may love your work, it's still a job.
Everything is going for Textpattern at the moment, with the new release of '4'. Why not give it a shot? No excuses available for learning to use it because it is that simple.
Take up offers for help with TypeSpace but run this site on something different till you reach a stable release of your own CMS?
I've felt similarly about my own custom CMS as well. It seems ludicrous to be always spending time implementing basic features that have existed for ages in more than one mature system.
I'm already running WP on my server for a friend, so I've become a little acquanted with its plugins and support. Nevertheless, I may run Textpattern myself, simply for the sake of getting to know it...
Textpattern imo is much more robust that WP. While both are nice I find myself going back to Textpattern time and time again. its fucntionality, expandability and its much better tag system that WP's are all factors. That and I can install and set it up in no time. Best thing I can say though is try them all. However I cannot see paying for MT when Textapttern etc exists.
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August 24th, 2005
11:00 PM | #
If you decide to look for some help with TypeSpace, don't hesitate to give me a shout. I've been looking to a bit of a side project to work on that involves some programming. You can contact me at the email addy attached to this post.