/dev/random

I am writing this from my iPhone, using just released WordPress native application for iPhone. It is available via iTunes AppStore and it is free!

For the past month or so, I have been posting to my other blog only – over at TypePad.

I am kind of torn between TypePad and WordPress now – as I like WordPress interface better, but TypePad has some features I like, too. I am still not convinced which one I would keep as primary one…  

Anyway, for now – please go to my TypePad blog. 

After playing with several of free and commercial blog hosting services, here are some results:

• WordPress - currently primary blog, will keep it. I may decide to host a WordPress-based blog myself in the future. It looks like 
  
• TypePad - very powerful, I am tempted to keep it for $4.95/month – still have 5 days to decide whether to keep it. By the way, I have found a very nice template there – Curves Blue – which I happen to like the most from all the templates for all the services I tried so far…
  
• Vox - will probably keep it for now, but I am not sure if I will ever start using it. I like some of its community features like list of books, etc. but I do not like its heavy layout and ads that I do not control. I may want to play with it for some more time, especially since it shares some features with its bigger brother - TypePad.
• Blogger - will keep it (since it is free) but probably would not use it. Even though it has the cleanest interface of all the services I tried, it is also the most limited in its features – for example, it is not possible to import posts, etc.
• Blogsome - was deleted today without hesitation: it has absolutely no advantages over a regular WordPress-based blog (including a free WordPress.com-hosted blog)

It turns out it is the same…

Blogsome is a free blog hosting service which is running WordPress, apparently. At least, this is how I understand it.

It has very similar admin interface (surprise!). Few differences with WordPress that I have found are: a) different set of templates and b) some plugins come preinstalled (but not activated) in Blogsome but not in WordPress.com

Oh, and Blogsome is based in Ireland, for what it worth…

Blogged with Flock

As I am just starting to blog, and I did not have my own blog yet, I went ahead and created a blog on a blogging service. Now, to make it even more interesting, I have created accounts on several of them… So, let’s see what we have here:

• Blogger
• WordPress
• TypePad
• Blogsome
• Vox

So, I thought 5 blogs, all on different services is enough – otherwise I would go crazy.  Now, I have specifically avoided LiveJournal as I do not like for some reason.

1. Blogger is nice free service, now part of the Google family. It has a nice clean interface, some additional features like ads via Google AdSense program, etc. I was suprised to see there are only about 10 or so templates to choose from, and I did not find much room for customizations. Nonetheless, it is a very nice service and the one I am using most right now. I am not sure if I would be using it for long as this service clearly has its ceiling.
2. WordPress is another nice free blogging service, although they have paid Pro accounts. Cleaner (compared to TypePad) interface, a lot of features, a lot of templates. Free accounts are limited to 50 MB of storage.
3. Typepad is a “professional”-level blogging service – i.e. they charge you for using it (starts from $4.95/month). It has a LOT more features and room for customizations, but its interface is a bit overloaded and much more confusing, especially for beginners like me.
4. Blogsome – never heard of them before, actually. It has somewhat minimalistic look and it is not as slick as, say, Blogger or WordPress. I would need to play with it to make my mind.
5. Vox seems somewhat simplistic, although they do have a lot of “community” features – like adding information about your favorite music, books, etc. Plus – they put ads both at the top and the bottom of the page. Well, a free service has its price. I believe it is clearly geared towards non-technical beginners.Interestingly enough, Vox is also a part of a family of blogging services by Six Apart company, which includes LiveJournal, Typepad and Movable Type. The former two are free, while the latter two are paid “professional” services.

Yes, I just gave up. I am starting this thing called blog…

I have managed to stay away from blogging for a long time but I guess the time has come now.

I have a couple of ideas on what I would like to share – my opinions on the stuff I come across in my daily personal and professional life, etc.

So, here we go..

Blogged with Flock