Open Source Blogging SoftwareMichelle Murrain, NOSI

June 24, 2008

What we'll cover todayWhat we'll cover today

What is blogging? Options for creating a blog CMS vs. Blogging tool Drupal & Joomla CMS and Blogging MovableType WordPress WordPress case study

What is blogging?What is blogging?

Regularly updated news, opinion or journaling Often read by RSS feed Usually (but not always) allows comments Used to engage constituents Can have one, or multiple authors

Options for creating a blogOptions for creating a blog

Software as a Service, such as: Blogger.com

Free LiveJournal

Both free and paid versions Wordpress.com

Free, and very cheap paid versions TypePad.com

Ranges in price Blogware

Sold only through resellers

Options for creating a blogOptions for creating a blog

Open Source Blogging tools WordPress MovableType B2evolution

Open Source CMS tools Drupal Joomla Others Many (not all) have blogs as a part of the integrated

CMS package Some (like Plone) require add-on tools

Proprietary Blog/CMS tools Build your own Don't ever do

this!

CMS or Blog?CMS or Blog?

CMS – Content Management System: designed to manage an entire website

Blogging tool – just designed to manage a blog If you already have a CMS, and want to add a

blog: If the CMS is capable, or there is a strong add-on, this

is a good option A standalone blog tool has advantages/disadvantages:

Different authentication Designed to be only a blog – strong blogging plug ins, etc. Blog, not CMS workflow Different template

CMS or Blog?CMS or Blog?

Using a blogging tool for a CMS is not recommended. Not designed as a CMS Provides real limitations You'll be sorry later

Drupal BlogDrupal Blog

A blog in Drupal is a module Authenticated users may, or may not, have access

to the blog module, depending on what group they are in

Blog is directly connected to an individual user Comments are built in

JoomlaJoomla

Blog is a content category Comments are not out-of-the-box – you need to

add a plug in to deal with blog comments

Movable TypeMovable Type

Used to be proprietary (there are still proprietary versions)

Now GPL v2 MT is what powers TypePad Very professional, high end

WordPress (and Wordpress.com)WordPress (and Wordpress.com)

“Industry Standard” Very easy to set up and use

Many hosting companies have “one click” installation Wordpress.com very easy to set up Even without that, it is quite easy to install Very intuitive interface

Designed just for blogging Multiple authors and roles

Subscriber, contributor, author, editor, administrator Link management (for blogrolls) Comment management/moderation RSS feeds for entries and comments

WordPressWordPress

Lots of templates available Lots of plug ins Undergoing a lot of development – it has

improved greatly over the years WordPress MU (μ)

Multi-user – basically make your own wordpress.com

DEMO

Word Press Case StudyWord Press Case Study

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) launched a blog in February 2008

Peggy Woods-Clark Website Manager

Holly Kearl AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Manager