Open Source Blogging Software Michelle Murrain, NOSI June 24, 2008

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

Drupal 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

Joomla 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 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)‏ “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

WordPress 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 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