As is typical of my nature, whenever I start a new hobby, i tend to go a little crazy. It’s not enough to simply start blogging. I have to examine every possible aspect. So today was spent testing a few different offline blogging options. The decision…
Although posting blog entries via the web will typically be the primary method for most bloggers, there are times when life gets in the way. You might be on vacation and unable to get internet service, (although this is becoming increasingly unlikely) or perhaps you just want to do a lot of writing without the distraction of the browser grinning evilly at you. (Mine does this… tell me I’m not alone in this)At these times, an offline blog editor can be just what you need. The capability to write your posts, preview how they will appear, and save them as drafts for later publication can streamline your work process significantly.
Using the following reviews, I tested 3 of the most commonly used editors. All 3 possessed the basic functionalities most blogger would consider useful, and selection of any one will be strictly blogger preference. I won’t go into too much detail, since Michael Garmahis did such a fantastic job already. Be sure to check out the rest of Michael’s site Design Live. You won’t be disappointed.
BlogDesk
BlogDesk is a fast blog client with a simple neutral interface which leaves more space for the actual post and helps to focus on the content. Blogdesk is especially suitable for inexperienced users providing them with Intuitive WYSIWYG Editor. Dictionaries in 14 languages are available for the integrated spell checker. BlogDesk can access all systems that support the MetaweblogAPI or MovableType interface.
Pros:
- reach image editor (drop shadow, crop, rotate)
- read more option
- Technorati tags generator
- notebook (save draft text for later use)
- frequently used phrases (easy insert of often used phrases, sentences, acronyms or complex formulations)
- automatic upload of local links files (mp3,pdf) to blog
Cons:
- no ability to use html tags in source view
- no integration with photo sharing sites like Flickr
Score: 8/10
Summary: BlogDesk is in the middle between Semagic and w.bloggar forn the one side and BlogJet and Windows Live Writer from the other side. It needs a few features to be added to be more competitive.
BlogJet
BlogJet is a blog client developed by Coding Robots for managing multiple blogs. BlogJet supports all leading Blog Services: WordPress, TypePad, Movable Type, Blogger, MSN Live Spaces, Blogware, BlogHarbor, Squarespace, Drupal, Community Server.There is choice to use WYSIWYG Editor producing clean html code or edit html tags manually in html view. Easy and quick work with pictures implemented as well. Since BlogJet stores posts in the cache, there is access to all of your posts even with no internet connection. I was impressed by BlogJet autodiscovery feature, after installing I need to enter only blog address and password; the rest of configuring BlogJet did itself.
Pros:
- Integration with browsers and RSS readers
- nice, userfriendly interface with different themes
- file attachments
- adding tags option
- quite rich image formatting options
- Youtube video embedding support
Cons:
- paid 29.95 euro
Score: 9/10
Summary: it could be ideal blog client if it would be free.
Windows Live Writer
Windows Live Writer is a new tool from Microsoft which nice looking and userfriendly interface is very similar to BlogJet. Besides integration with Windows Live Spaces, there is support for Blogger, LiveJournal, TypePad, WordPress. Windows Live Writer reads your blog’s template and let preview your content while creating it as though it is real preview on your blog. You can create and format posts using your blog’s visual style, including headings, fonts, colors, margins and paragraph styles. When you insert pictures, you’ve got extra options: you can resize the picture, add a nice shadow, adjust brightness and contrast, add some simple effects like sepia, watermark, sharpen. Windows Live Writer also lets you insert maps using Windows Live Local and embed videos.
Pros:
- very reach image editor
- option to use no follow tag by inserting links
- quick video embedding
- plugins
- automatically save drafts
- four different post edit view presets: normal, web layout, web preview, HTML code
Cons:
- problems with installation of final version (Windows Live Writer 2008)
- no integration with photo sharing sites like Flickr
- only Windows Live maps integration
- WYSIWYG editor not always produce clean code
Score: 9/10
Summary: Recommended for most users, especially to beginners. Windows Live Writer looks like most promising blog client and candidate for winners since it gathered best features from other blog clients. In my opinion, it needs to be more polished before taking 1st place. The next releases of paid clients have no chances if Windows Live Writer would be a little bit btter.
My own research mirrored the listed reviews and I finally settled on Windows Live Writer. Setting aside the visually appealing interface, my primary purpose for choosing this one over the others is the added functionality of plugins. Anyone who has seen my Firefox installation can attest the I love plugins. One download… and i had added the capability of auto-generating tags for my posts. Another download gave me a large collection of emoticons for jazzing up my posts, but the absolute top reason for selecting this one?
What can i say? We all get a bit forgetful and being reminded to add title, tags, and categories is a necessity, especially for anyone new to blogging. Also be sure to check out Dustin Wax’s most excellent post on making Windows Live Writer sit up and beg…
9 Ways to Get More Out of Windows Live Writer
Lastly, one word of caution for those of you using Firefox 3, the Firefox plugin “Blog This” included in the install, will not work for Firefox 3. Instead you can find the Firefox 3 version at:
Blog This in Windows Live Writer
The addon is still in the experimental stage, but seems to be pretty stable.
Happy Blogging!
