Weblog Software
It seems to me that Weblogs are pretty similar to web-boards (BBS) except they allow more flexibility of the layout. So instead of each posting being added to a list, each posting adds in such a way as to make the total look more like a normal Web page. While the weblog phenomenon is said to have started in 1999 with the popularity of blogger, the principle does not seem to be all that different to that of the mammoth bulletin board communities such as 2channel, and before that amezo in Japan.
Since I don't find making pages all that difficult (this
one created with MS Word in minutes) so I was not sure of the attraction of
Weblogs but,
1) Weblog software makes making internet pages very
easy.
2) They have lots of features like comments,
searching, etc.
3) They are easy enough for students to use so that a
class weblog is possible.
In a sense perhaps, a weblog can be understood as
being a bit like the set up provided by Yahoo
Groups in that it is a web board that also can allow the upload of files,
links, and photos. However I do not know of a Weblog that provides a
mailing list. Some such as Blogger pro,
allow you to add to the weblog by email, but even Blogger Pro uses Yahoo Groups
for its mailing list.
The downside?
1) Set up can be quite tricky. You generally have to
load the weblog software onto your server, although some may be hosted.
2) Many use databases such as MySQL (I only have one
and I want to save it for some thing else. Extra MySQL's cost about $5 a month
on my server.)
3) Not as much control over ones page.
4) May be hacked
5) I am not sure about whether the education related
features provided by the better web boards, such as statistics on who has
posted, are available or not.
The most famous 3 weblog
software packages are perhaps the following
Blogger from
"Pyra" now owned by Google
Since google has bought this small company we can
expect growth. Good name too. The basic set up is free if you link. Blogger Pro
costs money. They also provide hosting. But I am not sure of the
requirements but they suggest that there are none.
Free for personal use - "donationware" -
$150 for commercial uses. With support forums. Perl and MySQL or a the
installation of a Perl database handling software.
Free for all uses "donationware". Support
forums. Perl, and no need for MySQL.
Other Weblog software include
Radio Userland
costs money so I did not read about it but it is famous.
Microsoft's
Weblog Software, reviewed here
http://www.dashes.com/magazine/backissues/microsofts_weblog_software.php
The name of MS’s package is STS or SharePoint Team
Services and it comes bundled with Frontpage.
Needs PHP and MySQL
Perl, no need for a database. Looks okay.
About Webblogs
Weblogs
compendium - all about weblogs
One
man's opinion on Weblogs Where I found out about the basics, written on a
weblog.