The blog I use (blogspot) was apparently bought out by Google some time ago. Since I don't really wish to associate myself with them, is there any other blog tool you recommend? Preferably, a tool that would integrate into my current Web & URL.
Can't help with the blog tools, but, what's the issue with Google?
Posted by Brent Murphy on June 26, 2008 at 11:59 PM
I know a lot of people who use WordPress, but I don't have any experience with it myself. I've played around with Google's Blogger (formerly Blogspot), and think it's great. I'm actually a big fan of almost everything Google has done, so I'm not sure what the issue is. But I like their blog tool and plan to stick with it.
I've been using wordpress for about 2 years now and have really found it to be very easy to use. My photography site uses the latest version of wordpress. You can go to wordpress.org to download and install it (very easy to install) if you are hosting your own domain or you can get a free blog at www.wordpress.com. I haven't used wordpress.com, but it basically runs the same as your own wordpress installation, just not as much freedom over themes and you can't modify themes on wordpress.com
I think either are good options for a blog. Hope that helps some.
Posted by Neil Corman on June 27, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I second the thought I using Wordpress, this is what I have been using for the past nine months and it allows me to have it integrated with my website. I would also recommend using the akismet plugin which is available to help combat spam comments, and it part of the download you just need to get a code to activate it. I have noticed as of late it has not been as bad with spam, but it is streaky on when the spam finds your postings. Of course right now I just jinxed myself. Installation is pretty straight forward, but customizing to fit the look of your site is what will take a little time.
Posted by Adam Schallau on June 27, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Another vote for Wordpress.
Here's the issue with Google: By submitting, posting or displaying Content on or through Google services which are intended to be available to the members of the public, you grant Google a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, publish and distribute such Content on Google services for the purpose of displaying and distributing Google services.
Posted by Brent Murphy on June 27, 2008 at 2:24 AM
If you are that concerned with the license agreement, you need to review the agreements for other services as well. They are all pretty much the same.
If you read the Google license info closely, you will see that you grant Google license merely to promote themselves and their services. You will find a similar license agreement in the Wordpress Terms of Service: By submitting Content to Automattic for inclusion on your Website, you grant Automattic a world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your blog.
Note that this should only apply to sites hosted on Wordpress, and not for sites you host yourself using their software.
The language is nearly identical on photo sites like Smugmug, Photobucket, and others. No need to single out Google exclusively.
Smugmug: You retain all copyright in any Content you post in any Interactive Areas. However, by posting any Content or otherwise participating in any Interactive Area, you grant SmugMug a perpetual, nonexclusive, royalty-free right to use, publish, distribute, reproduce, perform, adapt and display the Content on the Site, including the right to use the name that is submitted in connection with such Content.
Photobucket: By displaying or publishing ("posting") any Content on or through the Photobucket Services, you hereby grant to Photobucket and other users a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, worldwide, limited license to use, modify, delete from, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, reproduce and translate such Content, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Site in any media formats through any media channels, except Content marked "private" will not be distributed outside the Photobucket Services.
TypePad: By submitting Content to Six Apart for inclusion on your Six Apart Blog Site, you grant Six Apart a world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your Blog Site on Six Apart's Internet properties.
Basically, these services allow you to use their hosting services in exchange for their free use of your work. Pretty much the same across the board.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 27, 2008 at 4:50 AM
I also use wordpress from my own domain. I have yet to play with the templates or any other customizations but the usage is pretty simple.
It may seem dumb, but I can't get signed on to my old blog since Google took it over. I get to the signon screen and it never accepts my info - keeps circulating back to the signon screen. I've checked the FAQ and apparently, this is an issue, but even going through their suggested fix doesn't help. I'll keep pursuing, but if a company can't make their tool easy to use, I ain't interested.
Discussion
9 repliesThanks in advance, Ken
I think either are good options for a blog. Hope that helps some.
Here's the issue with Google:
By submitting, posting or displaying Content on or through Google services which are intended to be available to the members of the public, you grant Google a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, publish and distribute such Content on Google services for the purpose of displaying and distributing Google services.
If you read the Google license info closely, you will see that you grant Google license merely to promote themselves and their services. You will find a similar license agreement in the Wordpress Terms of Service:
By submitting Content to Automattic for inclusion on your Website, you grant Automattic a world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your blog.
Note that this should only apply to sites hosted on Wordpress, and not for sites you host yourself using their software.
The language is nearly identical on photo sites like Smugmug, Photobucket, and others. No need to single out Google exclusively.
Smugmug:
You retain all copyright in any Content you post in any Interactive Areas. However, by posting any Content or otherwise participating in any Interactive Area, you grant SmugMug a perpetual, nonexclusive, royalty-free right to use, publish, distribute, reproduce, perform, adapt and display the Content on the Site, including the right to use the name that is submitted in connection with such Content.
Photobucket:
By displaying or publishing ("posting") any Content on or through the Photobucket Services, you hereby grant to Photobucket and other users a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, worldwide, limited license to use, modify, delete from, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, reproduce and translate such Content, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Site in any media formats through any media channels, except Content marked "private" will not be distributed outside the Photobucket Services.
TypePad:
By submitting Content to Six Apart for inclusion on your Six Apart Blog Site, you grant Six Apart a world-wide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt and publish the Content solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting your Blog Site on Six Apart's Internet properties.
Basically, these services allow you to use their hosting services in exchange for their free use of your work. Pretty much the same across the board.
Thanks for the suggestions so far.
Ken