WordPress and Other Blog Tools & Publishing Platforms

When I did my Web site, I used Wordpress. It wasn't terribly intuitive, but I finally got it the way I wanted it. I found videos on YouTube very helpful. Pictures are not a problem. Just upload them. Wordpress does the coding.

Twenty years ago, if you wanted a Web site, you put some HTML on Notepad and uploaded it. Things are MUCH more complicated today if you need to connect to a database. Wordpress and Hostgator, my hosting service, make that easy.

Although Wordpress offers Web sites, it is primarily a blogging service. I think that setting up a blog would be much easier. You have less room to play with, so probably fewer things to learn. Another good blog service is Blogger, which is owned by Google. Jim at Big Blue 1840-1940 uses it. He could offer some direction, I'm sure.

Hostgator works well and is sinfully cheap. I've been using it about three years and have never had a problem. There are hosting services everywhere, so you should be able to find local ones, too. If you already have Web pages developed, they probably offer database services. They might lend a hand in getting things hooked up.

Writing books is tough. I wrote a couple as a ghostwriter when I was a working stiff. As you struggle with the writing, it will dominate your thoughts. You will dream about it. You will curse yourself for ever starting it. However, if you decide to go that way, let me know. I am (was) a professional editor and would edit your book gratis. I can also get you a professional designer, who is inexpensive.

I love books, but a Web site or blog would probably be better. As long as you back it up, it will last forever. And it would probably be easier to update/expand than an e-book. I'd be happy to edit your Web pages, too. Sorry to say, I don't know any Web designers.

I'll vouch for Wordpress (wordpress.org) as well. Very easy to setup and use, though it will require some (and sometimes a bit more than some) than tinkering to make it work the way you want it.

That said, I would be cautious on recommending Wordpress.com, Blogger or any other pre-hosted services as they come with somewhat strict terms of service. They are good for posting food recipes etc. But... For example would an image of 'la maja desnuda' stamp be considered pornographic content or piece of historic art? Or would image of Hitler-stamp or WW2 cover with swastikas qualify as promotion of nazism, or historical artifacts of humanitys darkest moments? Or would a page about counterfeits be seen as 'promotion' for counterfeits or as educational resource? As collectors we've got a certain way of looking things, but the non-collecting audience might look things the other way. I know at least three stamp/philately related bloggers/blogs that had their Blogger account suspended because of 'inappropiate content'. Wordpress.com is somewhat strict about monetizing your blog (say selling your extra stamps or reference books) - break the rule, and you'll get booted.

-k-

Since there are about five votes for Wordpress, and none for blogger, I'll raise the flag for blogger. 

For one, it is owned by google, so it isn't going away.

it is intuitive, and cheap.

And the best part, if I can do it, anyone can. 

Yes, it has limits as a platform and for design, but it works well for what it does.

You can see the good and bad at my bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com

Thanks for the information.

This is very true. Though my website technically has a blog, I only post something to it about every 6 months. I think I have 4 posts since I redesigned the website. The overwhelming majority of my website consists of static pages (≈1,000 of them) built within Wordpress.

The real benefit of using a good CMS is in the templating system. It allows you to keep a consistent format across pages, and if you decide to edit the layout, it automatically propagates across all pages. Easy.