Software and People

Several people seem to be worried about Movable Type's new pricing and are casting around for new blog software. One has even got as far as making a table of blog software features

I'm not sure the author of the table realizes just how many blogging tools there are. He doesn't seem to have come across any that aren't coded in PHP or Perl yet either. He's asking for more information, so maybe anyone with a Java blogging solution ought to let him know ...


He might not be interested in Java-based systems. He says, "Only server-installed scripts will be included in this list."

Of course, that same limitation is the main reason for the Perl/PHP dominance in his table. He might consider Python and Ruby based systems, though (PyBlosxom, Blogtari!, etc.).

It'd be nice if the columns (products) were in some kind of logical order rather than alphabetical. It seems odd that b2Evolution and WordPress are at opposite ends of the chart when they are both derived from b2/cafelog. Similarly, pMachine Pro and Expression Engine should really be together, along with the (unlisted) pMachine Free.

Finally, I would have wished for some indication of how "ready to run" each of the products is. Some of them are usable right away, with a selection of easily installable skins for customization, while others require extensive template (and probably CSS) coding before you get anything resembling a usable site design.

I read the "Only server-installed scripts will be included in this list." as ruling out workstation-hosted "build a site and then FTP it" solutions, rather than ruling out server-hosted Java. I could be wrong, of course - we'll see if any Java blog software gets added to the table.
TrackBack to http://radio.javaranch.com/frank/addTrackBack.action?entry=1085398830000