Where I blog now ...

Blogger is my favorite of the free blogging sites. Their variety of templates, ease of use, simple control panel (dashboard) and widespread acceptance/adoption makes them the best choice. I have had this blog for some time, but admit that I have not 'taken full advantage' of the blog's usefulness. However, I'm waiting to see what 'paid' services Google/Pyra may/will provide that will enhance Blogger.

Currently, this blog site is a supplement to classes I'm teaching at my favorite place on earth. I'm trying to expose the students to blogging. I've been surprised at the small number of students that are adequately informed of the phenomenon. Note the date on that article, February 5, 2002. I've been surprised at how few students in my classes are blogging. So, my class project is underway.

So, is Blogger the only place to get a blog? Oh, no. Far from it.

Blog providers

List of Web Log Software / Platform / Providers

Web Logs - Blog Blogs Weblog Weblogs - starting & keeping a blog/web log/weblog

Blogger: Login

Create New Journal

movabletype.org : Get Movable Type Personal

b2 - a classy weblog tool

Backwash - Magazine

TypePad: Hosted Weblog Service

WordPress › Home

Xanga.com

Traction - Home

Web Logs - Search Results

EditMe - The web site solution for wikis, blogs, content and collaboration sites. - Edit Your Web.

ManyWorlds.com - The Knowledge Network for Thought Leaders on Business Strategy, Innovation and Futures.

Stardock: Blog Navigator

Blogit

Bloglines | Most Popular Blogs

Google Weblog

Now, if you are interested in a community within a community, then LiveJournal may be the one for you. LiveJournal offers a 'Friends' function which allows you to have a 'blogroll' of your friends within LiveJournal. It is more than that, you can create 'groups' of friends, and have a mini-blog community of your own. But, essentially both Blogger and LiveJournal are the same in many respects.

I blog in other places, too. I have a LiveJournal blog (mostly personal) and this 'test site' where I tryout various CMS scripts. I have my own 'Serendipity' blog, which is remarkably easy to install and use. WordPress is my current 'attempt' at blogging. It is a good script, too.

Of the 'freebies', I think that Blogger is the best, though. Their newest addition, AudioBlogger is just another example of their great product. And, now that they are owned by Google, it seems inevitable that this blog alternative will grow exponentially.

The CMS software/script sites I host now are:

• SiteWorksPro 5.0 - Portal [Commercial]
  
  
• e107 (Version v0.614 ) - Portal with Forums [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• Mambo (4.5 Stable-1.0.8) - Portal with Forums [Opensource - Free]
  
• Mambo (4.5.1 Beta) - Portal with Forums [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• pMachine (2.3 Free) - Blog [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• Serendipity (0.6-pl3) - Blog [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• Segue (v.1.0.6) - eLearning (similar to WebCT) [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• XMB (1.8 Partagium Final) - Forums [Opensource - Free]
  
  
• e107 (Version v0.616) [Opensource - Free]
         • This is a separate part of my account - another domain name - and it is for the Alabama Special Olympics.
  

Those sites get uploaded, fiddled with, deleted, uploaded again, databases tinkered with, deleted, etc... Just a place to practice, play and experiment.

I maintain this site, Auburn University Department of Communication and Journalism for the department. Another lil' fun task.

The Serendipity 'blog' site is the only public site I update regularly. The LiveJournal site is mostly private.